Crisis?Call 988, press 1Text 838255Chat with the Veterans Crisis Line (opens in a new window)

Skip to content
Helping The Brave, because no brave fights alone

All states

District of Columbia Veteran benefits

18 benefits from the District of Columbia for Veterans and their families, on top of what VA gives. Many need no disability rating.

Each one says who qualifies, how to apply, the official link, and the date we last checked it. Rules change, so the official page has the final word.

Free help in District of Columbia

DC Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs (MOVA) is the state Veterans agency. They can tell you what you qualify for and help you apply.

Call 202-724-5454 State agency website

A Veterans service officer (VSO) helps with VA claims and state benefits for free.

Find a service officer near you District of Columbia's list of local offices
Your VA disability rating
Who is it for?

18 benefits

Property tax

  • 100% P&T

    Disabled Veterans Homestead Deduction

    Reduces the assessed value of a totally and permanently disabled veteran's DC home by $445,000 before property tax is calculated. As of October 1, 2025, an eligible surviving spouse or domestic partner can also receive the deduction.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: 100% VA rating that is Permanent and Total (P&T), or paid at the 100% rate through TDIU (also called IU). VA rating of total and permanent disability, or paid at the 100% rate for individual unemployability; owns at least 50% of the home, lives there as a principal residence, is domiciled in DC, the property has no more than five units, and household federal adjusted gross income is under the Senior/Disabled Tax Relief limit ($163,500 for tax year 2026). A surviving spouse or domestic partner qualifies if the DC Office of Veterans Affairs certifies the veteran met the disability requirements at death.
    How to apply
    File the Veterans Homestead Tax Deduction Application online (certified by DC Office of Veterans Affairs, then processed by OTR).
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Eligible Spouse Homestead Deduction Continuation

    Allows the surviving spouse or domestic partner of a deceased disabled veteran to keep receiving the $445,000 Homestead Deduction on the home that previously qualified. Prevents loss of the tax benefit after the veteran's death.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Surviving spouse/domestic partner of a veteran whose property was validly receiving the deduction at the time of the veteran's death, or would have qualified had the veteran applied.
    How to apply
    File with DC Office of Veterans Affairs/OTR using the same Homestead application process, certifying status as an eligible spouse.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • 100%+For family or survivors

    Surviving Spouse Property Tax Deduction for 100% Disabled Veterans

    Eligible surviving spouses or domestic partners of 100% disabled veterans (or those paid at 100% unemployability rating) can claim a $445,000 deduction from assessed property value for homestead property tax purposes. The deduction applies if the veteran's property was receiving or would have been eligible for the deduction at the time of death, and the household meets income limits.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: 100% VA rating, or paid at the 100% rate through TDIU (also called IU). Surviving spouse or domestic partner of a veteran who had a VA 100% total and permanent rating or was paid at the 100% rate for unemployability (TDIU). Household income must be under DC's limit, and the surviving spouse cannot have remarried.
    How to apply
    Complete and file an application with the District of Columbia Office of Veterans Affairs in the form prescribed by the Mayor, including a statement that the surviving spouse meets the requirements. The OVA will certify to the Office of Tax and Revenue that the deceased veteran met disability requirements.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026. Law: D.C. Code § 47-863(a)(1A).

Income tax, retirement pay and other taxes

  • No rating needed

    Pension/Military Retired Pay Income Exclusion

    Allows District residents age 62 or older to exclude a limited amount of military retired pay, pension, or annuity income from DC taxable income. The exclusion is capped and applies only for taxable years before January 1, 2015 under current codified language.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Persons 62 years of age or older by the end of the taxable year receiving pension, military retired pay, or annuity income from DC or the federal government.
    How to apply
    Claim the exclusion when filing the DC individual income tax return (Form D-40) with OTR.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Survivor Benefits Income Tax Exclusion (Age 62+)

    Surviving spouses/annuitant survivors age 62 or older who receive survivor benefits from the District of Columbia or federal government (such as Survivor Benefit Plan, Reserve Component SBP, or Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan annuities) may subtract these survivor benefits from their District gross income when filing their DC individual income tax return. Social Security benefits do not qualify for this specific subtraction. This is a District tax code provision benefiting surviving spouses of veterans and other government annuitants.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be an annuitant survivor (including survivors of military/government retirees) who is 62 years of age or older by the end of the taxable year, receiving survivor benefits from the District of Columbia or the federal government.
    How to apply
    Claim the subtraction on the DC Individual Income Tax Return (Form D-40) in the subtractions from federal AGI section when filing.
    Official page

    Last checked September 29, 2026.

