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Puerto Rico Veteran benefits

29 benefits from Puerto Rico 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 Puerto Rico

Oficina del Procurador del Veterano (OPV) is the state Veterans agency. They can tell you what you qualify for and help you apply.

Call 787-758-5760 State agency website

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

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

29 benefits

Property tax

  • No rating needed

    Basic Veteran Property Tax Exemption

    All Puerto Rico veterans and their surviving spouses get a permanent exemption from property tax on the first part of the taxable value of the home they built or acquired as their principal residence.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Any honorably discharged veteran, or surviving spouse of a veteran, whose home is their primary residence in PR.
    How to apply
    File with CRIM using Model AS-38 and proof of honorable discharge (DD-214) or VA certification.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • 50%+

    Property Tax Exemption for Service-Connected Disability (50%+)

    Veterans who receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability of 50% or more get an exemption on the first part of the taxable value of their home.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 50% or higher. Veteran receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability rated 50% or more, home used as principal residence as of January 1 of the tax year.
    How to apply
    File annually with CRIM at time of tax payment using Model AS-38 and VA disability certification; permanent ratings need not refile every year.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Total Property Tax Exemption for Disabled/Impaired Veterans

    Veterans certified as disabled or impaired get a 100% property tax exemption on their home and the land it sits on, up to a set lot size.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veteran certified by PR's Department of Veterans Affairs as incapacitated/impaired, home used as residence of veteran or immediate family.
    How to apply
    File with CRIM using Model AS-38 with disability certification and DD-214.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    War Surplus Property Tax Exemption

    Property a veteran acquires from war surplus material for personal use is exempt from all taxes and duties, as long as its value stays under a set cap.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veteran who acquired the property from war surplus material for personal use.
    How to apply
    Apply under Treasury Department regulations implementing this exemption.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Income tax, retirement pay and other taxes

  • No rating needed

    Lifetime $1,500 Income Tax Deduction for Veterans

    Every veteran is entitled to a one-time lifetime income tax deduction of $1,500 under the PR tax code, effective since the 2007 tax year.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Any person who qualifies as a veteran under Law 203-2007.
    How to apply
    Claim the deduction on the PR individual income tax return; Treasury Secretary regulations govern documentation.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Vehicles, driver's licenses and plates

  • No rating needed

    50% Discount on Vehicle Registration (Marbete)

    Veterans get half off the annual fee to buy or renew the vehicle registration sticker (marbete) for one vehicle registered in their name.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Any veteran, for one motor vehicle registered in the veteran's own name, once per year.
    How to apply
    Request the discount at CESCO/DTOP when purchasing or renewing the marbete, presenting veteran ID/DD-214.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Reserved Parking for Veterans at Government Offices

    PR government agencies, public corporations and municipalities must set aside at least one clearly marked parking space at each office for veterans or those transporting them.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Any veteran conducting business at a PR government office.
    How to apply
    No application needed; spaces must be provided by the agency at its facilities.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Special Veteran License Plate

    DTOP issues a special veteran license plate; the first plate is free, and each additional plate costs a set fee.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veteran discharged under honorable conditions, verified with DD-214 or VA certification.
    How to apply
    Apply at a CESCO using Form DTOP-DIS-058 with proof of honorable discharge, vehicle permit, and photo ID.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • Certain disabilities

    Vehicle Excise Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans' Automobiles

    Automobiles provided to disabled veterans for personal use by or with the help of the VA are exempt from Puerto Rico's motor vehicle excise tax, and replacement vehicles keep the exemption.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: Certain serious disabilities (see who qualifies). Veteran who received the vehicle for personal use by or with the assistance of the VA due to disability.
    Vehicle provided for personal use by or with VA assistance due to disability (no rating percentage specified)
    How to apply
    Present VA certification of the vehicle grant to Hacienda/DTOP when registering the vehicle.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Veteran Designation on Driver's License/ID

    Puerto Rico allows a veteran designation to be placed on the driver's license or ID card issued by DTOP, letting veterans prove service without showing their DD-214 for routine transactions.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veteran discharged under honorable conditions from the U.S. Armed Forces.
    How to apply
    Request the veteran designation at a CESCO when obtaining or renewing a driver's license or ID card.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Hunting, fishing and parks

