Virginia Disabled Veteran Benefits

Virginia gives veterans who have a service-connected disability, and their families, some of the strongest state benefits in the country. This page walks you through each one in plain, numbered steps. First, a quick note on names. In this guide, Virginia always means the state. The VA always means the federal U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which sets your disability rating. Almost every benefit below asks for proof of that rating, so keep a current VA benefit summary letter (sometimes called your VA award letter) handy. You can download it any time from VA.gov. Getting a rating, raising it, or appealing a denial is always free through a Veterans Service Officer, and you should never pay for it.

Property tax exemption on your home

If the VA rates you 100 percent service-connected, permanent and total, Virginia exempts your home and up to one acre of land from local real estate tax. You do not pay that tax at all. Here is who qualifies and how to claim it.

You qualify if the VA rates you 100 percent service-connected, permanent and total, and the home is your main residence. See Va. Code 58.1-3219.5.

• You qualify if the VA rates you 100 percent service-connected, permanent and total, and the home is your main residence. See Va. Code 58.1-3219.5.

You also qualify if the VA pays you at the 100 percent rate because of individual unemployability (called total disability based on individual unemployability, or TDIU) and treats that rating as permanent and total. See the Virginia Department of Veterans Services tax exemptions page.

• You also qualify if the VA pays you at the 100 percent rate because of individual unemployability (called total disability based on individual unemployability, or TDIU) and treats that rating as permanent and total. See the Virginia Department of Veterans Services tax exemptions page.

A surviving spouse keeps the exemption if the veteran died on or after January 1, 2011, and the spouse has not remarried.

• A surviving spouse keeps the exemption if the veteran died on or after January 1, 2011, and the spouse has not remarried.

A surviving spouse can move to a different Virginia home and take the exemption with them, and it applies with no restriction on the new residence. See Va. Code 58.1-3219.5.

• A surviving spouse can move to a different Virginia home and take the exemption with them, and it applies with no restriction on the new residence. See Va. Code 58.1-3219.5.

A surviving spouse of a member of the U.S. armed forces who was killed in action, or who died of wounds, may qualify under a separate law even if the member was never rated disabled. See Va. Code 58.1-3219.9.

• A surviving spouse of a member of the U.S. armed forces who was killed in action, or who died of wounds, may qualify under a separate law even if the member was never rated disabled. See Va. Code 58.1-3219.9.

Steps to claim it:

Download your VA benefit summary letter showing the 100 percent permanent and total rating from VA.gov. Get it there, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

• Download your VA benefit summary letter showing the 100 percent permanent and total rating from VA.gov. Get it there, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

Find the Commissioner of the Revenue for the county or city where you live (in a few cities this is the assessor). Search your local government website for Commissioner of the Revenue, or use the overview on the Virginia Department of Veterans Services tax exemptions page. Get it there, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

• Find the Commissioner of the Revenue for the county or city where you live (in a few cities this is the assessor). Search your local government website for Commissioner of the Revenue, or use the overview on the Virginia Department of Veterans Services tax exemptions page. Get it there, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

Ask that office for its disabled veteran real estate tax exemption application. Each locality supplies its own form.

• Ask that office for its disabled veteran real estate tax exemption application. Each locality supplies its own form.

Fill in your name, your spouse's name if they also live there, and a statement that the home is your main residence.

• Fill in your name, your spouse's name if they also live there, and a statement that the home is your main residence.

Attach your VA benefit summary letter (or, for a surviving spouse, proof of the veteran's death and the date of death).

• Attach your VA benefit summary letter (or, for a surviving spouse, proof of the veteran's death and the date of death).

Turn the form in to the Commissioner of the Revenue. By law they must approve or deny within 20 business days. See Va. Code 58.1-3219.6.

• Turn the form in to the Commissioner of the Revenue. By law they must approve or deny within 20 business days. See Va. Code 58.1-3219.6.

You do not refile every year. Under state law you only refile if you move to a new main residence, but ask your local office whether it wants a first-time application in by a certain date.

• You do not refile every year. Under state law you only refile if you move to a new main residence, but ask your local office whether it wants a first-time application in by a certain date.

Car tax exemption for one vehicle

Virginia also exempts one personal vehicle from the local car tax (the yearly personal property tax your county or city charges on your vehicle) for veterans rated 100 percent permanent and total.

One car, pickup, or panel truck registered for your personal use is exempt. Motorcycles, leased vehicles, and business vehicles do not count. See Va. Code 58.1-3668.

• One car, pickup, or panel truck registered for your personal use is exempt. Motorcycles, leased vehicles, and business vehicles do not count. See Va. Code 58.1-3668.

You qualify at a 100 percent permanent and total rating, or when the VA pays you at the 100 percent rate for individual unemployability.

