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Vermont Veteran benefits

22 benefits from Vermont 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 Vermont

Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs is the state Veterans agency. They can tell you what you qualify for and help you apply.

Call 802-828-3379 State agency website

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

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

22 benefits

Property tax

  • 50%+For family or survivors

    Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans and Survivors

    Reduces the appraised value of a qualifying veteran's home before property taxes are assessed. The base exemption is set by state law but towns may vote to increase it.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 50% or higher. Veteran, spouse, widow, widower, or child (or combination) occupying the property as established residence, where one or more receive disability compensation for at least 50 percent disability, death compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, or pension for disability, paid through a military department or the VA.
    How to apply
    File a written application with the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs before May 1 of each year; those totally and permanently disabled apply only once.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Income tax, retirement pay and other taxes

  • No rating needed

    Vermont Veteran Tax Credit

    A refundable state income tax credit for low-income veterans, regardless of whether they receive military retirement pay. The full credit is available at low incomes and phases down as income rises.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Resident or part-year resident with a discharge record or other record of separation verifying service in the uniformed services; full $250 credit if federal AGI is $25,000 or less, partial credit up to $30,000 AGI.
    How to apply
    Claim the credit when filing a Vermont income tax return; effective beginning with the 2025 tax year under Act 71.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Death Pension for Low Income Surviving Families

    State-administered program providing monthly assistance to exceptionally low income surviving spouses and children of deceased veterans with wartime service. Designed to raise family income to minimum threshold.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Surviving spouses with income less than approximately $624.84 per month and under-age surviving children of deceased veterans with wartime service
    How to apply
    Apply through VA with assistance of accredited veteran service officer or contact Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    U.S. Military Retirement Income and Survivor Benefit Exemption

    Excludes federally taxable U.S. military retirement pay and survivor benefit income from Vermont state income tax, with the exclusion phasing out at higher incomes. Taxpayers must choose between this exclusion and the Social Security exclusion.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Any taxpayer receiving retired pay under Title 10 of the U.S. Code; full exclusion if federal AGI is at or below the threshold, partial exclusion up to a higher threshold, none above that.
    How to apply
    Claim the exclusion when filing the Vermont income tax return; no separate application required.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Vehicles, driver's licenses and plates

  • No rating needed

    CDL Skills/Knowledge Test Waiver for Service Members and Veterans

    Waives the Commercial Driver's License skills test (and in some cases select knowledge tests) for qualifying service members and veterans who operated an equivalent military vehicle.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Currently licensed service members who are, or were within the past 12 months, employed in a military position requiring operation of a military motor vehicle equivalent to a commercial motor vehicle.
    How to apply
    Complete the Application for Military Test Waiver (Form VL-054) and submit to the DMV.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Certificate of Title Fee Exemption for Veterans

    Waives the fee for a certificate of title for a motor vehicle acquired by a veteran with VA financial assistance who is also exempt from registration fees under Vermont law.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veteran who bought the vehicle with help from VA (the VA auto grant) and who does not have to pay Vermont registration fees.
    How to apply
    Apply for the title through the DMV with proof of VA financial assistance documentation.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026. Law: 23 V.S.A. § 378.

  • No rating needed

    Veteran and Military License Plates

    The DMV issues special Veterans' plates (with an American flag and 'V' designation), Purple Heart, Disabled Veteran, and other military-related plates at no extra charge for most types. Certification of veteran status by the Office of Veterans Affairs is required.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Any Vermont veteran or current member of the U.S. Armed Forces. Plates may be used on cars and trucks under 26,001 lbs.
    How to apply
    Submit the Vermont Certificate of Veteran Status (Form VG-168) with a copy of DD214 to the Office of Veterans Affairs for certification, then apply at any DMV office.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026. Law: 38 U.S.C. §101(2) and (10).

  • No rating needed

    VETERAN Designation on Driver License/ID

    Veterans can request a distinguishing 'VETERAN' mark added to the front of their Vermont driver license or non-driver ID card at no additional charge.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Vermont veterans as defined by Title 38 U.S. Code who provide proof of military service.
    How to apply
    Apply at a local DMV office or through the Office of Veterans Affairs using the Certificate of Veteran Status form.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • Certain disabilities

    Veterans' Vehicle Registration Fee Exemption

    Waives registration fees, including the annual emissions fee and electric vehicle infrastructure fee, for a vehicle acquired or replaced by a disabled veteran with financial assistance from the VA for the purchase or modification of the vehicle.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: Certain serious disabilities (see who qualifies). A veteran who received a discharge under other than dishonorable conditions, is a Vermont resident, and acquired the vehicle with financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA Form 21-4502).
    Vehicle acquired with VA financial assistance (e.g., auto grant) for purchase or modification, no specific rating stated
    How to apply
    Submit the registration application accompanied by a copy of the approved VA Form 21-4502 to the DMV.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Hunting, fishing and parks

  • 60%+

    Free Hunting/Fishing License for Disabled Veterans

    Vermont resident veterans with a significant service-connected disability rating can receive a free permanent fishing, hunting, or combination license, including big game licenses (except moose).

