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Maximizing Your Florida Veteran Benefits & 100 Disabled Veteran Benefits: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction to Florida Military & Veteran Benefits

Florida stands out as a top destination for veterans, offering a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to honor their service and support their transition to civilian life. Through the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans and their families can access a wide range of programs, from property tax exemptions and tuition assistance to specialized vehicle tags and discounted hunting and fishing licenses. The state’s commitment to veterans is further demonstrated by its lack of individual income tax, ensuring that distributions from retirement accounts like the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) remain untaxed. Trained County Veterans Service Officers are available across Florida to help veterans navigate federal, state, and local benefits at no cost. Additionally, the Florida Veterans Employment Program provides valuable resources and job placement assistance, making it easier for veterans to find meaningful employment statewide. Whether you’re seeking financial relief, educational opportunities, or recreational privileges, Florida’s robust veterans affairs network is here to help you maximize your benefits.

Eligibility and Application Process

To take advantage of the many benefits available to Florida veterans, it’s important to understand the eligibility requirements and application steps. Generally, benefits are available to those who have been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, have a service-connected disability, or are the surviving spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran. The application process typically involves gathering essential documents, such as your DD214 or discharge certificate, and submitting them to the appropriate agency—whether that’s your local County Assessor for property tax exemptions or the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs for tuition waivers and other state benefits. Eligible veterans can also apply for hunting and fishing licenses through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. For detailed instructions, forms, and guidance, the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs website is an invaluable resource, offering up-to-date information on all aspects of veterans’ affairs and benefits in the state. By following the outlined procedures and providing the necessary documentation, Florida veterans and their families can access the support and recognition they have earned.

Education Benefits for Veterans in Florida

In addition to federal programs such as the GI Bill, there are educational benefits programs provided by the states. Florida’s educational benefits for veterans and their families include tuition waivers, credit transfers, and participation by institutions such as charter technical career centers. These state and federal programs offer a range of military education benefits, including state-specific initiatives that supplement federal support. Many Florida institutions also provide priority course registration for veterans and eligible family members, ensuring timely access to required classes. Eligible veterans and service members may only participate in one military education benefit at a time to avoid overlapping benefits. Additionally, registration fees may be waived or covered for eligible veterans and dependents. Dependents and survivors may receive tuition waivers equal to the cost of tuition at public institutions.

Florida State Education Benefits For Spouses and Dependents

Florida offers education benefits for qualifying spouses and dependent children of veterans who died from a service connected disability. This option may also be available to those who are spouses or dependents of veterans who are MIA, POWs, or 100% percent service-connected, permanently disabled, as well as service members missing. Florida residency is also a requirement.

Dependents of service members killed in the line of duty or deceased military members may also qualify for these educational benefits. These benefits are available to dependents of deceased or disabled veterans.

Military spouses and school-age dependent children are also offered priority registration at certain Florida colleges if they attend using GI Bill benefits.

RELATED: Tuition Assistance for Service Members

Florida Purple Heart Waiver

Florida waives undergraduate-level tuition at state universities, community colleges, and career and technical training facilities for Florida recipients of the Purple Heart and other awards. Those who have earned any of the following may qualify:

• • Purple Heart
    • Bronze Star with “V” device
    • Distinguished Flying Cross
    • Legion of Merit with “V” device
    • Silver Star
    • Air Force Cross
    • Navy Cross
    • Distinguished Service Cross
    • Medal of Honor

The Purple Heart Waiver covers tuition and fees required for a degree or certificate program from the Florida College System for up to 110% of the program requirement..

The Purple Heart Waiver doesn’t cover costs like textbooks, housing, and food. Students can study either full-time or part-time. When you apply for this waiver you must furnish both proof of service and proof of the award or decoration.

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Academic Credit For Military Experience

Florida state-supported colleges and universities may allow currently serving military members and veterans to earn college credit for military training and education, if those programs meet Florida state standards.

Guidelines for acceptability may vary depending on the college and other variables, and each institution of higher learning may have its own standards on what transfers and what does not.

You may be required to furnish military education transcripts, any diplomas earned from entities like the Community College of the Air Force, and any certificates earned from advanced individual training.

Contact the admissions office of the college you wish to attend to learn more about that school’s procedures for reviewing military experience.

The State of Florida Educational Dollars for Duty (EDD) Program

Educational Dollars for Duty pays up to 100 percent of public tuition at Florida colleges and may offer to cover private tuition at qualifying Florida colleges (payment is set at the average Florida state school rate).

This Florida military education benefits program is offered to members of the Florida National Guard and can be used for traditional college, vocational school, professional licenses, and examinations required by certain industries. You must register for this program using your DS logon as a member of the National Guard.

 

>> Need ways to pay for college?  Search scholarships for military, veterans, spouses, and dependents with the CollegeRecon Scholarship Finder.

