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Virginia Veteran Benefits

Virginia Veteran Benefits

In addition to federal programs such as the GI Bill, there are Virginia veteran benefits programs to assist veterans in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Virginia Veteran Education Benefits

Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program

The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Program offers 36 months of education benefits to spouses and children of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or “who became at least 90 percent disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict” according to the State of Virginia.

This program offers financial help with tuition and fees at state-supported colleges or universities in Virginia.

Virginia National Guard  State Tuition Assistance Program (VNGSTAP)

This program offers up to 100% of tuition costs after any other Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) benefits have been applied at Virginia state-supported schools.

The benefit is capped at $6,000 per year or $ 2,000 per semester. Virginia National Guard members may also apply for tuition assistance at private institutions using the same maximums listed above. This program is offered subject to the availability of funds. It may be combined with benefits such as the GI Bill.

Find colleges in Virginia with our School Finder.  Use the filters to find your perfect fit.

Virginia Veteran Tax Benefits

Property Tax Exemptions for Disabled Virginia Veterans

Virginia offers property tax exemptions for the primary residences of qualifying disabled veterans. To qualify, the veteran must have a VA-rated service-connected permanent 100% disability.

In addition, the veteran will need to have a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability on or after January 1, 2011, or be the surviving spouse of that veteran.

These exemptions are not automatic, must be applied for, and the exemptions may be revoked if the veteran or spouse stops using the property as their primary residence.

Virginia Income Tax Deduction for Military Pay:

Virginia residents on active duty may qualify for a tax break on Virginia income taxes. This applies when the service member’s base pay is less than $30 thousand. In such cases, troops can deduct up to $15 thousand from Virginia state-level income taxes.

You must serve on active duty for 90 days or more to qualify.

Virginia Tax Exemption for National Guard Income

Members of the Virginia National Guard Service in pay grades O-3 and below may qualify to deduct National Guard pay received “for up to 39 calendar days of service or $3,000, whichever is less,” according to Army.mil.

Virginia Taxable Income Subtraction for Military Retirement Pay

In 2022, the Commonwealth of Virginia allowed a “graduated income subtraction” for military retirement pay. In 2022, veterans 55 and over were allowed to deduct $10,000 from Virginia state taxes. This tax benefit increased by $10 thousand a year until reaching the cap of $40 thousand in 2025.  Before 2023, there was an age restriction on this benefit, but changes in Virginia tax laws eliminated that requirement. You no longer need to be 55 or older to claim it.

Virginia Veterans Care Centers

The Commonwealth of Virginia operates long-term veteran care centers in the state, including locations in Roanoke and Richmond. Applicants must be Virginia residents, be Honorably discharged, and meet medical requirements for nursing home care.

Services include long-term skilled nursing care, Alzheimer’s and memory care, and short-term rehabilitative care. Other services include:

• Short Term Rehab
• Intermediate nursing
• Hospice
• In-house physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Transportation to community events
• Medical social services

Virginia State Veteran Cemeteries

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services operates three Veterans cemeteries:

• Virginia Veterans Cemetery, Amelia
• Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery
• Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery

Each location provides burial services, in-ground burial, above-ground and “inurnment of cremated remains in columbarium niches,” according to the official site.

There is no cost for veteran burial. There is an administrative fee for family member burials. Eligibility requirements for the burial in Virginia state veterans cemeteries are identical to those for VA National Cemeteries.

See those requirements at the VA National Cemetery Administration Eligibility official site.

State Hiring Preference For Virginia Veterans

The Commonwealth of Virginia offers hiring preference to veterans, Guard members, and qualifying family members. There may be additional consideration for veterans with a VA-rated disability.

When taking a test during the hiring phase, “additional percentage points will be added to an applicant’s passing score,” according to Army.mil.

• Honorably discharged veterans receive an additional 5%
• Veterans with a VA-rated disability may qualify for an additional 10%
• National Guard Service members receive an additional 5%
• Surviving spouses and qualifying dependents (age 27 or younger) of a service member killed in the line of duty receive an additional 5%.

Those competing for jobs without a test may still be awarded preference, though in a different form.

For more information regarding Virginia veterans’ benefits, please visit the Virginia Department of Veterans Services

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