Florida veterans benefits

A resident veteran with a VA-certified service-connected disability of 10% or greater receives a $5,000 reduction in the assessed value of property. The unremarried surviving spouse who was married to the veteran at the time of death is also entitled to the $5,000 exemption. Applied at the county property appraiser's office.

A veteran age 65 or older who is partially or totally permanently disabled, was honorably discharged, and whose disability is combat-related receives a homestead ad valorem tax discount equal to the percentage of the veteran's permanent service-connected disability rating (e.g., a 50% rating yields a 50% discount). Apply to the county property appraiser by March 1. The discount carries to the unremarried surviving spouse.

Real estate owned and used as a homestead by a veteran honorably discharged with a service-connected total and permanent disability, who is a Florida permanent resident on January 1, is completely exempt from ad valorem taxation. The unremarried surviving spouse may retain the exemption and transfer it to a new homestead (in the granted amount) if title is held and they do not remarry. Surviving spouses of servicemembers who died from service-connected causes while on active duty also qualify.

Real estate used as a homestead by a person who is a quadriplegic is totally exempt; veterans (and others) who are paraplegic, hemiplegic, permanently and totally disabled requiring a wheelchair for mobility, or legally blind may be exempt from real estate taxation subject to gross-income limits for non-quadriplegics. Florida DOR PT-109 and the FDVA Housing page describe this benefit.

Florida levies no personal income tax of any kind. Military retirement pay, VA disability compensation, SBP, and TSP distributions are entirely exempt from state taxation. No filing or election is required at the state level.

Florida public postsecondary institutions (state universities, Florida College System institutions, charter technical career centers, career centers) waive out-of-state tuition and fees for honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard who physically reside in Florida while enrolled. No disability rating required.

Provides scholarship/tuition assistance for dependent children and spouses of veterans who died from a service-connected disability or who are rated 100% permanent and total service-connected disabled. Administered via the Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance. Eligibility tied to the veteran's 100% P&T or service-connected death status.

The state and its political subdivisions must give hiring and retention preference to eligible veterans, certain disabled veterans, and their spouses/family members. For positions using a numerically scored exam, 10-20 points are added to passing scores depending on category (disabled veterans receive the highest, 20 points). Job announcements must include a veterans' preference notice, and postsecondary education requirements may be waived for qualifying veterans and Guard/Reserve members.

One free 'DV' motor vehicle license plate is issued to a disabled veteran who has been certified by the VA with a 100% service-connected disability rating and who has been a Florida resident for the preceding 5 years or has established domicile in the state. Plate is issued at no charge. Veterans electing a military or specialty plate instead must pay the applicable specialty plate fees.

A veteran honorably discharged and VA-certified with a service-connected disability of 50% or greater qualifies for a no-cost (free) Resident Persons with Disabilities Hunting and Fishing License. Includes saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, and hunting plus deer, WMA, archery, muzzleloading, crossbow, turkey, Florida waterfowl, snook, and lobster permits. Apply online or at a county tax collector's office with residency and disability documentation.

Honorably discharged veterans with a service-related disability receive a free-for-life Military Entrance Pass to all Florida state parks. Surviving spouses and parents of servicemembers who died in combat also qualify. Current and retired service members (without disability) receive a 25% discount on annual entrance passes. Passes must be obtained in person at a staffed ranger station with documentation.

Reduced-fee $20 annual license (versus the $100 standard Gold Sportsman's License) with identical privileges, available to active-duty and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, Florida National Guard, and Coast Guard who are stationed in Florida or claim Florida as their primary residence. No disability rating required.

FDVA operates state veterans' skilled nursing homes (Land O' Lakes, Pembroke Pines, Panama City, Daytona Beach, Port Charlotte/Port St. Lucie, St. Augustine) plus the Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans' Domiciliary/Assisted Living Facility in Lake City. Applicant must be a Florida-resident veteran honorably discharged from the most recent active-duty period and need the level of care provided. Eligible spouses may be admitted on a space-available basis.