100% Disabled Veteran Benefits By State: 5 Great States for 100% Disabled Veterans (2024)

Veterans of the U.S. military have a wide range of benefits and services available to them when they return to civilian life. It’s not always easy for veterans to learn about and pursue these benefits. Disabled veterans are often unaware of the special benefits available just for them, which is why we want to call out the best 100% disabled veteran benefits by state.

In addition to compensation from the VA for any disabilities caused or worsened by service (which is obtained by pursuing a disability claim with the VA), disabled veterans have access to many special exemptions, deductions and preferences. Disabled veteran benefits by state can specifically include (but are not limited to) property tax exemptions, education and training programs, financial assistance, recreational licenses and discounts, vehicle registration discounts, and help with employment.

Listed below are some of the most impressive 100% disabled veteran benefits by state. We encourage you to explore all the support that might be available to you after you’ve served—both at the state and federal level!

Let’s count down some of the best 100% disabled veteran benefits by state!

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits by State: North Dakota

North Dakota’s veterans make up 9.25% of the state’s total population, and this percentage is growing every year. North Dakota is not only a beautiful place to live, but the state offers 100% disabled veterans numerous generous benefits to honor their service. Some of these benefits include:

Property Tax Exemptions

North Dakota veteran benefits include property tax credits for disabled veterans. Disabled veterans must have a VA disability rating of 50% or greater to be eligible, with higher exemptions for higher disability rating. 100% disabled veterans in North Dakota receive an exemption of $6,750 from the property’s value for tax purposes.

Additionally, disabled veterans who are paraplegic or who have been awarded specially adapted housing by the VA are exempt from property tax on the first $120,000 of the full valuation of their homestead as part of their North Dakota veteran benefits. Unremarried surviving spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the VA also receive a 100% property tax exemption.

North Dakota Dependent Tuition Waiver

Eligible dependents of certain disabled veterans can obtain a bachelor’s degree or certificate of completion free of tuition and fee charges at any North Dakota state-supported institution of higher education or technical or vocational school.

The student must be the dependent of a resident veteran who is 100% disabled as a result of service-connected causes, who was killed in action or died from wounds or other service-connected causes, or who died from service-connected disabilities. (Dependents of a prisoner of war, or a service member declared missing in action, are also eligible.)

The diploma must be earned within a 45-month or 10-semester period or its equivalent.

North Dakota Recreation Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans

For resident disabled veterans with a VA rating of 100% P&T, the state offers a combined general game, habitat stamp, small game, and fur-bearer license for only $3.00.

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation department also offers one free lifetime state parks pass for POWs and resident disabled veterans with a VA disability rating of 50% or more.

North Dakota DMV Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans

North Dakota veterans with a service-connected 100% disability rating are eligible for Disabled American Veteran (DAV) license plates.

DAV license plates exempt veterans from paying sales tax on up to two vehicles. Additionally, there is no annual license or registration fee. An unremarried surviving spouse can retain one DAV plate for their own use.

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits by State: Wyoming

Among the options for 100% disabled veteran benefits by state, Wyoming stands out as an exceptionally friendly place for veterans. The state has a tight-knit and respected veteran community with trust funds and generous family benefits in place.

Some of the highlights of 100% disabled veteran benefits in Wyoming include:

Wyoming Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption

100% disabled veterans are eligible for a $3,000 reduction in the assessed value of a home or vehicle. This assistance is also available to the un-remarried surviving spouse of a qualified veteran.

Wyoming Veterans Home

The Wyoming veterans home is located three miles west of Buffalo. In order to qualify, 100% disabled veterans must have an honorable discharge and be permanent residents of the state. This 100% disabled veteran benefit in Wyoming only charges vets based on their situation and how much they can afford to spend.

Wyoming Veteran Recreation Benefits

Wyoming resident disabled veterans are eligible for a free lifetime fishing license. Wyoming residents who are 100% disabled veterans are eligible for a free lifetime game, bird, small game, and fishing license.

Wyoming 100% disabled veterans receive a free lifetime camping pass to all Wyoming state parks, recreation areas, and historical sites.

