Follow to get an email when Florida benefits change. Alert settings
Florida benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official Florida source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs (FDVA) can help you apply for them at no cost.
22 benefits from official sources1 not yet finalizedLast verified
Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs (FDVA)
Phone
1-844-693-5838 (Florida Veterans Support Line, 1-844-MyFLVet)
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
State Veterans' Service Officers and County Veterans Service Officers
In effect
FDVA lists State Veterans' Service Officer sites, most of them inside VA medical facilities, and publishes a directory of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) as a PDF. For 24/7 help there is the Florida Veterans Support Line at 1-844-MyFLVet, or dial 211.
Who qualifies
Florida veterans and families.
Amount or details
Free.
How to apply
Find an office on the FDVA State Veterans' Service Officer Sites page or in the CVSO Directory PDF (https://floridavets.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CVSO-Directory-Apr-2026.pdf; the PDF could not be reviewed).
Full homestead exemption: permanent & total service-connected disability
In effect
A homestead owned and used by an honorably discharged veteran certified as having a service-connected, permanent and total disability is fully exempt from property tax. When the veteran dies, the exemption carries over to the surviving spouse until the spouse remarries or sells. A surviving spouse who sells can transfer the exemption to a new home.
Who qualifies
Honorably discharged veteran with a service-connected P&T disability; permanent Florida resident holding legal title on January 1.
Amount or details
100% exemption from property tax on the homestead (FS 196.081(1)); surviving spouse carryover (FS 196.081(3)).
“is exempt from taxation of the veteran is a permanent resident of Florida and has legal title to the property on January 1 of the tax year for which exemption is being claimed. (FS 196.081(1))”
“the exemption from taxation carries over to the benefit of the veteran’s spouse until such time as he or she remarries, sells, or otherwise disposes of the property”
Surviving spouse of service member who died on active duty
In effect
A homestead owned by the surviving spouse of a service member who died from service-connected causes while on active duty is exempt from property tax, if the member was a Florida resident on January 1 of the year of death.
Who qualifies
Surviving spouse of a member who died of service-connected causes on active duty.
“Any real estate owned and used as a homestead by the surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who died from service-connected causes while on active duty is exempt from taxation”
$5,000 disabled veteran exemption (10%+)
In effect
Resident veterans with a VA-certified service-connected disability of 10% or more get a $5,000 property tax exemption. The unremarried surviving spouse also qualifies.
Who qualifies
Florida resident veteran rated 10% or more service-connected, or the unremarried surviving spouse.
Amount or details
$5,000 off assessed value (FS 196.24).
How to apply
Apply to the county tax official with disability documentation.
“Eligible resident veterans with a VA certified service-connected disability of 10 percent or greater shall be entitled to a $5,000 property tax exemption.”
Combat-disabled veteran age 65+ discount
In effect
An honorably discharged veteran aged 65 or older who is partially disabled, with any part of the disability combat-related, can get a discount on homestead property tax equal to their permanent service-connected disability percentage. Under Amendment 6 (2020, effective Jan 1, 2021), a surviving spouse can keep the discount.
Who qualifies
Age 65+, honorably discharged, partially disabled, with a combat-related portion of the disability.
Amount or details
Discount equal to the disability percentage (FS 196.082).
“may be eligible for a discount from the amount of ad valorem tax on the homestead commensurate with the percentage of the veteran’s permanent service-connected disability”
Exemption for wheelchair-bound, paraplegic, hemiplegic or legally blind veterans
In effect
Veterans who are paraplegic, hemiplegic, or permanently and totally disabled and must use a wheelchair, or who are legally blind, may be exempt from real estate tax. Household income limits apply, except for quadriplegics.
Who qualifies
Florida resident veterans meeting the disability criteria; income test applies.
Amount or details
Full exemption (FS 196.101).
How to apply
Check income eligibility with your local property appraiser and apply there.
“or are legally blind, may be exempt from real estate taxation. Check with your local property appraiser to determine if gross annual household income qualifies.”
Free "DV" license plate and free driver license for 100% disabled veterans
In effect
Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability can get a "DV" plate at no charge (FS 320.084) and a no-fee driver license with endorsements, or an ID card (FS 322.21).
Who qualifies
100% service-connected disabled veterans.
Amount or details
DV plate at no charge; no-fee driver license or ID.
How to apply
Apply at a county tax collector or driver license office with the VA ID card showing a 100% P&T rating.
Veterans can add a "Veteran" designation to their driver license or ID card. It is free for 100% disabled veterans. Homeless veterans and their families can get a free Florida ID card.
Who qualifies
Honorably discharged veterans.
Amount or details
No fee for 100% disabled veterans. For others, FLHSMV's page does not state the fee (see gaps).
Honorably discharged veterans living in Florida have out-of-state tuition and fees waived at public colleges. GI Bill users' spouses and children are included.
Who qualifies
Honorably discharged veterans living in Florida; spouses and dependents using GI Bill.
Amount or details
Out-of-state tuition and fees waived (FS 1009.26(13)).
“Florida waives out-of-state tuition fees for all honorably discharged veterans who reside in the state and who are enrolled in Florida public, post-secondary institutions”
Purple Heart / combat decoration tuition waiver
In effect
Undergraduate tuition is waived at state universities, colleges and technical centers for Florida recipients of the Purple Heart or a higher combat decoration.
Who qualifies
Florida Purple Heart recipients or recipients of higher combat decorations.
