The state of Vermont offers many veteran benefits for service members and Veterans that have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. These benefits include income and property tax exemptions, financial exemptions, education and training programs, hunting and fishing licenses, vehicle registrations, and assistance with employment. Your residency, military career, and disability status may result in certain differences in what benefits you may be eligible for. The following are benefits for the state of Vermont.
The exemption only applies to homes that are owned by the Veteran or survivor. Veterans or survivors who rent their homes cannot pass this exemption to their landlord.
Who is eligible for the Vermont Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans?
A qualifying Veteran is defined as:
Vermont Earned Income Tax Credit:
If you are eligible for Federal Earned Income Tax credit, you may also be eligible for Vermont earned income tax credit. Recent Federal tax changes allow military personnel to elect to treat nontaxable combat pay as earned income. The credit shall be 36 percent of the earned income tax credit granted to the individual under the laws of the United States, multiplied by the percentage which the individual’s earned income that is earned or received during the period of the individual’s residency in this State bears to the individual’s total earned income.
Sales Tax:
• Statewide: 6.0%
• Counties: can levy a sales tax of no more than 1.0%
• Current average sales tax (with local taxes included): 6.075%
Disabled Veteran Hunting & Fishing License:
Veterans with a disability rating of at least 60% can get a free lifetime hunting and fishing license.
Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Non-Resident Veterans:
Non-resident Veterans who live in a state that provides reciprocal privilege for Vermont residents and who would qualify for a free license under the disabled Veteran provision above if they were a Vermont resident, can get free one-year fishing, hunting or combination hunting and fishing license.
Active Duty Hunting & Fishing Licenses:
Active duty members can get free fishing and hunting licenses by signing paperwork that certifies their active duty status. Non-residents on active duty in Vermont can get hunting & fishing licenses at the resident rate.
Green Mountain Passport:
Vermont Veterans can get the Green Mountain Passport for $2. Veterans with a disability rating of at least 60% can get it for free.
Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Program:
This program was established as an interest-free and forgivable loan program in 2018 by the Vermont General Assembly. Loan forgiveness means that you no longer have to pay part, or all, of the loan. The goal is to recruit and retain high-quality VTNG members.
Who is eligible for the Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Program?
To receive this award, you must:
Vermont Armed Services Scholarship:
This program was created by the Vermont Legislature to provide free tuition for the Families of Vermont National Guard (VTNG), or U.S. active reserve or active armed services members who have died while on active or inactive duty.
Vermont Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children:
It is the purpose of this compact to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents by:
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Eligibility for admission:
By Federal law, Veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over non-Veterans both in hiring into the Federal civil service and in retention during a reduction in force. Veterans may be entitled to 5 or 10 points included in any scoring process for examination or interviews. Eligible veterans can also apply for jobs that normally are available only to current state employees.
Vermont Employees Authorized Absence for Military Training:
Any duly qualified member of the Reserve Components of the U.S. Armed Forces, of the Ready Reserve, or an organized unit of the Vermont National Guard or the National Guard of another state shall upon request be entitled to leaves of absence for a total of 15 days in any calendar year for the purpose of engaging in military drill, training, or other temporary duty under military authority. A leave of absence shall be with or without pay as determined by the employer. Upon completion of the military drill, training, or other temporary duty under military authority, a permanent employee shall be reinstated in that position with the same status, pay, and seniority, including seniority that accrued during the period of absence.
Vermont CDL Military Skills Test Waiver:
Service members who have a military CDL and have driven a commercial vehicle in the last 12 months may have their skills test waived when applying for a CDL.
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act:
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protect civilian job rights and benefits for Veterans and members of Reserve components. USERRA also makes major improvements in protecting service member rights and benefits by clarifying the law, improving enforcement mechanisms, and adding Federal Government employees to those employees already eligible to receive the Department of Labor assistance in processing claims.
Please note that your preference regarding burial in a national cemetery and use of a headstone provided by VA should be documented and kept with your paperwork and medical records. Eligibility for interment in the State Veterans Cemetery follows National Cemetery Administration eligibility requirements. Veterans, their spouses, and unmarried minor children are eligible for burial as are National Guard and Reserve members with 20 years of service. There is no cost for the veteran’s burial and a small cost for dependents.
National Cemeteries include:
Vermont provides Veterans with a Regional Benefits Office and a VA Medical Center.
Vermont VA Regional Benefits Office
• White River Junction: White River Junction Regional Office
Vermont VA Medical Centers
• White River Junction: White River Junction VA Medical Center
Important information for Vermont Veteran Benefits
For Veterans applying for VA benefits for the first time, you must submit a copy of your DD 214 (discharge paperwork). This will provide your discharge status, along with your full name, social security number, branch of service, and dates for which you served. Honorable and general discharges qualify a Veteran for most VA benefits.
You should always keep your paperwork, along with your medical records, in a safe place where you and your family can have access to them. It is imperative to have it in a location where it cannot be destroyed or tampered with, which includes a safe.
Your eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Active service means full-time service as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, the Environmental Services Administration or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Any Veteran discharged from the military under the conditions of “Dishonorable” due to bad conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial may bar VA benefits. Veterans in prison and parolees may be eligible for certain VA benefits. VA regional offices can clarify the eligibility of prisoners, parolees, and individuals with multiple discharges issued under differing conditions.
State veteran benefit programs and eligibility requirements change regularly due to federal and state government updates. This information serves as general guidance. Contact us for current program details and personalized benefits assistance.