Tax Exemptions For Florida Veterans

The State of Florida offers a variety of tax breaks for veterans and spouses. Florida resident veterans may be eligible for a full property tax exemption on their primary residence if they meet certain criteria, such as having a service-connected total and permanent disability. Some of these tax breaks are for specific classes of veterans, such as those with a VA disability rating, while others may be offered to all Florida resident veterans who meet program criteria for residency or other factors. There is also a military property tax exemption available to service members deployed outside the U.S. as part of an active or reserve component, with the percentage of exemption based on deployment duration. Understanding eligibility and application procedures is important for veterans seeking to reduce or eliminate the burden of paying property taxes.

Florida Tax Exemption For Qualifying Disabled Veterans

Florida veterans who are confined to a wheelchair or who are totally disabled with a total and permanent service-connected disability rating may qualify for a 100% exemption from Florida property taxes on a primary residence. Only qualified veterans who meet the required service-connected disability rating are eligible for this full property tax exemption. This also applies to unremarried surviving spouses of veterans who qualify.

The Florida Department of Revenue processes the applications for this Florida veteran tax break. You will need to submit applications to that department and NOT the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.

Tax laws are subject to revision from year to year. What is allowed in the current tax year may be modified for next year’s tax season. Always consult a tax professional to learn what your current military-related tax breaks may be.

Another program is the State of Florida tax break for disabled veterans ages 65 and older. This is offered to those who have a permanent VA-rated service-connected “partial” disability.

• • Like some other Florida property tax programs, this option does not forgive the full amount of your property taxes for a primary residence.
  • The tax break offered to qualifying applicants is the same percentage as the veteran’s VA disability rating.
  • Surviving Spouses may qualify for the discount if they do not remarry.
  • The Florida Department of Revenue processes the applications for this Florida veteran tax break, you will need to submit applications to that department and NOT the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.

Florida Property Tax Exemptions For Disabled Wartime Veterans

Similar to the tax break listed above, for this benefit, qualifying veterans with a VA-rated combat disability of 10% or more may qualify for a tax break on property taxes for primary residences. Veterans who served in an active or reserve component of the Armed Forces and meet the disability criteria may qualify for this exemption.

• • This tax break is a partial exemption only; it does not provide 100% tax relief in typical cases.
  • Veterans and surviving spouses may apply for this tax break, which is “equal to” the veteran’s VA disability rating percentage.
  • The Florida Department of Revenue accepts applications for this tax advantage, not the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.

As always, keep in mind that tax laws are subject to frequent change–what applies this year may be modified for next year’s tax season depending on any number of variables.

Florida Property Tax Exemptions for Those Deployed or Who Died On Active Duty

Military members may qualify for a Florida property tax exemption (primary residences only) if they were deployed in the previous calendar year. For the purposes of this tax relief, “deployment” is defined as:

• • Duty occurred outside the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii.
  • Duty was in support of a military operation “designated by the Florida Legislature”.
  • The amount of the tax break is equal to the percentage of time the servicemember spent on deployment.

Service members stationed in Florida, as well as those deployed outside the continental U.S., may be eligible for the military property tax exemption, which can help reduce the amount of property tax they are required to pay on their primary residence.

Surviving spouses of military members who died on active duty may also qualify for a full Florida property tax exemption. This is for primary residences only, and those who qualify for the benefit may be allowed to claim it before official documentation from the U.S. government is available to the applicant. The tax exemption is effective as of the date of the original application paperwork.

Housing Benefits for Florida Veterans

Salute Our Soldiers Program

The Florida Housing Finance Corporation offers a program called Salute our Soldiers. Aimed at currently serving military members and veterans alike, this is a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage program featuring down payment assistance for primary residences only. This program is administered through a network of participating lenders, and you are required to attend a first-time homebuyer’s course.

Hometown Heroes Home Loan Program

The Florida Housing Finance Corporation also offers the Hometown Heroes Housing Program, which offers affordable home loans with down payment assistance and closing cost assistance for first-time home buyers in qualifying occupations, including military service. Those eligible to apply are those considered to be frontline workers, including police, fire, hospital, and military responders.

This program offers “lower-than-market rates” options for government-backed mortgages, including the VA, FHA, USDA, and conventional mortgages. There are reduced out-of-pocket costs, no origination points, and the following features:

• • Qualifying applicants may be offered up to 5% of the first mortgage loan amount (maximum of $25,000) in down payment assistance and closing cost help.
    • Down payment and closing cost assistance is offered as a zero-interest, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage.
    • The second mortgage becomes due when the property is sold or transferred.
    • The second loan is also payable if the borrower stops using the home as a primary residence.
    • The Florida Hometown Heroes loan is not a forgivable loan.

Healthcare Benefits for Florida Veterans

The following are healthcare benefits for veterans and active duty service members in Florida.

Florida State Veterans’ Homes

The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs’ official site notes that the agency (at press time) operates eight skilled nursing facilities and one assisted living facility, all licensed and inspected annually. An Honorable discharge is required for admission, and you must be a Florida resident and have a medical need for assisted or skilled care.

