Maryland Veteran Benefits

Maryland offers 13 state-level veteran benefits in 2026, spanning 2 tax programs, 3 education programs, 1 housing program, 0 healthcare programs, 2 recreation programs, and 1 employment program. 8 are available to any honorably discharged veteran regardless of rating; 3 are reserved for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA. These stack with federal VA benefits.

Maryland offers 3 state benefits specifically for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA, including: Full Property Tax Exemption (100% Disabled), Free Disabled Veteran License Plates (100% Disabled), Free Lifetime Hunting & Fishing License. These typically include enhanced property tax exemptions, free hunting/fishing licenses, free state park access, and registration fee waivers. 100% disabled Maryland veterans also qualify for the 10 broader benefits available at lower rating thresholds — 13 total.

Veterans rated 50% or higher qualify for 10 Maryland state benefits — every benefit available to any veteran (8) plus benefits gated at 10-49% (1) plus 1 additional benefit gated at the 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% threshold. These typically include partial property tax credits, hunting/fishing license discounts, and tuition assistance. A 100% rating unlocks 3 additional benefits on top.

Yes. Maryland offers 2 tax-related benefits for veterans. The headline program is Military Retirement Income Tax Subtraction: Subtract up to $12,500-$20,000 of military retirement income from Maryland state taxable income. Estimated value: Up to $20,000 subtraction (age 55+). Whether Maryland 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.

Maryland offers 3 state education benefits: Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program (Conroy-Cryor); Douglas J.J. Peters VAIC Scholarship (Afghanistan/Iraq); In-State Tuition for Veterans. 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.

Maryland's veteran license plate / registration benefit: Disabled Veteran License Plates (50-99%). Free specialty license plates for veterans with a 50-99% service-connected disability rating. Apply through your local DMV / county tax assessor with your VA disability rating letter and DD-214.

Yes — Maryland offers 2 recreation-related veteran benefits, including: Veterans Admission Waiver for State Parks; Free Lifetime Hunting & Fishing License. Most state park, hunting, and fishing license discounts are tied to a minimum VA disability rating (typically 50% or 100%) and require Maryland residency.

Each Maryland 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 Maryland 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.

Yes. Maryland state benefits are administered separately from federal VA benefits and the two are designed to stack. A Maryland veteran can simultaneously receive federal VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, GI Bill education benefits, AND any Maryland 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.

Yes. Maryland State Veterans Cemetery Burial. Free burial at one of five Maryland state veterans cemeteries with a free burial liner. Eligibility generally requires honorable discharge and Maryland 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.

Maryland benefits unlock at every VA rating tier. 8 benefits require no disability rating (available to any honorably discharged veteran). 1 are gated at 10-40%. 1 are gated at 50-90%. 3 require a 100% rating. Veterans rated 100% qualify for ALL 13 Maryland state benefits.