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Vermont benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official Vermont source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs can help you apply for them at no cost.
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
Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA) and Veteran Service Officers
In effect
OVA administers Vermont's veteran programs: VSO claims help, the property tax exemption verification, DMV veteran status, medals, records, the Veterans Fund and Veteran Assistance Fund, and the state cemetery. A State VSO travels statewide. The American Legion, DAV and VFW have service officers in White River Junction.
Who qualifies
Vermont veterans and families.
Amount or details
OVA, 118 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05620-0441; (802) 828-3379. State VSO Program (travels statewide): (888) 666-9844.
How to apply
Call OVA or the State VSO program for an appointment.
Veterans receiving VA or military disability compensation for at least 50% disability, a VA disability pension, or DIC/death compensation, and their surviving spouses, get at least $10,000 of their home's appraised value exempted. Towns may vote to raise this to $40,000.
Who qualifies
Owner-occupied primary residence. At least 50% disability compensation, VA pension, permanent medical military retirement, or DIC/death compensation (spouse, widow(er) or child).
Amount or details
State minimum $10,000 of appraisal value. Towns may increase it up to $40,000. Business or rental portions are excluded. One exemption per property.
How to apply
File with the Office of Veterans Affairs before May 1 each year. Permanently and totally disabled veterans file only once. The 2026 application period is closed.
Military retirement and survivor benefit exclusion (32 V.S.A. § 5830e(d), Act 71 of 2025)
In effect
Starting with tax year 2025, Vermont fully excludes federally taxable U.S. military retirement and military survivor benefit income for taxpayers with federal AGI of $125,000 or less. The exclusion phases out between $125,000 and $175,000. A taxpayer eligible for the military exclusion may take it even if they also take another retirement or Social Security exclusion.
Who qualifies
Vermont taxpayers receiving U.S. military retirement or survivor benefit income.
Amount or details
Full exclusion at AGI of $125,000 or less, proportional between $125,000 and $175,000, none at $175,000 or more. Effective Jan 1, 2025 (2025, No. 71, § 3).
How to apply
Claim on the Vermont income tax return (IN-112 schedule).
Veteran and military-service license plates (no additional charge)
In effect
Vermont DMV offers license plates recognizing military service at no additional charge. OVA verifies veteran status by reviewing the DD-214 and certifies form VG-168 for DMV.
Who qualifies
Veterans as defined by 38 U.S.C.
Amount or details
No additional charge.
How to apply
Email form VG-168 and your DD-214 to mil.ovainfo@vermont.gov. OVA forwards the certified form to DMV.
Veteran status label on driver license / non-driver ID
In effect
DMV adds a veteran status label to a license or non-driver ID at no additional charge after OVA verifies the DD-214. Vermont uses the federal Title 38 definition of a veteran.
Education: no state veteran tuition program; Guard tuition assistance and VSAC
In effect
OVA says veteran education benefits in Vermont come from the U.S. VA (GI Bill) and, for Guard members, Vermont National Guard tuition assistance. VSAC provides general state grants and loans. OVA's education consultant approves trade-school GI Bill programs.
Who qualifies
GI Bill-eligible veterans; Vermont National Guard members.
Amount or details
No Vermont-specific veteran tuition waiver is listed by OVA.
State employment: expanded access to internal postings; DOL veteran staff
In effect
Veterans can apply for state jobs that are normally open only to current state employees. The Vermont Department of Labor has veteran staff at its Career Resource Centers and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program representatives under the Jobs for Veterans State Grant. OVA does not describe a points-based state hiring preference.
Who qualifies
Veterans; disabled veterans and veterans with barriers to employment (DVOP).
Amount or details
Access to internal-only state postings.
How to apply
Apply through the DHR Career Center ((855) 828-6700) or a DOL Career Resource Center.
The Veteran Assistance Fund makes one-time payments to low-income veterans for critical needs such as housing and utilities. The Vermont Veterans Fund, created in 2011 and funded mainly by a state tax-return check-off, gives grants to organizations serving veterans, including homeless and transportation programs.
“Low-income veterans facing economic hardship may be eligible to receive a one-time payment to help pay for critical needs, such as housing and utilities.”
Free hunting/fishing license (60% disabled) and Green Mountain Passport
In effect
Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 60% get a free hunting or fishing license. Vermont-resident veterans honorably discharged from active duty can buy a lifetime Green Mountain Passport for $2, which gives free day entry to Vermont State Parks.
Who qualifies
License: 60% service-connected disability rating. Passport: Vermont resident, honorably discharged from active duty.
Amount or details
License free. Passport $2.00, lifetime.
How to apply
License: get a VA summary of benefits letter (1-800-827-1000) and contact Fish & Wildlife. Passport: your town clerk.
Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery (Randolph Center)
In effect
OVA runs the state veterans cemetery in Randolph Center. Veterans, spouses and some dependents are eligible. Burials are scheduled by phone only and never on weekends. Some sections close for winter starting Nov 30, 2026.
Who qualifies
Veterans, spouses and some dependents.
Amount or details
Casket burials Tue-Fri, urn burials Mon-Fri, at 9:00, 11:00 or 1:00. Phone 802-828-3379.
Act 71 (2025): full military retirement exclusion up to $125,000 AGI
In effect
Act 71, signed in May 2025, rewrote 32 V.S.A. § 5830e(d) to exclude all federally taxable military retirement and survivor benefit income for AGI of $125,000 or less, phasing out by $175,000. It is retroactive to Jan 1, 2025, and the statute site reflects the 2026 session.
Vermont veterans medals and honorary high school diplomas
In effect
Vermont awards the Vermont Veterans Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal for combat-theater service, and the Patriot's Medal for next of kin. Honorably discharged WWII, Korea and Vietnam veterans without a diploma can get one from a public school.
We only publish what we could confirm on an official Vermont source. These are the open questions from our latest review. Ask the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs about anything here.
Disabled-veteran parking privileges and any disabled-veteran plate fee waiver were not found on OVA or DMV pages (DMV not reviewed).
Vermont Fish & Wildlife's own page and statute (10 V.S.A.) for the free 60% disabled veteran license were not reviewed. OVA is the source.
No statutory points-based veterans' hiring preference for Vermont state jobs was found. Not marked none_offered because there is no explicit official statement.
No state veterans bonus was found. Not marked none_offered.
2026 Vermont session veteran bills were not individually reviewed.
The Tax Department military retirement page URL returned 404, so the statute was used.
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.