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 60% or higher. Vermont resident veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces who is, or ever has been, 60 percent disabled as a result of a service-connected disability, upon presentation of a VA certificate.
    How to apply
    Submit VA documentation showing the disability rating to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department instead of paying the license fee.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Green Mountain Passport (Lifetime State Park Pass for Veterans)

    A one-time $2 lifetime pass giving honorably discharged veterans free day-use entry into Vermont State Parks, available through local Town Clerk offices.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Vermont residents who are honorably discharged veterans (or are 62 years of age or older).
    How to apply
    Obtain the pass for $2 at the local Town Clerk's Office.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

School and tuition

  • No rating needed

    In-State Tuition Rate for Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Recipients

    Vermont National Guard members who qualify for the Tuition Benefit Program are billed at the in-state tuition rate at UVM regardless of their residency status.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be an eligible member of the Vermont National Guard holding a valid letter of eligibility from VSAC for the VNGTBP, or be included on the VSAC-provided roster.
    How to apply
    Provide the VSAC eligibility letter to the university's Coordinator of Student Veteran Services.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Program (VNGTBP)

    Provides an interest-free, forgivable loan covering tuition for active Vermont National Guard members attending UVM, a Vermont state college, or other approved institutions. The loan is forgiven through continued Guard service.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be an active member of the Vermont National Guard, resident or nonresident, enrolled at UVM, a Vermont State College, another Vermont college/university, or an eligible training institution.
    How to apply
    Apply through VSAC with a promissory note; must serve two years in the Guard for each academic year of benefit received to obtain forgiveness.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Armed Services Scholarship (Survivor Education Benefit)

    Provides scholarships for education beyond high school for children and spouses of Vermont National Guard members, or active reserve/armed forces members, who died while on active or inactive duty.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Child, stepchild, or spouse of a Vermont National Guard member killed since 1955 or who died since January 1, 2001 while on active or inactive duty, or of qualifying active reserve/armed forces members who died since January 1, 2001.
    How to apply
    Applications for National Guard-related deaths are processed by the Guard's education office; others apply to Veteran Services/VSAC.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Jobs and hiring preference

  • No rating needed

    State Employment Veterans Hiring Preference

    Adds preference points to the exam/application scores of eligible veterans applying for Vermont state jobs, with additional points for veterans with a service-connected disability. Eligible veterans may also apply for jobs normally limited to current state employees.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. U.S. Armed Forces veteran who served at least 90 days on active duty and received an honorable or other acceptable discharge; additional preference for those with a service-connected disability.
    How to apply
    Indicate veteran status when applying for state job postings through the Vermont Department of Human Resources careers website.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Homes, Veterans homes and cemeteries

  • No rating needed

    Vermont Burial Assistance for Low Income Veterans

    The State of Vermont guarantees a proper burial paid for by Vermont for veterans who die destitute. This ensures low-income veterans receive dignified burial services.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Destitute veterans who die without resources for burial
    How to apply
    Contact local Economic Services Division Office
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Vermont National Guard Military Funeral Honors

    The Vermont National Guard provides professional honor guard teams for veteran funerals. Services include appropriate gun salutes, flag folding ceremony, flag presentation to next of kin, and playing of Taps.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. All veterans regardless of where they are buried
    How to apply
    Request through Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs or contact Vermont National Guard Honor Guard Detail
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery Burial

    The state operates a veterans cemetery in Randolph Center providing burial, perpetual care, a marker, and funeral honors at no charge for eligible veterans. Spouses and some dependents may also be buried there for a fee.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Members of the armed forces who met a minimum active-duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable; National Guard and Reserve members with 20 years of service also eligible.
    How to apply
    Submit a burial eligibility application to the Office of Veterans Affairs; pre-registration is encouraged.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Vermont Veterans' Home Long-Term Care

    A state-operated nursing home in Bennington providing skilled nursing and long-term care for veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star parents. Vermont veterans receive priority for admission.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star parents; the home is state-operated with 177 beds.
    How to apply
    Contact the Vermont Veterans' Home directly to apply for admission.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Money, grants and bonuses

  • No rating needed

    Vermont Veterans Assistance Fund (Emergency Financial Assistance)

    Provides a one-time payment to low-income Vermont veterans or their families facing a financial crisis, to help pay for a critical need such as housing or utilities.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Vermont resident veterans or their families in financial crisis; monetary assistance given only when the applicant would not be better served by other state, federal, or private programs.
    How to apply
    Apply by phone through the Office of Veterans Affairs; the application takes about 10 minutes.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Vermont Veterans' Fund

    A special state fund, financed largely through a tax-return checkoff, that provides grants or other support to individuals and organizations assisting Vermont veterans.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Individuals and organizations providing assistance to Vermont veterans, as determined by the nine-member grant committee.
    How to apply
    Grant recommendations are made by a committee including the Adjutant and Inspector General and the Veterans' Home Administrator; contact the Military Department for grant procedures.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Other help

  • No rating needed

    Vermont Veterans Medal and Distinguished Service Medal

    The state awards medals recognizing military service: the Vermont Veterans Medal for most honorably discharged veterans, and the Distinguished Service Medal for those who served in a combat theater.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must have been a Vermont resident when entering military service, or be a current Vermont resident, or a member of a reserve/guard unit stationed in Vermont; must have received an honorable discharge (unless died prior to separation) and, for the Distinguished Service Medal, served in a combat theater.
    How to apply
    Apply through the Office of Veterans Affairs; medals can be mailed or presented at a State House ceremony.
    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.