Massachusetts Veteran Benefits

Military retired pay is not taxed in Massachusetts.

Military disability retirement payreceived as a pension, annuity or similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces should not be included in taxable income. Some of the payments which are considered disability benefits include:

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

Survivor pensions paid to a Surviving Spouse are not taxed in Massachusetts.

Veterans, their Spouse, Surviving Spouse or Gold Star Parents may be eligible for a range of property tax exemptions in Massachusetts. Those eligible can only receive one exemption each fiscal year.

Massachusetts offers a motor vehicle excise tax exemption for eligible Service members, disabled Veterans, former POWs and their Surviving Spouses.

Disabled Veterans who suffered the loss of, or permanent loss of the use of, both legs or both arms or one leg and one arm or has been approved for a Massachusetts Disabled Veteran license plate are eligible for a motor vehicle sales tax exemption for one motor vehicle for personal, non-commercial u

A nonresident Service member's Spouse may be exempt from paying Massachusetts taxes on income earned while stationed in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts resident National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Service members who are required to travel more than 100 miles from their home to their place of duty are authorized a tax deduction for the following expenses:

Massachusetts does not tax Social Security benefits.

Massachusetts National Guard Service members can transfer some or all their 130 semester hours of educational assistance to their dependent Children (must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System).

Massachusetts offers a tuition waiver to eligible Veterans and active duty Service members. This waiver can be used to attend a Massachusetts state college, university, or community college program.

The Suffolk University, Veterans Upward Bound Program is a free pre-college program designed to help Veterans develop the academic and personal skills necessary to succeed in a higher education program.

MSLF is a charitable trust that provides educational assistance grants to the Children of Massachusetts resident Service members who were killed while serving during the Global War on Terrorism.

High school diplomas may be awarded to honorably discharged resident Veterans who left a Massachusetts high school prior to receiving their high school diploma to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, Korea, or Vietnam . Diplomas may be awarded posthumously.

Massachusetts offers instate tuition rates for eligible Veterans and their dependents at a Massachusetts state college, university or community college program.

The Massachusetts Public Service Grant Program will a provide a scholarship to the Children of Service members declared a POW or MIA during the Vietnam Conflict and the Children of a Service member who was killed in action, or as a result of that action.

Massachusetts institutions of higher education offer resident tuition rates for nonresident Service members and their dependents who are stationed in Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) administers the UI program that provides temporary financial assistance for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.

The Massachusetts Military Family Relief Fund provides financial assistance to Service members serving in the Massachusetts National Guard and Massachusetts residents serving in the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves who were called to active duty service after September 11, 2001.

The families of eligible Veterans who did not receive a bonus prior to their death may apply. Bonuses are awarded to family members in the following order of precedence:

Day use parking fees are waived, and annual parking passes are not required at Massachusetts State Parks for vehicles that have a Massachusetts Disabled Veteran or Purple Heart license plate. Massachusetts State Park Directory

The Massachusetts VEET Office strives to empower Veterans and their Families with competitive employment and career opportunities. The VEET Office provides meaningful connections for Veterans to employment, training, and educational opportunities in Massachusetts.

Veterans who are employed in a state non-civil service position for more than three years cannot be involuntarily separated for lack of work or money when similar positions exist, unless those positions are held by Veterans, in which case separation will be in reverse order of their original hiring

Veterans who are members of the Massachusetts State Employees' Retirement System (MSERS) are eligible to buy back up to four years of military service towards their Massachusetts retirement.

Preference is given to Veterans and service-connected disabled Veterans when hiring for public works construction by the state, county, town, or district, or by a person contracting with or subcontracting for public works construction.

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.

Massachusetts National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Service members who are Massachusetts civil service employees can receive leave from their civilian job for military duty.

The Massachusetts DOL offers professional licensing benefits to active duty Service members, relocated military Spouses, and Veterans.

The Massachusetts 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:

SERVE provides peer support and case management services across Massachusetts for Veterans involved in the justice system. The SERVE team is comprised of Veterans, Family members, and others connected to the Veteran community.

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

Massachusetts offers a "Veteran" designation printed on driver's licenses, learner's permits, and ID cards to honorably discharged resident Veterans.

Massachusetts offers 21 distinctive automobile and motorcycle license plates to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible Service members, Veterans, retired Service members, and certain Family members. Eligibility requirements differ based on plate type.

Honorably discharged Veterans who were awarded the Medal of Honor are eligible for one free Massachusetts Congressional Medal of Honor license plate for each Medal of Honor they received

Honorably discharged Veterans who were awarded the Purple Heart are eligible for one free Massachusetts Purple Heart license plate for each Purple Heart Medal they received.

Resident disabled Veterans who have at least a 60% service-connected disability rating from the VA and meet Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, eligibility for disability plates and placards guidelines are eligible for one set of Massachusetts Disabled Veteran license plates.

Massachusetts offers the Veterans' license plate to Veterans who received an honorable discharge and meet the following service requirements:

Immediate Family members of Service members who died while serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for a free Massachusetts Gold Star Family license plate.

Service members serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces are authorized to keep license plates issued by their sate of residency. Nonresident Service members must have insurance that meets Massachusetts requirements.

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) offers several driver's licensing benefits for Service members and their dependents.

Service members and Veterans are eligible for a CDL Skills Test Waiver based on their military training and driving experience.

Massachusetts public housing projects cannot deny continued occupancy to Veterans, their Surviving Spouse, or Gold Star Mother who has lived there for the last eight consecutive years. Housing units must have two bedrooms or less and the rent cannot be more than three months past due.

The Massachusetts Women Veterans Network is the central resource for women Veterans in Massachusetts. Their mission is to:

Those planning for a deceased Veteran's funeral who wish to have Military Funeral Honors performed should request them through their funeral home. Those who are not using a funeral home should contact the Veteran's branch of service.

The Department of Transitional Assistance has a Veteran outreach initiative to reach Veterans and enroll them in SNAP (Formerly knowns as Food Stamps) to reduce food insecurity. This includes Veterans, active and reserve component Service members, and their Families.

The MassHousing's Home for the Brave Program offers affordable, low downpayment mortgage financing for U.S. Armed Forces Veterans.

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