Federal benefits for veterans of the United States Armed Forces are applicable to residents of all states. Many states, however, also provide additional benefits for disabled vets who reside in-state.
State benefits are not as well-known as federal benefits, and many people are unaware of the different benefits they are entitled to. DisabledVets.com represents veterans all over the nation, and we can help you understand what you qualify for and need to do to receive all of the different benefits that you deserve.
George Sink Sr. is a disabled veteran who served two tours in Vietnam as a Marine Corps Captain. Now, as an attorney, he is committed to fighting for the rights of his fellow veterans. Call us or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
Georgia Veteran Disability Law Firm
Honorably discharged Georgia veterans with service during wartime are eligible for admission to one of two state veterans’ homes in Augusta and Milledgeville. The Georgia Department of Veterans Services (GDVS) also assists veterans in obtaining a number of different tax exemptions.
Georgia state law provides that service personnel who are killed as the result of injuries suffered while serving in a combat zone as a member of the United States Armed Forces are exempt from all state income taxes on or after the first day served in a combat zone. Veterans with a 100 percent disability rating may be exempt from property taxes on their homes.
Veterans who were discharged under honorable conditions, have a service-connected disability rating of 10 percent (wartime veterans) or 25 percent (peacetime veterans), or have an income not liable for state income taxes can receive a business exemption from occupation taxes, administrative fees, or regulatory fees from local governments. Disabled veterans who receive United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) grants for the purchase and special adaptation of a vehicle are exempt from state sales tax. The tax filing deadline for combat-deployed military personnel can be extended until 180 days after their deployment ends.
Veterans or their family members can be buried in either of the Georgia State Veterans Memorial Cemeteries in Milledgeville or Glennville as long as the veteran was not dishonorably discharged.
South Carolina Veteran Disability Law Firm
Honorably discharged South Carolina resident veterans in need of care are eligible for admission to one of three state veterans’ homes in Walterboro, Columbia, and Anderson. While active-duty pay is taxable in South Carolina, Reserve and National Guard drill pay is tax-free. Retirement pay up to $8,800 is tax-free in South Carolina, and the limit is $21,000 for veterans 65 years of age or older. Permanently and totally disabled veterans can also receive a homestead tax deduction and a total exemption of property taxes on their homes.
Military veterans who are honorably discharged in South Carolina will be given preference on state and public jobs. The children of veterans killed during service can also receive free tuition to state schools.
Veterans who are totally disabled can get free hunting and fishing licenses. Active non-duty residents stationed in the state can get these licenses at the resident rate. Admission to state parks is also offered at a reduced rate for military veterans.
Burial at the M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans’ Cemetery in Anderson is open to honorably discharged South Carolina resident veterans and their spouses, and there are no fees for a veteran’s burial.
George Sink’s law office is located at 7053 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, South Carolina 29406. We serve veterans throughout South Carolina and nationwide.
Tennessee Veteran Disability Law Firm
Resident or native veterans of Tennessee are eligible for admission to one of four state veterans’ homes in Humboldt, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, and Knoxville. Some veterans who are 100 percent disabled and their surviving spouses can obtain property tax relief of up to $100,000. Veterans also receive preference in state employment, credit for military service in state employment, and have the reemployment rights of public employees.
Children of veterans killed in combat or who died from injuries suffered during service can have their tuition covered at state colleges in Tennessee if they are under 23 years of age. Veterans who are 100 percent permanently disabled or have a 30 percent disability because of war service can get free hunting and fishing licenses. Veterans also receive the same discounted rates as senior campers at state parks, and camping and golf green fees are free for veterans on Veterans Day.
Burial at either of the two state veterans’ cemeteries in Knoxville or the veterans’ cemetery in Nashville or Memphis is free for veterans who were not dishonorably discharged.
Kentucky Veteran Disability Law Firm
Veterans who are Kentucky residents who were not dishonorably discharged are eligible for admission to one of four state veteran centers. The Eastern Kentucky Veterans Center is located in Hazard, the Carl M. Brashear Veterans Center is located in Radcliff, the Thompson-Hood Veterans Center is located in Wilmore, and the Western Kentucky Veterans Center is located in Hanson.
Military income in Kentucky is tax-free, and military retirement pay is tax-exempt if the veteran retired before January 1, 1998 and partially exempt if they retired after December 31, 1997. Totally disabled veterans are also eligible for a deduction of up to $37,600 on property taxes for the assessed value of their homes.
Veterans who were not dishonorably discharged can get five points added to their test score for state jobs, and disabled veterans can get 10 points. The children, stepchildren, adopted children, spouses, and non-remarried surviving spouses of Kentucky veterans who either were killed on active duty, died as the result of service-connected injuries, or are rated totally disabled can receive a tuition waiver that allows them to attend any two-year, four-year, or vocational technical school operated and funded by the Kentucky Department of Education.
Kentucky veterans who have a service-connected disability of 50 percent or more can receive a discounted hunting, trapping, or fishing license. Kentucky resident veterans who are permanently and totally disabled also do not have to pay any overnight accommodation fees at state parks. Burial at Kentucky Veterans Cemeteries in Hopkinsville, Hyden, Fort Knox, Williamstown, or Greenup County involve no fees for veterans who were Kentucky residents or were stationed in Kentucky.
West Virginia Veteran Disability Law Firm
Veterans who have been West Virginia residents for at least 30 days, were honorably discharged, and served at least 12 months of active duty service are eligible for admission to the state veterans’ home in Barboursville. The fees will depend on the veteran’s income.
When a veteran is stationed out-of-state, all their income is tax-free. Similarly, retirement pay is also tax-free in West Virginia. Veterans who have a 100 percent permanent or total service-connected disability can be exempt from some property taxes.
Veterans who were honorably discharged can get five points added to their test score on state employment tests, and veterans with a Purple Heart or VA disability can get 10 points. Children of West Virginia veterans who died on active duty during a wartime period or because of injuries suffered during wartime duty can receive free admission to state college when they are between 16 years of age and 23 years of age. Veterans who have exhausted their Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 (GI Bill) benefits can also obtain state funds for tuition assistance, professional licensing or certification tests, and other training materials. West Virginia residents who have been awarded a Medal of Honor or Purple Heart will have their tuition and mandatory fees waived.
West Virginia veterans who either have a service-connected disability of 100 percent or are on active duty do not need hunting and fishing licenses if they are in receipt of the VA automobile grant. Burial at Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans’ Cemetery in Dunbar is free for veterans but involves a small fee for spouses and dependent children.
Contact Us and Get Help Now
Are you a disabled veteran? Do you wonder if you might be eligible for additional state benefits along with your federal benefits? Contact a law firm that works for veterans and was founded by a disabled veteran.
Attorney George Sink, Sr. and his team are committed to helping disabled veterans like you get all of the benefits they are entitled to in whatever state they call home. We are here to help you, so call us to learn about the state-specific benefits that you could be eligible to receive.
