Where to Plant Your Roots: Unique State Benefits for Veterans You Didn't Know Existed

Source: WalletHub

By: Krista Morris-Tworek

You did it.

You have that DD-214 in hand and your commitment to the US Military is over.

Thank you for your service, and it’s time to move on (literally).

For the first time in maybe your entire adult life, you can create a homestead and settle down for a while. Wow, that’s a scary thought for some. More than two or three years in one place?!

Is that possible?

A detour to the Bahamas may sound appetizing, since you ’ ve spent the last decade or two serving your country, and you should do something to celebrate and relieve the upcoming stress. The transition from military to civilian life can be stressful enough with all the paperwork required; add in where to live during the next chapter of your life, and maybe now you ’ re starting to feel overwhelmed.

After the Gulf War (1990-2001), the majority of Veterans chose to live in Virginia and Alaska. So how will this generation of VetHERans decide to plant their roots?

Over the years, many lawmakers and former Vets have put benefits into place as a thank you for serving.

Collectively, states spend more than $6 Billion annually on Veterans and their families.

While many states will waive tuition and fees for state schools and universities (Maine, North Carolina, California, Virginia, Michigan, South Carolina, Alabama to name a few), that’s just pennies on the dollar for many states and these programs are widely underutilized.

From veteran’s license plates to tax exemptions to free hunting licenses—every state offers something a little different.

The decision on where to build your home post-military is wide open, however maybe these perks will help you make up your mind.

This article is all about some unique benefits of the most popular post-military states.

VIRGINIA

Virginia has the lowest poverty rates and very low unemployment rates of Veterans. Boasting one of the largest Naval bases in the Nation, the number of Veterans filing disability in the state comes to more than $3.5 Billion dollars annually (2019).

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS) has helped over 200,000 Veterans submit claims and appeals—and for good reason. If you receive 100% disability in Virginia, you are exempt from property taxes on your home!

If you ’ re a spouse or have dependent children, the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program may pay their tuition and fees at ANY state-support college or university for up to 36 months (applies to spouses and children of service members killed in action, missing in action, taken prisoner, or have a 90% or more service-connected disability from armed conflict). The most underutilized state benefit is the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Transition Program.

The V3 program provides peer-to-peer assistance for Veterans and their families during the transition to post-military life including resume review, introduction to the Virginia Labor Market, connections with certified companies for employment, enrollment in GI Bill institutions, among a variety of other specific needs.

One last Virginia perk: if you have over 70% serviceconnected disability you can apply for discounted hunting and freshwater fishing licenses!

If you decide to take up residency in Alaska, where the number of Veterans exceeds 10% of the population, consider visiting the Alaska Department of Natural Resources for a free camping pass. With all that beautiful sparsely populated land (twice the size of Texas), you could spend your first two years of Veteran life camping around the Aleutian Island chain exploring active volcanoes.

The most popular state benefit is actually the Alaska Property Tax Exemption. If you received more than 50% VA disability rating, this exemption provides a tax break on the first $150,000 of assessed value for a home. Also, as a Veteran you receive a one-time land discount/purchase preference of 20% off the purchase price of state residential and/or recreational land! Sadly, most folks never take advantage of these huge savings.

MONTANA

Looking for wide open spaces in the lower 48? Look no further than Montana and proudly display your Veteran designation on your driver ’s license for only $10. While this benefit is the most popular, this state also offers free passes to State Parks and free hunting and fishing licenses for service-disabled Veterans.

In 2017, Montana initiated a new and unique benefit called the Honor and Remember Medallion for Gold Star families to recognize legal residents of Montana killed in action or classified as missing in action since 1939. The medallion is for surviving family members to recognize their loss and let families know this sacrifice will always be remembered by the state. Another state with over 10% of the population being Veterans, Wyoming also has the smallest population of adults in the United States so feel free to spread your wings and get some fresh air.

The most popular state benefit used in all 23 counties is the property tax exemption. Once you ’ ve claimed residency in the state for more than three years and have your DD-214 in hand —you can apply. There are stipulations, but if you end up not using this exemption on your property, you can apply it to any vehicle licensing fees.

If you know a Veteran who attended high school in Wyoming, but never received their high school diploma and served in the military instead, they may be eligible for an Honorary High School diploma. This benefit is widely underutilized and there hasn’t been a request in over three years. Check in with your fellow Veteran friends and family to make sure they aren’t missing out on this opportunity!

Where you will be buried may not be something you want to consider having survived any number of deployments and lifethreatening events during your time in service, however being a Veteran, you ’ ve been a part of our nation’s HERstory in a unique way. Deciding how you want to be memorialized is just as important as deciding where you live out the rest of your days.

