Table 1: State-Authorized Veterans' Benefits (excluding Vehicle-Related Benefits)* in 38 States

(If you have more info/states please submit to parker2@entercomp.com )

Tax Property

Tax (Other)

Education

Veterans' Cemetery

Hospital/Health Care

Employment

Retirement Credit

Hunting & Fishing license

Firing Squad

Burial/Death Benefits

Financial (Emergency Aid)

Financial (Other)

Housing Preference

Prof. & Occupational license/fees

Itinerant Vendors

Bonus

Other

Alabama

Y

YY

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Alaska

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Arizona

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Colorado

YY

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

YY

Connecticut

YY

Y

Y

Y

YY

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Delaware

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Florida

Y

YY

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

YY

Georgia

YY

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Idaho

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Illinois

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

YY

Indiana

YY

YY

Y

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Kansas

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Kentucky

Y

YY

Y

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Louisiana

Y

Y

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Maine

YY

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Maryland

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Massachusetts

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Michigan

Y

Y

Y

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

YY

YY

Y

YY

Minnesota

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Mississippi

Y

Y

YY

Y

Y

YY

Y

Y

YY

New Hampshire

YY

Y

Y

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

New Jersey

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

YY

New Mexico

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

North Carolina

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

North Dakota

Y

YY

YY

Y

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Oregon

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Oklahoma

Y

Y

Y

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Pennsylvania

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

YY

Rhode Island

YY

YY

Y

Y

YY

YY

Y

Y

Y

YY

South Carolina

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

YY

South Dakota

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

YY

Texas

Y

YY

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

YY

Utah

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Vermont

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Washington

Y

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

West Virginia

Y

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

YY

Wisconsin

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

YY

Y

Y

Wyoming

Y

YY

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Source: state statutes, state veterans' publications, and nasdva. com

* War service benefits are shown in red; other benefits are available to veterans regardless of when they served.

YY indicates more than one benefit within a category, at least one of which requires war service.

Table 2-39: All State-Authorized Veterans' Benefits

submit your state to parker2@entercomp.com 

Table 2: State Veterans' Benefits-Alabama

Benefit Category	Benefit Summary/Description	Service Eligibility Criteria
Tax (Property)	Incompetent veteran's property up to $ 3,000 exempt from property tax	Peacetime or wartime
	Veteran's home acquired with federal grant for specially adapted housing exempt from property tax	Peacetime or wartime
Tax (Other)	Federal compensation for active service in combat zone exempt from income tax	War service (combat zone)
	Military retirement income exempt from state, county, and municipal income tax	Peacetime or wartime
	Disabled veteran's vehicle bought with federal funds exempt from license fees and property tax	War service (plus disability)
Education	Four years' tuition, textbook, and laboratory fee exemption to dependents of qualified veterans at state-supported higher learning institutions; two years for spouse or unremarried spouse of veteran with 20-90% service-connected disability, or up to 18 months to complete one prescribed technical course	90 days peacetime or wartime service (plus disability)
	WW II high school diploma to veteran unable to complete high school because of military service	WW II service
	$ 850 scholarship program	War service
	Disabled American Veterans' Scholarship Program (from $ 200 to $ 3,000) for dependents of needy veterans with service-connected disabilities	Peacetime or wartime (plus service-connected disability)
Veterans' Cemetery	None	NA
Hospital/Health Care	Admission to state veterans' home	Wartime
Employment	Preference in state classified employment (5 points added to exam scores; 10 points for service- connected disability)	Peacetime or wartime
	Up to 5 years credit for peace officers returning to jobs within six months after military service	Peacetime or wartime
	Unemployed veteran may be entitled to unemployment compensation based on honorable service	Peacetime or wartime
	Unclassified state employees called to military service have the same rights and privileges as classified employees	Peacetime or wartime
	County and municipal officials who enter the military during national emergency retain job status and reemployment rights	National emergency service
	Teacher entering the military who is not on continuing service status entitled to credit for service under some circumstances	Peacetime or wartime
	Reemployment/retention rights	Peacetime or wartime
Retirement	Retirement benefit rights of state employees and teachers who enter the Armed Forces and return to state employment after discharge are preserved	Peacetime or wartime
	Veterans eligible for unemployment compensation based on military service	Peacetime or wartime
Hunting and Fishing Licenses	Reduced ($ . 25) annual fishing license (non hunting license exemption provided)	Peacetime or wartime (plus total disability)
Firing Squad	None	NA
Burial/Death Benefits	None	NA
Financial (Emergency Aid)	None	NA
Financial (Other-loan, grant, etc. )	None	NA
Housing Preference	None	NA
Professional and Occupational Licenses/Fees	Business and occupations license exemptions of $ 15 to $ 25 from each state, county, and municipality, depending on the war and property value	War service (plus 25% disability for some wars)
Itinerant Vendors	None	NA
Bonus	$ 500 bonus to Vietnam or Cambodia POWs	Vietnam or Cambodia service
Other	Public Records-one free copy for Veterans' Administration (VA) claims	Peacetime or wartime
	Discharge Papers-free recording	Peacetime or wartime

