Exploring State-Specific Veteran Benefits: A Guide to Local Resources

Veterans across the United States have access to a wealth of benefits provided at the state level. These state benefits for veterans range from educational assistance to tax exemptions and health care services, varying significantly from one state to another. This guide provides an overview of state veteran benefits, helping veterans and their families navigate available resources effectively.

veteran resources

 

Why Explore State Veteran Benefits?

While federal programs such as the Veterans Administration (VA) provide foundational support, state-specific benefits can enhance the quality of life for veterans and their families. For example:

  • Some states offer veterans tax benefits by state, such as property tax exemptions.
  • Others provide education benefits through programs such as the GI Bill extension.
  • Health care initiatives may include free or discounted access to state medical facilities.

Exploring these opportunities ensures veterans can maximize the support available to them.

Top State Benefits for Veterans: A 50-State Breakdown

Here’s a detailed state-by-state veterans benefits overview, emphasizing states recognized for their robust programs.

Alabama

  • Education: Tuition waivers for dependents of disabled veterans
  • Housing: Tax exemptions for disabled veterans’ homes
  • Employment: Priority placement in state jobs

Alaska

  • Health Care: Free admission to state veterans’ homes
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions for disabled veterans
  • Recreation: Free hunting and fishing licenses

Arizona

  • Education: Tuition waivers for veterans and dependents
  • Housing: Specially Adapted Housing assistance
  • Tax Benefits: No property taxes on a primary residence for 100% disabled veterans

Arkansas

  • Education: Free tuition for dependents of disabled veterans
  • Health Care: Veterans’ homes with priority placement
  • Tax Benefits: State income tax exemptions for military retirement pay

California

  • Education: CalVet tuition fee waivers for dependents
  • Housing: Affordable home loans for veterans through CalVet
  • Recreation: Free state park access for disabled veterans

Colorado

  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemption for 50% of home value for disabled veterans
  • Health Care: Free care in state veterans’ homes
  • Employment: State hiring preference for veterans

Connecticut

  • Education: Tuition waivers at state colleges for veterans
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax relief for veterans
  • Employment: Veteran-owned business incentives

Delaware

  • Education: Free tuition for veterans and dependents at state colleges
  • Health Care: State veterans’ home
  • Tax Benefits: Exemptions on property taxes for disabled veterans

Florida

  • Tax Benefits: No state income tax, property tax discounts for veterans
  • Education: In-state tuition rates for veterans
  • Recreation: Free hunting and fishing licenses

Georgia

  • Education: HERO Scholarship Program for dependents
  • Tax Benefits: Homestead exemptions for disabled veterans
  • Employment: Preference for state jobs

Hawaii

  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions for disabled veterans
  • Housing: Veteran-centric affordable housing options
  • Education: State-funded tuition assistance

Idaho

  • Tax Benefits: Property tax reductions for veterans
  • Health Care: Admission to state veterans’ homes
  • Education: Scholarships for dependents of disabled veterans

Illinois

  • Education: Illinois Veterans’ Grant for tuition and fees
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions for disabled veterans
  • Employment: State veteran employment preference

Indiana

  • Education: Free tuition for children of disabled veterans
  • Housing: Property tax deductions for veterans
  • Health Care: State-supported veterans’ homes

Iowa

Kansas

  • Education: Tuition assistance for dependents
  • Tax Benefits: Homestead tax refunds for disabled veterans
  • Employment: Preference for state jobs

Kentucky

  • Health Care: State veterans’ nursing homes
  • Tax Benefits: Exemptions for disabled veterans
  • Education: Scholarships for dependents

Louisiana

  • Education: Free tuition at state schools for dependents
  • Health Care: State veterans’ homes with priority care
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions

Maine

  • Housing: Loans and property tax relief for veterans
  • Education: Tuition waivers for veterans at state schools
  • Recreation: Free state park passes

Maryland

  • Tax Benefits: Military retirement pay tax exemptions
  • Education: Scholarships for dependents of disabled veterans
  • Housing: Assistance for homeless veterans

Massachusetts

  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions for disabled veterans
  • Education: Tuition waivers for veterans at state schools
  • Health Care: Veterans’ homes with comprehensive care

Michigan

  • Education: Free tuition for dependents of disabled veterans
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax relief for veterans
  • Health Care: Veterans’ homes with specialized services

Minnesota

  • Education: GI Bill supplements and dependent scholarships
  • Tax Benefits: Homestead tax exclusions
  • Health Care: Admission to veterans’ homes

Mississippi

  • Tax Benefits: State income tax exemptions for retirement pay
  • Education: Tuition waivers for dependents
  • Recreation: Free hunting and fishing licenses

Missouri

Montana

  • Tax Benefits: Property tax relief for veterans
  • Recreation: Free hunting and fishing licenses
  • Housing: State-supported housing programs

Nebraska

  • Education: Free tuition at state schools for dependents
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax relief
  • Health Care: Admission to state veterans’ homes