Did you know there was an Oregon Trail State Veteran’s Cemetery? Established in Wyoming in 1983, any Veteran with an other than dishonorable discharge can be buried here (along with the spouse and any minor children).

CALIFORNIA

You can check out their website for a comprehensive list.

1.58 Million is the number of Veterans who call California home these days (aka CalVets), and it’s not surprising considering how many large military bases line the coast. Not only does California offer a property tax exemption for disabled Veterans and unmarried surviving spouses, but this state also offers flexible financing options for any Veteran purchasing a home and includes exceptional fire, hazard, earthquake, and flood insurance. There are stipulations, but you can check them out here before you make the move.

It’s one of the most comprehensive programs offered by any state and applies to ALL Veterans with more than 90 days of active-duty service and an honorable discharge! There are also loan programs to purchase farms, homes, mobile homes, new construction, home improvement and rehabilitation needs.

California also offers waivers for: Finally, if you have a family member in the National Guard who has been mobilized or is deploying, you may be eligible for short term financial assistance through the California Military Relief Fund (CMFRF).

Quite frankly, California offers a lot of state-specific benefits for Veterans.

TEXAS

Motor vehicle registration fees for some permanently and totally disabled Veterans Business licenses/taxes for hawking, peddling, or vending goods in a fixed location Tuition and fees for dependents to state-wide colleges and universities. Texans love to hire Veterans and encourage starting your own business. The cost of living in the majority of the state is relatively low, and there’s no state income tax to boot. From 2019 to 2020, The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Department assisted Veterans in receiving over $250 Million in retroactive payments through VA claims and appeals.

Sounds appealing, but there’s one particular thing I love most about Texas: Texas was the first state to establish Women Veterans Day as June 12th in 2017 (House Bill 2698). Compared to many other states, the support and resources available to Women VetHERans is staggering. The TVC Women Veterans Program (WVP) coordinates with government and non-profit agencies to ensure all VetHERans of Texas have access to equitable care and services.

This state does offer some excellent Veteran benefits for in-state tuition, property tax exemptions, expanded Veteran’s preferences and waivers for certain licenses and fees. Plus, there is no state income tax.

One of the most unique benefits is Operation Outdoor Freedom. This organization offers opportunities for wounded Veterans through events on state forest, agricultural and private lands at no cost to the Veteran. Events include fishing trips and various hunts (gator, turkey, deer, hog, etc.). You must have a serviceconnected disability rating of 30% or more or be a Purple Heart recipient to be eligible to attend. If gator hunting isn’t your thing, then consider moving to Maine for their Disabled Veteran Controlled Moose Hunt.

NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina makes this list as I may be partial, since it welcomed my family with open arms when I transitioned out of the military. While the most popular benefit is getting a Veteran license plate, you can also purchase a lifetime hunting/fishing license for $110 if you received a rating of more than 50% service-connected disability.

Disabled Veterans are exempt from paying the highway tax on vehicles that are specially adapted by the VA to accommodate their disabilities. Let me tell you, this is an awesome benefit. That highway tax was an unexpected expense when I moved here!

North Carolina offers Veterans preference for state employment and credit towards several NC licenses based on Military Occupation Specialty (MOS). North Carolina Assistive Technology Program (NCATP) is also a state program under the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services that can assist Veterans with disabilities in transitioning smoothly back to civilian life through demonstrations, device loans, training, and technical assistance. I recently caught up with Elizabeth Hartman (featured in HER Next Mission of our January issue) as a fellow resident of North Carolina. Elizabeth filled me in on a new initiative for the state: “Currently, North Carolina is moving to eliminate income tax on retirement pensions.

This bill can be tracked at https://www.billtrack50.com/BillDetail/1315951. This would clearly be a game changer for retiring military, questioning where to plant their roots. ” Right now, North Carolina offers tax exemptions for 100% service-disabled Veterans to a certain extent.

NEW YORK

There’s one last state you should consider living in if you received an other-than-honorable or general discharge due to sexual orientation, gender expression, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or military sexual trauma. New York’s newest state benefit is called the Restoration of Honor and through this program you can potentially have state Veteran benefits restored.

This does not change your official discharge paperwork but allows a review of your discharge and possible reinstatement for any New York state specific benefits. The New York State Division of Veterans’ Services is available to review applications and assist with this process.

"Let your roots grow down in Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colassians 2:7

PLANTING ROOTS

If you have questions, ask your local Veteran’s Service Organization (VSO) or check out the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA).

Otherwise, you may end up in Nevada where they boast their #1 Veterans benefit is the state income tax exemption (There’s no state income tax in Nevada…).

If you ’ re still feeling discouraged on where to settle, remember Colossians 2:7.

Did you see a benefit you wish your state would introduce? Then make it happen! Hit up your local government officials and propose a new bill for your fellow VetHERans.