Maryland Veterans Benefits: Property Tax Credit, Education & Employment Programs

Maryland's Veteran Population: By the Numbers

Maryland occupies a unique position among veteran-friendly states. Situated at the heart of the Mid-Atlantic corridor, the state is home to some of the country's most strategically important military bases — Aberdeen Proving Ground (home of Army materiel command), Fort Meade (NSA and Cyber Command headquarters), Joint Base Andrews (home of Air Force One), and the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. This deep military heritage is matched by a robust set of state-level veteran benefits that often go unclaimed.

The Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families (DVMF) serves as the primary state agency for veteran support, offering free claims assistance, residential care, and cemetery services across the state. Whether you're a recently separated service member, a career retiree, or a long-term Maryland resident with a service-connected disability, understanding what the state offers can mean significant financial and practical support.

Property Tax Credit for Maryland Veterans

Property taxes in Maryland are among the highest in the Mid-Atlantic region. For veterans with qualifying disabilities, the state's property tax credit program can eliminate this cost entirely — making it one of the most financially impactful benefits in the state.

100% Property Tax Credit: Permanently & Totally Disabled Veterans (MD Tax-Property Code § 9-265)

Surviving Spouse Continuation

One of the most compassionate elements of Maryland's property tax credit is the surviving spouse provision. When a 100% P&T SC veteran passes away, their spouse may continue to receive the full property tax credit on the same primary residence — as long as the surviving spouse remains in the home and does not remarry. This provides critical housing security for military families who may depend on the credit to afford remaining in their home.

How to Apply for the Maryland Property Tax Credit

1. Gather your documentation: You'll need your VA award letter confirming 100% permanently and totally service-connected disability, your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), and proof of primary residence (utility bills, driver's license).
2. Contact Maryland SDAT: Applications are submitted to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation. You can apply in person at any SDAT office or by mail. Find your local SDAT office at dat.maryland.gov.
3. Submit by April 1: The annual application deadline is April 1 for the credit to apply to the current tax year. Applications received after April 1 will typically take effect in the following tax year.
4. Annual renewal may be required: Unlike some states where the exemption renews automatically, Maryland may require annual recertification. Check with SDAT about the renewal process after your initial approval.

Education Benefits: Conroy Scholarship & National Guard

Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship

Maryland National Guard Scholarship Program

Active members of the Maryland National Guard can access the Maryland National Guard Scholarship Program, which provides tuition assistance at Maryland public colleges and universities. Guard members serving in good standing with their unit may qualify for significant tuition reductions, making continued education highly accessible during service.

• Covers tuition at Maryland public colleges and universities for active Guard members
• Eligibility requires satisfactory Guard participation (drill attendance and annual training)
• May be combined with federal Tuition Assistance (TA) and GI Bill benefits, subject to anti-duplication rules
• Administered by the Maryland Military Department — contact your unit education officer for current award amounts

Maryland Higher Education Commission Veteran Priority Services

The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) designates veterans and military-connected students for priority services across the Maryland public higher education system. This includes priority enrollment at Maryland public colleges, dedicated veterans services coordinators at many campuses, and assistance navigating federal GI Bill benefits alongside Maryland state scholarships.

Veterans transitioning to Maryland public colleges should contact their campus Veterans Services office early in the enrollment process to ensure all state and federal benefits are properly applied before any bills come due.

Maryland DVMF: Claims Help, Homes & Cemeteries

The Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families (DVMF) is the state's central hub for veteran services, operating Veterans Service Representatives statewide, managing Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, and maintaining state veterans cemeteries.

Charlotte Hall Veterans Home

Charlotte Hall Veterans Home is Maryland's premier residential care facility for veterans. Located in St. Mary's County in Southern Maryland, the facility provides a range of care levels including skilled nursing, assisted living, and domiciliary (independent living with support) options. Eligible veterans must be Maryland residents with an honorable discharge and a need for the level of care provided.

The facility participates in the VA's State Home Per Diem program, which provides VA funding contributions that reduce the veteran's out-of-pocket daily rate. Veterans with higher VA disability ratings receive larger per diem contributions from the VA, further offsetting costs. Contact Charlotte Hall Veterans Home directly at (301) 884-8171 for current rates and admission procedures.

Maryland State Veterans Cemeteries

Maryland maintains several state veterans cemeteries that provide free burial services for eligible veterans and their eligible dependents. Eligibility mirrors federal VA national cemetery criteria: honorably discharged veterans who served a minimum period of active duty. The Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery in Prince George's County is among the most accessible for veterans in the Baltimore-Washington metro corridor, with additional cemetery locations serving other regions of the state.

