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Maryland Veteran benefits

22 benefits from Maryland 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 Maryland

Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF) is the state Veterans agency. They can tell you what you qualify for and help you apply.

Call 410-260-3838 State agency website

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

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

22 benefits

Property tax

  • 50%+

    Local Property Tax Credit for Partially Disabled Veterans

    Counties and municipalities may (but are not required to) grant a local property tax credit to veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or higher. The credit equals 50% of local tax at 75%+ rating or 25% at 50-74% rating.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 50% or higher. Disabled veteran with an honorable discharge, a VA disability rating of at least 50%, and federal adjusted gross income not exceeding $100,000 for the prior taxable year; must own and occupy the dwelling; only available where the county or municipality has adopted the credit by local law.
    What you get at each level
    • 25% local tax credit
    • 50% local tax credit
    How to apply
    Apply to the local county or municipal finance/tax office with a discharge certificate and VA disability certification.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026. Law: Md. Code, Tax-Property §9-265.

  • 100% P&T

    Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans (Dwelling House)

    Maryland fully exempts the home of a veteran with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability from state, county, and municipal real property tax. The exemption also covers certain surviving spouses.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: 100% VA rating that is Permanent and Total (P&T). Veteran must have a VA-rated disability that is reasonably certain to continue for life, not caused by misconduct, and be legally domiciled in Maryland; disabled active-duty members with a similar physical disability also qualify.
    How to apply
    Apply to SDAT with certification of disability from the VA or a Maryland-licensed physician; refunds for past years may be requested within 3 years of the eligibility date.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Disabled Veterans or Line-of-Duty Deaths

    An unremarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran who had the property tax exemption, or of a service member who died in the line of duty, can continue to receive the full property tax exemption on the qualifying dwelling.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Surviving spouse must not have remarried; may claim the exemption on the veteran's former home (if it already had the exemption or the veteran was domiciled in Maryland at death) or transfer it to a subsequently acquired dwelling.
    How to apply
    File with SDAT similarly to how the veteran would have applied, providing proof of the veteran's death and the marital relationship.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Income tax, retirement pay and other taxes

  • No rating needed

    Income Tax Subtraction for Military Pay Earned Overseas

    Maryland residents on active duty outside the U.S. can subtract up to $15,000 of that overseas military pay from state taxable income.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Maryland resident on active duty, including reservists called to active duty, earning military pay outside the U.S. The $15,000 subtraction goes down dollar for dollar once total military pay is over $15,000. There is no subtraction if total military pay is over $30,000.
    How to apply
    Use the Military Overseas Income Worksheet in Instruction 13 of the Maryland resident tax booklet and file Form 502.
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Income Tax Subtraction for Military Retirement Income

    Maryland allows military retirees and their surviving spouses to subtract a portion of military retirement pay, including death benefits, from federal adjusted gross income before computing Maryland income tax.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Available to a military retiree or spouse who receives military retirement income from active or reserve components, the Maryland National Guard, or certain commissioned corps service.
    How to apply
    Complete Maryland Form 502 and Form 502SU, using code letter 'u' on line 13 of the resident tax booklet.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Vehicles, driver's licenses and plates

  • No rating needed

    Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Skills Test Waiver

    MDOT MVA waives the CDL skills test for Class A or B licenses for recently discharged veterans and certain active duty, reservist, and National Guard members who meet military driving experience criteria.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veterans discharged within the previous 12 months (or active duty/reserve/guard personnel) with qualifying military commercial vehicle driving experience; waiver form must be submitted within 12 months of discharge.
    How to apply
    Submit the Application for Military Skills Test Waiver (Form CDL-SK TST WVR), completed by the applicant and commanding officer, to MVA.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • 50–99%

    Disabled Veteran License Plate (50-99% Rating)

    Veterans with a service-connected disability or unemployability rating of 50-99% can receive disabled veteran license plates at no cost, but must still pay the standard registration fees and surcharges.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating from 50% to 99%, or paid at the 100% rate through TDIU (also called IU). VA-rated service-connected disability or unemployability rating between 50% and 99%.
    How to apply
    Submit Form VR-120 with VA disability documentation to any MVA branch or the Organizational Plates Unit.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • 100% P&T

