State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in Florida

Florida offers property tax relief for disabled veterans and surviving spouses, tuition benefits, and state veterans homes. It has no personal income tax. State and county veterans service officers provide free benefits and claims assistance.

Checked against official state sources on October 2, 2026.

Free help in Florida

Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Helps servicemembers, veterans, spouses, and dependents prepare claims and obtain benefits.

Agency website (opens in a new tab) · Phone: (727) 518-3202

Free help with VA claims

State and county veterans service officers provide free claims and benefits assistance. Use the state's county service officer directory to find a local office.

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

Homestead exemption for permanently and totally disabled veterans and surviving spouses

Who qualifies
Veterans who own and use their home as a homestead, were honorably discharged, have a government-certified service-connected total and permanent disability, and are permanent Florida residents on January 1. A deceased qualifying veteran's spouse can retain the exemption while owning and living in the homestead without remarrying. Surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected causes on active duty also qualify while owning and living in the homestead without remarrying.
What you get
Exempts the qualifying homestead from ad valorem property tax. A surviving spouse who moves may transfer an exemption up to the amount on the most recent tax roll to a new primary residence while remaining unmarried.
How to apply
Apply to the county property appraiser by March 1. Provide the government or VA certification of total and permanent disability, or of the veteran's active-duty death. You may apply before the certification arrives.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Fla. Stat. 196.081; 196.011

Sources (3)

Property tax exemption for disabled former servicemembers

Who qualifies
Florida-resident former servicemembers discharged under honorable conditions who own the property on January 1 and have a government-certified disability of at least 10% caused by misfortune or while serving during wartime. Their unremarried surviving spouses also qualify.
What you get
Exempts $5,000 of property value from taxation in 2026.
How to apply
Apply to the county property appraiser by March 1 and provide a disability certificate from the federal government or VA. You may apply before receiving that certificate.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Fla. Stat. 196.24; 196.011

Sources (2)

Homestead tax discount for combat-disabled veterans age 65 or older

Who qualifies
Honorably discharged veterans age 65 or older with a permanent service-connected disability that is combat-related, who own and live in their homestead. An unremarried surviving spouse can retain the discount while holding title and living there.
What you get
Reduces homestead ad valorem tax by the veteran's VA permanent service-connected disability percentage. A surviving spouse who moves may transfer up to the prior discount's dollar amount to a new primary residence.
How to apply
Submit an application to the county property appraiser by March 1, with the VA disability percentage letter, evidence of combat connection, honorable discharge, and proof of age as of January 1.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Fla. Stat. 196.082

Sources (1)

State income tax

Military retirement pay: No income tax

Florida has no personal income tax, so it does not tax an individual's military retirement pay.

Sources (1)

Education and tuition

Congressman C.W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Program

Who qualifies
Honorably discharged Armed Forces, Reserve, or National Guard veterans who physically live in Florida while enrolled. People entitled to and using VA educational assistance also qualify while physically living in Florida.
What you get
Waives out-of-state fees at Florida public universities, Florida College System institutions, school-district career centers, and charter technical career centers. Tuition and fees may not exceed the resident rate.
How to apply
Request the waiver through your institution. For the veteran route, provide proof of Florida residence and honorable discharge.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Fla. Stat. 1009.26(13)

Sources (2)

Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans

Who qualifies
Dependent children ages 16 to 22 and spouses of servicemembers who died from service-connected injury, disease, or disability sustained on active duty, or have a qualifying 100% permanent and total service-connected disability. Florida must have been the servicemember's DEERS home of record immediately before death or disability; alternatively, the student must qualify for Florida resident tuition, and a living disabled servicemember must also reside in Florida. A surviving spouse must remain unmarried and apply within five years of death. A disabled servicemember's spouse must have been married for at least one year and remain married. Students must attend a participating postsecondary institution and remain in good standing.
What you get
Pays tuition and registration fees at eligible public institutions, subject to the appropriation. Private-school awards use the comparable public-school average or appropriated amount. Funding is limited to 110% of required hours for an initial bachelor's degree or certificate.
How to apply
Complete the Florida Financial Aid Application. For fall 2027 funding, the published priority deadline is April 1, 2027. Use FDVA's linked portal to submit documents proving the veteran's status.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Fla. Stat. 295.01; 295.02; 295.04

