Georgia state benefits
Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption: Up to $126,526 (2026)
100%+- Honorably discharged Georgia veteran who is VA-rated 100%, or rated less but paid at the 100% rate due to unemployability
- Or entitled to a VA statutory award for loss or loss of use of one or both feet or hands, loss of sight in one or both eyes, or permanent impairment of both eyes
- Exempts up to $126,526 of assessed value for 2026 from state, county, city and school taxes; assessed value above that stays taxable (the amount tracks VA's yearly housing-grant maximum)
- You own the home and live in it as your primary residence. An unremarried surviving spouse or minor children keep it while they live there
Free Disabled Veteran Plates + Vehicle Tax Exemption
100%+- Georgia resident discharged under honorable conditions who is VA-rated 100% (permanent, or non-permanent with yearly recertification), or rated less but paid at the 100% rate due to unemployability, or entitled to a VA statutory award for loss or loss of use of feet or hands, loss of sight, or the vision impairment above
- No registration, manufacturing or annual fee for the plates. An unremarried surviving spouse is also eligible
- VA-rated 100% totally disabled, or paid at the 100% rate due to unemployability: no ad valorem tax (annual or title tax) on one vehicle you own
- With the plate displayed, you may park in disability spaces (no extra permit)
Free Veteran Driver's License
All veterans- Georgia resident veteran with an honorable or medical discharge (some National Guard service also qualifies)
- The license or ID shows a U.S. flag and the word VETERAN
- The spouse of a veteran whose disabilities keep them from driving, or an unremarried surviving spouse, can get a free honorary license
Discounted Hunting & Fishing Licenses (P&T)
P&T- Georgia resident veteran with a permanent and total disability rating from VA (or another government agency) for a physical or mental impairment
- Eligible for a 3-year disability sportsman's license at a steep discount (mental impairment: a discounted disability fishing license)
- Separately: a free one-time 1-year sportsman's license for resident veterans honorably discharged on or after July 1, 2005 with 90+ days of active federal duty
- Hunter education is required for hunting privileges if born on or after Jan 1, 1961
25% Off State Park Fees
Any rating- Georgia veteran with a discharge under honorable conditions and a VA service-connected disability rating
- 25% off individual accommodations, recreation fees (like mini-golf and boat rental), golf fees, parking fees and historic site admission at Georgia state parks and historic sites; show your Certificate of Eligibility card
Military & Disability Retirement Income Exclusion
Other rules- Under 62: exclude up to $17,500 of military retirement income, plus up to $17,500 more if you have over $17,500 of earned income in Georgia. Spouses each qualify separately
- 62 to 64: up to $35,000 of retirement income; 65+: up to $65,000
- If you are permanently and totally disabled, you may claim the general retirement exclusion at any age
10-Point Preference for State Jobs (10%+)
10%+- Honorably discharged veteran with wartime (armed-conflict) service and a VA service-connected rating of 10% or more: 10 points (instead of 5) added to a passing score on a scored State of Georgia entrance exam; where no scored exam is used, preference applies among equally qualified applicants
- Also: veterans over 55 receiving disability pension or compensation, spouses of disabled veterans who can't work due to the disability, and unmarried surviving spouses of wartime veterans
- Other wartime veterans get 5 points
Business Certificate of Exemption (10%+)
10%+- Georgia veteran discharged under honorable conditions with a 10%+ service-connected rating; the probate court confirms any other eligibility conditions
- Exempts you for 10 years from local occupation taxes and administrative or regulatory fees for running a business or practicing a profession
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.