Vehicles, driver's licenses and plates

  • No rating needed

    CDL Road Skills Test Waiver for Military Personnel

    DC DMV allows qualified service members to waive the Commercial Driver License (CDL) road skills test based on recent military experience operating an equivalent commercial motor vehicle. The CDL knowledge (written) test cannot be waived, and transfer of School Bus or Passenger endorsements under this program is prohibited.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Available to service members who are currently licensed and who are or were employed within the last 90 calendar days in a military position requiring operation of a military motor vehicle equivalent to a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV); applicants must be at least 21 years old, hold a valid DC non-commercial driver license, be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, have two years of commercial vehicle driving experience while in the military, and have two years of good driving history immediately preceding the CDL application date.
    How to apply
    Complete and submit the Application for Military Skills Test Waiver form with commanding officer certification of vehicle operation experience at a DC DMV service center.
    Official page

    Last checked September 29, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Combat Wounded Veteran Purple Heart License Plate

    A specialty tag for DC Purple Heart recipients and their surviving spouses, created by the DC Purple Heart License Plate Amendment Act of 2025. Unlike most specialty plates, it has no recurring annual display fee.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. DC Purple Heart recipients and their surviving spouses, verified with a DD-214/DD-215, WD-AGO 53-55, general/permanent orders, or a signed certificate of the award.
    How to apply
    Apply at a DC DMV service center with proof of the Purple Heart award; pay the one-time application fee only.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Vehicle Tags

    DC DMV issues special D.A.V.-lettered identification tags for a passenger vehicle owned by a certified member of the DC Department of Disabled American Veterans. Only one vehicle per individual may carry these tags at a time.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be certified as a bona fide member of the Department of the District of Columbia Disabled American Veterans by the Department Commander and be a DC resident.
    How to apply
    Obtain certification from the DC DAV Department Commander and apply at a DC DMV service center; standard passenger vehicle fee schedule applies.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • 100% P&T

    No-Fee Vehicle Registration for Totally Disabled Veterans

    Waives the annual motor vehicle registration fee for one noncommercial vehicle owned by a veteran with a total and permanent service-connected disability. This is separate from the specialty plate program and applies to the registration fee itself.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: 100% VA rating that is Permanent and Total (P&T). Veteran classified by the (US) Veterans Administration as having a total and permanent disability from a service-incurred or aggravated condition; limited to one vehicle per qualified veteran.
    How to apply
    Submit the DC DMV exemption application along with a statement/VA documentation of the total and permanent disability.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Veteran Designation on Driver License/ID

    DC DMV can add a 'Veteran' designation to a driver license or non-driver ID card so honorably discharged veterans can easily show proof of service. This is a no-cost designation added to standard credentials.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must have been honorably discharged from a branch of the US armed forces and provide a DD-214, WD AGO, or DD-256 form certifying veteran status.
    How to apply
    Visit a DC DMV service center in person with the required discharge documentation to request the designation.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Veterans' Specialty License Plates

    DC DMV issues distinctive 'Veteran' license plates with separate designs for each branch of the armed forces, available to veterans and their spouses. Fees collected fund the Office of Veterans Affairs Fund.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Individual who is a veteran or the spouse of a veteran and is a District resident; upon the veteran's death the tags may transfer to the surviving spouse for life or until remarriage.
    How to apply
    Apply in person at a DC DMV service center; pay the one-time application fee and annual display fee.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Women Veterans License Plate

    A specialty license plate honoring women who served in the US armed forces, issued by DC DMV. Fees collected are deposited into the Office of Veterans Affairs Fund.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. DC resident who is a woman veteran; documentation of veteran status required.
    How to apply
    Apply in person at any DC DMV location and pay the application and display fees.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Surviving Spouse Veteran License Plate Transfer