  • No rating needed

    10% Discount at National Parks Company Facilities

    Veterans, along with their spouses and minor or disabled children, get 10% off the individual admission fee at facilities run by Puerto Rico's National Parks Company, such as beaches, zoos, aquariums and campgrounds.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veteran, spouse, and minor or disabled children; the discount also transfers to the surviving spouse and children after the veteran's death.
    How to apply
    Present veteran ID or proof of relationship at the ticket window of the National Parks Company facility.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

School and tuition

  • No rating needed

    100% Tuition Exemption for Veterans at UPR

    Veterans attending the University of Puerto Rico get a full exemption on tuition costs (not fees) under Law 203-2007.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must qualify as a veteran under Law 203-2007 and submit DD-214 or VA discharge certification.
    How to apply
    Submit DD-214 and required documents to the campus Registrar's Office (Oficina de Registraduría).
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Free Tuition for Veterans Who Exhaust Federal Education Benefits

    Veterans who use up or are close to using up their federal GI Bill benefits before finishing a degree get free tuition at UPR and other public postsecondary schools to finish that degree.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veteran enrolled in a degree program who has exhausted or is about to exhaust federal education benefits before completing the degree.
    How to apply
    Provide certification from the federal VA of exhausted benefits to the school's Registrar's Office.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    50% Tuition Discount for Veterans' Spouses, Children and Dependents

    Spouses, children and dependents of veterans get a 50% discount on tuition, fees, books and other required materials at UPR and other public postsecondary institutions.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Spouse, child, or dependent of a veteran; applies at undergraduate, technical-professional, and graduate levels.
    How to apply
    Submit veteran's DD-214, birth or marriage certificate to the school's Registrar's Office.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Admission Priority for Veterans and Dependents

    UPR and other public postsecondary institutions must give admission priority to veterans, their spouses, children and dependents.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veteran, spouse, child, or dependent of a veteran applying to UPR or a public postsecondary institution.
    How to apply
    Note veteran status/relationship on the admissions application with supporting documents.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Full Tuition Exemption for Dependents of Service Members Killed in Action

    Children, surviving spouses and dependents of service members killed in action, or who died on federal active duty from a service-related cause, get a full tuition exemption at UPR and public postsecondary schools.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Child, surviving spouse, or dependent of a member who died in action or while on federal active duty from a service-connected cause.
    How to apply
    Submit death certificate and DoD/VA certification of service-connected death to the Registrar's Office.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Transcript Fee Waiver for Children of Veterans Under 25

    Children of veterans under 25 years old do not have to pay the fee for university academic transcripts.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Child of a veteran, under 25 years of age.
    How to apply
    Request the transcript at the university Registrar's Office, presenting proof of the parent's veteran status and the child's age.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Jobs and hiring preference

  • No rating needed

    Continued Employer Retirement Contributions During Military Activation

    PR government agencies, public corporations and municipalities must keep paying the employer's share of retirement plan contributions for an employee called to active military duty, for up to a set number of years.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Government employee called to active military duty who was contributing to a retirement plan at the time.
    How to apply
    Coordinate with the employing agency's retirement/HR office upon activation and upon return to work.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Hiring Preference for Veterans in Public and Private Jobs

    Puerto Rico's government and all private businesses operating on the island must give hiring or promotion preference to veterans when candidates are equally qualified academically, technically or by experience.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Any veteran competing for a public or private job or promotion in Puerto Rico.
    How to apply
    Employers must notify OPV of open competitive positions; veterans assert preference when applying, citing Law 203-2007.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Retirement Credit for Government Veteran-Employees on Study Leave

    Veteran employees of the PR government who take unpaid study leave while on active military service, with studies paid by the service, get that time credited toward their government retirement.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veteran employed by the PR government, its agencies, or municipalities, on unpaid leave for studies during active military service.
    How to apply
    Coordinate with the employing agency's HR/retirement office and the applicable Retirement Law regulations.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Business certification and contracts

