State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in Vermont

Vermont offers disabled-veteran property tax exemptions, income-based military retirement tax relief, and tuition assistance for Guard members and qualifying survivors. Other benefits include recreation access, state hiring preference, veterans-home care, and aid for veterans in need.

Checked against official state sources on October 3, 2026.

Free help in Vermont

Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs

Administers state aid for veterans and their legal dependents in need.

Agency website (opens in a new tab)

Free help with VA claims

State veterans assistance includes help establishing claims and benefits. Accredited VSO help with VA claims is free; use VA's accredited-representative directory while the state office's staff page is unavailable.

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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

Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans and Survivors

Who qualifies
Qualifying property must be an established residence owned in fee simple by the veteran, spouse, widow, widower, child, or any combination of them. One or more must receive disability compensation for at least 50% disability, death compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, or a disability pension through a military department or VA. An unremarried widow or widower of a previously qualified veteran may qualify without current compensation or pension.
What you get
Exempts $10,000 of appraised value. A town may vote to raise the exemption as high as $40,000. Business and rental portions are excluded, and only one exemption is allowed per property.
How to apply
File the application and military-department or VA statement showing payment of qualifying benefits with the Office of Veterans Affairs before May 1. Permanent-disability applications are required only for the first year, and that exemption continues until title transfers.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 32 V.S.A. § 3802(11)

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State income tax

Military retirement pay: Partly exempt

Military Retirement and Survivor Benefit Income Exclusion

Who qualifies
Vermont taxpayers of any filing status receiving federally taxable U.S. military retirement income or eligible military survivor benefit income, with federal adjusted gross income below $175,000.
What you get
All qualifying income is excluded at federal AGI of $125,000 or less. Above $125,000 and below $175,000, the excluded amount is qualifying income multiplied by the difference between $175,000 and AGI, divided by $50,000. There is no exclusion at $175,000 or more. Eligible taxpayers may also claim a separate permitted Social Security or other retirement exclusion.
How to apply
Claim the applicable statutory exclusion when filing the Vermont personal income tax return. Obtain the current tax-year schedule and worksheet from the Department of Taxes.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 32 V.S.A. §§ 5830e(d)-(e), 5861; 2025 Act 71

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Education and tuition

Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Program

Who qualifies
Active Vermont National Guard members, whether residents or nonresidents, who completed basic training, enroll in an eligible program, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and submit a commander's good-standing statement. Applicable federal tuition aid must be used first, subject to statutory exceptions. Applicants must not be in default on a federal education loan.
What you get
Covers in-state tuition at Vermont State Colleges or UVM; eligible Vermont private and qualifying out-of-state programs use a UVM tuition cap. Eligible nondegree training uses the lower of actual tuition or UVM's rate. Multiple credentials are allowed within a lifetime cap equal to twice UVM's full-time in-state tuition for a bachelor's degree. Funding is subject to appropriation.
How to apply
Apply through the Unified Scholarship Application in MyVSAC and obtain Guard certification. Submit the commander's good-standing statement within 30 days before each semester. Sign the repayment agreement: full-year awards require two years of Guard service; part-time awards require one month per credit hour, capped at 12 months per semester. Confirm the correct award-year deadline with VSAC.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 16 V.S.A. § 2857

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Armed Services Scholarships

Who qualifies
Children, including stepchildren and adopted children, and spouses of qualifying deceased service members. Covered categories include Vermont Guard members in good standing who, while on active or inactive duty, were killed since 1955 or died since January 1, 2001; Vermont-resident active Reserve members in good standing who died on active or inactive duty since January 1, 2001; and qualifying active-duty deaths since that date with Vermont residency or qualifying Vermont Guard or Reserve mobilization ties. Applicants must not already hold a bachelor's degree.
What you get
Pays remaining eligible undergraduate tuition after the Pell Grant for up to 130 academic credits. Covers actual UVM or Vermont State College tuition; other eligible Vermont institutions are capped at the UVM-equivalent award.
How to apply
Apply through the Adjutant General for Guard or active Reserve families, or the Office of Veterans Affairs for active Armed Forces families. Apply for the federal Pell Grant. Renew annually with the institution's endorsement of satisfactory academic standing.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 16 V.S.A. §§ 2537-2539

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State jobs and hiring preference

Veterans' and Military Spouses' Preference in State Employment

Who qualifies
Qualifying veterans, spouses of currently serving U.S. Armed Forces personnel, service-connected disabled veterans, unremarried veteran widows or widowers, and spouses of totally service-connected disabled veterans, subject to the relevant statutory category and job requirements.
What you get
For qualifying open competitive recruitments using point-based examinations, a passing score receives 5 extra points for veterans and current-service military spouses, or 10 for the specified disability and survivor categories. Qualifying veterans may also compete for statewide promotional-only vacancies.
How to apply
Apply for the state position and claim the qualifying preference. Contact Recruitment Services at 1-855-828-6700, option 1 then option 4, for guidance.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 3 V.S.A. § 310; 20 V.S.A. § 1543; 2026 Act 88 § 42

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Licenses, plates and parks

Free Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans

Who qualifies
Vermont-resident U.S. Armed Forces veterans who currently have, or ever had, at least a 60% service-connected disability. Qualifying nonresidents may receive a one-year license if their home state provides reciprocal privileges.
What you get
Free fishing, hunting, or combination licenses, including big game licenses except moose. Normal hunting qualification requirements still apply.
How to apply
Apply to the Fish and Wildlife Department with VA certification of the qualifying disability. Hunting applicants must provide required hunter education or acceptable prior-license proof.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 10 V.S.A. §§ 4254(b), 4255(c)(4)

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Green Mountain Passport

Who qualifies
Vermont residents who are veterans of the uniformed services. Residents age 62 or older also qualify.
What you get
A $2 passport provides free admission to fully state-sponsored public events, including state parks and historic sites. Overnight camping is excluded.
How to apply
Apply to the clerk of the town where you live, attest under oath that you qualify, and pay the $2 application fee.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 31 V.S.A. §§ 1001-1003

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Metered Parking Fee Exemption for Disabled Veteran Plates

Who qualifies
Vehicles displaying disabled veteran plates issued by any state.
What you get
Since July 1, 2026, qualifying vehicles may park at Vermont municipal parking meters without paying the meter fee.
How to apply
Use a vehicle displaying the qualifying disabled veteran plate. The cited law creates a meter-fee exemption; it does not grant permission to park where otherwise prohibited.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 24 V.S.A. § 2291(26), as amended by 2026 Act 88

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Emergency financial help

Aid to Veterans in Need

Who qualifies
Veterans and their legal dependents in need who satisfy the agency's eligibility criteria. Monetary assistance is limited to applicants who would not be better served by other state, federal, or private assistance programs.
What you get
State financial assistance administered by the Office of Veterans Affairs, subject to approved criteria and available funding.
How to apply
Request the current application and operating procedures from the Office of Veterans Affairs. Those procedures must be available for applicants to review.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 20 V.S.A. § 1601, as amended by 2026 Act 88

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State veterans homes

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.