California Veteran Benefits

Beginning in tax year 2025 (taxes filed after 1 January 2026, and before January 1, 2030), California has authorized a tax exclusion of $20,000 of military retired pay.

DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.

Beginning in tax year 2025 (taxes filed after 1 January 2026, and before January 1, 2030), California has authorized a tax exclusion of $20,000 of SBP, RCSBP and RSFPP annuities.

A nonresident service member's spouse may be exempt from paying California taxes on income earned while stationed in California.

Military pay received by a resident service member serving on active duty in a combat zone, or Qualified Hazardous Duty Area (QHDA) that is excluded from their federal adjusted gross income is also exempt from California income tax.

The California Veterans' Exemption provides a property tax exemption of up to $4,000 for eligible service members, Veterans and their eligible family members.

The Disabled Veterans' Property Tax Exemption reduces the property tax on the principal residence of eligible disabled Veterans and their surviving spouses.

California does not tax Social Security benefits.

The California College Fee Waivers for Veteran Dependents waives mandatory system wide tuition and fees at any California Community College, California State University or University of California campus. This program does not cover books, parking, or room and board.

The California Nonresident College Fee Waiver will waive nonresident fees at all California Community Colleges, California State University, or University of California campuses for eligible Veterans, service members and dependents.

The CMD GI Bill offers educational financial assistance to eligible service members serving in the California National Guard. The CMD GI Bill will provide up to 100% of the tuition and fees at a California College System Campus and participating private, grant eligible, educational institutions.

Honorably dischargedVeterans who hawk, peddle, or vend any goods, wares, or merchandise (not services) are exempt from municipal, county, and state business license fees, taxes, or other fees. This exemption does not apply to alcoholic beverages.

UI provides temporary financial assistance for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. UI is a partial, short-term replacement for lost wages while workers are seeking other work and is not intended to be a permanent source of income.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles waives registration fees and provides a free license plate for one passenger motor vehicle, motorcycle, or commercial motor vehicle (less than 8,001 pounds) for eligible Veterans.

The California National Guard Surviving Spouses and Children Relief Act authorizes the payment of a $10,000 death benefit to the surviving spouse, or a designated beneficiary of a California National Guard Service member who dies or is killed in the line of duty.

The CalVet Home Loans program offers several loans and other benefits to help service members and Veterans become California homeowners.

CMFRF provides short term, financial assistance grants to eligible service members serving in the California National Guard who have been financially impacted by mobilization and deployment.

Veterans who have a California Medal of Honor, Legion of Valor, Former Prisoner of War, Pearl Harbor, or Purple Heart license plate may park their motor vehicle (weighing not more than 6,000 lbs. gross weight) free of charge in metered parking spaces.

Service members serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces who are receiving medical treatment or therapy in an out-patient status while recovering from a service-connected serious injury or illness, can purchase a reduced fee Recovering Service Member Sport Fishing license (

The California State Park Distinguished Veteran Pass is a free lifetime pass available to eligible Veterans. This pass authorizes use of all basic facilities, including day use, camping and boating at California State Parks at no charge.

Veterans who are state employees may use related military experience to count towards meeting qualifications required in a promotional exam.

The California DVBE Program helps certified disabled Veteran owned businesses compete for state contracts. California has established a goal of awarding 3% of all state contracts to certified DVBE businesses.

Service members ordered to federal active duty by a presidential determination after September 11, 2001, are authorized to receive the difference between their military pay and their state salary for 180 days.

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, surviving spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a spouse (including surviving spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran's service if they both meet the requirements.

Health and pension plan coverage for service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium.

The California Hilton Honors Military Program helps make the career transition from service in the U.S. Armed Forces to civilian employment easier for current and former service members. The Hilton Honors Military Program provides hotel accommodation for required employment related travel.

The VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to Veterans, active and reserve component service members and their families to provide financial security given the extraordinary risks involved in military Service. The VA provides the following life insurance benefit programs:

TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan, available worldwide for Selected Reserve, (U.S. Armed Forces Reserve and National Guard service members) and their families who meet the following qualifications:

California has three state Veterans cemeteries and two Native American Veteran cemeteries that offer a dignified final resting place for Veterans and their eligible dependents.

California Veterans Treatment Courts offer alternatives to case proceedings that address underlying problems which contribute to criminal activity or other court involvement of Veterans.

The VA National Cemetery Administration maintains 12 national cemeteries in California. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

Eligible Veterans can add the word "VETERAN" to the front of their California driver's license or ID card.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers CDL testing exemptions to service members and former service members based on their military training and experience.

California resident service members who are deployed to a location outside California may be eligible for a waiver of vehicle registration renewal penalties. Service members must have been deployed during a period when a Presidential Executive Order specifies the U.S.

Former service members entering California after their discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces are not required to register their passenger vehicles and trailer coaches if they have valid out-of-state plates and registration.

The California Gold Star Family license plate is offered to eligible family members of a service member who was killed in the line of duty while serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. The service members death must have occurred under one of the following circumstances:

California Disabled Veteran license plates are offered to Veterans who have a service-connected injury or disease they received while serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. There is no registration fee, issue fee or renewal fee for the first set of license plates.

The California Military Families Relief Act allows reserve component service members who are called to state or federal active duty for 30 days or more to defer certain payments until the end of their period on active duty.

The VA has numerous resources and locations throughout the state available to assist Veterans and family members. To find a VA location in California enter California in the location field and choose the facility type you are searching for from the drop down menu at the "Learn more…" link below.