Maine Veteran Benefits

Maine does not tax military retired pay.

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 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 service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.

SBP, RCSBP and RSFPP annuities are not taxed in Maine.

Maine follows many of the federal tax rules for pay received by a service member who is serving in a combat zone (receiving hostile fire and imminent danger pay).

The widowed parent of a deceased Veteran who meets the following requirements are eligible for a property tax exemption:

Maine does not tax Social Security benefits.

VUB is a federally funded program that provides free assistance to eligible Veterans interested in pursuing a post-secondary education. VUB is designed to develop the academic and personal skills necessary for admission and success in a post-secondary education program.

Maine provides a 100% waiver of tuition and all related fees for the eligible spouse and dependents of a Veteran or service member at a University of Maine System Institution , Maine Community Colleges , and the Maine Maritime Academy .

The Maine National Guard Education Assistance Program offers full tuition at a college or university in Maine for eligible Maine National Guard Service members.

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. Benefits are not based on financial need.

Maine resident active duty service members serving in the U.S. Armed Forces who are permanently stationed outside of the U.S. and home on leave are exempt from hunter, archery, and crossbow safety course requirements.

The Maine National Guard can award loans and grants for emergencies and other special needs to resident service members serving in the Maine National Guard, or the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves and their families.

VEFAP was created to help Maine resident Veterans who experience an emergency and do not have the financial means to handle expenses. Grants may be approved for up to $2,000.

Veterans are eligible for a free day-use lifetime pass to be used at Maine state parks, museums and historic sites operated by the Maine Department of Conservation.

Service members serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces can receive a free day use pass to Maine state parks and historic sites.

Maine resident and nonresident Veterans (if reciprocal privileges exist in their home state) who were honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces or the National Guard and have a service-connected disability rating of 50% or more from the VA will be issued a free license to fish, trap, or hunt.

Nonresident service members serving in the U.S. Armed Forces who are permanently stationed in Maine (including spouse and dependent children who live with the service member) may purchase a license to hunt, trap, or fish at resident prices.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has allocated moose hunting permits to disabled Veterans for a Controlled Moose Hunt in Aroostook County.

Maine offers free Noncommercial Scallop licenses, and Noncommercial Lobster and Crab licenses to eligible disabled Veterans.

The spouse or unremarried spouse of the following is eligible:

Veterans and surviving spouses receive application processing priority

State employees who are service members serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces receive 17 workdays (per calendar year) paid military leave. This leave can be used for state or federal active duty or to participate in training.

Maine provides a hiring preference for qualified Veterans and surviving spouses who apply for state employment by ensuring they are offered an interview.

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 Maine 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. This includes:

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:

Maine Veterans' Cemetery System has four Veterans' Cemeteries that provide a dignified final resting place for service members, honorably discharged Veterans, and their eligible family members.

The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services Homeless Veterans Coordinator works with partnering agencies to reduce the number of homeless Veterans.

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

Maine offers a Military Service Designation on Maine driver's licenses ID cards for eligible service members and Veterans. Who is eligible for Maine Military Service Driver's License and ID Card Designation? To be eligible applicants must be a service member currently serving in the U.S.

The immediate family members of a service member who died in a combat theater of operations while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces may be eligible for the Maine Gold Star Family license plate.

The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles offers Veterans commemorative decals for the Maine Special Veteran license plates and the Maine Disability Special Veteran license plate. These decals indicate branch of service, medals for bravery or valor, military campaigns, and military badges.

Maine offers CDL testing exemptions to service members and former service members based on their military training and experience. Transfer of school bus or passenger endorsements are prohibited under this program.

Official military documents or records, that pertain to a service member's active duty service, that are filed with any state, county or local government agency are confidential for 62 years following the date they are issued.

Certified copies of public records required when applying for VA benefits are provided free to Veterans (or those acting on a Veterans behalf).

Veterans who need copies of military service documents can use the following resources to find a copy:

Maine has established the "Honoring a Veteran" recognition program to honor Maine Veterans for their honorable military service. The program specifically honors service members who died while serving in the U.S.

All honorably discharged Veterans are eligible for Military Funeral Honors. Family members of deceased Veterans who would like to have Military Funeral Honors performed during the Veteran's funeral should notify their Funeral Director.

MVDN provides free dental care for eligible Veterans. MVDN will cover the following dental procedures:

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