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.
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
- Education: Iowa War Orphans Educational Aid
- Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions for veterans
- Employment: Preference in state employment
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
- Education: Missouri Returning Heroes’ Education Act
- Tax Benefits: Property tax exemptions for disabled veterans.
- Health Care: Priority in state veterans’ homes
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:
- Military.com: Comprehensive directory of state benefits
- My Army Benefits: State-by-state breakdown of veteran resources
- 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:
- Visit state veterans’ affairs websites or NVHS’s benefits guide for comprehensive support.
- Use tools such as the VA’s online portal to verify eligibility for specific programs.
- Connect with local organizations to explore housing and health care options, as detailed in this guide to non-VA health care.
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.