3. 100% Disabled Veteran Benefits by State: Idaho

Idaho shows how much it values the disabled veterans that choose to call Idaho home. Some of its excellent 100% disabled veteran benefits by state include:

Income Tax Exemptions

Military retirement and survivor benefit program (SBP) payments are tax-free for veterans who are over 65 or who are disabled and over 62. This benefit also includes un-remarried surviving spouses. This is a valuable 100% disabled veteran benefit and is one of the reasons many veterans choose Idaho as their home.

Property Tax Exemptions

Veterans with 100% disability, or those rated unemployable by the VA, may reduce the property tax on their home and up to one acre of land by as much as $1,320. This program doesn’t have an income limit.

State Employment Preference

Idaho helps 100% disabled veterans gain employment by awarding 10 preference points on exams when applying for state-funded employment opportunities. Un-remarried spouses receive the same benefits.

Idaho Disabled Veteran Benefits for Recreation

100% disabled veterans in Idaho get free access to state parks and campgrounds, as well as free fishing/hunting licenses.

Housing Assistance

There are three state-funded veteran homes in Idaho. Disabled veterans must be Idaho residents and also be unemployed as a result of disability or illness in order to qualify for assistance.

Financial Assistance

As one of the most generous financial packages for 100% disabled veterans by state, this generalized financial grant provides up to $1,000 to veterans in need of assistance. Applicants for this aid package must have entered the military from Idaho or lived within the state for at least 5 years. The event or emergency must have occurred within 90 days of the request.

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits by State: New Hampshire

New Hampshire is one of the most desirable places on our list of 100% disabled veteran benefits by state. Among its best benefits are generous tax exemptions and educational assistance programs.

Tax Credits and Exemptions

New Hampshire offers a standard minimum $700 tax credit for 100% disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.

Full property tax exemptions are granted for any veteran with a 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) disability rating who is a double amputee of the upper or lower extremities or any combination thereof; who is paraplegic; or who has blindness of both eyes with visual acuity of 5/200 or less. The veteran must also own a specially adapted home acquired with assistance from the VA.

A 100% disabled veteran who is blind, paraplegic, or a double amputee as a result of service and who owns a specially adapted home acquired with the assistance of the VA is exempt from all property tax on the home. The veteran’s surviving spouse is also exempt from these property taxes.

Tuition-Free College For Dependents of 100% Disabled Veterans

The University System of New Hampshire awards tuition waivers to children of 100% P&T disabled New Hampshire veterans, as long as the child is under 27 on the first day of the term that he or she intends to use the waiver. The student must be accepted or currently enrolled in a state institution, and must apply for all federal aid along with post-September 11, 2001 tuition benefits.

New Hampshire Veteran Recreation Benefits

State residents with a 100% P&T VA disability rating can apply for a free lifetime Hunting and Fishing License, worth up to $1,564.80.

Veterans with any disability rating get free day-use admission to any of New Hampshire’s state parks.

New Hampshire Disabled Veteran License Plates

Veterans with a special disabled veteran license plate receive free public parking as long as the vehicle is under their control. To receive a disabled veteran license plate, a veteran must be 100% permanently and totally (P&T) disabled.

Employment Benefits

Spouses of 100% P&T disabled veterans are entitled to receive preference over non-veterans in interviews and exams for state jobs.

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits by State: Virginia

Virginia ranks on our list of 100% disabled veteran benefits by state for good reason! This state honors its disabled veterans with programs and benefits designed to give them the assistance they need and deserve. These benefits include:

Income Tax Exemptions

Up to $15,000 of military basic pay may be exempt from income tax for 100% disabled veterans in Virginia. This does not apply if basic pay income is over $30,000. Also, for every $1.00 of income over $15,000, the maximum subtraction is reduced by $1.00. If your basic pay is $16,000, then you’re entitled to deduct only $14,000.

Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption

Veterans with a 100% disability rating are exempt from paying property taxes on the primary residence. Surviving spouses may also be eligible for this credit.

Virginia SWaM Program

The Virginia Small, Women-owned, and Minority-Owned Business (SWaM) certification program provides qualifying service-disabled veteran small business owners with perks and financial benefits, offering certain advantages to SWaM certified vendors. This helps 100% disabled veterans build a strong and profitable business.

Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program

The Military Survivors and Dependents Program provides educational benefits to spouses and children of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who became at least 90% disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict.

The veteran’s 90-100% permanent disability must have been directly caused by the veteran’s involvement in military operations:

• against terrorism
• on a peacekeeping mission
• as a result of a terrorist act
• an armed conflict.