Nevada

  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions for disabled veterans
  • Education: In-state tuition rates for veterans
  • Recreation: Free state park access

New Hampshire

  • Education: Scholarships for dependents of disabled veterans
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax relief for veterans
  • Health Care: State veterans’ homes

New Jersey

  • Tax Benefits: Income tax exemptions for veterans
  • Education: Scholarships for dependents
  • Health Care: Veterans’ homes with priority access

New Mexico

  • Tax Benefits: Property tax waivers for disabled veterans
  • Education: In-state tuition and scholarships
  • Health Care: State-supported veterans’ homes

New York

  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions
  • Education: Free tuition for dependents of disabled veterans
  • Employment: Preference in state hiring

North Carolina

  • Education: Scholarships for dependents of veterans
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions
  • Health Care: State-funded veterans’ homes

North Dakota

  • Tax Benefits: Property tax relief for disabled veterans
  • Health Care: Veterans’ homes with specialized care
  • Education: Tuition assistance programs

Ohio

  • Education: Scholarships for dependents of veterans
  • Tax Benefits: Homestead exemptions for disabled veterans
  • Employment: Hiring preference for state jobs

Oklahoma

  • Education: Free tuition for dependents of disabled veterans
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions
  • Health Care: Priority in state veterans’ homes

Oregon

  • Education: Tuition waivers for veterans and dependents
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax relief
  • Recreation: Free hunting and fishing licenses

Pennsylvania

  • Education: Free tuition for dependents of disabled veterans
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions
  • Health Care: State veterans’ homes

Rhode Island

  • Education: Tuition waivers at state schools
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax relief
  • Health Care: State-supported veterans’ care facilities

South Carolina

  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions for disabled veterans
  • Education: Scholarships for dependents
  • Health Care: Priority placement in veterans’ homes

South Dakota

  • Education: Tuition waivers for veterans
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax relief
  • Health Care: State veterans’ homes

Tennessee

  • Education: Free tuition for dependents of veterans
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions
  • Recreation: Free hunting and fishing licenses

Texas

  • Education: The Hazlewood Act offers 150 credit hours
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions for disabled veterans
  • Health Care: Admission to state veterans’ homes

Utah

  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions
  • Education: Tuition waivers for veterans
  • Recreation: Free hunting and fishing licenses

Vermont

  • Education: Tuition waivers for veterans and dependents
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax relief
  • Health Care: State-supported veterans’ homes

Virginia

  • Education: Free tuition for dependents of disabled veterans
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax relief
  • Health Care: State veterans’ care centers

Washington

  • Education: Free tuition for dependents of veterans
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions
  • Health Care: State veterans’ homes

West Virginia

  • Education: Tuition waivers for dependents of disabled veterans
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions
  • Health Care: State-funded veterans’ homes

Wisconsin

  • Education: Free tuition at state colleges for veterans
  • Tax Benefits: Property tax relief
  • Health Care: Priority in state veterans’ homes

Wyoming

  • Tax Benefits: Property tax relief for veterans
  • Education: Tuition waivers for veterans and dependents
  • Health Care: Admission to state veterans’ homes

These states are often listed among the best states for veteran benefits, with initiatives supporting everything from housing to health care.

Benefits for Disabled Veterans

Disabled veterans often qualify for enhanced state benefits. Some states recognized as the best states for disabled veterans benefits include:

  • Nevada: Offers property tax exemptions based on disability ratings
  • Colorado: Provides lifetime free vehicle registration for 100% disabled veterans
  • Illinois: Exempts 100% disabled veterans from property taxes

These state benefits for disabled veterans demonstrate the country’s commitment to those who served with enduring physical or mental challenges.

Resources to Access State Veteran Benefits

Navigating state veteran benefits can be overwhelming. The following resources provide streamlined access:

  1. Military.com: Comprehensive directory of state benefits
  2. My Army Benefits: State-by-state breakdown of veteran resources
  3. VA Quick Start Guide: Helpful starting point for veterans new to state programs

For additional support, organizations such as National Veterans Homeless Support provide assistance with accessing housing and health care resources.

How to Begin

To leverage these benefits:

From tax exemptions to education funding, state veteran benefits significantly enhance the quality of life for veterans and their families. Exploring options in your state ensures access to valuable resources tailored to your needs. Whether you’re a veteran seeking health care, education, or employment assistance, states across the U.S. are ready to support those who have served.

National Veterans Homeless Support (NVHS) seeks to eliminate homelessness among veterans in Central Florida and nationwide. NVHS takes a proactive, intervention-based approach to homelessness by meeting homeless veterans where they are and helping them from there. Through programs such as Search and Rescue Outreach, NVHS helps homeless veterans get the supplies they need to survive, connects them with support and resources, and assists them in transitioning off the streets and into temporary or permanent housing. Some of our programs also include art therapy to help veterans heal. If you’re able, consider supporting our mission by donating or signing on as a volunteer