Vermont Veteran Benefits

Vermont offers 15 state-level veteran benefits in 2026, spanning 3 tax programs, 2 education programs, 0 housing programs, 1 healthcare program, 2 recreation programs, and 2 employment programs. 13 are available to any honorably discharged veteran regardless of rating; 0 are reserved for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA. These stack with federal VA benefits.

Veterans rated 50% or higher qualify for 15 Vermont state benefits — every benefit available to any veteran (13) plus benefits gated at 10-49% (0) plus 2 additional benefits 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 0 additional benefits on top.

Yes. Vermont offers 3 tax-related benefits for veterans. The headline program is Military Retirement Income Tax Exemption (Act 71): Full exemption of military retirement pay and survivor benefit income from Vermont state income tax for AGI up to $125,000. Estimated value: Up to 8.75% savings on retirement pay. Whether Vermont 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.

Vermont offers 2 state education benefits: Vermont Armed Services Scholarship; Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Program. 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.

Vermont's veteran license plate / registration benefit: Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Waiver (Specially Adapted). Full waiver of registration fees for vehicles acquired with VA financial assistance for veterans discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. Estimated value: $76-$161+/year. Apply through your local DMV / county tax assessor with your VA disability rating letter and DD-214.

Yes — Vermont offers 2 recreation-related veteran benefits, including: Green Mountain Passport (Free State Park Day-Use); Free Hunting and Fishing License (Disabled Veterans). Most state park, hunting, and fishing license discounts are tied to a minimum VA disability rating (typically 50% or 100%) and require Vermont residency.

Each Vermont 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 Vermont 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. Vermont state benefits are administered separately from federal VA benefits and the two are designed to stack. A Vermont veteran can simultaneously receive federal VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, GI Bill education benefits, AND any Vermont 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. Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery Burial. Burial at state veterans cemetery in Randolph Center with perpetual care, marker, and funeral honors at no charge. Eligibility generally requires honorable discharge and Vermont 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.

Vermont benefits unlock at every VA rating tier. 13 benefits require no disability rating (available to any honorably discharged veteran). 0 are gated at 10-40%. 2 are gated at 50-90%. 0 require a 100% rating. Veterans rated 100% qualify for ALL 15 Vermont state benefits.