State·2026 Benefits·Updated May 2026
Connecticut Veteran Benefits
Connecticut offers 10 state veteran benefits in 2026 spanning tax, education, housing, healthcare, employment, and recreation. Programs include military retirement pay income tax exemption (Full exemption of military retirement pay), connecticut veterans tuition waiver ($5,000-$12,000+ per year depending on institution), disabled veteran lifetime state parks pass (Free lifetime pass). Most require state residency and an honorable (or other-than-dishonorable) discharge; specific eligibility — including VA disability rating thresholds — varies by program.
10
State benefits
8
Categories
Any
Min. rating
Statewide only
County programs
Categories
🏛️Tax Benefits(3)
Military Retirement Pay Income Tax Exemption
Any Veteran100% exemption of military retirement pay from Connecticut state income tax.
Full exemption of military retirement pay
Read full guide →Veteran Property Tax Assessment Exemption (Disabled)
10%+Basic veterans property tax exemption (CGS 12-81(19)/(20)) plus an income-qualified Additional Veterans exemption.
Varies by rating, income, and local mill rate
Read full guide →Full Property Tax Exemption (100% P&T)
100%+Complete property tax exemption on primary residence (or one motor vehicle) for veterans with permanent and total disability.
100% property tax exemption
Read full guide →🚗Transportation(1)
2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates
Monthly payment amounts effective December 1, 2025. These federal rates apply to all Connecticut veterans.
| Rating | Veteran alone | With spouse |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 |
Rates for 10-20% are the same regardless of dependents. Dependent additions apply at 30%+. View complete rate tables →
Frequently Asked Questions — Connecticut Veteran Benefits
What veteran benefits does Connecticut offer in 2026?▾
Connecticut offers 10 state-level veteran benefits in 2026, spanning 3 tax programs, 1 education program, 0 housing programs, 1 healthcare program, 1 recreation program, and 1 employment program. 7 are available to any honorably discharged veteran regardless of rating; 1 are reserved for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA. These stack with federal VA benefits.
What benefits are available to 100% disabled veterans in Connecticut?▾
Connecticut offers 1 state benefit specifically for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA, including: Full Property Tax Exemption (100% P&T). These typically include enhanced property tax exemptions, free hunting/fishing licenses, free state park access, and registration fee waivers. 100% disabled Connecticut veterans also qualify for the 9 broader benefits available at lower rating thresholds — 10 total.
Does Connecticut have property tax exemptions for disabled veterans?▾
Yes. Connecticut offers 3 tax-related benefits for veterans. The headline program is Military Retirement Pay Income Tax Exemption: 100% exemption of military retirement pay from Connecticut state income tax. Estimated value: Full exemption of military retirement pay. Whether Connecticut also exempts military retirement pay and VA disability compensation from state income tax varies by program — see the Tax Benefits section above for the full list.
What education benefits are available to Connecticut veterans and their dependents?▾
Connecticut offers 1 state education benefit: Connecticut Veterans Tuition Waiver. Some are tuition waivers at state public universities; others are scholarships for surviving spouses and children of veterans who died in service or were rated permanently and totally disabled. These supplement (and in many cases stack with) the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Does Connecticut offer free disabled veteran license plates?▾
Connecticut's veteran license plate / registration benefit: Veteran Specialty License Plates. Specialty veteran license plates (Standard Veteran and Campaign-specific) administered by CT DMV. Apply through your local DMV / county tax assessor with your VA disability rating letter and DD-214.
Does Connecticut have free state park, hunting, or fishing access for veterans?▾
Yes — Connecticut offers 1 recreation-related veteran benefit, including: Disabled Veteran Lifetime State Parks Pass. Most state park, hunting, and fishing license discounts are tied to a minimum VA disability rating (typically 50% or 100%) and require Connecticut residency.
How do I apply for Connecticut veteran benefits?▾
Each Connecticut state benefit has its own application — there is no single application that covers them all. Most require: (1) DD-214 or equivalent discharge document, (2) proof of Connecticut residency, and (3) VA disability rating letter if the benefit is rating-gated. Use the application URL listed on each benefit's detail page on this site. For complex cases (claims appeals, dependent benefits), contact your county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for free assistance.
Do Connecticut veteran benefits stack with federal VA benefits?▾
Yes. Connecticut state benefits are administered separately from federal VA benefits and the two are designed to stack. A Connecticut veteran can simultaneously receive federal VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, GI Bill education benefits, AND any Connecticut state programs they qualify for. Some specific overlaps (e.g., state tuition assistance) may require exhausting federal GI Bill benefits first; check each benefit's eligibility notes.
Does Connecticut have a state veterans cemetery?▾
Yes. Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery Burial Benefits. Free burial, government headstone, and perpetual care at the Middletown State Veterans Cemetery for eligible veterans and family. Eligibility generally requires honorable discharge and Connecticut residency; some sites accept any veteran meeting federal VA national cemetery criteria. This is in addition to (not a substitute for) burial at a federal VA National Cemetery.
What VA disability rating do I need for Connecticut veteran benefits?▾
Connecticut benefits unlock at every VA rating tier. 7 benefits require no disability rating (available to any honorably discharged veteran). 2 are gated at 10-40%. 0 are gated at 50-90%. 1 require a 100% rating. Veterans rated 100% qualify for ALL 10 Connecticut state benefits.
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