Virginia Veteran Benefits

Resident service members serving on active duty for 90 or more days who earn less than $30,000 (base pay) can deduct up to $15,000 from their Virginia Income tax. For every $1 of income over $15,000, the maximum subtraction is reduced by $1.

Virginia National Guard Service members, in pay grades O-6 and below can deduct their National Guard pay that is received for up to 39 calendar days of service or $5,500, whichever is less.

Income earned by a nonresident military spouse, who is in Virginia only to be with their nonresident service member spouse who is permanently stationed in Virginia is exempt from Virginia Income tax. Virginia Department of Taxation, Service Members and Spouses Residency Frequently Asked Questions

Military pay that is received by a service member serving in a combat zone or hazardous duty is not taxed in Virginia.

Virginia offers an income subtraction of $40,000 for Veterans receiving military retired pay.

Military retired pay received by a Medal of Honor recipient is not taxed in Virginia. The subtraction does not apply to benefits received by a surviving spouse.

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:

Virginia offers extensions to file and pay Virginia income taxes for service members and their spouse. Service members must serve in one of the following situations to be eligible:

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.

Virginia offers an income subtraction of $40,000 to a resident surviving spouse who is receiving survivor annuities.

Virginia offers a complete property tax exemption for eligible disabled Veterans or surviving spouses. This exemption applies to the home that is their principal residence and up to one acre of land where the home is located.

Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces or the Virginia National Guard who have a service-connected, 100%, total and permanent disability rating from the VA are eligible for a Sales and Use Tax Exemption on the purchase of one vehicle.

Virginia does not tax Social Security benefits.

VNGSTAP offers up to $9,000 per fiscal year for tuition toward one degree or credential at each level up to a doctorate. VNGSTAP may be used at any accredited not-for-profit school with a physical location in Virginia.

VMSDEP provides educational financial assistance for eligible spouses, surviving spouses and children of certain service members and disabled Veterans. Eligible students are guaranteed a waiver of all tuition and mandatory fees for eight semesters at a Virginia public college or university .

Virginia will award honorary high school diplomas to Veterans who left high school before graduating to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Virginia offers in-state residency for tuition and financial aid purposes under the following circumstances:

The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) administers the UI program that provides temporary financial assistance to workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own. Benefits are paid through taxes on employers covered under the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act.

Virginia National Guard service members on duty in a paid or unpaid status or when performing voluntary service at the request of their commander who are injured, become ill, become disabled or die in the line of duty are eligible for medical coverage and compensation under the Virginia Workers' Com

Virginia offers a $20,000 death benefit to the beneficiaries of a state employee who is a reserve component service member and is ordered to federal active duty and is killed in action in armed conflict.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) offers free and reduced fee lifetime hunting, freshwater fishing, and trapping licenses to eligible disabled Veterans.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) offers discounted basic hunting and freshwater fishing licenses to eligible nonresident disabled Veterans.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources will issue a free freshwater fishing and trout license to a resident or nonresident disabled active duty service member who is receiving inpatient or outpatient medical treatment from a hospital in Virginia, a neighboring state, or the District of Columb

Virginia State Parks offers a free Veteran Disability Passport for eligible disabled Veterans. The Veteran Passport authorizes free vehicle parking, boat launch, horse trailer parking and admission for the pass holder and all vehicle occupants at parks and facilities that have "per person" admission

The Virginia National Guard Passport offers free entry to all Virginia state parks for service members serving in the Virginia National Guard and their immediate family members traveling in the same vehicle. To request a pass service members should speak to their chain of command.

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services' V3 Transition Program offers peer-to-peer support and referrals to service members separating from the U.S. Armed Forces and their spouses.

State employees who are service members serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are authorized 21 workdays of paid military leave per federal fiscal year for required military training and state or federal active duty.

The Virginia State Employee Active Military Supplement is a payment to a state employee on military leave without pay that makes up the difference between their base state salary and their gross military salary plus allowances.

Full-time Virginia state employees who are service members serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces may carry forward leave that is more than the allowable carry-over amount to be saved as Military Bank leave (MB).