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Educational Dollars for Duty

Who qualifies
Florida National Guard members age 17 or older domiciled in Florida, actively drilling and in good standing throughout the academic term, with continuous satisfactory participation. Members must sign the program agreement and serve their enlistment or reenlistment commitment. EDD-funded master's degree graduates cannot use it for another degree.
What you get
Subject to funding, pays tuition and authorized fees for required courses, up to the highest in-state public institution rate. It also supports approved industry certification training, licensing exams, and continuing education.
How to apply
Contact the EDD office at [email protected] for requirements and application guidance.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Fla. Stat. 250.10(7) and (8)

Sources (2)

State jobs and hiring preference

Veterans' preference in public employment

Who qualifies
Veterans with active service and discharge under honorable conditions, including an upgraded discharge, and current Reserve or Florida National Guard members. Training-only active duty does not establish veteran eligibility. The disabled-veteran category includes honorably discharged active-duty veterans with a current compensable service-connected disability, or veterans receiving VA or Defense Department compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension. Spouse categories cover the spouse of a permanently and totally service-disabled person unable to qualify for employment, and the spouse of a person missing in action, captured in the line of duty by a hostile force, or forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power. Survivor categories cover an unremarried spouse of a veteran who died from a service-connected disability, and a parent, legal guardian, or unremarried spouse of a servicemember who died in the line of duty under combat-related conditions. Wartime preference requires at least one day during a wartime period.
What you get
Provides preference in hiring and retention for covered state and local government jobs. A passing examination score receives 20 points for the disabled-veteran and spouse categories described above; 15 points for wartime veterans and the survivor categories; or 10 points for other veterans and current Reserve or Florida National Guard members. Special consideration applies without numerical scoring.
How to apply
Provide preference documentation with the job application or before the vacancy announcement closes.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Fla. Stat. 295.07; 295.08; 1.01(14)

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Licenses, plates and parks

Resident Persons with Disabilities Hunting and Fishing License

Who qualifies
Florida-resident Armed Forces veterans honorably discharged with a VA or Armed Forces-certified service-connected disability rating of at least 50%.
What you get
A no-fee hunting, freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing license with associated state permits. The veteran disability license lasts five years and may be reissued on request.
How to apply
Apply online or at a local tax collector's office with proof of Florida residence and qualifying disability documentation.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Fla. Stat. 379.353(1)(c)

Sources (2)

State park entrance pass discounts

Who qualifies
Active-duty servicemembers and honorably discharged Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserve veterans. Honorably discharged veterans with service-connected disabilities, and surviving spouses or parents of servicemembers who fell in combat, qualify for the lifetime benefit.
What you get
A 25% discount on annual entrance passes. Veterans with service-connected disabilities and qualifying combat survivors receive a lifetime family entrance pass at no charge.
How to apply
Present written documentation establishing eligibility at a Florida state park with a staffed ranger station, ticket counter, or museum.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Fla. Stat. 258.0145

Sources (2)

Veteran designation on a driver license or state ID

Who qualifies
Veterans who served on active duty and were discharged under honorable conditions, including those whose discharge was later upgraded.
What you get
Adds the word Veteran to a Florida driver license or identification card. The statutory replacement fee is waived when replacing a current credential solely to add this designation.
How to apply
Visit a Florida driver license office with a DD-214, VA health identification card, VA veteran identification card, or other proof accepted by FDVA. Surrender the current credential when adding the designation before renewal.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Fla. Stat. 322.14(1)(d); 322.051(8)(b); 1.01(14)

Sources (4)

Emergency financial help

We could not confirm this from an official source yet. Ask Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs or a free veterans service officer what applies to you.

State veterans homes

State veterans homes

Who qualifies
For nursing care: veterans with active service and discharge under honorable conditions, or their spouses or surviving spouses. Applicants must need nursing home care, reside in Florida when applying, owe no prior FDVA facility debt, apply for available government financial assistance, and be approved by VA for care and treatment.
What you get
State-operated skilled nursing facilities and an assisted living facility.
How to apply
Use the official homes directory. Submit a complete nursing home application by fax, mail, email, or in person.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Fla. Stat. 296.36; 1.01(14)

Sources (4)

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.