State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in Maine

Maine exempts military retirement benefits and offers property tax relief, family education benefits, National Guard tuition assistance, veterans homes, recreation privileges, employment preference, and emergency financial help. Current property exemptions change for the tax year beginning April 1, 2027.

Checked against official state sources on October 3, 2026.

Free help in Maine

Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services

Maine's state veterans services bureau.

Agency website (opens in a new tab) · Phone: 207-287-7020

Free help with VA claims

State Veteran Services Officers assist with VA claims and state benefits. Contact the nearest field office for an in-person or phone appointment.

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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

Veteran and qualifying survivor property exemption

Who qualifies
Maine residents with active service and a discharge other than dishonorable. Veterans qualifying under the statutory war-period, other listed service-period, or expeditionary-medal rules must be at least 62 or receive federal pension or compensation for total disability. A separate pathway covers veterans receiving federal compensation or pension for total service-connected disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. Qualifying unremarried surviving spouses and minor children also have an exemption.
What you get
Exempts up to $6,000 of just value at the residence's taxable location. This reduces taxable value, not the tax bill by $6,000. It cannot be combined with another paragraph of the veteran exemption.
How to apply
File a written application and proof of eligibility with your local assessor by April 1 of the first tax year claimed. The rules below describe the tax year beginning April 1, 2026; see the scheduled 2027 change.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (1)

Specially adapted housing property exemption

Who qualifies
Resident veterans meeting the statute's war-period, other listed service-period, or expeditionary-medal rules who received a federal specially adapted housing grant under 38 U.S.C. section 2101, and their unremarried surviving spouses.
What you get
Exempts up to $50,000 of just value for qualifying specially adapted housing at the place of residence. Only one paragraph of the veteran exemption may be used.
How to apply
File a written application and proof of eligibility with your local assessor by April 1 of the first tax year claimed. The rules below describe the tax year beginning April 1, 2026; see the scheduled 2027 change.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (1)

State income tax

Military retirement pay: Exempt

Military retirement income exemption

Who qualifies
Recipients of qualifying military retirement benefits, including surviving spouses. Beginning with tax year 2026, the definition covers active or reserve service in the uniformed services defined in 37 U.S.C. section 101(3).
What you get
The qualifying military retirement amount included in federal adjusted gross income is deducted in computing Maine taxable income.
How to apply
Complete the applicable pension income deduction worksheet and submit it with your Maine income tax return.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (2)

Education and tuition

Veterans Dependents Educational Benefits

Who qualifies
Resident qualifying children and spouses of a veteran who entered service from Maine or had five years of Maine residency before applying and continues living in Maine if living. The veteran must have permanent total service-connected disability, have been killed in action, have died from a service-connected disability or while permanently and totally service-connected disabled, or be on active duty and missing, captured, or detained for over 90 days. Children generally must be at least 16, graduate high school, and enroll and receive an award before age 22; military service may extend entry to age 26. Students must apply for a Pell Grant. A spouse must be currently married to the veteran or an unremarried widow or widower not previously divorced from that veteran; the program funds only one spouse per veteran. Children must maintain a 2.0 GPA, subject to a one-semester recovery period.
What you get
Waives tuition, mandatory fees, and lab fees at state-supported postsecondary institutions. Children's certificate, associate, and bachelor's study is generally limited to 120 credits and ten academic years, with a cap tied to the University of Maine at Orono in-state rate and coordination with other aid. Spouses may also pursue a master's, with 120 credits and ten years. Room and board are excluded.
How to apply
Use the application linked from the official Veterans Dependents Educational Benefits page.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (2)

Maine National Guard tuition benefit

Who qualifies
Maine National Guard members who completed basic training or received a commission, have no prior bachelor's degree or equivalent, remain satisfactory participants in good standing throughout the semester, and commit to at least one year of service beyond the funded term. Applicants must seek other available tuition assistance. Good academic standing and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale are required.
What you get
A 100% tuition benefit for full-time or part-time study at covered institutions, reduced by other tuition aid. At a participating private nonprofit institution, the cap is the prior academic year's University of Maine at Orono in-state tuition. Covers one credential at the baccalaureate, associate, or certificate and licensure levels. The benefit ends after 130 credit hours or the equivalent.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (3)

State jobs and hiring preference

State classified-service interview preference

Who qualifies
Veterans with active Armed Forces, Reserve, or National Guard service and a discharge other than dishonorable; qualifying Gold Star spouses; and spouses of eligible active-duty or actively serving Reserve or National Guard members. Applicants must meet the job's minimum qualifications.
What you get
A qualifying applicant must be offered an interview for a classified-service position. It is not a guaranteed job offer.
How to apply
Veterans must provide their DD214; Gold Star spouses must provide DD Form 1300. Use the state's veterans preference page for current documentation and employment guidance.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (4)

Licenses, plates and parks

Lifetime veteran state park day-use pass

Who qualifies
Maine residents with an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions.
What you get
Free lifetime day-use pass to state parks and historic sites.
How to apply
Complete the official park-pass application and return it with a copy of your DD214 as directed on the application page.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (2)

Disabled veteran hunting, fishing, and trapping license

Who qualifies
Honorably discharged Armed Forces or National Guard veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 50%, residing in Maine or a state with a reciprocal agreement.
What you get
No-cost hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses and associated permits; a guide license requires separate qualifications. The benefit lasts for life while residency remains qualifying and the license is not revoked or suspended. Lottery and drawing requirements still apply.
How to apply
Apply with proof of eligibility. The bureau's application is linked from its Disabled Veteran Hunting & Fishing License page.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (1)

Emergency financial help

Veterans Emergency Financial Assistance Program

Who qualifies
Maine-resident veterans who demonstrate financial need and an emergency. The law covers qualifying honorably or generally discharged active-service veterans, retirement-eligible Reserve veterans, and certain other service or Maine National Guard cases approved individually.
What you get
Temporary grants of up to $2,000 for qualifying emergencies, such as uninsured home damage, illness, or hardship threatening homelessness. Separate statutory assistance can bridge a pending VA pension claim.
How to apply
Use the VEFAP application linked from the bureau's homeless or at-risk veterans page.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (2)

State veterans homes

Changes on the way

  • Takes effect April 1, 2027: Enacted Public Law chapter 650, Part M, discontinues the existing veteran property exemptions for property tax years beginning April 1, 2027 and replaces them with a consolidated homestead exemption plus veteran additions. Do not apply the future tiers to the 2026 tax year.
    Sources (1)

Before you apply

This page summarizes state law and agency guidance as checked on October 3, 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.