West Virginia Veteran Benefits

West Virginia does not tax military retired pay.

Income earned by a nonresident spouse of a nonresident service member stationed in West Virginia is exempt from West Virginia income taxes.

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.

West Virginia does not tax SBP, RCSBP or RSFPP annuities.

Honorably discharged disabled Veterans who have a 90% or greater combined disability rating from the VA are eligible for an income tax credit for the amount they paid in property taxes for their homestead.

Service members who die while serving in a combat zone, or from wounds, disease, or injuries they received while serving in a combat zone will not owe taxes for the year of their death.

​ West Virginia resident service members serving in the U.S. Armed Forces who are stationed outside of West Virginia are eligible for a property tax exemption on one vehicle.

All statesupported institutions of higher education will waive tuition and mandatory fees for Veterans who have been awarded the Medal of Honor or the Purple Heart. Eligible Veterans can receive a waiver for up to eight semesters.

WVEEP pay 100% of tuition and fees up to $10,000 per fiscal year for West Virginia National Guard service members who are attending a participating West Virginia institution of higher education. This benefit may be used in conjunction with federal tuition assistance.

West Virginia Veterans Re-Education Assistance program offers up to $500 per semester to Veterans for tuition assistance, tests for a professional license or certification, or other training materials. Tuition assistance is based on funding availability.

West Virginia offers a tuition and fees waiver for surviving spouses and children of resident service members who were killed in the line of duty while serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S Armed Forces.

Spouses and children of deceased resident wartime Veterans are eligible $1,000 per semester, and no more than $2,000 per year for matriculation fees, room and board, books, supplies, and other necessary living expenses.

West VirginiaVeterans who left high school prior to graduation to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, Korea or Vietnam may be awarded a West Virginia high school diploma.

All West Virginia public higher education institutions charge in-state tuition for nonresidents who are using VA education benefits and enroll within three years of their discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans must have served at least 90 days in the U.S. Armed Forces to be eligible.

VUB offers free assistance to Veterans to help them complete a certificate, diploma, or degree program.

UI benefits provide temporary financial assistance to workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. To qualify for UI, applicants must have West Virginia wages during the previous 12 to 18 months and earned at least the minimum amount required, based on West Virginia guidelines.

The Jack Bennett Fund will pay to install grave markers for deceased Veterans whose family members or next-of-kin who do not meet VA Income limits .

Veterans who have a Disabled Veteran license plate or a Purple Heart License plate are authorized to park in metered parking space free of charge.

Resident active duty service members are not required to have hunting, trapping, or fishing licenses when they are on leave. Service members must carry leave papers with them while they are hunting, trapping, or fishing. West Virginia Code 20-2-28

Veterans and active duty service members receive a 10% discount at West Virginia State Parks for all lodge rooms, cabins, and campsites. Veterans and service members should use code Vets10* when making reservations and must present valid military ID or proof of eligibility at check-in.

Eligible Veterans and their spouses may be eligible to receive priority in all employment and training programs, or services offered at WorkForce West Virginia locations that are funded with state or federal funds.

Eligible Veterans can have upto 10 preference points added to their passing entrance exam scores, when applying for state employment.

The West Virginia Veterans andHeroes to Agriculture program helps Veterans, service members and their families entering or currently working in agriculture, through partnerships with agencies, organizations, and farmers across the state.

State employees who are reserve component service members receive 240 hours of paid military leave for training and drills. When mobilized to federal active duty, an additional 240 hours of paid military leave is provided each time they are mobilized.

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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia Veterans Home is a 125-bed facility, overlooking the Village of Barboursville, that serves as a convenient and comfortable home in time of need for Veterans. The Home is not a treatment facility and cannot care for Veterans in need of daily care or skilled assistance.

Located in Clarksburg, the West Virginia Veteran's Nursing Facility offers 120 beds, including a 20-bed unit dedicated to Alzheimer's care. The facility prioritizes a warm, appealing, and comfortable environment for West Virginia Veterans needing skilled nursing home care.

The Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, located in Institute, West Virginia provides an honorable, dignified final resting place for service members, Veterans and their eligible family members.

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

Veterans honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces may request a Veteran designation on their West Virginia driver's license or ID cards.

The West Virginia driver's license of a service member serving in the U.S. Armed Forces is extended until six months after they are separated under honorable circumstances from active duty service. West Virginia Code 17B-2-12

Eligible Veterans can request West Virginia License with no registration fees. Who is eligible for West Virginia Special Military and Veteran License Plates with No Registration Fees: Veterans who are eligible for the following license plates are offered an exemption from registration fees (other fe

West Virginia offers 40 special military and Veteran license plates to honor the service and sacrifice of Veterans, retired service members, service members and family members.

West Virginia offers the Medal of Honor license plate to Medal of Honor recipients. Who is eligible for the West Virginia Medal of Honor License Plate? Applicants must be a recipient of the Medal of Honor. Contact the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles for an application.

West Virginia offers the Purple Heart license plate to Purple Heart recipients. Who is eligible for the West Virginia Purple Heart License Plate? Applicants must have been awarded the Purple Heart.

West Virginia offers the West Virginia Disabled Veteran license plate to eligible disabled Veterans. Who is eligible for the West Virginia Disabled Veteran License Plate? Veterans who have a 100% total and permanent service-connected disability rating from the VA, or a grant for a specially adapted

West Virginia offers the Veteran license plate to Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. This license plate can be issued for passenger cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Who is eligible for West Virginia Veteran License Plate? Veterans who received an honorable discharge from the U.S.

West Virginia offers the Gold Star Family license plate to families of U.S. Armed Forces service members who are killed in the line of duty.

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

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