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Maryland benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official Maryland source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF) can help you apply for them at no cost.
12 benefits from official sourcesLast verified
Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF)
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
DVMF and Veterans Benefits Offices
In effect
DVMF runs Veterans Benefits Offices statewide; the Largo MVA office that opened in October 2026 is the 11th inside an MVA branch. The main line is 410-260-3838, toll-free 800-522-8387.
Full property tax exemption for 100% P&T disabled veterans and surviving spouses
In effect
Veterans rated 100% service-connected permanent and total are fully exempt from real property tax on their principal residence (Tax-Property §7-208). Surviving spouses can also qualify, and some counties add local exemptions.
Who qualifies
Honorably discharged veteran with 100% P&T service-connected rating; qualifying surviving spouse.
Amount or details
Full exemption on the dwelling.
How to apply
File the SDAT Application for Exemption for Disabled Veterans.
Conroy Memorial Scholarship and Peters Afghanistan/Iraq Scholarship
In effect
The Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship helps certain Maryland residents based on eligible military service or a family relationship to such a person. The Douglas J.J. Peters scholarship helps Afghanistan/Iraq veterans and their children and spouses.
Who qualifies
See MHEC program rules.
Amount or details
Award amounts set by MHEC.
How to apply
Apply through MHEC (Maryland College Aid Processing System).
“The Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program provides student financial assistance to certain Maryland residents due to their eligible military or public safety service”
State appointing authorities add 10 points to selection tests for eligible veterans (and certain spouses), plus 2 more for former POWs. Managers may also hire from a certified list of disabled veterans without competition.
Who qualifies
Eligible veterans per Maryland State Personnel and Pensions law.
The Trust Fund gives one-time grants to veterans, surviving spouses and Maryland National Guard members facing hardship such as housing, utilities and transportation. Bills must be 30-60 days past due, and payments go straight to vendors.
Who qualifies
Maryland veterans/surviving spouses/MDNG with documented need.
“To be considered for financial assistance, applicants must have eligible bills or payments that are at least 30–60 days past due at the time of application”
Free state park day use for all veterans; free lifetime hunting license (100%/POW)
In effect
All veterans of the uniformed services get Maryland State Park day-use entrance fees waived, residents or not. Maryland residents who are former POWs or 100% service-connected disabled can get a free lifetime hunting license.
Who qualifies
Parks: any veteran. Lifetime license: Maryland resident former POW or 100% service-connected.
“A complimentary lifetime hunting license is available to Maryland residents certified as a former prisoner of war or a 100% service-connected disabled American veteran”
“For Nursing Home, cost is based on the veteran’s personal resources, long-term care insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid (if eligibility requirements are met).”
2026 bills to raise the military retirement subtraction did not advance
In effect
HB 857 (raise the under-55 subtraction from $12,500 to $20,000) and HB 761 (raise it to $40,000 over two years) got hearings on Feb. 19, 2026, with no further action shown before the session ended. Current amounts stay $12,500 / $20,000.
“Increasing, from $12,500 to $20,000, the amount of a subtraction modification under the Maryland income tax for military retirement income for individuals who are under the age of 55 years”
Maryland hiring-preference statute text not reviewed directly (DBM page quotes it).
MVA Oct 1, 2026 legislative update reviewed: no veteran-specific changes found.
Other 2026 enacted Maryland veterans laws (e.g., local disabled-veteran property tax credit changes) not fully reviewed; only retirement-subtraction bills checked.
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.