Eligible Veterans and spouses receive priority of service at Virginia Works offices for all programs funded wholly or in part by the U.S. Department of Labor. Priority of service means that Veterans and eligible spouses receive earlier preference for a service.

The Virginia Workforce Connection webpage (at the "Learn more… link below) has a tab for Veteran Services that contains links to information of interest to Veterans and their families.

Virginia Boots to Suits is a clothing program for Virginia Veterans who have left service in the U.S. Armed Forces and are pursuing a civilian career. This program provides Veterans who are within 60 days of separation from the U.S.

The spouse of a service member who is stationed in Virginia is authorized to have their professional license application expedited. Examples of these licenses include:

Military spouses who are licensed to practice law in another state, may practice law in Virginia if they meet certain requirements and they practice under the supervision of a licensed Virginia attorney. Rule 1A:8.

MMAC recruits, reviews, and refers candidates to healthcare employers statewide.

As part of the Virginia Small, Women-owned, and Minority Owned Business (SWaM) certification program, Veterans who have a service-connected disability and are small business owners may request a SDVOSB designation in the Virginia SWaM vendor database.

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 Virgina 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:

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services has three Veterans Care Centers that provide affordable, long term skilled nursing care, dementia and memory care as well as short and long term rehabilitation for Veterans.

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services has three Veterans cemeteries that provide a dignified final resting place for Veterans and their eligible family members.

The Virginia Veterans Treatment Docket provides a supportive alternative for justice-involved Veterans to the traditional criminal justice system. This program treats the root causes of legal issues, like substance use and mental health issues, through individualized care.

The VA National Cemetery Administration maintains 15 national cemeteries in Virginia. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

The Virginia DMV has a webpage with links to information that is typically requested for Veterans, service members and their families when they relocate to Virginia.

Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces have the option of adding a "Veteran" indicator to their driver's license or ID card as a convenient way to show proof of Veteran status at retailers and restaurants that offer discounts to Veterans.

Active duty service members and their family members who have a Virginia driver's license and are currently stationed outside of Virginia, may request a motorcycle classification by mail.

Virginia offers 63 license plate designs to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible service members, Veterans, retired service members and family members. Specific eligibility and documentation requirements apply. A short description of some of these plates can be found below.

Virginia offers one free set of Purple Heart license plates to recipients of the Purple Heart. These license plates may be personalized and is available with a disability symbol. Unremarried surviving spouses of eligible Veterans are also eligible to apply for this license plate.

Veterans who have a service-connected disability rating from the VA are eligible for the Virginia Disabled Veteran license plate. These license plates may be personalized and is available with a disability symbol.

Veterans who received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for the Virginia Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces license plate. These license plates may be personalized and is available with a disability symbol.

The immediate family members of a service member who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for the Virginia Gold Star license plate. These license plates may be personalized and is available with a disability symbol.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers CDL testing waivers for resident service members and former service members based on their military training and experience.

The Virginia National Guard Funeral Honors Program provides funeral details that provide a Military Funeral Honors ceremony at the funerals of eligible Veterans.

VVFS helps Veterans, reserve component service members, families and caregivers as they address the challenges of military service, separating from the U.S. Armed Forces, deployments, post-traumatic stress disorder, behavioral health concerns, and traumatic brain injuries.

The Virginia Attorney General has created the Virginia Military and Veteran Legal Resource Guide, a tool to help Virginia service members, military families, and Veterans understand the unique legal protections, rights, and resources available to them under the law.

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services Military Spouse Liaison conducts outreach and provides advocacy on behalf of military spouses and their families.

Metrobus, Metrorail and participating transit agencies offer discounted fares for disabled Veterans. Eligible Veterans receive the following discounts:

The Virginia Veterans Network is a free online hub of resources and services for Veterans, service members and family members. The network provides direct access to vetted resources and services ranging from:

The Virginia Veteran and Family Support JIS program provides resource connections, care coordination, and support to for Veterans involved with the criminal justice system.

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