In the first tier of the program, eligible students are guaranteed a waiver of all tuition and mandatory fees for eight semesters at a Virginia public college or university, or Eastern Virginia Medical School. In the second tier, eligible students may receive a stipend to offset educational expenses such as room, board, books, and supplies.

Virginia Recreational Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans

Virginia offers a free lifetime hunting and fishing license as well as a discounted saltwater license to Virginia-resident 100% disabled veterans. They also offer discounted hunting and freshwater fishing licenses to veterans with at least a 70% VA disability rating.

Veterans with a 100% disability rating are eligible for free admission and parking for the pass holder (plus anyone needed to assist) at Virginia state parks. The pass also covers boat launch and horse trailer parking and a 50% discount on camping, swimming, shelters and equipment rental.

Virginia Veterans Preference For State Jobs

100% disabled veterans seeking state employment can get a 10% addition to their passing scores during the application process.

Want more 100% disabled veterans benefits by state?

These are just a few 100% disabled veteran benefits by state, with many states offering excellent benefits to support those who served our nation. When looking for 100% disabled veteran benefits by state, check for tax benefits, employment opportunities, emergency assistance, military communities, education funding, medical care, and business support.

For more information specifically on states with property tax exemptions, see our post on Property Tax Exemptions for 100% disabled veterans.

Still more 100% disabled veterans benefits by state…

For information on more veteran benefits by state (including 100% disabled veteran benefits) or to find the best benefits for the state in which you live, check out our series of blogs on all the top veteran benefits by state:

Top Veteran Benefits in Alabama

Top Veteran Benefits in Alaska

Top Veteran Benefits in Arizona

Top Veteran Benefits in Arkansas

Top Veteran Benefits in Colorado

Top Veteran Benefits in Delaware

Top Veteran Benefits in Delaware

Top Veteran Benefits in Georgia

Top Veteran Benefits in Hawaii

Top Veteran Benefits in Illinois

Top Veteran Benefits in Kentucky

Top Veteran Benefits in Louisiana

Top Veteran Benefits in Maryland

Top Veteran Benefits in Maine

Top Veteran Benefits in Montana

Top Veteran Benefits in Nevada

Top Veteran Benefits in New Hampshire

Top Veteran Benefits in New Jersey

Top Veteran Benefits in New Mexico

Top Veteran Benefits in New York

Top Veteran Benefits in North Dakota

Top Veteran Benefits in Ohio

Top Veteran Benefits in Oklahoma

Top Veteran Benefits in Oregon

Top Veteran Benefits in Pennsylvania

Top Veteran Benefits in Rhode Island

Top Veteran Benefits in Texas

Top Veteran Benefits in Vermont

Top Veteran Benefits in Washington

MAKE SURE YOU GET ALL THE BENEFITS YOU DESERVE

Regardless of what state you live in, it’s important that you pursue the monthly compensation payments due to you for disabilities connected to your military service.

Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and therefore not getting the compensation they deserve. At VA Claims Insider, we help veterans understand and take control of the claims process so they can get the rating and compensation they’re owed by law.

Our process takes the guesswork out of filing a VA disability claim and supports you every step of the way in building a fully-developed claim (FDC)—so you can increase your rating in less time!

If you’ve filed your VA disability claim and have been denied or have received a low rating – or you’re not sure how to get started – reach out to us for a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call, so you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation you deserve. We’ve supported more than 15,000 veterans to win their claims and increase their ratings. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN.

About The Author

Rebecca Hatley

Rebecca Hatley is a veteran coach with VA Claims Insider. Coming from a family with a long line of military service, she has always held a deep appreciation for the men and women who serve our country. She believes that our veterans deserve our gratitude for the sacrifices they make to keep us safe.

Rebecca’s professional background began in the Health and Human Services field. She began working closely with veterans as the director for a home care company and a veteran intake coordinator. In that position, she says, “I realized how underutilized VA healthcare and pension benefits really are. These things are widely misunderstood by veterans and VA employees alike!”

Rebecca has spent hours speaking with the VA, coordinating care for veterans, and researching their healthcare and pension benefits, so that it has become her niche —and one she loves. She says, “I realized how much I enjoy advocating for veterans and hearing their stories. I strive to serve them the best that I can by providing accurate information and quality service.”

You can connect with Rebecca at [emailprotected].