• You qualify at a 100 percent permanent and total rating, or when the VA pays you at the 100 percent rate for individual unemployability.

The exemption starts the day you get the vehicle or January 1, 2021, whichever is later. It ends when the veteran dies and does not pass to a surviving spouse.

• The exemption starts the day you get the vehicle or January 1, 2021, whichever is later. It ends when the veteran dies and does not pass to a surviving spouse.

Use the same VA benefit summary letter from the home tax steps above.

• Use the same VA benefit summary letter from the home tax steps above.

Contact your local Commissioner of the Revenue and ask for the disabled veteran vehicle (personal property) tax exemption application, then file it with your VA letter.

• Contact your local Commissioner of the Revenue and ask for the disabled veteran vehicle (personal property) tax exemption application, then file it with your VA letter.

State income tax on your military pay

Virginia does not tax your VA disability compensation at all. It also lets many military retirees subtract military retirement pay from Virginia taxable income, and that subtraction has been growing each year.

Your VA disability compensation is not taxed by the federal government or by Virginia. You do not report it as income.

• Your VA disability compensation is not taxed by the federal government or by Virginia. You do not report it as income.

Virginia has a Military Benefits Subtraction that lets qualifying retirees subtract military retirement pay and Survivor Benefit Plan payments from Virginia income. The amount you can subtract is being phased in and can change from year to year, so check the current limit rather than guess. See the Military Benefits Subtraction page at Virginia Tax.

• Virginia has a Military Benefits Subtraction that lets qualifying retirees subtract military retirement pay and Survivor Benefit Plan payments from Virginia income. The amount you can subtract is being phased in and can change from year to year, so check the current limit rather than guess. See the Military Benefits Subtraction page at Virginia Tax.

Medal of Honor recipients can subtract their military retired pay from Virginia income. See the Virginia Tax subtractions page.

• Medal of Honor recipients can subtract their military retired pay from Virginia income. See the Virginia Tax subtractions page.

Read the current rules and dollar limit on the Military Benefits Subtraction page. Get it there, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

• Read the current rules and dollar limit on the Military Benefits Subtraction page. Get it there, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

Claim the subtraction on your Virginia Form 760 (Resident Individual Income Tax Return) when you file, using the subtraction code that page lists. Do not report VA disability compensation as taxable income.

• Claim the subtraction on your Virginia Form 760 (Resident Individual Income Tax Return) when you file, using the subtraction code that page lists. Do not report VA disability compensation as taxable income.

Virginia DMV plates and vehicle benefits

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers special plates and a veteran status marker. Here are the ones that matter most for disabled veterans and their spouses.

You get one free set of Disabled Veteran plates if you lost, or lost the use of, a leg, arm, or hand; are blind; or are rated permanently and totally disabled by the VA. See the Disabled Veteran plates page at the Virginia DMV.

• You get one free set of Disabled Veteran plates if you lost, or lost the use of, a leg, arm, or hand; are blind; or are rated permanently and totally disabled by the VA. See the Disabled Veteran plates page at the Virginia DMV.

An unremarried surviving spouse of such a veteran can also get one free set.

• An unremarried surviving spouse of such a veteran can also get one free set.

Any other veteran with a service-connected disability can buy Disabled Veteran plates for a special plate fee plus the normal fees.

• Any other veteran with a service-connected disability can buy Disabled Veteran plates for a special plate fee plus the normal fees.

Steps to get Disabled Veteran plates:

Get form VSA 54 (Veteran Certification of Disability) signed for free by a Veterans Service Officer, or use your VA benefit summary letter that shows the disability is service-connected. Get it there, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

• Get form VSA 54 (Veteran Certification of Disability) signed for free by a Veterans Service Officer, or use your VA benefit summary letter that shows the disability is service-connected. Get it there, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

Apply for the plates through the Disabled Veteran plates page at the Virginia DMV, and ask the DMV about registration fee relief when you order.

• Apply for the plates through the Disabled Veteran plates page at the Virginia DMV, and ask the DMV about registration fee relief when you order.

Purple Heart plate: Purple Heart recipients get one free set of Purple Heart plates, and unremarried surviving spouses can apply. Bring a copy of your DD214, the award certificate, or other official proof. See the Virginia DMV veteran and armed forces plates page.

• Purple Heart plate: Purple Heart recipients get one free set of Purple Heart plates, and unremarried surviving spouses can apply. Bring a copy of your DD214, the award certificate, or other official proof. See the Virginia DMV veteran and armed forces plates page.

Veteran marker: you can add a Veteran indicator to your Virginia driver's license or identification card as easy proof of service for discounts. Ask the DMV to add it when you renew or replace your card.

