California state benefits
Disabled Veterans' Property Tax Exemption (Basic): $180,671 for 2026
100%+- Rated 100% service-connected, or paid at the 100% rate for unemployability, or blind in both eyes (visual acuity 5/200 or less, or a 5° field or less), or lost use of 2 or more limbs
- The home is your principal place of residence in California
- Discharge other than dishonorable, and service during a period listed in Rev. & Tax. Code § 205.5
- Unmarried surviving spouses can qualify (e.g., the veteran died of a service-connected cause)
- 2026 amount: $180,671 off the home's full value
Low-Income Level of the Same Exemption: $271,009 for 2026
100%+- Meet the basic exemption rules (item 1)
- Household income at or under $81,131 (2026 limit). The BOE counts all VA and Social Security benefits as household income
- 2026 amount: $271,009 instead of $180,671
Disabled Veteran (DV) License Plates: No Registration or License Fees
Other rules- Permanently disabled from an injury or disease during active service, and any one of:
- 100% rating for a disease or disorder that substantially impairs or interferes with mobility · can't move without an assistive device · lost use of 1+ limbs · permanently blind (W&I Code § 19153)
- Fee exemption on one vehicle you own: passenger vehicle, motorcycle, or commercial vehicle of 8,000 lbs or less unladen not used for hire
- You can't hold both DV and Ex-POW plates
DV Plate Parking Privileges
Other rules- Comes with valid DV plates (item 3)
- Park in wheelchair-symbol spaces and at blue curbs
- Park at green curbs for as long as you wish, and at on-street meters at no charge
- Park in resident or merchant permit areas
- Full-service stations must refuel your vehicle at self-service rates (unless only one employee is on duty)
Reduced-Fee Fishing and Hunting Licenses
50%+- Honorably discharged veteran with a 50%+ service-connected disability rating
- Fishing: resident or nonresident. Fee $10.04 at CDFW offices, $10.54 from license agents; valid 365 days from purchase
- Hunting: resident or nonresident. You also need to meet California hunter education rules
Distinguished Veteran Pass: Free State Park Day Use, Camping and Boating
50%+- Honorably discharged veteran with California residency, and one of:
- 50%+ combined service-connected rating with service during wartime or operations against a foreign power (State Parks lists the periods) · former POW · Medal of Honor
- Free vehicle day use, family camping and boat use at 100+ State Parks-operated units
College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents (CCC, CSU, UC)
Any rating- Waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at California Community Colleges, CSU and UC (not books, parking or room and board)
- Plan A (no income limit): an unmarried child over 14 and under 27 (under 30 if the child is a veteran) of a veteran who is totally service-connected disabled; the spouse of a wartime veteran who is totally service-connected disabled. Needs wartime service or a campaign or expeditionary medal, and the rating must come before the child turns 21. Can't be combined with VA Chapter 35
- Plan B: a child of a veteran with any service-connected disability; the child's income (AGI plus any parental support) can't exceed $22,941 for 2026–27. No age or wartime rule
- All applicants must meet the school's California residency rules
State Income Tax: VA Disability Pay Not Taxed + Military Retirement Exclusion
Any rating- VA disability benefits and lump-sum retroactive VA payments are tax-exempt in California. CRSC is tax-exempt; CRDP is taxable
- Tax years 2025–2029: exclude up to $20,000 of uniformed-services retirement pay, and separately up to $20,000 of Survivor Benefit Plan annuity payments
- Federal AGI limit: $250,000 joint/surviving spouse; $125,000 others
Federal benefits to look into
CHAMPVA: health coverage for your spouse and kids
P&TIt's for family members, not the veteran: the spouse or dependent child of a veteran rated P&T from a service-connected disability. It's a cost-sharing program: VA shares the cost of covered care with the family. Not free. Family members eligible for TRICARE can't get CHAMPVA.
DEA (Chapter 35): school money for your spouse and kids
P&TChapter 35 / DEA education benefits are available to the spouse and children of a veteran who is P&T due to a service-connected disability. For school or training that started on or after Aug 1, 2018, DEA pays up to 36 months of benefits.
Social Security: faster disability decisions
100% + P&TSSA expedites disability claims from veterans rated 100% P&T. Say "veteran rated 100% P&T" (or enter "Veteran 100% P&T" in the online Remarks). It doesn't guarantee approval; SSA's own rules still apply.
Dental insurance for CHAMPVA families (VADIP)
P&TCHAMPVA covers dental only in limited medical cases; enrollees can buy dental insurance at reduced cost through VADIP.
Your Benefit Summary Letter (proof of your rating)
All veteransYou can download your Benefit Summary Letter (sometimes called an award letter) on VA.gov.
VA dental care (Class IV)
100% (or paid at 100% for TDIU)Per VA, you qualify for any needed dental care if you have a service-connected disability rated 100% disabling, or you're paid at the 100% rate because of TDIU. A temporary 100% rating does not qualify.
DoD ID card and base privileges (100%)
100% (or paid at 100% for TDIU)A 100% disabled veteran (DAV) and eligible family members can get a DoD Uniformed Services ID card. It gives commissary, exchange and MWR privileges and base access. It is not TRICARE.
Base retail access for all service-connected veterans
Any ratingAll service-connected veterans can use commissaries, exchanges and MWR retail facilities, in person and online, per VA's matrix.
Federal student loan discharge (TPD)
100% (or paid at 100% for TDIU)Veterans whom VA has determined have a service-connected disability rated 100% or are rated totally disabled based on individual unemployability (TDIU) can have eligible federal student loans discharged.
No VA home loan funding fee
10%+Veterans receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability are exempt from the VA home loan funding fee, at any compensable rating, not just 100%.
America the Beautiful Access Pass
Other rulesA free, lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a permanent disability. It doesn't have to be 100% or service-connected.
Military Lifetime Pass (federal lands)
All veteransVeterans (and Gold Star families) can get a free lifetime pass to federal recreation lands. No disability is needed.