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State Military-Friendliness Index

A sourced, tiered look at how each state treats a disabled veteran across six categories: property tax relief, state income tax on military pay, education benefits, employment/hiring preference, vehicle & recreation perks, and access to state veterans’ homes and health care. Every score traces to a written rubric and an official source. This is not a “best state” ranking, so jurisdictions are listed alphabetically, not by score — see the full methodology for how each tier is calculated.

49 of 52 jurisdictions have a completed score so far; the rest show “Index pending” until every category is verified against a primary source.

Read this before you weigh a move on the index alone →

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The things almost nobody tells you once you’re rated, from the property-tax break to protecting your tax-free check. Straight to your inbox, plus plain-English guidance as new benefits and deadlines come up. No spam, no sales pitch, no claim-shark fees.

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Not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or any government agency. “VA” and other agency names are used only as factual references and imply no endorsement.

This is general education, not advice. Nothing here is individualized legal, tax, financial, or investment advice, and nothing here is VA claims assistance or representation. We do not prepare, present, or charge for VA benefit claims. Rules, rates, forms, and deadlines change, always verify at the official source linked before you rely on it. For claims help, use a free VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (DAV, VFW, American Legion, or your county Veterans Service Officer). For individualized money decisions, consult a fee-only fiduciary professional.

Applying for benefits is free and self-service: enrolling in VA health care, CHAMPVA, Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA), a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) student-loan discharge, the VA home-loan funding-fee waiver, and Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) or Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) never require paying anyone a fee. Be alert to “pension poaching”: people or companies that charge fees, push you to move money into trusts or annuities, or offer a lump-sum “buyout” of your future VA payments to “qualify” you for a benefit or “help” with paperwork. Report suspected fraud to the VA Office of Inspector General at va.gov/oig/hotline or 1-800-827-1000.

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