Employment Preference and Career Programs

Maryland Veterans Preference in State Hiring

Maryland law provides veterans preference in state civil service hiring and examinations, giving eligible veterans a competitive advantage when applying for state government positions:

• 5-point preference: Added to the examination score of honorably discharged veterans who served during a designated period of armed conflict
• 10-point preference: Added for veterans with a service-connected disability rating — or for surviving spouses of veterans who cannot qualify for preference in their own right
• Preference applies to all Maryland state civil service examinations and competitive hiring processes covered by the Department of Budget and Management

With the federal government employing large numbers of workers in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., and with the state government itself being a major employer across the state, veterans preference can make a meaningful difference in landing stable, high-paying government employment.

MD Works Veteran Employment Programs

Through the Maryland Department of Labor and the American Job Centers network, MD Works provides priority employment services for veterans and eligible military spouses. Veterans receive priority of service over non-veterans when accessing workforce services, which means shorter wait times and dedicated case managers at American Job Center locations throughout Maryland.

Services available through MD Works include:

• Resume writing and translation of military experience into civilian job qualifications
• Job search assistance and connections to veteran-friendly employers
• Registered Apprenticeship programs with priority consideration for veterans
• On-the-job training (OJT) funding for employers hiring veterans
• Career counseling and credential recognition for military training

HIRE Vets Medallion: Recognizing Maryland Employers

The U.S. Department of Labor's HIRE Vets Medallion Program recognizes Maryland employers who demonstrate exceptional commitment to hiring, retaining, and supporting veterans in the civilian workforce. When job-searching in Maryland, look for employers bearing the HIRE Vets Medallion — it signals a company with verified veteran employment practices, transition support, and retention programs. Many of Maryland's major government contractors, healthcare systems, and technology firms hold this recognition.

Mortgage Program, Hunting/Fishing & Business Benefits

Maryland Mortgage Program for Veterans

Free Hunting & Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans

Maryland provides free hunting and fishing licenses to veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating. This license covers standard Maryland hunting and freshwater fishing privileges at no annual cost. To obtain the free license, veterans should contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with their VA disability certification showing 100% SC rating. The license is renewable annually at no charge as long as the veteran maintains the qualifying disability rating.

Veteran-Owned Business Certification & State Procurement Preference

Maryland offers certification and procurement preferences for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB). Through the Maryland Department of General Services, certified veteran-owned businesses may receive preference in state procurement processes, with specific set-asides and preference programs designed to increase the share of state contracting going to veteran entrepreneurs.

Key elements of Maryland's veteran business preference program include:

• State certification as a veteran-owned small business (VOSB) or SDVOSB
• Priority consideration in certain Maryland state procurement categories
• Access to small business development resources through the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network, which includes veteran-specific advising
• Potential teaming preferences with prime contractors on large state contracts

Next Steps for Maryland Veterans

If you're a Maryland veteran who hasn't fully explored these benefits, here's a prioritized action plan to get the maximum value from what the state offers:

1. Check your current VA disability rating. Nearly every high-value Maryland state benefit requires a 100% SC P&T rating. If you're currently rated below 100%, you may be missing out on the property tax credit, the Conroy Scholarship for your dependents, and other top-tier benefits. Use our VA Disability Calculator to see your combined rating and what it would take to reach 100%.
2. Apply for the property tax credit before April 1. If you're 100% P&T SC, contact Maryland SDAT immediately with your VA award letter and DD-214. In Maryland's high-cost housing market, this credit is worth thousands of dollars per year.
3. Contact DVMF for a free benefits review. Maryland's Veterans Service Representatives provide no-cost assistance in understanding and accessing both state and federal benefits. Visit veterans.maryland.gov or call your regional DVMF office.
4. If you have children or a spouse who plan to attend college and you're 100% P&T: reach out to the Maryland Higher Education Commission about the Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship before enrollment. This benefit can cover full tuition and fees at Maryland public colleges.
5. Explore the Maryland Mortgage Program if you're considering a home purchase. Below-market rates plus VA loan benefits can make a significant difference in affordability in the Baltimore and DC metro areas.

If your VA disability rating isn't where it should be, claim.vet can help you build a stronger claim — from identifying secondary conditions and underrated disabilities to preparing the medical evidence that gets results with the VA.

Comparing benefits across states? See our complete guide to Veterans State Benefits — all 50 states, with property tax thresholds, tuition programs, and key eligibility requirements in one place.