“Florida waives undergraduate-level tuition at state universities, community colleges, and career and technical training facilities for Florida recipients of the Purple Heart”
CSDDV Scholarship (dependents)
In effect
This scholarship is for children and spouses of veterans who died from a service-connected disability or who are 100% P&T disabled. Dependents of service members who are MIA or POW may also qualify.
Who qualifies
Dependents of deceased or 100% P&T veterans.
Amount or details
Scholarship (FS 295.01).
How to apply
Apply at floridastudentfinancialaid.org or call (888) 827-2004.
State colleges and universities that offer priority registration must extend it to veterans receiving GI Bill benefits. The same applies to spouses and dependents using GI Bill.
Who qualifies
GI Bill users.
Amount or details
Priority registration (FS 1004.075).
How to apply
Automatic or through the school's veterans office.
Florida and all its political subdivisions must give veterans preference in hiring, in promotion after deployment, and in retention. A veteran who believes preference was denied can file a complaint with FDVA within 60 days.
Who qualifies
Honorably discharged veterans in the categories FS 295.07 defines, including disabled veterans and wartime veterans.
Amount or details
Preference at every step of hiring (FS 295.07, 295.11).
How to apply
Claim preference on the application with your DD-214. Send complaints to VeteransPreference@FDVA.FL.GOV.
“The state and all political subdivisions of the state shall give preference in employment, promotions after being deployed and retention. (FS 295.07, 295.11)”
“The complaint must be made within 60 days from the date a non-select notice was received.”
Employ Florida Vets and health license fee waivers
In effect
Employ Florida Vets is the state's job portal for veterans. The Florida Department of Health offers expedited licensing for health care practitioners through VALOR.
Florida Housing's first-time buyer program, open to veterans among others, provides up to 5% of the first mortgage, capped at $25,000, as a 0% deferred second mortgage for down payment and closing costs.
Who qualifies
First-time buyers in eligible groups, including active military and veterans.
Amount or details
Up to 5% of the loan, max $25,000.
How to apply
Apply through floridahousing.org/hometownheroes and a participating lender.
Free 5-year hunting/fishing license for 50%+ disabled veterans
In effect
Honorably discharged veterans certified with a service-connected disability of 50% or more qualify for the five-year Resident Persons with Disabilities Hunting and Fishing License.
Who qualifies
Florida resident, honorably discharged, rated 50% or more service-connected.
Amount or details
Five-year license term.
How to apply
Apply through GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or a county tax collector.
“as having a service-connected disability percentage of 50 percent or greater”
Military Gold Sportsman's License ($20)
In effect
Active duty and retired military who live or are stationed in Florida can buy a $20 annual license that includes the same privileges as the $100 Gold Sportsman's License. It applies to military retirees, not to all veterans.
Who qualifies
Active duty or retired military (including Reserve, FL National Guard and Coast Guard) stationed in or resident of Florida.
“This reduced-fee $20 annual license offers the same privileges as the traditional $100 Gold Sportsman's License.”
State Parks: 25% veteran discount; free lifetime pass for disabled veterans
In effect
Honorably discharged veterans get 25% off annual entrance passes. Veterans with service-connected disabilities get a free Lifetime Military Entrance Pass, which has the same benefits as the Family Annual Pass. Surviving spouses and parents of service members who fell in combat also get a free lifetime pass.
Who qualifies
Honorably discharged veterans; any service-connected disability for the free pass.
Amount or details
25% discount; free lifetime family-level pass.
How to apply
Apply in person at a park ranger station with proof of discharge and disability (per the park pass page).
Eight nursing homes plus one assisted living facility
In effect
FDVA runs skilled nursing homes in Daytona Beach, Land O' Lakes, Pembroke Pines, Panama City, Port Charlotte, St. Augustine, Port St. Lucie and Orlando, plus the 150-bed Jenkins Domiciliary (assisted living) in Lake City. Eligible spouses may be admitted.
Who qualifies
Honorable discharge; Florida residency before admission; need certified by a VA physician.
Amount or details
Skilled nursing, memory care and assisted living.
How to apply
Download a resident application packet from the FDVA homes page and contact the facility's admissions coordinator.
“Basic admission requirements for all state veterans’ homes include an honorable discharge, state residency prior to admission, and certification of need”
Collier County State Veterans' Nursing Home (planned)
Not yet finalized
Not final yet: FDVA news item dated July 31, 2025. Groundbreaking and opening not confirmed.
FDVA says the proposed 120-bed home in Collier County appeared, funded, on the fiscal 2025 VA State Home Construction Grants Priority List, with more than $74 million in federal funding. Groundbreaking would be scheduled for later in 2026.
No state-run veterans cemetery; nine national cemeteries
In effect
FDVA's burial page lists nine VA national cemeteries in Florida and no state-operated veterans cemetery. Burial in a national cemetery is free for eligible veterans and dependents.
Who qualifies
Eligible veterans, spouses and dependents.
Amount or details
Free burial in a national cemetery.
How to apply
Call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at (800) 535-1117.
Note
FDVA lists only national cemeteries, so it appears Florida has no state veterans cemetery. This is inferred from FDVA's list, not from an explicit statement.
We only publish what we could confirm on an official Florida source. These are the open questions from our latest review. Ask the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs (FDVA) about anything here.
The FDVA Benefits Guide PDF and the CVSO Directory PDF could not be reviewed.
The FLHSMV page does not give the fee for the "Veteran" designation for veterans who are not 100% disabled. The fee is not verified.
Statute citations come from FDVA and agency pages, not from the statute text.
Pending 2026 Florida veteran legislation was not researched.
This state 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.