Source: state statutes, state veterans' publications, and nasdva. com

* War service benefits are shown in red; other benefits available to veterans regardless of when they served.

Table 3: State Veterans' Benefits-Alaska

Benefit Category	Benefit Summary/Description	Service Eligibility Criteria
Tax (Property)	First $ 150,000 of assessed value of primary residence of veteran with 50% disability incurred in line of duty exempt from local property tax	Peacetime or wartime (plus 50% disability); also guard service
Tax (Other)	None	NA
Education	WW II diploma for veterans who did not complete high school because they were in the service	WW II
	Free undergraduate tuition for dependents of veterans who died in the line of duty or are listed as prisoners of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA)	See Benefit Summary
	Up to 100% tuition payment for guardsmen at various schools in the state	Guard service
Veterans' Cemetery	None	NA
Hospital/Health Care	No state veterans' home, but law passed recently to convert pioneers' home to veterans homes	Unclear
Employment	State employee hiring preference for classified positions (10 points for disabled veterans; 5 points for other veterans)	Peacetime or wartime
Retirement Credit	Up to 5 years credit in Teachers' Retirement system for service in the Armed Forces	Peacetime or wartime
Hunting and Fishing Licenses	Free hunting and fishing license	Peacetime or wartime (plus 50% disability)
Firing Squad	None	NA
Burial/Death Benefits	None	NA
Financial (Emergency Aid)	See Financial (Other-loan/grant/etc. ) below	--
Financial (Other-loan/grant/etc)	Various state-guaranteed loans: personal loans up to $ 10,000, business loans up to $ 125,000, and multiple dwelling loans up to $ 110,000	Wartime (with exceptions)
Housing Preference	Veterans' preference in moderate cost and rental public housing projects	Peacetime or wartime
Professional and Occupational Licenses/Fees	None	NA
Itinerant Vendors	None	NA
Bonus	None	NA
Other	Discharge Documents-free recording	Peacetime or wartime
	State Camping Pass-free
	Veterans' Land Sale Preference-25% discount on purchase price of residential/recreational land	Peacetime or wartime (plus 50% disability)
	Death Gratuity-$ 750	Peacetime, wartime, or guard or reservist service
	Public Records-free to determine eligibility for certain benefits	Peacetime or wartime

Source: state statutes, state veterans' publications, and nasdva. com

* War service benefits are shown in red; other benefits are available to veterans regardless of when they served.

