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Virginia benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official Virginia source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the Virginia Department of Veterans Services can help you apply for them at no cost.
17 benefits from official sources1 unverifiedLast verified
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
Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS): 38 benefit offices
In effect
DVS runs 38 benefit services offices where veterans and dependents get free help developing and filing federal VA claims. It also operates three veterans cemeteries, four veterans care centers (skilled nursing) and the Virginia War Memorial.
Who qualifies
Virginia veterans and their dependents.
Amount or details
Free claims help. The office locator searches by ZIP code.
How to apply
Find the nearest office with the DVS office locator.
Real estate tax exemption for 100% P&T disabled veterans (Const. art. X § 6-A)
In effect
Veterans the VA rates 100% service-connected, permanently and totally disabled (including IU paid at the 100% rate, per DVS) are exempt from real estate tax on their principal residence and up to one acre (more where the locality allows). Surviving spouses keep the exemption and, since July 1, 2019, can move within Virginia and take it with them.
Who qualifies
100% service-connected P&T disabled veteran who occupies the home as principal residence, or an unremarried surviving spouse.
Amount or details
Full exemption on the dwelling and up to 1 acre. In effect since Jan 1, 2011.
How to apply
Apply to your local Commissioner of the Revenue. DVS hears appeals of eligibility denials.
“As of July 1, 2019, surviving spouses of 100% disabled veterans are allowed to move to a different Virginia locality and take the exemption with them.”
Real estate exemption for surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty
In effect
Surviving spouses of armed forces members who died in the line of duty get a real estate tax exemption on their principal residence and up to one acre. A November 5, 2024 constitutional amendment widened this from 'killed in action' to 'died in the line of duty' (with a DoD Line of Duty determination).
Who qualifies
Unremarried surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty.
Amount or details
Full exemption on the dwelling and up to 1 acre. The exemption is portable within Virginia.
Military Benefits Subtraction (military retirement / SBP)
In effect
Virginia lets taxpayers subtract federally taxable military retirement income, Survivor Benefit Plan payments, and military benefits paid to a veteran's surviving spouse. The cap was $30,000 for tax year 2024 and is $40,000 for tax year 2025 and later. It can be combined with the Disability Income Subtraction, but not on the same income.
Who qualifies
Military retirees and surviving spouses receiving SBP or other military benefits included in federal income.
Amount or details
Up to $40,000 per year for TY2025+ ($30,000 for TY2024).
How to apply
Claim on the Virginia income tax return (Schedule ADJ subtraction).
Personal property tax exemption on one vehicle (100% P&T) and optional reduced rate
In effect
One car or pickup truck used primarily by or for a 100% service-connected, permanently and totally disabled veteran is exempt from local personal property tax (Code § 58.1-3668), effective Jan 1, 2021. Localities may also set a reduced tax rate on a vehicle owned by a qualifying disabled veteran (§ 58.1-3506).
Who qualifies
100% service-connected P&T disabled veteran. The exemption ends at the veteran's death.
Amount or details
Full exemption on one vehicle. The reduced rate depends on the locality.
“Veterans should check with their local Commissioner of the Revenue to see if the reduced tax rate is offered in their locality, and, if so, how to apply.”
DV license plates, registration fee waiver and DV disabled parking plates (Code § 46.2-739)
In effect
Veterans with a VA-certified service-connected disability (or their unremarried surviving spouse) can get permanent red, white and blue 'DV' plates. One personally owned vehicle is exempt from the annual registration fee. DV plates alone do not allow disabled parking. Veterans with a walking impairment certified by a medical provider can get DV disabled parking plates, which do.
Who qualifies
VA-certified service-connected disability, any rating. Disabled parking needs medical certification of a mobility impairment.
Amount or details
No annual registration fee and no special plate fee for one vehicle.
How to apply
Apply to DMV with VA certification of service-connected disability.
Since July 1, 2018, veterans can add 'Veteran' to a Virginia driver's license or ID. DMV no longer issues separate veteran ID cards, but existing ones stay valid and never expire.
Who qualifies
Virginia resident with honorable conditions discharge: active duty, or more than 180 days in the Guard or Reserves.
Amount or details
Requires a DD-214 or equivalent, or a retiree ID plus form DL 11.
How to apply
Apply at DMV with a veteran service proof document.
Virginia Military Survivors & Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP)
In effect
Waives tuition and mandatory fees for up to eight semesters at Virginia public colleges for spouses and children of veterans rated P&T or at least 90% permanently disabled from service, or killed, MIA or POW. Tier 2 (combat-related) students may also get a semester stipend that SCHEV sets each year.
Who qualifies
Spouse or child of a qualifying veteran who meets the domicile requirement of Code § 23.1-608.