  • No rating needed

    Veteran-Owned Small Business Verification Program

    Puerto Rico runs a verification program that certifies companies as veteran-owned small businesses or service-connected disabled-veteran-owned businesses, with annual re-verification.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Small business majority-owned and controlled by a veteran (or a service-connected disabled veteran).
    How to apply
    Apply through the program administered in coordination with the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO); annual verification visits confirm continued eligibility.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Homes, Veterans homes and cemeteries

  • No rating needed

    Free Burial Plot for Veterans in Municipal Cemeteries

    Municipalities that operate public cemeteries must provide a grave, niche, or ash plot free of charge to a deceased veteran who qualifies for VA burial benefits and resided in that municipality.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Deceased veteran (including certain reserve/National Guard retirees) who qualifies for VA burial benefits and resided in the municipality at death.
    How to apply
    Family contacts the municipal cemetery office with VA burial eligibility documentation.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    La Casa del Veterano (State Veterans Home)

    La Casa del Veterano in Juana Díaz, overseen by OPV, offers nursing home and domiciliary long-term care for veterans, their spouses, widows/widowers, and Gold Star parents.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. U.S. Armed Forces veterans, their spouses, widows/widowers, and parents of a service member killed in action.
    How to apply
    Contact La Casa del Veterano admissions office to apply for residency.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Preference for Veterans in State Housing Allocation Programs

    Qualifying veterans and surviving spouses get preference, when conditions are equal, in any distribution, sale, donation or lease of Puerto Rico government property, including Housing Department residential projects and other social-interest housing or purchase-subsidy programs.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veteran or qualifying surviving spouse seeking government housing, land, or purchase-subsidy programs.
    How to apply
    Apply through the relevant Housing Department program and assert veteran preference with supporting documentation.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Puerto Rico State Veterans Cemetery (Aguadilla)

    Puerto Rico operates a State Veterans Cemetery in Aguadilla under OPV oversight, where eligible veterans and qualifying service members can be buried without any state residency requirement.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veteran or U.S. Armed Forces member who died honorably while serving, or who served as an active member; the residency requirement was eliminated by law.
    How to apply
    Contact the Atlantic Garden Veterans Cemetery administration in Aguadilla or the Office of the Veterans Advocate to arrange burial.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Rental Subsidy Program for Veterans in Congregate Housing

    Puerto Rico law lets the Housing Department help pay monthly rent for veterans living in state veterans homes built under the federal Nursing Home Care program. The help can be up to $400 a month for domiciliary care and up to $600 a month for nursing care. It is also open to the veteran's spouse or surviving spouse.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Bona fide Puerto Rico resident veteran, or the veteran's spouse or surviving spouse, living in a state veterans home (domiciliary or nursing care). The amount depends on monthly income.
    How to apply
    Apply through the Puerto Rico Housing Department's subsidy program, providing income documentation.
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026.

Other help

  • No rating needed

    Fee Waiver for Government Certificates and Documents

    Puerto Rico government and municipal offices, including courts and registries, must issue free of charge any certificate a veteran needs for official use or to claim a right. The waiver also covers the veteran's spouse or surviving spouse and minor children, and children of veterans under 25 can get university transcripts free.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veteran, spouse or surviving spouse, and minor children; children of veterans under age 25 for free university academic transcripts.
    How to apply
    Request the certificate at the issuing government or municipal office, presenting proof of veteran relationship.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Mandatory Recognition of VA Identification Cards

    Government agencies, municipalities, and private businesses and financial institutions that serve the public in Puerto Rico must accept a veteran's VA-issued ID card as valid identification for transactions, unless it is expired, mutilated, or altered.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Any veteran presenting a valid, unexpired VA identification card.
    How to apply
    Present the VA ID card when conducting business with a covered agency or company; complaints of non-recognition can be filed with OPV.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Priority/Express Line Service for Veterans

    Government agencies, municipalities, and many private businesses serving the public in Puerto Rico must set up an express line giving priority turns to veterans who show proper identification.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Any veteran, alone or accompanied by family/guardians, seeking service at a covered government or business office.
    How to apply
    Show veteran identification at the designated priority line when requesting service.
    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.