Virginia state benefits
Real Estate Tax Exemption for 100% P&T Veterans
100% + P&T- VA rating of 100% service-connected, permanent and total. Per DVS, veterans paid at 100% for individual unemployability and rated P&T also qualify
- You own the home and live in it as your principal residence (joint property with your spouse counts)
- Exempts the dwelling and up to one acre of land (more if your locality exempts more acres for its elderly/disabled program); a garage or shed for personal use on that land is also exempt
- Surviving spouse who doesn't remarry keeps it (veteran died on or after Jan. 1, 2011), even after moving to another home
Personal Property Tax Exemption on One Vehicle (100% P&T)
100% + P&T- Veteran rated 100% service-connected, permanent and total by VA
- One passenger car or pickup/panel truck registered for personal use, owned and used primarily by or for the veteran (a vehicle owned by the veteran's spouse can qualify)
- Ends at the veteran's death; not available to a surviving spouse
Free DV Plates + No Registration Fee (One Vehicle)
P&T- Veteran who has lost, or lost the use of, a leg, arm or hand; is blind; or is permanently and totally disabled, as certified by VA
- Free: one set of Disabled Veteran or standard plates, with no annual registration fee, on one vehicle you own and use personally. Personalization and emissions fees still apply
- Unremarried surviving spouse can also get one free set
Disabled Veteran (DV) Plates for Any Service-Connected Rating
Any rating- Any veteran with a service-connected disability certified by VA (any rating)
- Cost: a $10 yearly special plate fee plus regular registration fees; personalization fees apply if you personalize, and emissions fees, if applicable
Lifetime Hunting & Freshwater Fishing License (30%+)
30%+- Virginia resident with a VA service-connected rating of 30% or more
- Price per license (fishing and hunting are separate): P&T $0 · 70%+ $50 · 50–69% $75 · 30–49% $100. Lifetime trapping is $15 (P&T only)
- Doesn't cover trout-stocked waters during the stocking season or National/State Forest permits; buy those separately
Free Veteran Disability Passport for State Parks (100%)
100%+- Veteran with a 100% service-connected disability rating
- Free (per DCR): parking and admission for you and anyone needed to assist you, plus boat launch and horse trailer parking
- 50% off camping, swimming, shelters, park-run equipment rentals and 2+ night standard yurt stays (25% off 1-night yurts)
Military Benefits Subtraction: Up to $40,000
Other rules- Military retirement income, Survivor Benefit Plan payments to a surviving spouse, or other military benefits paid to a surviving spouse
- Up to $40,000 a year (tax year 2025 and later), and only income that's taxable on your federal return. Each eligible spouse can take up to the limit
- Not for TSP withdrawals or CSRS/FERS pensions
VMSDEP: Tuition Waiver for Spouses and Children (90%+ or P&T)
90%+ or P&T- Veteran rated by VA P&T or at least 90% permanently disabled due to service, with a discharge other than dishonorable
- Veteran meets the Virginia domicile rule (for example, lived in Virginia at entry into service, or for the 5 years right before the student applied to college)
- Current spouse, or a biological/adopted child aged 16–29, admitted to a Virginia public college or university
- Waives tuition and mandatory fees for up to 8 semesters. A stipend is only for combat-related cases (Tier 2)
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.