    Disabled Veteran License Plate and Registration Fee Waiver (100%)

    Veterans rated 100% disabled, or compensated at the 100% rate for individual unemployability, receive disabled veteran license plates free of charge along with permanent, fee-free vehicle registration.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: 100% VA rating that is Permanent and Total (P&T), or paid at the 100% rate through TDIU (also called IU). Veteran must be rated at 100% disabled or compensated at the 100% individual unemployability rate, permanent and total in nature, by the VA; benefit extends to an unmarried surviving spouse.
    How to apply
    Submit Application for Military Related License Plates (Form VR-120) with proof of 100% disability to any MVA full-service branch or the Organizational Plates Unit in Glen Burnie.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Veteran Designation on Driver's License or ID Card

    Qualifying veterans can add a 'VETERAN' marking to the front of their Maryland driver's license or identification card at no charge, allowing quick identification for state benefits and discounts.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must provide acceptable proof of veteran status such as a DD-214, VA letter, Veteran's Medical Card, or other approved documentation showing discharge or release under conditions other than dishonorable.
    How to apply
    Make an appointment at any MDOT MVA branch through myMVA to add or remove the designation; there is no fee.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • 51%+For family or survivors

    Application Fee Waiver for Military-Related License Plates (Gold Star/50%+ Disabled)

    The standard tag fee for military-related license plates is waived for Gold Star family members and for disabled veterans rated over 50%, in addition to other plate-specific benefits.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 51% or higher. Gold Star family members or veterans with a disability rating over 50%, verified with DD-214 or other proof of award.
    How to apply
    Mail the completed VR-120 application with proof of eligibility to the MDOT MVA Organizational Plates Unit in Glen Burnie.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

Hunting, fishing and parks

  • No rating needed

    50% Discount on Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Purple Heart Recipients

    Maryland veterans who received a Purple Heart qualify for a 50 percent discount on Maryland hunting and fishing licenses.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be a Maryland veteran who received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in military service; active duty must provide official Purple Heart documentation and veterans must bring discharge papers (DD-214).
    How to apply
    Apply directly at a DNR regional Licensing and Registration Service Center with proof of the Purple Heart award.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • 100%+

    Complimentary Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License for 100% Disabled Veterans and POWs

    Maryland residents who are former prisoners of war or 100% service-connected disabled veterans can receive a free lifetime hunting or fishing license, including certain stamps and permits.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: 100% VA rating, or paid at the 100% rate through TDIU (also called IU). Maryland resident certified as a former POW or a veteran with a 100% service-connected disability, or determined unemployable by the VA.
    How to apply
    Apply in person at a DNR Licensing and Registration Service Center with VA certification or discharge documentation.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Maryland State Park and Trail Passport

    An annual passport offering unlimited day-use entry to Maryland's state parks for everyone in a vehicle (up to 10 people), including unlimited boat launching, available to veterans and their families.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Open to Maryland residents and non-residents; no veteran-specific eligibility requirement, but marketed to veterans and families as an alternative to the single-user fee waiver.
    How to apply
    Purchase through the DNR Military One-Stop Shop or at a Maryland state park.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    State Park Day-Use Admission Fee Waiver for Veterans

    All day-use entrance charges are waived for all veterans of the United States Armed Forces at Maryland state parks, for both resident and out-of-state veterans.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Any veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces; the waiver applies to the veteran only, unless a per-vehicle charge applies, in which case the vehicle fee is waived.
    How to apply
    Present proof of veteran status (such as a Veteran-designated driver's license or discharge papers) at the park entrance.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

School and tuition

  • No rating needed

    Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial / Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship

    State-funded scholarship providing tuition assistance to Maryland veterans with a service-connected disability of 25% or greater who have exhausted federal education benefits, POW/MIA veterans, and their children or surviving spouses.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be a Maryland resident enrolled at least half-time in an eligible Maryland institution; veteran applicants need a service-connected disability of 25% or greater and exhausted or ineligible federal VA education benefits; family members of qualifying veterans, POW/MIA, or public safety employees also may qualify.
    How to apply
    Apply directly to the financial aid office of the Maryland institution attended by July 15 each year; do not submit documentation to MHEC directly.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