    Upon the death of a veteran holding DC veterans identification tags, the surviving spouse can apply to transfer and retain those identification tags for their lifetime or until remarriage. The tags may be transferred multiple times between vehicles during the spouse's lifetime.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Surviving spouse of a deceased veteran who held DC veterans identification tags; spouse must remain unmarried; must be a DC resident
    How to apply
    Apply at a DC Department of Motor Vehicles service center to transfer the veteran identification tags to the surviving spouse's vehicle
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

School and tuition

  • No rating needed

    DC National Guard State Tuition Assistance (DCTA)

    The Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. Retention and College Access Program pays tuition assistance for DC National Guard members pursuing accredited degree programs anywhere in the United States. It can be combined with federal Tuition Assistance and GI Bill benefits.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be a current member of the DC National Guard with at least one year of service remaining at completion of the degree requirement.
    How to apply
    Submit an application through the DC National Guard education office at least 30 days before the course start date.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    UDC Military Residency Waiver for Tuition

    The University of the District of Columbia allows active duty and recently discharged military members, along with their dependents, to waive the standard 90-day residency requirement needed to qualify for preferential in-state or metro-area tuition rates. This lets eligible veterans and their families access reduced UDC tuition without first establishing the normal residency period.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Active duty and recently discharged military members and their dependents, upon verification of military status; otherwise students must establish 90 days of DC or Metro-area residency prior to the semester start date to qualify for preferential tuition rates.
    How to apply
    Contact UDC Admissions and submit verification of military status to request the residency waiver for tuition classification purposes.
    Official page

    Last checked September 29, 2026.

Jobs and hiring preference

  • No rating needed

    DC Government Employee Post-56 Military Service Credit (DCRB)

    Members of the DC Police Officers and Firefighters' Retirement Plan and DC Teachers' Retirement Plan who performed honorable military service after 1956 may purchase that service to receive credit toward their DC retirement annuity. This credit can affect vesting and can increase the retirement benefit calculation, but the deposit must generally be completed before retirement to retain the credit.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. DC government workers in the DCRB Police Officers and Firefighters' Plan or Teachers' Plan with honorable active military service after 1956. You must buy back the service before you retire (or by October 1, 2006, whichever is later) to keep the credit.
    How to apply
    Submit the Post-56 Military Service Purchase of Service Election Form along with a DD-214 and OPM Form RI 20-97 (Estimated Earnings During Military Service) to your HR Office, which forwards it to DCRB for review and calculation of the required deposit.
    Official page

    Last checked September 29, 2026. Law: D.C. Code § 5-704(h).

  • No rating needed

    Veterans Preference in DC Government Employment

    Gives eligible veterans extra points added to their score when competing for DC government Career/Educational/Legal/Management Supervisory Service jobs. An additional preference applies for veterans with service-connected disabilities.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Persons who served on active duty more than 180 consecutive days and separated under honorable conditions receive 5 points; an additional 5 points apply if the veteran has a service-connected disability or receives VA compensation/pension. No preference for those entering service after October 14, 1976 unless service was during a time of war, and no preference for military retirees (except disabled).
    What you get at each level
    • 5 points for honorable service over 180 days
    • Additional 5 points (10 total) for service-connected disability or VA compensation/pension
    How to apply
    Submit official proof of veteran/disability status (e.g., DD-214, VA letter) with a DC government job application through DCHR.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Business certification and contracts

  • No rating needed

    Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (VOB) Certification

    A subcategory of DC's Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) program that recognizes businesses owned by veterans, giving them preference points in DC government contracting and procurement. A business must first qualify as a Local Business Enterprise before requesting VOB status.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. For-profit business headquartered/principal office located in DC and already certified as a Local Business Enterprise; ownership must be documented with a DD-214 proving veteran status.
    How to apply
    Apply for CBE/LBE certification through DSLBD, then request the VOB subcategory designation and submit DD-214 proof.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Also check

Education only. Helping The Brave is not a government agency. Confirm details with the agency before you apply.