All states provide benefits to Veterans beyond those from the Federal Government. Many benefits are for disabled Veterans with specific VA ratings, but not all require VA disabilities to qualify.
The legislature of each State decides what benefits to offer. They can change or end these benefits as they see fit.
Let’s look at some common benefits.
War Orphans Education Aid
Many states provide free scholarships to public colleges and universities. These scholarships tend to help dependent children of military members who lost their lives in service.
Some also offer scholarships to surviving spouses or children of 100% permanent and total Veterans.
Tax Reductions
Arizona is a reasonable example of the types of tax relief many states offer veterans.
- They waive taxes for up to $2,500 per year in military retirement pay.
- They waive property taxes for identified disabled veterans and surviving spouses.
- They waive property taxes for identified disabled veterans and surviving spouses.
- Disabled Veterans with 100% service-connected disability pay no license or registration fees.
- Arizonan Veterans are exempt from license tax for vehicles they buy using VA’s financial aid programs.
- They also offer Veteran designations on driver’s licenses and license plates.
Recreational Passes and Licenses
Most states provide hunting and fishing licenses to disabled resident veterans for free or reduced rates. Some, like Maine, extend their recreational benefits to Veterans in surrounding states too.
- Disabled veterans from Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire get free lifetime licenses from Maine. Veterans only need a 50% service-connected disability to qualify.
- A few disabled veteran hunters may even win a chance in the Disabled Veterans Controlled Moose Lottery. It’s open to residents and non-residents alike. If you garner a spot, the State pays for all permits, individual hunting guides, and all equipment. Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife joined with Smoldering Lake Outfitters to make this happen.
- Maine resident veterans need not pay for access to state parks and historic sites either. The only requirement is that they have an ‘other-than-dishonorable’ discharge.
Veterans Homes
States tend to run one or more Veterans Homes to provide nursing care for elderly or infirm Veterans. Some homes can accept Veteran spouses, surviving spouses and Gold Star Parents too.
Both services and residency requirements vary wildly. Some are available only to that State’s residents. Others, like Michigan, do not require residency at all. Some Veterans Homes may require wartime service, or at least give preference to those with it.
Most homes limit who they can accept, based on their ability to provide care. For example, some cannot take those with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. Yet others specifically staff for these. Some have both assisted living and nursing home facilities, but not all.
Fees for care also vary.
- Kentucky, like most states, bases their fees on the type of care and the Veteran’s ability to pay.
- Mississippi offers veterans’ home space to certain veterans without charge. If you have a VA disability rating of 70% or more, you qualify.
- Those deemed by the VA to be 100% unemployable may be eligible for free care in Mississippi’s veterans’ homes too.
Conclusion
States provide a wide range of Veteran benefits such as:
- Tuition assistance
- Tax breaks
- Employment perks
- Assisted living and nursing home care
- Burial benefits
- Free or reduced access to state parks
- Free or reduced wildlife gaming licenses
- Free or reduced concealed weapons permits
- Designated license plates and more
Strategic Veteran
Strategic Veteran helps you identify and maximize the benefits for which you qualify. That includes state benefits for Veterans, not only VA benefits.
Our mission is to help Veterans. We do this by educating and empowering Veterans about their VA benefits.
If you have questions, we’re here for you. We’ll give you real answers from real Veterans who have been through the same. Reach out to Strategic Veteran at 800-761-9004. We are a free resource.