State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in Connecticut

Connecticut offers property tax relief, military retirement income relief, and tuition benefits for qualifying veterans. State service officers help veterans navigate benefits, and the state operates residential and skilled nursing services in Rocky Hill.

Checked against official state sources on October 2, 2026.

Free help in Connecticut

Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs

Helps Connecticut veterans and their eligible families obtain earned benefits and services.

Agency website (opens in a new tab) · Phone: 860-616-3685

Free help with VA claims

The state Office of Advocacy and Assistance operates district offices with accredited veterans service officers. Municipal representatives provide local points of contact.

Find a local office (opens in a new tab)

Not sure what applies to you?

Answer seven questions and the Benefits Finder builds a checklist of federal and state benefits, deadlines and free help.

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Property tax relief

Permanent and total disability dwelling exemption

Who qualifies
Connecticut residents with qualifying U.S. military service whom VA has determined to be permanently and totally disabled based on a 100% service-connected disability rating. The covered dwelling must be the veteran's primary residence.
What you get
Exempts the veteran's qualifying fractional share of the dwelling; if there is no qualifying dwelling, one vehicle garaged in Connecticut can qualify. Rental and commercial portions are excluded. A municipality may cap the exemption at its median assessed residential value and may extend it to up to two acres of the lot.
How to apply
Submit VA determination proof to the town assessor and satisfy the statutory proof rules. Ask the assessor for the applicable assessment-year deadline.

Official page (opens in a new tab) CGS §§ 12-81(83), 12-95

Sources (1)

Basic disability-rating property tax exemption

Who qualifies
Connecticut residents with qualifying U.S. military service and a VA disability rating of at least 10%. The separate permanent-total exemption and municipal individual-unemployability exemption take precedence when applicable.
What you get
Base assessed-value exemption is $2,000 for ratings of 10% to 25%, $2,500 above 25% through 50%, $3,000 above 50% through 75%, and $3,500 above 75% or at age 65. These are base amounts; additional statutory and local relief may apply.
How to apply
Submit VA disability-rating proof to the town assessor and comply with CGS 12-95.

Official page (opens in a new tab) CGS § 12-81(20)

Sources (1)

State income tax

Military retirement pay: Exempt

Military retirement pay subtraction

Who qualifies
Retired members of the U.S. armed forces or National Guard with military retirement pay included in federal taxable income.
What you get
Qualifying military retirement pay is fully subtracted in computing Connecticut adjusted gross income.
How to apply
Claim the military retirement pay subtraction on the Connecticut income tax return.

Official page (opens in a new tab) CGS § 12-701(a)(20)(B)(xvi)

Sources (2)

Education and tuition

Wartime veteran tuition waiver at Connecticut State Universities

Who qualifies
Veterans with qualifying wartime service who are accepted into an undergraduate or graduate program and domiciled in Connecticut when accepted. Academy attendance does not count as wartime service for this waiver. State veteran status includes honorable discharge, release under honorable conditions, and certain qualifying other-than-honorable discharges.
What you get
Waives tuition and educational-extension fees. Employer tuition reimbursement reduces the waiver; Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition benefits are coordinated so that the waiver covers the remaining eligible charge.
How to apply
Establish qualifying service and Connecticut domicile with the admitting university and request the veteran waiver.

Official page (opens in a new tab) CGS §§ 10a-99(d)-(e), 27-103

Sources (2)

State jobs and hiring preference

Veterans preference on original-appointment examinations

Who qualifies
Qualifying wartime veterans who achieve the minimum earned examination rating. This entry summarizes the veteran branch; eligible spouses and other service categories have additional rules.
What you get
Adds five points for qualifying wartime veterans without eligibility for VA disability compensation or pension, or ten points if eligible for that compensation or pension. Applies to original appointments.
How to apply
Follow the job opening's instructions and provide the hiring agency's required proof of preference eligibility.

Official page (opens in a new tab) CGS § 5-224

Sources (2)

Licenses, plates and parks

Disabled Veteran lifetime park pass

Who qualifies
Connecticut residents who qualify as disabled veterans under state or federal law.
What you get
A free nontransferable lifetime pass provides state park, forest, and recreational-facility admission and boat-access parking. Private-concession facilities and separately charged special events may be excluded.
How to apply
Apply in person at a location listed on the DEEP special-passes page with proof of residency and service-connected disability.

Official page (opens in a new tab) CGS § 23-26(d)

Sources (2)

Emergency financial help

DVA temporary financial assistance

Who qualifies
Veterans who are citizens of Connecticut and need temporary financial assistance because of disability or other causes incident to wartime military service.
What you get
The Commissioner of Veterans Affairs may authorize temporary financial assistance. Amount and duration are discretionary.
How to apply
Contact the DVA Office of Advocacy and Assistance to establish eligibility and request guidance.

Official page (opens in a new tab) CGS §§ 27-125, 27-126

Sources (1)

State veterans homes

Before you apply

This page summarizes state law and agency guidance as checked on October 2, 2026. It is general information, not legal or tax advice. Eligibility depends on your records, and laws change, so confirm the details on the official page linked with each benefit, or ask a free accredited representative. This page covers the main state programs. Your county veterans service officer can tell you about smaller or local benefits.

Federal VA benefits apply in every state. See the Veteran Resource Directory and the Benefits Finder.