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New Hampshire benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official New Hampshire source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the NH Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services (DMAVS) can help you apply for them at no cost.
24 benefits from official sources1 not yet finalizedLast verified
NH Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services (DMAVS)
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
DMAVS and State Veterans Council service officers
In effect
DMAVS, at 1 Minuteman Way in Concord, runs state veterans services. Under state law, the State Veterans Council and its Veterans Service Officers help veterans and dependents get state and federal benefits.
“The State Veterans Council and its Veterans Service Officers shall assist Veterans and dependents in obtaining benefits to which entitled under state or federal laws or regulations.”
Standard and optional veterans' tax credit (RSA 72:28)
In effect
Qualifying wartime veterans, and their spouses or surviving spouses, get a yearly credit off the property tax on their home. The standard credit is $50. A town can adopt an optional credit of $51 to $750.
Who qualifies
NH resident veteran with at least 90 days of active service in a qualifying war or armed conflict, or a spouse or surviving spouse. Also covers veterans separated for a service-connected disability and surviving spouses after a service-connected death.
Amount or details
$50 standard, or $51–$750 if the town adopts the optional credit. The optional maximum rises to $1,000 on April 1, 2027 (see the pending item).
How to apply
File a permanent application, on the DRA-approved form, with your selectmen or assessors by April 15 preceding the setting of the tax rate (RSA 72:33).
“by April 15 preceding the setting of the tax rate, a permanent application therefor”
All Veterans' Tax Credit (RSA 72:28-b)
In effect
If a town adopts it, veterans with 90 days of active service who don't qualify under RSA 72:28 or 72:35 (for example, peacetime veterans) get the same credit amount as the town's veterans' credit.
Who qualifies
NH resident veteran with at least 90 days of active service, or a spouse or surviving spouse, who doesn't get a credit under RSA 72:28 or 72:35.
Amount or details
Same amount as the town's standard or optional RSA 72:28 credit.
How to apply
Apply to your local assessors. Available only where the town has adopted it.
“The credit granted under this section shall be the same as the amount of the standard or optional veterans' tax credit in effect in the town or city under RSA 72:28.”
Service-connected total disability tax credit (RSA 72:35)
In effect
Veterans with a total and permanent service-connected disability, double amputees or paraplegics, and their surviving spouses get a $700 standard yearly credit. A town can adopt an optional credit of $701 to $5,000, which replaces the other veteran credits.
Who qualifies
Veteran with a total and permanent service-connected disability (VA certification), or a double amputee or paraplegic from a service-connected injury, or a surviving spouse. The property must be the person's principal residence.
Amount or details
$700 standard, or $701–$5,000 optional. The DMAVS page still says 'up to $2000', which is out of date; the statute governs.
How to apply
Give your assessors or selectmen VA certification of a total and permanent service-connected rating.
Surviving spouse of a service member killed on active duty (RSA 72:29-a)
In effect
The surviving spouse of a service member killed or who died on active duty in a qualifying war or conflict gets a $700 credit on any real or personal property in their town. A town can adopt a credit of $701 to $2,000, rising to $2,500 on April 1, 2027.
Who qualifies
Resident surviving spouse.
Amount or details
$700, or $701–$2,000 optional. The optional maximum becomes $2,500 on April 1, 2027.
“shall receive a tax credit in the amount of $700 for the taxes due upon the surviving spouse's real and personal property”
Specially adapted homestead full exemption (RSA 72:36-a)
In effect
A veteran whose home was specially adapted with a VA SAH or SHA grant is exempt from all property tax on that homestead, and so is the surviving spouse, if the veteran is 100% permanently and totally disabled, a double amputee or paraplegic, or blind in both eyes from a service-connected cause.
Who qualifies
See summary. You must give the assessors proof of the service connection.
“shall be exempt from all taxation on said homestead”
Optional combat service tax credit (RSA 72:28-c)
In effect
Towns can adopt a $50–$500 credit for NH National Guard or Reserve members called to active duty in combat service. The maximum rises to $750 on April 1, 2027.
Who qualifies
NH resident Guard or Reserve member called to active duty and in combat service during the tax period.
No state income tax on military retirement or VA benefits
In effect
New Hampshire has no general individual income tax. The Interest and Dividends Tax (RSA 77) was repealed effective January 1, 2025, so military retired pay, VA disability, SBP and wages are not taxed.
“New Hampshire does not levy a general state income tax on individuals, so you are not required to file an individual state tax return for New Hampshire in any of the instances above.”
One set of special plates with the accessibility symbol for a permanently and totally service-connected disabled veteran, amputee or paraplegic who got a vehicle from the VA, a totally blind service-connected veteran, or a former POW. A P&T veteran can choose the regular veteran plates free instead, but then gives up the free-parking privilege.
“Honorably discharged Veterans deemed to be totally and permanently disabled due to their service connected disability are allowed one (1) disabled Veteran plate at no charge. (RSA 261:86)”
Free parking with disabled veteran plates (RSA 265:73)
In effect
Vehicles with RSA 261:86 disabled veteran plates get free parking time in any city or town while under the owner's direct control.
“shall be allowed free parking time in any city or town so long as said motor vehicle is under the direct control of the owner”
Driver's license and registration fee exemptions; 17 military and veteran plates
In effect
No license fee for a P&T service-connected disabled veteran, or for an amputee or paraplegic veteran who got a vehicle from the VA (RSA 263:42). Registration fee exemptions also apply to blind, amputee and paraplegic veterans and former POWs. NH offers 17 military and veteran themed plates.
“No fee shall be charged for a motor vehicle operator's license for a Veteran who is an amputee or paraplegic and who received a motor vehicle from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs nor for a Veteran who has been classified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as being permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected disability.”
