Connecticut Veteran Benefits

Federally taxed military retired pay is not taxed by Connecticut.

Military disability retirement pay received as a pension, annuity or similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces is not taxed in Connecticut. Some of the payments which are considered disability benefits include:

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. Connecticut Income Tax information for Armed Forces Personnel and Veterans

Recent legislation mandates that municipalities must offer a a complete property tax exemption for Veterans who have a total and permanent service-connected disability rating from the VA.

Resident service members who die while serving on active duty in a combat zone or as a result of injuries received in a combat zone, are exempt from Connecticut Income taxes in the year of their death. Any taxes already paid for that year are refunded and any unpaid assessments will be canceled.

Tuition at Connecticut public colleges and universities is waived for eligible Veterans, Connecticut National Guard Service members and certain dependents.

Connecticut local boards of education will award diplomas to honorably discharged Veterans who left high school before graduation to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, Korea or Vietnam.

Phone: 203-941-6868, 860-967-0493, 800-956-3294 TTY: 711 or 800-842-9710 Monday through Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays

Connecticut will waive certain registration fees for eligible U.S. Armed Forces service members and Veterans. Fees that are waived include:

The Connecticut Wartime Service Bonus is a financial grant tocurrent and former Connecticut National Guard Service members for their service on active duty in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

The Connecticut Military Relief Fund provides financial grants to service members and their families who are experiencing a financial hardship due to military service, serious injury, illness, or the death of an eligible service member or their immediate family member.

SSMF is a state fund administered by the American Legion that provides temporary financial assistance to eligible Veterans and their families. SSMF can provide financial assistance for:

Connecticut offers group fishing licenses for non-profit organizations that host fishing programs for disabled Veterans. Organizations can host up to 100 events per year for 100 Veterans at each event. The cost for the license for each event is $125.

The Connecticut State ParkLifetime Disabled Veteran Pass offers access to Connecticut State Parks and Forests and is available free to resident Veterans who have a service-connected disability.

Veterans can receive employment servicesfrom trained Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialists and Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVER) at American Job Centers (AJCs) located in Connecticut. Connecticut has five comprehensive AJCs and several smaller affiliate locations.

Veteran owned small businesses in Connecticut can receive a 15% price preference when determining lowest bid for state contracts. Veterans must receive a Connecticut Veteran-Owned Micro Business Certification to be eligible.

State employees who are service members serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are authorized 30 days per year of military leave with pay for military duty.

Any state employee who leaves their job to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces must be reinstated to their former position when they leave the military.

Connecticut offers a Veterans hiring preference when hiring for state employment to eligible Veterans and spouses. Preference is provided by adding points to passing scores on competitive hiring examinations.

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 Connecticut 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:

The Sgt. John L. Levitow Healthcare Center provides care to Veterans with acute and chronic medical conditions requiring daily medical management.

The Connecticut Veteran ResidentialFacility at Rocky Hill provides Veterans with a variety of rehabilitation services and programs, within a community living environment.

Patriots Landing is a residential program that provides a temporary, safe and secure environment for Veterans, their spouses, and children who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

MSP is a partnership between the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Connecticut National Guard to provide confidential behavioral health services to Veterans, Connecticut National Guard Service members and their families.

MSVC provides a dignified final resting place for eligible Veterans and their eligible family members. Connecticut also has the Colonel Raymond F. Gates Memorial Cemetery located at Rocky Hill that is reserved for residents of a Connecticut Veterans residential program.

The Connecticut Supervised Diversionary Program allows Veterans to avoid prosecution and incarceration for minor offenses by successfully completing a court-sanctioned, community-based treatment program.

The VA National Cemetery Administration does not maintain a National Cemetery in Connecticut, they do however have a State Cemetery located in Middletown, Connecticut. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

Connecticut offers a Veteran Flag identifier on driver's licenses and ID cards for eligible Veterans. Who is eligible for Veteran Flag Identifier on Connecticut Driver's Licenses or ID Cards? To be eligible for the Veteran flag identifier the Veteran must have served on active duty in the U.S.

The immediate family members of a service member who was killed in the line of duty are eligible for free Connecticut Gold Star Family license plates.

Recipients of the Medal Honor and Former POWs are authorized two sets of free license plates and a special registration certificates for passenger motor vehicles, campers or commercial motor vehicles.

Active duty service members, who have a Connecticut driver's license, are stationed out of state, and have successfully completed an approved Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Rider Education Course or a Connecticut Rider Education Program can receive a waiver of the Connecticut motorcycle en

Active duty service members, recently separated service members (within one year of application), and reserve component service members who are licensed on a military vehicle similar to a commercial vehicle can receive an exemption from the CDL driving skills test.

The Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal is offered to Connecticut Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during a statutory wartime period (wartime dates are listed on the application).

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