Jobs and hiring preference

  • No rating needed

    Employer Hiring and Promotion Preference for Veterans

    Maryland law authorizes (but does not require) any employer, including state and local government, to grant a hiring and promotion preference to eligible veterans, spouses of disabled veterans, spouses of active service members, and surviving spouses of deceased eligible veterans.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. 'Eligible veteran' means a veteran who received an honorable discharge or certificate of satisfactory completion of service, including reserve component or certain commissioned corps service.
    How to apply
    No application process at the state level; individual employers that choose to grant the preference set their own procedures.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

Business certification and contracts

  • No rating needed

    Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Certification

    Maryland's VSBE Program certifies veteran-owned small businesses for state contracting opportunities, with designated agencies directed to spend a set percentage of procurement dollars with certified VSBE firms.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Business must be small under U.S. Small Business Administration size rules and at least 51% owned and run by one or more veterans who served on active duty and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
    How to apply
    Register as a vendor in the eMMA system, complete veteran verification through DVMF or the federal Vets First program, and submit the online VSBE certification application; there is no cost, and certification must be renewed periodically.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026. Law: 13 C.F.R. 121.201.

Homes, Veterans homes and cemeteries

  • No rating needed

    Burial in a Maryland State Veterans Cemetery

    Maryland operates five state veterans cemeteries where eligible veterans, National Guard members, Reservists, and qualifying family members can be buried at no cost for the plot, grave liner, headstone, and interment services.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must meet U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration eligibility criteria; National Guard members, Reservists, and their family members must also meet Maryland residency requirements.
    How to apply
    Family or funeral director should contact the desired State Veterans Cemetery, or file a Pre-Application for Interment in advance with DVMF's Cemetery Program.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Charlotte Hall Veterans Home

    Maryland's only state veterans home offers assisted living and skilled nursing long-term care for eligible veterans, with certain non-veteran spouses also able to be admitted. The State subsidizes the cost beyond the federal VA per diem.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Applicants generally must be Maryland residents; non-veteran spouses of eligible veterans must be at least 62 or determined disabled by SSA or VA; veterans rated 70% or greater service-connected disability may be entitled to full cost of nursing home care.
    How to apply
    Contact the Veterans Service Officer (VSO) at Charlotte Hall to begin the admission process.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) for Veterans

    The Community Development Administration's Maryland Mortgage Program offers 30-year fixed-rate VA, FHA, USDA, and conventional insured home loans with down payment and closing cost assistance, which can be paired with a veteran's VA loan benefit. Assistance amounts, rates, and funding availability change often, so confirm the program is still offered and get current terms from the agency before relying on it.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be purchasing a home in Maryland through an MMP-approved lender; eligibility depends on income limits, purchase price caps, and first-time homebuyer status, though exceptions exist for veterans using their one-time exemption.
    How to apply
    Contact an MMP-approved lender to check eligibility and, if required, complete a homebuyer education class.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Maryland National Guard Military Funeral Honors

    The Maryland National Guard Honor Guard provides Military Funeral Honors to eligible veterans at no cost, including flag folding, presentation, and Taps. These honors are available at Maryland state veterans cemeteries and other burial locations.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and were separated with a discharge other than Dishonorable, including military members on active duty, retired military, and veterans who served on active duty.
    How to apply
    Families should request military honors through their funeral director. The funeral director will coordinate with the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Money, grants and bonuses

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Maryland Veterans Trust Fund Emergency Grant

    The Maryland Veterans Trust Fund provides one-time financial grants to eligible veterans, surviving spouses, and Maryland National Guard members facing urgent hardship such as overdue rent, mortgage, or utility bills.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Applicants must have eligible bills or payments that are at least 30-60 days past due at the time of application; grants are based on documented financial need and available funding.
    How to apply
    Apply through the online Maryland Veterans Trust Fund grant portal; awards/declinations are communicated on a monthly schedule and payments are made directly to vendors.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

Also check

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