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American Samoa benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official American Samoa source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the American Samoa Government Office of Veterans and Military Affairs can help you apply for them at no cost.
9 benefits from official sources2 unverifiedLast verified
American Samoa Government Office of Veterans and Military Affairs
How to read the labels:In effect confirmed on an official page. Not yet finalized announced or passed but not in force yet. Unverified — confirm with the agency we couldn't confirm it on an official page, so ask the agency.
Help from your state veterans office
American Samoa Government Office of Veterans and Military Affairs (Tafuna)
In effect
This is the territorial veterans advocacy office. It was set up by a Fono mandate signed April 7, 1999 by Governor Tauese Sunia. It helps with VA compensation claims, funeral arrangements and benefits reviews. Since February 2022 it has been the lead agency for veteran suicide prevention under the Governor's Challenge.
Who qualifies
U.S. active military, veterans and families in American Samoa.
Territorial income tax follows the IRC: military retired pay, military pay and SBP are taxable
Unverified — confirm with the agency
Not confirmed on an official page: The only source is DoD's federal benefits page. The American Samoa Tax Office's own guidance was not found online.
Residents file with and pay the American Samoa Tax Office, not the IRS. American Samoa generally follows the IRC. DoD's official benefits page says military pay and military retired pay are taxable in American Samoa, while VA disability compensation and DIC are not.
Who qualifies
American Samoa residents.
Amount or details
No local exclusion for military retirement.
How to apply
American Samoa Tax Office, Executive Office Building, Pago Pago, 684-633-4181.
Note: The statement of absence comes from DoD's official benefits library, not from the American Samoa agency itself. Not confirmed with the Office of Motor Vehicles (684-633-1111).
DoD's official benefits page says the DPS Office of Motor Vehicles offers no military or veteran benefits.
No territorial veteran education program (federal GI Bill only)
Not offered
Note: The statement of absence comes from DoD's official benefits library, not from the American Samoa agency itself. The page's update date is unknown. A similar statement on DoD's Guam page is out of date, so treat this with caution.
DoD's official benefits page says American Samoa has no territorial education programs for service members or veterans. Federal VA education benefits apply.
ASG career service veteran preference: 5 points (10 for disabled veterans)
In effect
In ASG open competitive exams, disabled veterans get 10 extra points, and veterans or unremarried widows of veterans get 5. Preference eligibles are listed ahead of others with the same score. A selecting official who passes over a preference eligible must file written reasons. Preference does not apply to promotional exams.
Who qualifies
Under A.S.C.A. §7.0202, preference eligibles are U.S. nationals of American Samoan ancestry who served at least 180 consecutive days of active duty (not counting training) and were separated under honorable conditions. Disabled veterans and unmarried widows also qualify.
Amount or details
5 or 10 points.
How to apply
Claim on the ASG employment application with a DD-214.
ASG employee benefits: military time counted toward leave accrual; 15 days military leave; reemployment
Unverified — confirm with the agency
Not confirmed on an official page: The underlying A.S.C.A. sections were not located or reviewed. The only source is DoD's summary.
According to DoD's benefits page, veterans working for ASG can count active-duty time toward their leave accrual rate. Reserve and Guard employees get 15 days of paid military leave each fiscal year. Career service employees who leave for military service must be restored to their position if they return within 120 days of an honorable discharge.
Federal VA presence: VA clinic (Fiatele Teo Army Reserve Building) and American Samoa Vet Center
In effect
VA Pacific Islands Health Care runs a clinic in the Fiatele Teo Army Reserve Building in Pago Pago. The American Samoa Vet Center, at the Equator Building on Ottoville Road in Pago Pago, provides readjustment counseling.
Who qualifies
VA-enrolled veterans. Vet Center eligibility follows VA rules.
Amount or details
Federal services.
How to apply
Enroll in VA health care at va.gov or visit the Vet Center.
Note: The statement of absence comes from DoD's official benefits library, not from the American Samoa agency itself. Not confirmed with Parks & Recreation (684-699-9513).
DoD's official benefits page says the Department of Parks and Recreation offers no military or veteran benefits.
Note: Absence of a federal cemetery per DoD's benefits page. A territorial veterans cemetery was not researched.
The VA National Cemetery Administration has no cemetery in American Samoa. The nearest are the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. The territorial office helps with funeral arrangements for veterans.
Property tax: no veteran exemption was found, and the territory's real property tax structure was not checked. Not marked none_offered.
Veterans home: none found, and no official statement of absence.
Veteran ID / driver's license designation: DoD says the Office of Motor Vehicles has no veteran benefits. No separate source on a license designation was found.
Legislation: no 2025-2026 veterans laws found. The American Samoa Legislature (Fono) has no searchable online bill database that I could reach. News reports mention a FY2026 supplemental budget line for Veterans Affairs, but that is not official and is excluded.
Bonus programs: none found.
A.S.C.A. text comes from the American Samoa Bar Association's online code, the standard public publication. No government-hosted copy was found.
The office website (asgovma.com, staff email @go.as.gov) is minimal and lists no benefits. Much of this file relies on DoD's federal benefits library.
This territory page was last reviewed against official sources on November 1, 2026. Our watcher re-checks those pages automatically and flags any item whose quoted wording disappears.