• Veteran marker: you can add a Veteran indicator to your Virginia driver's license or identification card as easy proof of service for discounts. Ask the DMV to add it when you renew or replace your card.

Hunting, fishing, and state parks

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) both give disabled veterans free or discounted access to the outdoors.

If you are a Virginia resident rated 50 percent or higher service-connected by the VA, you get a free lifetime hunting license and free lifetime freshwater fishing license. Residents rated below 50 percent can get the lifetime license at a reduced price. See the Virginia DWR Veterans page.

• If you are a Virginia resident rated 50 percent or higher service-connected by the VA, you get a free lifetime hunting license and free lifetime freshwater fishing license. Residents rated below 50 percent can get the lifetime license at a reduced price. See the Virginia DWR Veterans page.

Download the Resident Disabled Veteran's Lifetime License application from the Virginia DWR Veterans page. Get it there, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

• Download the Resident Disabled Veteran's Lifetime License application from the Virginia DWR Veterans page. Get it there, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

Attach your VA benefit summary letter or a Veterans Certificate of Disability that shows your rating, then mail or bring the application to the DWR as the form directs.

• Attach your VA benefit summary letter or a Veterans Certificate of Disability that shows your rating, then mail or bring the application to the DWR as the form directs.

State parks: if the VA rates you 100 percent service-connected, you can get a Virginia State Parks Veteran Disability Passport. It gives free parking and admission for you and anyone helping you, free boat launch and horse trailer parking, and a discount on camping, shelters, and rentals. See the Virginia State Parks passes page.

• State parks: if the VA rates you 100 percent service-connected, you can get a Virginia State Parks Veteran Disability Passport. It gives free parking and admission for you and anyone helping you, free boat launch and horse trailer parking, and a discount on camping, shelters, and rentals. See the Virginia State Parks passes page.

Fill out the Veteran Disability Pass application (form DCR199-036) from the Virginia State Parks passes page, attach your VA paperwork showing the 100 percent rating (you may black out payment or medical details), and email both to resvs@dcr.virginia.gov. Get it there, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

• Fill out the Veteran Disability Pass application (form DCR199-036) from the Virginia State Parks passes page, attach your VA paperwork showing the 100 percent rating (you may black out payment or medical details), and email both to resvs@dcr.virginia.gov. Get it there, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

College tuition for your spouse and children (VMSDEP)

The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) waives tuition and mandatory fees at Virginia public colleges and universities for the spouse and children of veterans who were killed, went missing, were taken prisoner, or became seriously disabled from military service.

The spouse, or a child between ages 16 and 29, of a qualifying veteran or service member may apply. See the VMSDEP page at the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.

• The spouse, or a child between ages 16 and 29, of a qualifying veteran or service member may apply. See the VMSDEP page at the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.

The veteran or service member must have been killed in action, died of a service-connected cause, be listed as missing in action, be a prisoner of war, or be rated by the VA at least 90 percent disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict or military operation.

• The veteran or service member must have been killed in action, died of a service-connected cause, be listed as missing in action, be a prisoner of war, or be rated by the VA at least 90 percent disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict or military operation.

Virginia must be the veteran's home of record, and the program has residency requirements it will explain when you apply.

• Virginia must be the veteran's home of record, and the program has residency requirements it will explain when you apply.

The waiver covers tuition and mandatory fees for up to eight semesters at a Virginia public two-year or four-year school. It does not cover room, board, books, or supplies.

• The waiver covers tuition and mandatory fees for up to eight semesters at a Virginia public two-year or four-year school. It does not cover room, board, books, or supplies.

Confirm eligibility and start an application in the VMSDEP Portal, which is run by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (use the Chrome browser). Get it there, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

• Confirm eligibility and start an application in the VMSDEP Portal, which is run by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (use the Chrome browser). Get it there, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

Upload the veteran's VA rating or casualty documents the portal asks for, and update your enrollment in the portal every semester you want to use the benefit.

• Upload the veteran's VA rating or casualty documents the portal asks for, and update your enrollment in the portal every semester you want to use the benefit.

Emergency help, care centers, and jobs

Virginia runs a statewide support network for veterans and families, plus free help with your federal VA claims.

Free claims help: getting a VA rating, raising it, appealing a denial, or asking about individual unemployability is always free. A VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer at the Virginia Department of Veterans Services will do it for you at no cost, and you should never pay anyone for it.

• Free claims help: getting a VA rating, raising it, appealing a denial, or asking about individual unemployability is always free. A VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer at the Virginia Department of Veterans Services will do it for you at no cost, and you should never pay anyone for it.

