Washington, D.C. Veterans Benefits
Washington D.C. Veteran Benefits
In addition to federal programs such as the GI Bill, there are veterans benefits programs provided by Washington, D.C.
Education Benefits for Veterans
District of Columbia National Guard State Tuition Assistance Reimbursement (STAR)
STAR is offered to qualifying National Guard members “whose tuition and fees are not 100% covered” by federal tuition assistance. STAR benefits are offered up to $2,000 a year (these are 2023 numbers, which are subject to change) for tuition. and $500 for fees.
> Find VA-approved colleges in the Washington, D.C. area with our School Finder.
Washington D.C. Tax Benefits for Veterans
Military disability retirement pay is not taxed in Washington D.C. Furthermore, survivor benefits received by taxpayers 62 or older are excluded from District Individual Income Tax.
Qualifying disabled Veterans may be eligible for a homestead property tax deduction of up to $445,000. This is for D.C. residents with at least a 50% share of the property and meeting federal income caps. This is for primary residences only. Who qualifies?
Veterans with a VA rating of 100% permanent disability. Those who qualify for this exemption may not be allowed to claim other homestead exemption tax breaks. Check with your nearest tax assessor’s office to learn more about this benefit and how to apply.
Nursing Home Benefits For D.C. Veterans
Washington D.C. operates the Armed Forces Retirement Home, a retirement community for enlisted veterans. This home offers healthcare, assisted living, and long-term nursing care.
To qualify for admission, applicants must be able to live independently and have no substance issues or felony convictions.
The home is open to those who served on active duty or as members of the Guard or Reserve. Other admissions requirements may apply. Married couples may be considered for admission together if they meet the following criteria;
- Both applicants served in the military and meet the military qualifications;
- If the veteran sponsor “is eligible for AFRH, was married prior to receiving retirement benefits and pay from the Dept. of Defense and registered their spouse as a beneficiary in DEERS” according to the official site.
Contact the facility directly for more information on applying or admissions criteria.
Employment Benefits for Washington D.C. Veterans
Paid Leave For District of Columbia Government Employees for Military Duty
Government employees who are also members of the Guard or Reserve serving on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, may receive 15 days of military leave per fiscal year.
Credit For Military Time For Annual Leave Accrual
DC government employees with prior military service may qualify for credit for active military service when military retirement was based on a service-connected combat-related medical issue or disability.
Paid Leave For Emergency Military Duty
Employers may offer up to 22 workdays per year for military duty when ordered by the President, the Secretary of Defense, or a state governor. National Guard and reserve service members that are government employees may also be eligible.
Washington D.C. Veterans Hiring Preference
The District of Columbia offers a 5-point and 10-point veteran preference. Veterans hiring preference is “restricted to initial appointments or new appointments following a break in service, except for reduction-in-force purposes” according to Army.mil. Spouses and eligible survivors may also qualify.
RELATED: Guide to Veterans’ Preference Points
Washington, D.C. Call to Hire
The Call to Hire program is a D.C. option for government agencies to “non-competitively hire applicants who register for a qualified talent pool made up of only Veterans and their Spouses,” according to Army.mil.
These jobs are considered “time-limited Career Service appointments,” and once these positions have been filled, the applicant may be eligible to compete for a permanent job. To qualify, applicants must meet the following;
- Be a resident of Washington, D.C.;
- Must have served on active duty for 180 consecutive days or more and received an Honorable or General Discharge;
- Spouses of disabled veterans with a VA-rated 30% disability or higher;
- Unremarried Surviving Spouses may also qualify if the service member was killed in the line of duty.
For more information regarding Washington, D.C. veterans’ benefits, please visit the District of Columbia Mayor’s Office of Veteran Affairs
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About the author
Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.