After serving their country, veterans of the U.S. armed forces are entitled to an array of benefits from the government. These include some financial and health care benefits as well as special designations that are only available to honorably discharged servicemen and servicewomen.
While many of these benefits are federal, state governments also offer residents who served additional benefits. These can vary widely, both in scope and in popularity. Each state has one particular benefit that its resident veterans utilize more than any other.
To determine each state’s most popular veterans benefit, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed information from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs detailing the service used most often by eligible veterans in each state.
In many states, the most popular veteran benefit is the same. In some, vets frequently opt for special license plates. In others, veterans take advantage of discounts and exemptions for their property taxes. In some cases, the most popular benefit is claimed by the dependents of a veteran, including free or discounted tuition at public colleges and universities.
There are currently 1.3 million active-duty service members who will be eligible for veterans benefits once they are honorably discharged. These service members tend to cluster in states with large bases. These are the states where the most Americans serve in the military.
Click here to see the most popular veterans benefit in every state
To determine each state’s most popular veterans benefit, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed information from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs detailing the service used most often by eligible veterans in each state.
Alabama
> Most popular benefit: State veterans homes
Alabama provides homes for veterans who need living assistance. The staff at the homes also provide activities and outings that keep resident veterans active and engaged.
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Alaska
> Most popular benefit: Alaska property tax exemption
Alaska’s property tax exemption provides a tax break on the first $150,000 of assessed value of the home for veterans with a 50% or greater disability rating.
Arizona
> Most popular benefit: Special license plates
Arizona offers special license plates that recognize and honor military veterans. The funds from the plates provide grants to nonprofit organizations for the benefit of veterans in Arizona.
Arkansas
> Most popular benefit: State tax exemption on military retirement pay
Military pensions are exempt from state taxes, saving veterans money.
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California
> Most popular benefit: Qualified veterans mortgage bonds
The mortgage bonds provide flexible financing for veterans purchasing homes in the state of California
Colorado
> Most popular benefit: Disabled veteran license plates
Colorado waives license tax on one vehicle for veterans with a 50% or more service-connected disability and permanent and totally disabled veterans.
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Connecticut
> Most popular benefit: Veteran designation on the state driver’s license
These designations are used by community-based organizations, agencies, and retailers to verify veteran status for various local and state programs, services, and discounts.
Delaware
> Most popular benefit: Veterans license plates
The plates are used to identify special designations, including Purple Heart Recipients, Medals of Valor Recipients, disabled veterans, and many more.
Florida
> Most popular benefit: Deduction on the assessment of veterans’ homes for tax exemption purposes
Eligible Florida resident veterans with a VA-certified service-connected disability of 10% or greater are entitled to a $5,000 deduction.
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Georgia
> Most popular benefit: Free license plates for veterans
These Georgia plates are available in a special veteran-themed design, like a veteran’s branch or era of service or a special military decoration.
Hawaii
> Most popular benefit: Disabled veterans real property tax exemption
Each island has its own tax exemption benefit in place.
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Idaho
> Most popular benefit: Reduced hunting and fishing license and tag fees
Disabled veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 40% or greater only pay $5.75 for combination hunting and fishing licenses and reduced tag fees. Nonresident disabled veterans can obtain hunting licenses for $31.75 and reduced tag fees.
Illinois
> Most popular benefit: Veteran designation for Illinois state driver’s licenses
The Illinois license plates identify those who served.
Indiana
> Most popular benefit: Tuition and fee exemption for children of disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, and POWs
Remission of tuition and fees may be used at approved state-sponsored universities for up to 124 credits.
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Iowa
> Most popular benefit: Homeownership assistance program
The program provides $5,000 for first time veteran homebuyers.
Kansas
> Most popular benefit: Hunting and fishing fee discounts
Kansas offers a wide variety of hunting and fishing opportunities, and veterans are entitled to discounts on fees for hunting and fishing licenses.
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Kentucky
> Most popular benefit: Tuition waivers
Kentucky waives tuition at all state colleges and universities for dependents of certain veterans.
Louisiana
> Most popular benefit: Close working relationship with all 64 parishes
Louisiana has 74 parish service offices across the state that are accessible to all veterans and their families.
Maine
> Most popular benefit: Maine resident lifetime veteran state park and museum pass
The pass gives veterans free admission to state parks across the state as well as to the Maine State Museum.
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Maryland
> Most popular benefit: Property tax exemption
Veterans who are rated at 100% disabled are fully exempt from property taxes on their primary dwelling.