Veteran designation on driver's license or ID (RSA 263:40)
In effect
Honorably discharged veterans can add a veteran designation to a driver's license, CDL or non-driver ID. It's free at renewal and $3 for a replacement card outside renewal.
Who qualifies
Veteran as defined in RSA 21:50.
Amount or details
Free at renewal, or $3 replacement fee.
How to apply
Bring the application and proof of discharge to NH DMV.
“If you wish to add this indicator during your renewal, there will be no additional cost; however, if you wish to add the indicator outside of your renewal period, please be advised that there is a $3.00 fee for the replacement license or ID card.”
USNH free tuition for children of 100% P&T disabled veterans (RSA 187-A:20)
In effect
Children of veterans with a total and permanent service-connected disability (and a NH domicile tie) pay no tuition at UNH, Plymouth State or Keene State through the semester they turn 27. Children of POW/MIA service members are also covered.
Who qualifies
Biological, adopted or stepchild meeting USNH residency rules. The parent must be 100% P&T service-connected with a qualifying NH domicile.
Amount or details
Full tuition waiver. Fees are not covered.
How to apply
Apply to the USNH Board of Trustees with a VA disability determination letter.
“shall remain eligible for free tuition under this paragraph through the end of the semester in which he or she attains the age of 27”
Tuition for children of service members killed in action or who died of service-connected disability; National Guard tuition waiver; POW/MIA CCSNH waiver
In effect
Children of service members who died in wartime service, or of certain wartime veterans who died of a service-connected disability, may get free tuition at NH public institutions, plus up to $2,500 a year for 4 years for room, board and books if needed (RSA 193:19-21). NH Guard members can take courses tuition-free on a space-available basis. Children of POW/MIA service members get free CCSNH tuition (RSA 188-F:15).
Who qualifies
See summary.
Amount or details
Tuition waiver, plus up to $2,500 a year.
How to apply
Contact the UNH Military & Veteran Services Office or the NH Guard education office.
“A scholarship for board, room, rent, books and supplies up to $2500 per year for a period of no more than 4 years at such educational institutions may be furnished to these Children if they are in need of financial assistance.”
“the public employer shall add 5 preference points to a veteran's score and 10 preference points to a disabled veteran's score”
Priority for training and peddler's license fee exemption
In effect
Qualified veterans get priority for training funded by the state or federal government (RSA 115-B). Service-connected disabled veterans and unremarried spouses may be exempt from peddler's license fees (RSA 320:11).
Who qualifies
See summary.
Amount or details
Priority of service; fee exemption.
How to apply
NH Employment Security / NHWorks; the municipal peddler license office.
“Qualified Veterans will be granted priority in obtaining training that is funded in whole or part by the federal government or the State of New Hampshire. (RSA 115-B)”
“shall be supported at the public expense in the town or city of their abode”
$100 service bonuses (Vietnam, Persian Gulf, GWOT Expeditionary)
In effect
NH pays a $100 bonus to residents who earned the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (RSA 115-A:16), with similar $100 bonuses for Vietnam and Persian Gulf service.
Who qualifies
NH resident at entry and during service, honorable discharge, qualifying medal.
Perpetual hunting and fishing license for disabled veterans (RSA 214:13)
In effect
Resident veterans who are totally and permanently disabled from a service-connected disability get a perpetual special veteran's fishing, hunting or bow and arrow license for a one-time $10 fee. Veterans rated 80–99% can buy a lifetime license at a 50% discount.
Who qualifies
NH resident, discharged other than dishonorably, with a total and permanent service-connected disability (or 80%+ for the discount).
Amount or details
$10 one-time fee for P&T. 50% off a lifetime license for 80–99%.
How to apply
Apply to NH Fish and Game. Its site, wildlife.nh.gov, blocked our fetch.
Free state park day-use for disabled veterans (RSA 216-A:3-g)
In effect
NH disabled veterans with any service-connected disability pay no day-use admission at state parks. Fees for campgrounds, ski lifts and other enterprise activities still apply.
Who qualifies
NH disabled veteran with a service-connected disability.
Amount or details
Free day-use admission.
How to apply
Show RSA 261:86 disabled veteran plates or a VA service-connected disability letter.
“No disabled veteran of this state, upon providing satisfactory proof of a service-connected disability, shall be charged a fee for day-use admission to the state park system.”
Eligible veterans are buried at no fee and eligible dependents pay $450. Selected Reserve members who are NH residents are also eligible at no fee. NH residency is not required for veterans who meet NCA eligibility.
Who qualifies
VA/NCA eligibility; Selected Reserve rules on the fee schedule.
Amount or details
Veteran: no fee. Dependent: $450. Non-resident Selected Reserve: $1,050.
Not final yet: Enacted but not yet in effect. The statute text on gc.nh.gov shows the new paragraph II taking effect April 1, 2027.
Expected effective date:
Signed May 28, 2026, effective April 1, 2027. It raises the optional maximums: the RSA 72:28 veterans' credit from $750 to $1,000, the combat service credit from $500 to $750, and the surviving spouse credit from $2,000 to $2,500. Each town still has to vote to adopt the higher amount.
Who qualifies
Same as the existing credits.
Amount or details
Optional veterans' credit up to $1,000 starting April 1, 2027.
SB 448 (2026 Chapter 252): updated veteran eligibility language for property tax credits
In effect
A 2026 law effective August 31, 2026 amends RSA 72:28-b, 72:35 and 72:36-a. These credits use the RSA 21:50 definition of veteran, which includes a general discharge under honorable conditions.
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.