These facilities are located throughout the state:

• • Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans’ Domiciliary Home in Lake City
  • Emory L. Bennett State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Daytona Beach
  • Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes
  • Alexander “Sandy” Nininger State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Pembroke Pines
  • Clifford C. Sims State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Panama City
  • Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Port Charlotte
  • Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home in St. Augustine
  • Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Port St. Lucie

Employment Benefits for Florida Veterans

The following are employment benefits for veterans who live in Florida.

Florida Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Opportunity

The State of Florida offers bidding and proposal preference when “at least one of the bids is from a certified service-disabled Veteran business enterprise”. In cases where a bid or proposal is offered by a service-disabled veteran that is equal to another submitted by a non-service-disabled veteran, the government “shall award such procurement or contract to the certified service-disabled veteran business enterprise,” according to the State of Florida.

Employment Preference

Florida offers hiring preference to qualifying veterans and spouses for state jobs and “all political subdivisions of the state”. The state adds that certain higher education requirements for certain positions may be waived for “certain ‎service members and veterans”. Qualifying criteria include, but may not be limited to the following:

1. 1. Wartime veterans who served at least one day during a wartime period.
      • A VA-rated disabled veteran with an Honorable discharge, “who is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension” from the VA and DoD.
      • The spouse of a veteran who has a total, permanent service-connected disability who “cannot qualify for employment”, as well as spouses of those listed as missing in action, captured in line of duty, or forcibly detained in line of duty by a foreign government or power.
      • The unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran who died of a service-connected disability.
      • The mother, father, legal guardian, or unremarried surviving spouse of someone who died in the line of duty “under combat-related conditions”.
      • A current member of the Guard or Reserve in Florida.

Other requirements may apply. State hiring preference is not necessarily done on a points system, but accommodations are made for hiring programs that are based on such a system.

Business License Fee Waivers for Veterans and Their Spouses

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation allows qualifying military members and spouses to apply for business licenses without an initial licensing fee, application fee, or unlicensed activity fee. This waiver may not apply to subsequent applications, and the number of licenses available under this program may be limited. There is also a time limit to apply–you must submit your application no later than 60 months after discharge.

Health License Fee Waivers for Veterans and Their Spouses

The Florida Department of Health provides expedited healthcare licensure for qualifying veterans and spouses via the Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response System. There are also options for “expanded licensure fee waivers” for those seeking healthcare licenses in the state. According to a press release about the program issued by the state, “Veterans and spouses who apply through the VALOR process receive a waiver of most licensing fees”.

Agriculture and Consumer Services Fee Waivers

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services allows veterans and spouses to apply for waivers on first-time licensing application fees for ag-based businesses “where the veteran or spouse has a majority ownership stake.”

Recreation and Leisure Benefits for Florida Veterans

Florida recognizes the importance of recreation and leisure in supporting the well-being of its veterans. Eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities can enjoy discounted or complimentary hunting and fishing licenses, including the popular Military Gold Sportsman’s License, which provides significant savings on a wide range of outdoor activities. Florida State Parks also honor veterans by offering free or reduced entrance passes, particularly for those with service-connected disabilities, allowing veterans and their families to explore the natural beauty of the Sunshine State at little or no cost. Additionally, the Operation Outdoor Freedom program creates unique opportunities for wounded veterans to participate in outdoor adventures and rehabilitative activities on both state and private lands. These recreational benefits are designed to foster community, promote physical and mental health, and ensure that Florida’s veterans can fully enjoy the state’s abundant natural resources.

Financial Assistance and Support for Florida Veterans

Florida is committed to providing robust financial assistance and support to its veterans, helping them achieve stability and success in civilian life. Property tax exemptions are available to eligible veterans, including those with service-connected disabilities, offering significant savings on primary residences. The state also provides tuition waivers and tuition benefits, such as the Congressman C.W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Program, which allows honorably discharged veterans to receive waivers for out-of-state tuition and fees at public colleges and universities. The Florida Veterans Employment Program delivers priority workforce services, connecting veterans with job opportunities and career counseling through Local Veterans Employment Representatives. For those seeking additional support, the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs offers a range of financial assistance programs tailored to the needs of veterans and their families, ensuring access to education, employment, and essential services. By leveraging these resources, Florida veterans can maximize their benefits and build a secure future for themselves and their loved ones.

Florida State Military Death Benefits

The State of Florida will pay qualifying surviving family members a death benefit in certain cases. For all such benefits, the veteran must have been a Florida resident, or military duty must have required the veteran to serve in the State of Florida.

• $75,000 paid by the state “if a member of the United States Armed Forces, while on active duty and engaged in the performance of his or her official duties, is killed or receives a bodily injury that results in the loss of the member’s life” that is not self-inflicted.
• $25,000 paid when the servicemember, while on active duty, “is killed other than as specified” above, but not as a result of self-inflicted injury.
• Payment of these benefits is given to a beneficiary that the service member identifies ahead of time.
• The State of Florida advises that in cases where “no such designation is made”, payments must be paid to the member’s surviving child or children and/or to his or her surviving spouse “in equal portions”, or to the veteran’s parents, or to the servicemember’s estate.

For more information regarding Florida veterans’ benefits, see the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

 

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