100% State Benefits – Virginia
Note: Information for this document was gathered from various sources including:https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/virginia-state-veterans-benefits.html
Visit the Virginia Department of Veterans Services for more detailed information:https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/
Veterans Homes
For more information, visit: https://www.nasvh.org/state-homes/statedir.cfm
Your eligibility for State Veterans Homes is based on clinical need and setting availability.
Each State establishes eligibility and admission criteria for its homes.
Talk with a VA social worker about the eligibility requirements of State Veterans Homes near you and to figure out a plan for paying for State Veterans Home care services.
Veterans Homes Locations:
- SITTER AND BARFOOT VETERANS CARE CENTER RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
- VIRGINIA VETERANS CARE CENTER ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
Two new homes in Puller and Virginia Beach are scheduled to open in 2022.
Eligibility:
Honorably discharged veterans who are residents of Virginia are eligible for admission. There may be a cost.
State Veterans’ Cemeteries
For more detailed information visit: https://www.cem.va.gov/find-cemetery/state.asp?STATE=VA
National Veterans Cemeteries:
| Culpeper National Cemetery 305 US Ave. Culpeper, VA 22701 Burial Space:Open | Phone: 540-825-0027 Fax: 540-825-6684 |
| Danville National Cemetery 721 Lee St. Danville, VA 24541 Burial Space:Cremation Only | Phone: 704-636-2661 Fax: 704-636-1115 |
| Quantico National Cemetery 18424 Joplin Rd. Triangle, VA 22172 Burial Space:Open | Phone: 703-221-2183 Fax: 703-221-2185 |
State Veterans Cemeteries:
| Virginia Department of Veterans Services 10300 Pridesville Road Amelia, VA 23002 VA Grant Funded:N/A | Phone: 855-482-8387 Fax: 804-561-1455 |
| Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery 5310 Milners Road Suffolk, VA 23434 VA Grant Funded:Yes | Phone: 855-482-8387 Fax: 757-255-7047 |
| Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery 5550 Bagging Plant Road Dublin, VA 24084 VA Grant Funded:Yes | Phone: 855-482-8387 Fax: 540-674-6897 |
| Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia 10300 Pridesville Road Amelia, VA 23002 VA Grant Funded:Yes | Phone: 855-482-8387 Fax: 804-561-1455 |
Honorably discharged veterans may be buried at no cost, there is a small cost for their eligible family members.
Many states have established state veterans cemeteries. Eligibility is like Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries but may include residency requirements. Even though they may have been established or improved with Government funds through VA’s Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, state veterans cemeteries are run solely by the states.
Virginia Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Visit the following website for more information and tips on filing: https://www.tax.virginia.gov/military-tax-tips
Active Duty Pay – Up to $15,000 of military basic pay may be exempted from Virginia income tax.
For every $1.00 of income over $15,000, the maximum subtraction is reduced by $1.00. For example, if your basic pay is $16,000, you are entitled to deduct only $14,000. You are not eligible for the subtraction if your military basic pay is $30,000 or more
For VA National Guard, up to 39 calendar days of service or $3,000 (whichever is less) may be deducted from your income when filing. This deduction is only available for O-3 and below.
Retired Pay – Beginning in 2022 retirees 55 and older can deduct up to $10,000 of retirement income from their gross income for state tax filing. That amount will increase by $10,000 each year until 2025, when up to $40,000 will be deductible. SBP payments follow same rules.
Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption
Visit the following website for more information: https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/benefits/real-estate-tax-exemption
Veterans with a VA 100% permanent and total disability or rated at 100% under IU that is permanent and total are exempt from property taxes on their home.
The surviving spouse may also be eligible.
Contact your local DVS office or your local assessor’s office for more information on how to file for this exemption.
Annual refiling is often required.
Find your local tax assessor at this link: https://www.publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Assessor-and-Property-Tax-Records.htm
Virginia Veterans Employment Benefits
Virginia Veterans Preference For State Jobs
Visit the following website for more information: https://jobs.virginia.gov/veteranshiringresources.html
Veterans seeking state employment can get a 5% addition to their test score. Disabled veterans can get a 10% addition.
