Virginia is home to over 700,000 veterans, the Pentagon, and some of the nation's most significant military installations. The Commonwealth backs that distinction with powerful state-level benefits — including a full property tax exemption for 100% permanently and totally disabled veterans, free college tuition for eligible dependents through VMSDEP, employer incentive programs, and a statewide network of Department of Veterans Services offices. Here's the complete 2025 guide.
Virginia consistently ranks among the most veteran-friendly states in the nation — and for good reason. With over 700,000 veterans calling the Commonwealth home, Virginia houses the Pentagon, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Naval Station Norfolk (the world's largest naval base), Marine Corps Base Quantico, Fort Gregg-Adams, and dozens of other installations. The military and veteran community is woven into Virginia's civic and economic identity.
That depth of connection has produced one of the more comprehensive state benefit packages in the country. Virginia offers full property tax relief for the most severely disabled veterans, one of the strongest tuition-free education programs for dependents, a robust employer partnership program to ease the civilian transition, and a Department of Veterans Services with offices in every corner of the state.
If you're a Virginia veteran and you haven't maxed out your VA disability rating, many of these benefits — especially the property tax exemption and VMSDEP — hinge directly on your federal rating. Use the claim.vet disability calculator to see where you stand and whether a rating increase could unlock significant savings.
Virginia's most financially significant state benefit for disabled veterans is the full property tax exemption on a primary residence for veterans rated 100% permanently and totally (P&T) service-connected disabled. This exemption is codified under Va. Code § 58.1-3219.5 and can save qualifying veterans thousands of dollars per year — in many Northern Virginia jurisdictions, the annual savings can easily exceed $10,000 to $15,000.
To qualify for the Virginia disabled veterans property tax exemption, a veteran must:
The exemption applies to the full assessed value of the home — not just a portion. There is no income or asset cap, which distinguishes it from other homestead-style exemptions in other states.
Under Va. Code § 58.1-3219.5, surviving spouses of qualifying veterans may carry forward the exemption as long as they remain in the same primary residence, do not remarry, and continue to hold title to the property. This protection ensures that a veteran's household is not forced from their home due to property tax obligations after the veteran's death.
There is no statewide unified application portal — each county or city administers the exemption locally. Contact your county's Commissioner of the Revenue office directly for forms and deadlines. Many counties accept mid-year applications and prorate the exemption.
Not yet at 100% P&T? If your current rating is below 100%, or if you're at 100% but not P&T, there may be a path forward. Use our disability calculator to evaluate your ratings and explore whether TDIU or a rating increase could qualify you for this exemption.
The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) is one of the most generous dependent education benefits offered by any state. It provides free tuition and mandatory fees at any Virginia public college or university for qualifying dependents of Virginia veterans.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Veteran's VA rating | 90% or higher P&T service-connected disability, OR veteran died in the line of duty or from a service-connected condition |
| Dependent's age | Must be 29 years of age or younger at the time of enrollment |
| Virginia residency | The veteran must have established Virginia as their legal domicile |
| Eligible institutions | Any Virginia public college or university (4-year and community colleges) |
| Benefit amount | Tuition and mandatory fees — room, board, and books are the student's responsibility |
| Apply through | Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) |
VMSDEP does not cover room and board, but it eliminates the single largest expense at Virginia public universities. For families with children approaching college age, this program represents a benefit worth tens of thousands of dollars per dependent.
Applications are submitted through the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. Students must apply each academic year to renew the benefit. The benefit does not require the dependent to be enrolled immediately after high school — it's available to eligible dependents up to age 29, making it accessible to those who served in the military themselves before enrolling in college.
The Virginia War Memorial Foundation offers scholarships to Virginia residents who are children or grandchildren of veterans who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces. These scholarships are merit-based and awarded annually. The Virginia War Memorial in Richmond also serves as an educational and commemorative resource for the state's veteran community.
Members of the Virginia National Guard may qualify for supplemental state tuition assistance through the Virginia National Guard Tuition Assistance Program. This benefit operates in conjunction with federal tuition assistance and can fill gaps for Guard members attending Virginia public colleges and universities. Guard members should contact their unit education officer for current benefit levels and application procedures.
Virginia has built one of the more structured veteran employment ecosystems among all states, combining state civil service preference points, a nationally recognized employer certification program, and dedicated workforce services through the Virginia Employment Commission.
Veterans applying for Virginia state government jobs receive preference points added to their scored examinations or evaluations:
This preference applies to initial hiring for competitive state positions and gives veterans a meaningful advantage in the civil service application process, particularly for agencies with a high volume of veteran applicants such as the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Virginia Department of Corrections, and state law enforcement agencies.
The Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program is a state-run employer certification and training initiative that encourages private-sector businesses to hire and retain Virginia veterans. Participating employers commit to veteran-friendly hiring practices and receive free training and support from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.
V3-certified employers are listed publicly, giving veterans a useful filter when job searching — these companies have specifically committed to veteran recruitment and retention. The program has certified hundreds of Virginia employers across industries including defense contracting, healthcare, technology, and financial services — sectors where veterans are highly competitive candidates.
The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) provides priority employment services to veterans and transitioning service members under the Jobs for Veterans State Grants (JVSG) program. VEC American Job Centers have dedicated veteran employment representatives who provide resume help, job matching, career counseling, and referrals to training programs. Veterans should call their local VEC office or visit a Virginia American Job Center to access these no-cost services.
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is the central state agency for veteran support. It operates a comprehensive array of programs and facilities designed to serve Virginia's 700,000+ veteran residents throughout their lives.
DVS maintains benefits service offices throughout Virginia — including in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads, Roanoke, and the Shenandoah Valley. DVS-accredited claims agents provide free assistance with VA disability claims, appeals, pension applications, and other federal and state benefits. No appointment is required at many locations.
DVS operates the Virginia Veterans Care Center in Roanoke, providing skilled nursing, domiciliary care, and assisted living services for veterans who meet clinical and financial eligibility criteria. The care center serves veterans who require long-term nursing home care but prefer a veteran-centered environment to private facilities.
Virginia operates state veterans cemeteries providing free burial for eligible veterans. The main cemetery is located in Dublin, Virginia. Eligible veterans include those who are honorably discharged and Virginia domiciliaries. Spouses and dependents may also be eligible for burial. Contact DVS for current eligibility requirements and available gravesites.
DVS claims agents are VA-accredited and can represent veterans throughout the claims process — from initial filing through Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) hearings. This service is completely free and can be particularly valuable for veterans whose claims have been denied or who are navigating a complex multi-condition rating.
To locate the nearest DVS office or schedule an appointment with a claims agent, visit the DVS website at dvs.virginia.gov or call DVS directly. Many offices also offer virtual appointments for veterans who cannot travel easily.
Virginia National Guard members — both Army and Air Guard — are entitled to a range of state-specific benefits in addition to federal Guard benefits:
Virginia offers a range of veteran specialty license plates, including plates for disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, combat veterans, and branch-specific plates. Many of these are available at reduced or waived fees for qualifying veterans.
Veterans rated 100% permanently and totally disabled are eligible for reduced vehicle registration fees in Virginia. Contact the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for current fee schedules and required documentation (typically your VA award letter confirming 100% P&T status).
Virginia offers free or reduced-cost hunting and fishing licenses for certain disabled veterans:
Virginia provides several income-related tax benefits for veterans, including exemptions for military retirement pay for veterans age 55 and older. Virginia began phasing in a full exemption for military retirement income — by 2025, eligible veterans can deduct a significant portion of their military retirement pay from Virginia taxable income. Consult a Virginia tax professional or the Virginia Department of Taxation for current deduction limits.
Virginia's biggest benefits — the full property tax exemption and free college tuition for your children — require a 90%+ or 100% P&T rating. If you're not there yet, we can help.
Start Your Free Claim Review →No — the full property tax exemption under Va. Code § 58.1-3219.5 requires a 100% permanently and totally (P&T) service-connected disability rating. However, a 90% rating does make your dependents eligible for VMSDEP (the free college tuition program). If you believe your conditions warrant a 100% rating, consider using our disability calculator and exploring whether your combined ratings support an increase or a TDIU claim.
Yes, as long as they are 29 or younger at the time of enrollment and you meet the underlying veteran eligibility requirements (90%+ P&T or death in service). VMSDEP does not require the dependent to have gone straight from high school to college — it is available up to the age cap. Apply through the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.
The full exemption under Va. Code § 58.1-3219.5 is reserved for 100% P&T veterans. However, some Virginia localities have enacted their own partial exemptions or freezes for lower-rated disabled veterans. Check with your county Commissioner of the Revenue for any additional local programs in your jurisdiction.
Visit dvs.virginia.gov or call the DVS statewide line. DVS maintains offices in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads, Roanoke, Southwest Virginia, and other regions. Services are free and accredited representatives can assist with VA claims, appeals, pension, and state programs simultaneously.
Yes — use the claim.vet state benefits comparison tool to see how Virginia stacks up against states like Florida, Texas, California, and others across key benefit categories.
Whether you're new to Virginia or a long-time resident who hasn't fully explored your state benefits, the combination of the property tax exemption, VMSDEP, and V3 employment programs makes optimizing your VA rating one of the most financially impactful steps a Virginia veteran can take. Use the claim.vet disability calculator to review your current rating, and when you're ready to file or increase your claim, start your free claim review.