Amount or details
Full tuition and mandatory fee waiver for 8 semesters. Tier 2 stipend amount varies.
How to apply
Apply through the DVS VMSDEP portal; vmsdep@dvs.virginia.gov, 844-838-7838.
On state jobs that use a written exam, veterans get 5 points added to a passing score (10 for a service-connected disability). Surviving spouses and children of veterans killed in the line of duty get the same preference. For jobs without an exam, qualified veterans get preference during selection.
Who qualifies
Honorable discharge plus more than 180 consecutive days of active duty, or a VA service-connected rating.
Amount or details
+5% (+10% if service-connected disabled) on passing written exam scores.
How to apply
Claim veteran status when applying for state jobs.
Behavioral health and rehabilitation care coordination, peer recovery support, justice-involved veteran outreach, and referrals to financial, housing, transportation and employment help. Serves veterans regardless of discharge status, Guard and Reserve members, and their families.
Who qualifies
Virginia-resident veterans of any era regardless of discharge, Guard and Reserve members, transitioning service members, and families or caregivers.
Resident veterans with a service-connected disability can buy a lifetime hunting and/or freshwater fishing license, priced by VA rating. It does not cover trout-stocked waters.
Who qualifies
Virginia resident, VA-rated at least 30% service-connected.
Amount or details
Free for total and permanent ratings; $50 for 70%+; $75 for 50-69%; $100 for 30-49%.
How to apply
Submit the DWR Resident Disabled Veteran's Lifetime License Application with VA documentation.
Disabled Veteran's Passport: free state park entry (Code § 10.1-202.2)
In effect
Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating get free parking and admission at Virginia State Parks, plus 50% off camping, swimming, picnic shelters and equipment rentals.
Who qualifies
100% service-connected disability rating.
Amount or details
Free entry and 50% off listed services. Valid as long as the 100% rating lasts.
How to apply
Request the veteran disability pass from Virginia State Parks with a VA or military letter showing the 100% rating.
“enter state parks in the Commonwealth without the payment of a parking or admission fee and (ii) receive a 50 percent discount on camping and swimming fees”
Long-term skilled nursing, memory care and short-term rehab at Puller (Warrenton), Sitter & Barfoot (Richmond), Jones & Cabacoy (Virginia Beach), and Davis & McDaniel (Roanoke).
Who qualifies
Virginia veterans. Each center sets its admission criteria.
“The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) veterans care centers provide affordable, long-term skilled nursing care, dementia/memory care, and short-term rehabilitative care for Virginia’s veterans.”
Virginia Veterans Cemetery (Amelia), Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery (Suffolk) and Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery (Dublin) offer casket burial, in-ground cremation burial and columbarium niches.
“All cemeteries accommodate in-ground burial of casketed remains, in-ground inurnment of cremated remains, and above-ground inurnment of cremated remains in a columbarium.”
2026: Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment (SAVE) Act (HB 398/SB 315)
In effect
A new 2026 law regulates people who charge to prepare, present or advise on veterans' benefits claims. Violations are prohibited practices under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. Under Article IV § 13, regular-session laws take effect July 1.
Who qualifies
Applies to paid claims consultants.
Amount or details
Civil penalties under the VCPA.
How to apply
N/A. Report violations to the Attorney General's consumer protection section.
“HB 398/SB 315. Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act; prohibited practices;”
HB 588 / SB 148 (2026): remove the cap on, or expand, the military benefits subtraction (not shown as enacted)
Unverified — confirm with the agency
Not confirmed on an official page: Bill outcomes weren't confirmed on LIS: the bill pages are JavaScript-only and legacy LIS returned nothing. Neither bill appears in the 2026 In Due Course summary, so they probably didn't pass.
HB 588 would have removed the $40,000 annual cap so all military retirement benefits could be subtracted, starting TY2026. SB 148 would have expanded the subtraction to other uniformed-services retirement. Neither is listed in DLS's 'In Due Course 2026' summary of enacted laws, and a search summary says SB 148 was continued to 2027. The $40,000 cap still applies.
We only publish what we could confirm on an official Virginia source. These are the open questions from our latest review. Ask the Virginia Department of Veterans Services about anything here.
DVS main phone not shown on the pages reviewed. 844-VDVS-VET appears only as the VMSDEP contact, so agency.phone is left blank.
DVS hunting/fishing page is a thin link-out, so the statute (§ 29.1-302) was used. The guessed DWR disabled-veteran URL returned 404.
No state cash bonus program found. Not marked none_offered because no official statement of absence was found.
Guessed DCR military-discount URL returned 404, so the passes page and § 10.1-202.2 were used.
LIS bill-detail pages (lis.virginia.gov) are JavaScript-only and legacy LIS returned empty pages, so 2026 bill outcomes come from the DLS In Due Course summary.
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.