Surviving spouses or children may also be eligible to receive a 5% addition to their score.
The Virginia Transition Assistance Program (V3 (formerly known as the VTAP program))
Visit the following website for more information: https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/education-employment/virginia-vaules-veterans-v3-transition-program
This program offers transitioning service members and their spouses peer-to-peer support through the transition process. The referral services include such things as resume review, introduction to the labor market, and connections with certified companies for employment, and other DVS programs as applicable.
Troops to Trucks
Visit the following website for more information: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#troops_trucks.asp
Qualified military personnel and veterans who have been separated for 12 months or less are only required to pass the knowledge test for a CDL license. The road skills test is waived. This applies to those with two or more years of military heavy truck/bus driving experience.
If a veteran qualifies for a CDL Skills Test Waiver, they may also qualify for an exemption of the CDL knowledge tests.
Educational Benefits
Virginia offers a wide variety of Educational Benefits to resident veterans and their dependents.
State Educational Benefits can be used in conjunction with the National Educational Benefits (DEA)
Visit the following link for a full list: https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/education-employment
Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP)
Visit the following website for more information and application links: https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/education-employment/virginia-military-survivors-and-dependents-education-program-2-2-2
The Military Survivors and Dependents Program provides educations benefits to spouses and children of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who became at least 90% disabled because of military service in an armed conflict.
Benefits are available for up to 36 months.
Children are eligible between the ages of 16 and 29.
There are two tiers for this program with different eligibility requirements.
Available to Tier 1 and Tier 2 Authorizations:
Tuition and Mandatory Fees Waiver – Eligible students, as confirmed by DVS, are guaranteed waiver of all tuition and mandatory fees for eight semesters at a Virginia public college or university.
Available to only Tier 2 Authorization:
VMSDEP Stipend – Eligible students may receive a stipend one time during the semester to off-set educational expenses such as room, board, books, and supplies. SCHEV works with DVS and the public colleges and universities in disbursing funds. The amount of the stipend is determined annually by SCHEV and is dependent on the student’s enrollment status; the number of participating students; and the available funding.
Be sure to pay close attention to filing dates to complete the application process and use the benefit at the start of the semester.
Contact information:
| Phone: (804) 225-2083 Secure Fax: (804) 786-0809 Email:vmsdep@dvs.virginia.gov Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Please sign up for VMSDEP updates so you do not miss any important announcements! Text “VMSDEP” to 42828or you can clickhere. |
Virginia Veterans Recreation Benefits
Disabled Veteran Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Visit the following website for more information and links to applications: https://dwr.virginia.gov/veterans/
Virginia offers a free lifetime hunting and fishing license, and a discounted saltwater license for Virginia resident veterans who are permanently and totally service-connected disabled.
Veterans with at least 70% VA disability can get discounted hunting and freshwater fishing licenses
The cost varies depending on the veteran’s rating with the VA and the optional features chosen.
Lifetime Freshwater Fishing License: This serves as your Virginia freshwater fishing license; additional licenses are required if you fish in Trout stocked waters (during the trout stocking schedule), and if you fish within the Virginia State Forest and/or National Forest. Additionally, daily permits maybe required for certain trout areas. Please visit
https://www.dwr.virginia.gov/licenses/ for license purchase and information; and visit
https://www.dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/fish-stocking/ for trout guide information.
Lifetime Hunting License: This license is equivalent to the small game annual hunting license and includes Archery, Muzzleloader, Bear and Deer Turkey licenses. Additional purchases may be needed for National Forest or Virginia State Forest Permits. Please visit
https://www.dwr.virginia.gov/licenses/ for license purchase and information.
State Park Admission
For more information, visit the following website: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/passes#veteran-disability-passport
Veterans with 100% VA disability are eligible for free admission and parking and admission for the pass holder and anyone needed to assist them 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.
You do not need to be a Virginia resident to qualify.
Complete the application (PDF) and email, along with your disability paperwork (feel free to redact personal details like payment info or medical details), toresvs@dcr.virginia.gov.
