Rhode Island Veteran Benefits

Military retired pay is exempt from Rhode Island personal income tax. Rhode Island General Laws 44-30-12 Rhode Island Division of Taxation Publications Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) does not withhold taxes for state or local income tax, but it is reported annually on IRS Form 1099-R.

Military pay received by a resident service member follows federal tax rules and is subject to Rhode Island income tax.

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 payments 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 exempt from Rhode Island income taxes. Rhode Island General Laws 44-30-12 Rhode Island Division of Taxation Publications

Military pay received by a nonresident service member stationed in Rhode Island is not subject to Rhode Island income tax. If the service member holds a separate job, the income received from that job is subject to Rhode Island income tax.

Rhode Island offers various property tax emptions for eligible Veterans their surviving spouse and the parents of service members who are killed in the line of duty. Property taxes are assessed by local municipalities, each with their own forms, regulations, and exemption amounts.

STEP provides one tuition free course per summer semester from the Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, or the University of Rhode Island for Rhode Island National Guard service members. STEP can be used with VA educational benefits.

Rhode Island will pay the tuition at a state supported college or university for a surviving spouse or child of a Rhode Island National Guard Service member who died in the line of duty. This financial assistance only applies to tuition and may be used for up to four years.

Rhode Island resident disabled Veterans may be eligible for a tuition waiver at Rhode Island public institution of higher learning. This waiver only covers tuition and does not pay any required fees or the cost of books.

Active duty service members, their dependents and eligible Veterans can receive in-state tuition rates at the Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, or the University of Rhode Island.

Service members separating from active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces may qualify for unemployment compensation if they cannot find a job. The UCX program provides benefits under a program administered by the state for the federal government.

Rhode Island's Department of Labor and Training administers the UI program that provides temporary financial assistance for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.

The Rhode Island Military Family Relief Fund provides grants for emergency situations for eligible active duty, Rhode Island National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces Reserves service members and their families.

The SMAF provides grants to service members, their families who are experiencing financial challenges. Who is eligible for the Rhode Island SMAF Grants? Rhode Island National Guard Service members and their dependents who are enrolled in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) are el

Veterans who have a Veteran Designation on their Rhode Island driver's license or ID card are eligible for a waiver of adoption fees when they adopt a dog or cat from a public animal shelter. Veterans are limited to one pet adoption every six months.

Rhode Island offers a Disabled Veteran Parking Placard to Veterans who have a 100% service-connected disability rating from the VA.

Nonresident service members can purchase hunting and fishing licenses at resident prices.

Rhode Island provides a free State Park Disability Pass to Veterans with a 100% service-connected VA disability rating. This pass grants free entry and parking at state-owned recreational facilities and beaches.

Rhode Island resident Veterans who have a 100% service-connected disability rating from the VA are exempt from paying any fees to play golf at the Goddard Park Golf Course.

All Rhode Island employers must grant leave forNational Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserves service members when ordered to military training or duty.

Rhode Island employers must provide unpaidmilitary family leave to an employee when a family member serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces is activated for state or federal military service. The amount of leave depends on the size of the employer:

Rhode Island offers a Veteran hiring preference for Veterans applying for competitive state employment. Preference is given by adding points to passing civil service entrance exam scores.

DLT Career Centers offer specialized assistance and "Priority of Service" to eligible Veterans and their spouse. Priority of service gives eligible individuals preference over others for Workforce Investment Act employment, training, and placement services.

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 VA provides 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:

The Veterans Justice Outreach Program helps Veterans avoid unnecessary criminalization of mental illness and extended incarceration. This program involves cooperation between VA Medical Center staff, local law enforcement, and treatment services, to help Veterans avoid subsequent arrests.

The Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery inExeter provides a dignified final resting place for service members, Veterans, and their eligible family members.

Rhode Island pays the funeral expenses of honorably discharged wartime Veterans who do not have the ability to pay for a funeral.

The VA National Cemetery Administration does not maintain a national cemetery in Rhode Island. Rhode Island has one state Veterans cemetery. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

Rhode Island offers a free Veteran or Disabled Veteran designation on Rhode Island driver's licenses and ID cards. Who is eligible for Rhode Island Veteran Designation on License or ID Card? Veterans who received an honorable discharge from the U.S.

Veterans with a 100% combined service-connected disability rating, or who are rated individually unemployable, are permanently exempt from the annual motor vehicle registration and license fees; the Division of Motor Vehicles issues Disabled Veteran registration plates.

Rhode Island offers a CDL skills test waiver to service members and former service members based on their military training and experience.

The Rhode Island Gold Star Family license plates are available to the immediate family members of a service member who was killed in the line of duty under one of the following circumstances:

Wartime disabled Veterans receive first placement preference when space is available in public housing for the elderly. In addition, some local housing authorities have additional policies for Veterans' preference for their housing programs.

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority Bus Pass Program offers no-fare and half-fare bus passes for eligible Veterans.

A Veteran's military service records may be recorded in the office of the Town or City Clerk (except in Providence, where it is recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds) free of charge. Rhode Island City and Town Directory of Government Officials

When requested by the family of an honorably discharged, wartime Veteran, the Rhode Island Adjutant General provides a firing squad, and when possible, a bugler to play "Taps," live (not synthesized or pre-recorded).

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