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State·2026 Benefits·Updated May 2026

Virginia Veteran Benefits

Virginia offers 20 state veteran benefits in 2026 spanning tax, education, housing, healthcare, employment, and recreation. Programs include military retirement pay income tax subtraction (Up to $2,300/yr tax savings), in-state tuition residency waiver for veterans (Up to $15,000-$30,000+/yr in tuition savings), discounted hunting and fishing license (partial disability) (Up to 50% off license fees). Most require state residency and an honorable (or other-than-dishonorable) discharge; specific eligibility — including VA disability rating thresholds — varies by program.

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20
State benefits
8
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Any
Min. rating
Statewide only
County programs

Categories

🏛️Tax Benefits(8)🎓Education & Training(2)🏥Healthcare(2)💼Employment(2)🚗Transportation(1)🌲Recreation & Parks(3)⚑Burial & Memorial(1)📋Other Benefits(1)

🏛️Tax Benefits(8)

Military Retirement Pay Income Tax Subtraction

Any Veteran

Subtract up to $40,000 of military retirement income from Virginia taxable income.

Up to $2,300/yr tax savings

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Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Income Tax Subtraction

Any Veteran

Subtract up to $40,000 of SBP annuity income from Virginia taxable income.

Up to $2,300/yr tax savings

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Medal of Honor Recipient Full Income Tax Exemption

Any Veteran

Complete exemption of all military retirement income from Virginia state income tax for Medal of Honor recipients.

Full exemption of military retirement income

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VA Disability Compensation State Tax Exemption

Any Veteran

VA disability payments, pension payments, and survivors benefits are fully excluded from Virginia taxable income.

Varies (full federal/state exclusion of VA comp/pension/DIC)

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Surviving Spouse Property Tax Exemption (Died in Line of Duty)

Any Veteran

Full real property tax exemption for unremarried surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty.

$1,000-$10,000+/yr depending on locality

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Real Property Tax Exemption (100% Disabled Veterans)

100%+

Full exemption from local real estate taxes on the principal residence for permanently and totally disabled veterans.

$1,000-$10,000+/yr depending on locality

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Personal Property Tax Exemption on One Vehicle (100% Disabled)

100%+

Full exemption from local personal property tax on one qualifying vehicle for 100% permanently disabled veterans.

$200-$1,500+/yr

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Sales and Use Tax Exemption on Vehicle Purchase (100% Disabled)

100%+

Exemption from Virginia motor vehicle sales tax (4.15%+) on one vehicle for 100% permanently disabled veterans. Restricted to passenger sedans, SUVs, and pickup trucks under 10,000 lbs.

~$1,660-$2,000+ on a $40,000 vehicle

Read full guide →

2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates

Monthly payment amounts effective December 1, 2025. These federal rates apply to all Virginia veterans.

RatingVeteran aloneWith 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 — Virginia Veteran Benefits

What veteran benefits does Virginia offer in 2026?▾
Virginia offers 20 state-level veteran benefits in 2026, spanning 8 tax programs, 2 education programs, 0 housing programs, 2 healthcare programs, 3 recreation programs, and 2 employment programs. 12 are available to any honorably discharged veteran regardless of rating; 6 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 Virginia?▾
Virginia offers 6 state benefits specifically for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA, including: Real Property Tax Exemption (100% Disabled Veterans), Personal Property Tax Exemption on One Vehicle (100% Disabled), Sales and Use Tax Exemption on Vehicle Purchase (100% Disabled), and 3 more. These typically include enhanced property tax exemptions, free hunting/fishing licenses, free state park access, and registration fee waivers. 100% disabled Virginia veterans also qualify for the 14 broader benefits available at lower rating thresholds — 20 total.
What state benefits do Virginia veterans get at a 50% or higher VA rating?▾
Veterans rated 50% or higher qualify for 14 Virginia state benefits — every benefit available to any veteran (12) 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 6 additional benefits on top.
Does Virginia have property tax exemptions for disabled veterans?▾
Yes. Virginia offers 8 tax-related benefits for veterans. The headline program is Military Retirement Pay Income Tax Subtraction: Subtract up to $40,000 of military retirement income from Virginia taxable income. Estimated value: Up to $2,300/yr tax savings. Whether Virginia 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 Virginia veterans and their dependents?▾
Virginia offers 2 state education benefits: In-State Tuition Residency Waiver for Veterans; Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP). 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 Virginia offer free disabled veteran license plates?▾
Virginia's veteran license plate / registration benefit: Disabled Veteran License Plates and Registration Fee Exemption. Free Disabled Veteran license plates and no annual registration fee for permanently and totally disabled veterans. Apply through your local DMV / county tax assessor with your VA disability rating letter and DD-214.
Does Virginia have free state park, hunting, or fishing access for veterans?▾
Yes — Virginia offers 3 recreation-related veteran benefits, including: Discounted Hunting and Fishing License (Partial Disability); Free Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License (100% Disabled), and 1 more. Most state park, hunting, and fishing license discounts are tied to a minimum VA disability rating (typically 50% or 100%) and require Virginia residency.
How do I apply for Virginia veteran benefits?▾
Each Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia veteran benefits stack with federal VA benefits?▾
Yes. Virginia state benefits are administered separately from federal VA benefits and the two are designed to stack. A Virginia veteran can simultaneously receive federal VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, GI Bill education benefits, AND any Virginia 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 Virginia have a state veterans cemetery?▾
Yes. Virginia State Veterans Cemetery Burial Benefits. Free interment at three Virginia state veterans cemeteries for eligible veterans and family members. Eligibility generally requires honorable discharge and Virginia 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 Virginia veteran benefits?▾
Virginia benefits unlock at every VA rating tier. 12 benefits require no disability rating (available to any honorably discharged veteran). 1 are gated at 10-40%. 1 are gated at 50-90%. 6 require a 100% rating. Veterans rated 100% qualify for ALL 20 Virginia state benefits.

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