Table 4: State Veterans' Benefits-Arizona

Benefit Category	Benefit Summary/Description	Service Eligibility Criteria
Tax (Property)	Property of widows, widowers, and disabled persons exempt from tax (ranging from $ 3,000)
	Tax exemption on vehicle acquired through financial aid from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Tax (Other)	Compensation received for combat zone active service exempt from gross income for tax purposes	War service (combat service)
	Federal payments (civil or military retirement) up to $ 2,500 per year are tax exempt
Education	Veteran or qualified dependent who has applied for educational benefits at state-supported post-secondary educational institutions may defer tuition payments for up to 120 days	Peacetime or wartime
	Honorary diplomas to certain honorably discharged veterans	Peacetime or wartime
Veterans' Cemetery	One scheduled to be opened in November 2002	Peacetime or wartime
Hospital/Health Care	Veterans' home provides long-term care services and skill nursing care	Unclear
Employment	Reinstatement to previous rank after discharge from the military training in U. S. Armed Forces	Veteran fire fighter Veteran
	Appointive officers and state and local government employees must be reinstated to their former position after completing military service (or war service if in Reserves)	Peacetime or wartime
	State employee hiring preference for classified positions (five points, but 10 points for disabilities)	Peacetime or wartime service of at least 6 months
Retirement Credit	Military service computed in length of service for determining retirement eligibility for fire and police officers	Peacetime or wartime
	Participant in the state retirement system or plan may get credit for active military service-must be honorably discharged	Peacetime or wartime
Hunting and Fishing Licenses	Free hunting and fishing license	Peacetime or wartime (plus 100% VA-rated service-connected disability)
Firing Squad	None	NA
Burial/Death Benefits	County burial allowance of up to $ 150 for indigent veterans	Peacetime or wartime
Financial (Emergency Aid)	None	NA
Financial (Other-loan, grant, etc. )	None	NA
Housing Preference	None	NA
Professional and Occupational Licenses/Fees	Funeral directors, embalmers, and apprentice embalmers are exempt from license renewal fee while serving in war	War service
Itinerant Vendors	None	NA
Bonus	None	NA
Other	Discharge Documents-free recording	Peacetime or wartime
	Public Documents-copies free for VA claims	Peacetime or wartime

Source: state statutes, state veterans' publications, and nasdva. com

* War service benefits are shown in red; other benefits are available to veterans regardless of when they served.

State Veterans' Benefits-California

California Department

of

Veterans Affairs

The California Benefits

You Have Earned

 

College Tuition Fee Waiver

 

Disabled Veterans Business

Enterprise Opportunities

 

Veterans Homes of California

 

Property Tax Exemptions

 

Motor Vehicle Registration Fees

Waived

 

Disabled Veteran License Plates

 

Free License Plates

 

Veterans Claims Representation

 

Fishing and Hunting Licenses

 

Employment and Unemployment

Insurance Assistance

 

Farm and Home Loans

 

State Parks and Recreation Pass

 

Business License, Tax and Fee

Waiver

 

Veterans Preference in California

Civil Service Examinations

Also available at www.cdva.ca.gov

Revised 07/22/2004

VETERANS CLAIMS REPRESENTATION AT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

(

USDVA) REGIONAL OFFICES

THE BENEFIT

Professional, accredited, USDVA claims and ratings

review, and representation in appellate processes.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Any veteran, dependent or veteran’s survivor applying for

USDVA benefits.

WHERE TO APPLY

Any County Veterans Service Office (

located in the

county government listings in your telephone book).OR

California Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Services Division

1227 "

O" Street, Suite 101

Sacramento, CA 95814

1-800-952-5626

www.cdva.ca.gov

FISHING AND HUNTING LICENSES

THE BENEFITS

Reduced annual fees for fishing and hunting licenses.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

For reduced fishing fees, any veteran who has a

50% or

greater service-connected disability.

For reduced hunting fees, any veteran with a

70% or

greater service-connected disability.

HOW TO APPLY

First time applicants must submit proof from the U.S.

Department of Veterans Affairs of their serviceconnected

disability.

California Department of Fish and Game

License and Revenue Branch

3211 "

S" Street

Sacramento, CA 95815

Phone (

916) 227-2245

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/

OR any Department of Fish and Game Office

EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT

INSURANCE ASSISTANCE

THE BENEFIT

Assistance in obtaining training and employment as well

as assistance in obtaining unemployment insurance.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

All veterans.

WHERE TO APPLY

Service-connected disabled veterans should contact a

Veterans Employment Service Specialist (

VESS) and

veterans should contact a

Veterans Workforce Specialist

(

VWS) located at a

local Employment Development

Department (

EDD) Office (

see the state government

section of your local telephone book).

www.edd.ca.gov

FARM AND HOME LOANS

THE BENEFIT

Direct loans from the State of California, highly

competitive rates, quick processing, unbeatable

earthquake and disaster coverage and proven ability to

work well with our homeowner veterans.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Any veteran who served honorably on active duty in the

Armed Forces of the United States, who resides in and

wishes to purchase a

farm or home in California.