Find your nearest Virginia Department of Veterans Services benefits office (there are dozens across Virginia) using the office locator on the Benefits and Services page, or call 1-844-838-7838. Get it there, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

• Find your nearest Virginia Department of Veterans Services benefits office (there are dozens across Virginia) using the office locator on the Benefits and Services page, or call 1-844-838-7838. Get it there, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

Virginia Veteran and Family Support gives free help with mental health, post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and connecting to community resources for service members, veterans, and their families. Start at the Veteran and Family Support page or call 1-844-838-7838.

• Virginia Veteran and Family Support gives free help with mental health, post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and connecting to community resources for service members, veterans, and their families. Start at the Veteran and Family Support page or call 1-844-838-7838.

Virginia runs state Veterans Care Centers that provide long-term and skilled nursing care for veterans. Ask your local benefits office or call the main line to learn about admission.

• Virginia runs state Veterans Care Centers that provide long-term and skilled nursing care for veterans. Ask your local benefits office or call the main line to learn about admission.

State jobs: Virginia gives veterans a hiring preference for state jobs, and when a hiring test is scored, extra points are added to a qualifying veteran's passing score. Spouses of certain disabled, deceased, or missing veterans may also qualify. See the Virginia veteran hiring resources page.

• State jobs: Virginia gives veterans a hiring preference for state jobs, and when a hiring test is scored, extra points are added to a qualifying veteran's passing score. Spouses of certain disabled, deceased, or missing veterans may also qualify. See the Virginia veteran hiring resources page.

The free Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program helps you find and land a job. Start at the V3 program page.

• The free Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program helps you find and land a job. Start at the V3 program page.

Purple Heart, former POW, and Medal of Honor perks

Purple Heart recipients get one free set of Purple Heart license plates from the Virginia DMV, and unremarried surviving spouses can apply with a copy of the DD214 or award certificate. See the Virginia DMV veteran and armed forces plates page.

• Purple Heart recipients get one free set of Purple Heart license plates from the Virginia DMV, and unremarried surviving spouses can apply with a copy of the DD214 or award certificate. See the Virginia DMV veteran and armed forces plates page.

Former prisoners of war, and their spouses and children, may qualify for the VMSDEP tuition waiver described above. See the VMSDEP page.

• Former prisoners of war, and their spouses and children, may qualify for the VMSDEP tuition waiver described above. See the VMSDEP page.

Medal of Honor recipients can subtract their military retired pay from Virginia income tax. See the Virginia Tax subtractions page.

• Medal of Honor recipients can subtract their military retired pay from Virginia income tax. See the Virginia Tax subtractions page.

Ask your Virginia Department of Veterans Services benefits office about other special plates and honors for Purple Heart, former prisoner of war, and Medal of Honor recipients.

• Ask your Virginia Department of Veterans Services benefits office about other special plates and honors for Purple Heart, former prisoner of war, and Medal of Honor recipients.

Print-and-take checklist

☐ Download your current VA benefit summary letter from VA.gov. It proves your rating for almost every benefit below.

☐ Home tax: get your county or city Commissioner of the Revenue's disabled veteran real estate exemption form and file it with your VA letter.

☐ Car tax: ask the same Commissioner of the Revenue for the one-vehicle disabled veteran exemption and file it.

☐ Surviving spouse: if the veteran died on or after January 1, 2011, or was killed in action, ask the local office about continuing the home tax exemption, even if you move.

☐ Income tax: read the Virginia Military Benefits Subtraction rules before you file your Form 760, and do not report VA disability pay as income.

☐ DMV plates: get form VSA 54 signed by a Veterans Service Officer (or use your VA letter) and order your free Disabled Veteran plates.

☐ DMV marker: add the Veteran indicator to your driver's license or identification card.

☐ Purple Heart: order your free Purple Heart plates with your DD214 or award certificate.

☐ Hunting and fishing: send the Resident Disabled Veteran's Lifetime License application to the Virginia DWR with your VA rating letter.

☐ State parks: email the Veteran Disability Pass application (form DCR199-036) and your 100 percent VA paperwork to resvs@dcr.virginia.gov.

☐ College: start a VMSDEP application in the Virginia Department of Veterans Services portal for your spouse or child, and re-check enrollment each semester.

☐ Jobs: sign up with the free Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program and claim your state-job hiring preference.

☐ Support: save the Virginia Department of Veterans Services toll-free line, 1-844-838-7838, for benefits help and Virginia Veteran and Family Support.

☐ Free claims help: for any new rating, increase, appeal, or individual unemployability question, book a free VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer at your local Virginia Department of Veterans Services office. Never pay for claim help.

Education only. Not the VA, not a government agency, and not financial, tax, or legal advice. Help with a VA claim or rating is always free through a VA-accredited Veteran Service Officer. Rules and amounts change; verify with the official source before you act.

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