Veterans and Servicemembers make many sacrifices to serve in defense of the country, and in return, the country, and individual states, look for ways to give back to them. In addition to federal-level benefits for Veterans, such as VA healthcare and VA education benefits through the GI Bill, many states also provide state-level benefits for Veterans. Some of these include free or reduced recreation passes, Veterans income tax exemptions, drivers licenses, Veterans hospital locations, and state-run Veterans homes. Some states offer certain benefits to Veterans that others do not. For example, Alabama offers tuition waivers to the dependents of disabled Veterans, while Alaska does not. California offers affordable home loans on a state level through CalVet, while other states rely on the VA for VA backed home loans.
This article aims to help Veterans navigate these state-specific benefits by providing a comprehensive overview of what each state has to offer. Click on your state in the list below to learn more about Veteran benefits offered in your state.
Select Your State Below For Your State-Specific Veteran Benefits:
Learn all about the Veteran benefits in Arizona: Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, Tax Exemptions, Arizona State Park Pass and more.
Discover the Veteran benefits available in California: CalVet Home Loan, Veterans Income Tax Exemption, California State Park Pass and more.
Explore the Veteran benefits in Florida: Property Tax Exemption for Veterans, Disabled Veteran Benefits, Free Hunting License and more.
Take a look at the Veteran benefits and services Georgia offers: State Veterans Homes, Property Tax Exemption for Veterans, Hunting License and more.
Find out about the benefits New York provides for its Veterans: Home Loan Program, E-Z Pass for Disabled Veterans, Lifetime Liberty Pass and more.
Learn all about North Carolina’s Veteran benefits: State Veterans Homes, Tax Exemption for Veterans, North Carolina State Park Pass and more.
Uncover Pennsylvania’s Veteran benefits: Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home, Tax Exemptions for Veterans, Veteran Fishing License and more.
Get to know the Veteran benefits that South Carolina has to offer: Tuition Waiver, Disabled Veterans Benefits, South Carolina Hunting License and more.
Explore the numerous Veteran benefits available to Veterans in Texas: Hazlewood Act, Hunting & Fishing Licenses, Veteran Property Tax Exemptions and more.
Discover the full range of Veteran benefits in Virginia: Survivors and Dependents Education Program, Disabled Veteran Benefits, VTAP and more.
More states to follow soon…
Frequently Asked Questions about Veteran Benefits
The questions below are some of the more common questions asked by Veterans concerning their benefits, and how they might differ from state to state, or from federal benefits. All states offer some form of tax exemption, educational benefits, and healthcare benefits for National Guard. However, it varies by state whether these benefits only apply to disabled Veterans or to other Veterans with qualifying eligibility.
These benefits encompass a wide range of services and programs, including healthcare, education, housing, financial assistance, and burial benefits, designed to support Veterans and their families.
These benefits encompass a wide range of services and programs, including healthcare, education, housing, financial assistance, and burial benefits, designed to support Veterans and their families.
While federal VA benefits are uniform across states, state-specific benefits for Veterans vary significantly, covering areas like property tax exemptions, Veteran home loan programs, education, employment, and recreational opportunities. Some states offer cash bonuses, free hunting/fishing licenses, and even free college tuition.
Yes, Veterans can access free or discounted education through programs like the GI Bill, state-specific Veteran benefits, and potential fee waivers, offering various options for covering tuition, fees, and other educational expenses. Many of these programs supplement federal VA education benefits.
Eligible Veterans can access healthcare benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs, including a wide range of services from checkups to special procedures and prescriptions, with some costs potentially covered depending on their priority group and health conditions. Both federal and state health benefits for Veterans provide access to Veterans hospital services. There are also specific disabled Veteran benefits, such as license plates and accommodation services.
To apply for Veteran benefits in a specific state, you can start by researching the state’s Department of Veterans Affairs website for information on their specific benefits and application processes and then contact them directly for assistance. There are also local Veteran support organizations familiar with their state’s benefits who can assist Veterans.
Every state provides Veterans with income tax exemptions, as well as a property tax exemption for Veterans. Some states also offer homestead exemptions, though not all, and in some cases, only disabled Veterans qualify for any of the state’s tax exemptions, while other states provide them to all Veterans.
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers Veteran home loan programs, including VA-backed loans, which can help Veterans, Servicemembers, and their surviving spouses buy, improve, or refinance a home, often with favorable terms like no down payment. Some individual states also have supplemental home loan programs, as well as a property tax exemption for Veterans.
Veterans can access many career assistance programs, including job training, educational counseling, resume support, and job search skills coaching, through programs like the Veteran Readiness and Employment and the Veterans Employment and Training Service. All US states and territories offer state-level Veteran career assistance programs through a network of American Job Centers and state-specific resources, providing employment and training services to Veterans. Many states also give preference to Veterans during hiring.
Many special programs exist to support disabled Veterans, including VA disability compensation, housing grants, and employment and training programs, among others. Many states offer disabled Veterans benefits such as special license plates and drivers licenses. Several states provide a disabled Veteran fishing license and a disabled Veteran hunting license. Disabled Veterans have access to a special National Park Pass for Veterans, and Veterans income tax exemptions.