State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in Rhode Island

Rhode Island offers disabled-veteran tuition waivers, local property tax exemptions, and state recreation benefits. Military pensions included in federal income qualify for a full state subtraction.

Checked against official state sources on October 2, 2026.

Free help in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Office of Veterans Services

Supports veterans, active service members, Guard and Reserve members, and their families.

Agency website (opens in a new tab) · Phone: 401-921-2119

Free help with VA claims

RIVETS helps veterans apply for VA programs. VA's accredited-representative search can locate a VSO representative, whose VA claims services are free.

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

Veterans' local property tax exemptions

Who qualifies
Rhode Island residents with the service covered by the statute, including listed wars and conflicts and uniformed service in the Cold War from 1947 through 1991. Honorable service or discharge under conditions other than dishonorable is required. Unmarried widows and widowers are also covered.
What you get
A statutory base exemption of $1,000, with many town-specific exemptions or credits. Additional relief for totally disabled veterans also varies by municipality.
How to apply
Present eligibility evidence to your municipal assessor by the applicable local sworn-statement filing deadline. South Kingstown requires evidence at least five days before tax-roll certification.

Official page (opens in a new tab) R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4

Sources (1)

State income tax

Military retirement pay: Exempt

Military Service Pension Modification

Who qualifies
Taxpayers whose military service pension benefits are included in federal adjusted gross income.
What you get
Subtracts the federally included military pension from Rhode Island taxable income, beginning with tax year 2023.
How to apply
Report the subtraction on Schedule M with the Rhode Island income tax return.

Official page (opens in a new tab) R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-30-12(c)(11)

Sources (1)

Education and tuition

Disabled veterans' public-college tuition waiver

Who qualifies
Veterans who permanently reside in Rhode Island and provide proof of a VA-rated service-related disability from 10% to 100%.
What you get
Waives tuition at Rhode Island public higher-education institutions. Other fees are excluded. Financial aid must first be applied against tuition.
How to apply
Provide disability proof, apply for available financial aid, and register at the start of open registration under the institution's rules.

Official page (opens in a new tab) R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-30.1-1

Sources (1)

National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program

Who qualifies
Active Rhode Island National Guard members in good standing who are eligible to attend, and remain students in good standing at, a state college or university. Participants incur one year of Guard service for each 12 credits or four three-credit courses waived.
What you get
Tuition assistance for five courses per semester toward an associate, bachelor's or master's degree. The statute waives basic tuition or general fee charges.
How to apply
At URI, submit the completed STAP form to your Air or Army National Guard Education Liaison.

Official page (opens in a new tab) R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-3-40.3

Sources (2)

Tuition for families of Guard members who die in duty

Who qualifies
Children and spouses of an active Rhode Island National Guard member killed or dying while performing Guard duty. Children must enter the state institution between ages 16 and 21.
What you get
Pays tuition at URI, Rhode Island College or another state-operated college or university for the normal course duration, up to four years.

Official page (opens in a new tab) R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-3-40.5

Sources (1)

State jobs and hiring preference

Veterans' classified-service exam preference

Who qualifies
Veterans with more than 30 days of active duty other than training and discharge other than dishonorable, those discharged for a service-connected disability, or qualifying Guard and Reserve retirees with at least 20 years of honorable service. Applicants must meet the exam's minimum required rating.
What you get
Adds five points for veterans or ten points for disabled veterans on competitive entry exams for classified service. The preference does not apply to promotion exams.
How to apply
Attach separation papers, usually DD-214, when claiming veteran credit on the examination application.

Official page (opens in a new tab) R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-4-19

Sources (2)

Licenses, plates and parks

Recreation fee waiver for people with disabilities

Who qualifies
Veterans receiving veterans benefits who are determined by VA to be 100% disabled through a service-connected disability.
What you get
Waives state recreation parking, admission and golf user fees. Camping, licensing, picnic-table and specialized-facility fees are excluded.
How to apply
Present the disability identification required by the Department of Environmental Management.

Official page (opens in a new tab) R.I. Gen. Laws § 32-1-17

Sources (1)

Free permanent freshwater fishing license

Who qualifies
Armed forces veterans with a current 100% disability rating.
What you get
A free permanent freshwater fishing license.
How to apply
Apply in person at DEM with photo identification and the original final disability determination.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (2)

Emergency financial help

We could not confirm this from an official source yet. Ask Rhode Island Office of Veterans Services or a free veterans service officer what applies to you.

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.