Massachusetts
> Most popular benefit: Soldiers’ homes
Massachusetts has two soldiers’ homes that offer both residential and long-term care options for veterans.
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Michigan
> Most popular benefit: Michigan veterans Trust Fund
The trust fund provides emergency grants to help combat-era veterans and their families weather unforeseen, temporary financial emergencies.
Minnesota
> Most popular benefit: VA claims representation
In Minnesota, claims representatives assist state veterans with their needs.
Mississippi
> Most popular benefit: Homestead exemption
Veterans in Mississippi are exempt from all ad valorem taxes on the assessed value of homestead property.
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Missouri
> Most popular benefit: Missouri state veterans services program
Service officers in Missouri provide counseling and assistance when veterans have questions about compensation, pensions, education benefits, life insurance, medical benefits, state benefits, and burial benefits.
Montana
> Most popular benefit: Veteran designation on the drivers’ licenses
Veterans in Montana can receive a special designation on their drivers’ licenses for a fee of $10.
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Nebraska
> Most popular benefit: Nebraska veterans registry
The registry allows for easy application for benefits provided such as military license plates and special discounts sometimes offered at establishments.
Nevada
> Most popular benefit: State income tax exemption for all
Because Nevada does not have a state income tax, all residents, including veterans, are exempt.
New Hampshire
> Most popular benefit: Property tax credits
New Hampshire offers qualified veterans a tax credit of up to $750 annually.
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New Jersey
> Most popular benefit: Tax exemption
Veterans are eligible for a $6,000 exemption on their income tax return.
New Mexico
> Most popular benefit: Veterans state property tax exemption
New Mexico veterans can receive up to a $4,000 reduction in the taxable value of a veteran’s primary residence.
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New York
> Most popular benefit: FreshConnect Checks program
The FreshConnect Checks program allows veterans and their families to access $20 in fresh food vouchers to be used at farmers markets.
North Carolina
> Most popular benefit: Veteran license plates
North Carolina allows a special designation for veterans on their license plates.
North Dakota
> Most popular benefit: Grant program
The state offers a Hardship Assistance Grant and a grant for North Dakota veterans with PTSD.
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Ohio
> Most popular benefit: Veterans service commission
Each Ohio county has a commission to assist veterans with benefits, transportation, and even financial assistance — at no charge.
Oklahoma
> Most popular benefit: Property tax exemption
Oklahoma veterans who are 100% disabled are exempt from property taxes.
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Oregon
> Most popular benefit: Veteran recognition license plates
This program includes multiple recognition plate options that allow veterans to display pride in their military service.
Pennsylvania
> Most popular benefit: Real estate tax exemption
Pennsylvania provides real estate tax exemption for any honorably discharged veteran who is 100% disabled, is a resident of the commonwealth, and has a financial need.
Rhode Island
> Most popular benefit: Free tuition
All Rhode Island National Guard members receive free tuition to certain schools.
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South Carolina
> Most popular benefit: Homestead exemption
Disabled veterans over 65 can access a tax exemption in South Carolina.
South Dakota
> Most popular benefit: The bonus program
South Dakota awards a bonus to active-duty military members and veterans who meet service qualifications.
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Tennessee
> Most popular benefit: Property tax relief program
In Tennessee, certain 100% disabled veterans and their surviving spouses can receive property tax relief of up to $175,000.
Texas
> Most popular benefit: Texas Veterans Commission claims program
The claims program has assisted over 7,000 veterans in receiving over $250 million in retroactive payments plus annual increases.
Utah
> Most popular benefit: Utah’s veterans property tax abatement
The widely used abatement is designed to reduce certain property taxes veterans owe on normally taxed property, including homes, automobiles, and recreational vehicles.
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Vermont
> Most popular benefit: Tax reduction program
The program is available to veterans with a VA disability rating of 50% or greater.
Virginia
> Most popular benefit: Virginia’s VA claims assistance program
VDVS staff helped over 200,000 veterans submit over 70,000 claims and appeals.
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Washington
> Most popular benefit: Free license plates
Washington offers free license plates to disabled veterans and Purple Heart and Gold Star recipients.
West Virginia
> Most popular benefit: Second opportunity for success
West Virginia provides funds each year to pay for education and training opportunities that do not qualify under VA guidelines.
Wisconsin
> Most popular benefit: MyWisVets.com
The tool at MyWisVets.com makes it easy for Wisconsinite veterans to check their eligibility benefits, upload supporting documents, apply for grants, pre-register at our veterans homes or for an internment, and more.
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Wyoming
> Most popular benefit: Property tax exemption
The exemption saves veterans in Wyoming money on their homesteads.
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