WHERE TO APPLY

Any California Department of Veterans CAL-VET District

Office (

located in the state government section of your

telephone book), or

California Department of Veterans Affairs

Farm and Home Loan Division

1227 "

O" Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

1-800-952-5626

www.cdva.ca.gov

STATE PARKS AND RECREATION PASS

THE BENEFIT

A

lifetime State of California Parks pass for only $

3.50.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Any veteran with a

service-connected disability rated at

50% or greater, or a

former Prisoner of War.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply by mail, a

veteran should submit: (

1) a

completed Department of Parks and Recreation form

DPR 619, (

2) a

letter from the USDVA verifying a

service-connected disability rated at 50% or greater, or

former Prisoner of War status (

3) a

copy of the veterans

drivers license to verify California residency, and (

4) a

check or money order for $

3.50 made payable to the

Department of Parks And Recreation.

California Department of Parks and Recreation

Field Services Division

P.O. Box 942896

Sacramento, CA 94296-0001

(916) 653-4272

www.parks.ca.gov

BUSINESS LICENSE, TAX AND FEE WAIVER

THE BENEFIT

Waiver of municipal, county and state business license

fees, taxes and fees, for veterans who hawk peddle or

vend any goods, wares or merchandise owned by the

veteran, except spirituous, malt, vinous or other

intoxicating liquor, including sales from a fixed location.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Honorably discharged veterans who engage in sales (not

services) activities.

HOW TO APPLY

Bring proof of honorable discharge to your local

appropriate county/city licensing authority.

PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS

THE BENEFIT

Property tax exemptions on the assessed values of a

home of:

a) Up to $100,000 if the total household income from all

sources is over $44,302 per year.

b) Up to $150,000 if the total household income from all

sources is under $44,302 per year.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

a) Wartime veterans who are in receipt of serviceconnected

disability compensation at the totally

disabled rate.

b) Unmarried Surviving spouses of veterans who are in

receipt of service-connected death benefits.

c) Wartime veterans who are service-connected for loss

or loss of use of two or more limbs.

d) Wartime veterans who are service-connected for

blindness.

Those applying for benefits should bring proof from the

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, verifying receipt of

service-connected disability/death benefits.

HOW TO APPLY

The local County Assessors Office (located in the county

government section of your telephone book or at:

www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes.assessors.htm.

COLLEGE TUITION FEE WAIVERS FOR

VETERANS’ DEPENDENTS

THE BENEFIT

Waiver of mandatory systemwide tuition and fees at any

State of California Community College, California State

University or University of California Campus.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Plan A:

The spouse, child (under the age of 27) or unmarried

surviving spouse of a veteran who is totally serviceconnected

disabled, or who has died of serviceconnected

causes may qualify.

Plan B:

The child of a veteran who has a permanent service-

connected disability. The child’s income and the value of

support provided by a parent cannot exceed the national

poverty level.

*Note that all students must meet California residency

requirements.

WHERE TO APPLY

Contact your local County Veterans Service Office (located

in the county government section of your telephone book or

at www.cacvso.org) to obtain an application, information and

to apply for benefits under this program.

DISABLED VETERAN BUSINESS

ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITIES

THE BENEFITS

Certified veterans can participate in the state mandated

goal of awarding 3% of all state contracts to disabled

veterans through the Disabled Veteran Business

Enterprise (DVBE) Program.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 10%

or greater who own at least 51% of a business, and who

meet other eligible criteria.

WHERE TO APPLY

Office of Small Business and DVBE Certification

707 3rd Street, 1st Floor, Room 400

West Sacramento,

CA 95798-9052

(916) 375-4940 or (800) 559-5529

http://www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/smbus

OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES

State DVBE Advocate

California Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Services Division

1227 "O" Street, Suite 101

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 653-2573

www.cdva.ca.gov/services/dvbe.asp

VETERANS HOMES OF CALIFORNIA

THE BENEFIT

Professional and low cost residential, assisted living and

medical care facilities throughout California.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Aged or di