What States Have the Best Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans?

What states have the best benefits for 100% disabled veterans? When it comes to finding the best state to live in as a disabled veteran, there are a few states that offer more generous benefits than others. Low Income Relief has the scoop on seven of the best states for disabled vets!

What benefits are available to 100% disabled veterans?

First, let’s clarify that most disabled veterans are entitled to benefits administered by the federal government in the form of social security disability and/or VA disability benefits. Because Social Security defines disability differently than the VA, not all veterans deemed 100% disabled by the VA will be eligible for Social Security Disability. That said, 100% P&T disabled veterans are entitled to expedited processing of their social security disability claims. 

At the federal level, the VA also offers a number of benefits, including the following and more:

• Automobiles and adaptive equipment for disabled veterans and servicemembers
• Comprehensive assistance for family caregivers
• Clothing allowance

In addition to these and other federal VA benefits, each state administers its own benefits for disabled veterans. Your disability rating does not change depending on which state you live in, but the benefits available in each state are different. 

Below, we’ve compiled information on what states have the best benefits for 100% disabled veterans. For information about your state, you can contact each state’s Department of Veterans Affairs using this directory. 

What states have the best benefits for 100% disabled veterans?

So, what states have the best benefits for 100% disabled veterans? Below are seven states which are considered to have some of the best benefits for veterans. However, it’s important to remember that the best state for you will depend on factors that aren’t easily quantifiable. For information about your state, and other states that aren’t listed below, you can contact each state’s Department of Veterans Affairs using this directory. 

Alaska

The State of Alaska has some of the most generous benefits. According to the director of the Office of Veterans Affairs of the State of Alaska: 

“The most popular state benefit is the Alaska Property Tax Exemption. This exemption provides a tax break on the first $150,000 of assessed value of the home for Veterans with a 50% or greater disability rating either by the military or the VA.”

Free camping passes are also available to disabled veterans in Alaska through the Natural Resource Commissioners Office. 

Check out Low Income Relief’s guide for more information about the benefits that the State of Alaska offers to veterans.

Read on for information about what states have the best benefits for 100% disabled veterans on the mainland.  

Florida

Florida is another state known for excellent veterans benefits. 100% disabled veterans in Florida are exempt from certain driver’s license fees, and are entitled to free hunting and fishing licenses. 

Disabled veterans in Florida are also eligible for significant property tax exemptions. Veterans with a 10% or greater disability rating are entitled to a $5,000 deduction on the assessment of their home for tax exemption purposes. Further, any real estate owned and used as a homestead by a veteran with a permanent and total disability is exempt from taxation. 

In addition to these benefits 100% disabled veterans in Florida are entitled to a free Disabled Veteran license plate. 

Idaho 

Like most of the other states on this list, Idaho offers a reduction in property taxes to disabled veterans. For qualified veterans, the property taxes on your home and up to one acre of land may be reduced by as much as $1,500. The program doesn’t have an income limit.

Older disabled veterans may also be eligible for deductions on their income tax and a grocery tax credit. 

A number of outdoor recreation discounts are also available to disabled veterans. Idaho veterans who are 100% disabled with service-related disabilities are eligible for free camping inside Idaho’s State Parks as well as free day-use access. The Idaho State Department of Parks and Recreation has more information on this program and how to apply.

Also, check out Low Income Relief’s guide to veterans benefits in the State of Idaho, including some special discounts from local businesses. 

Illinois 

Disabled veterans in the State of Illinois are also entitled to some excellent veterans benefits. Those benefits include free hunting and fishing licenses and free Disabled Veteran license plates. 

Better yet, a $5,000 homestead exemption is available to a veteran with a service-connected disability of at least 70%. In other words, the estimated value of your home will be reduced by $5,000 when it comes time to calculate how much property tax you owe. 

More information on benefits for disabled veterans in the State of Illinois is available on the state’s website. 

Nevada

In Nevada, disabled veterans are entitled to a property tax deduction commensurate with their level of disability (e.g. 100% disabled veterans would receive a 100% property tax reduction). The deduction can be applied to either the veteran’s home or an automobile. The Nevada Department of Veterans Affairs has more information about this program. 

Additionally, 24 hour care in Nevada State veterans homes for disabled veterans is available at a low cost. 

More information about Nevada Veterans benefits is available on the Nevada Department of Veterans Services website. 

New Hampshire

What states have the best benefits for 100% disabled veterans in the northeast?

The State of New Hampshire offers a number of tax credits and exemptions for veterans, in addition to the fact that New Hampshire does not require anyone, regardless of veteran status, to pay state income tax. 

According to the State of New Hampshire, “There is a $700 tax credit on real estate occupied as principal place of abode by a permanently and totally disabled service-connected Veteran, double amputee or paraplegic or un-remarried Surviving Spouse. Cities and towns may vote to adopt a higher tax credit of up to $2000.”

The site also states, “A permanently and totally disabled Veteran who is blind, paraplegic or a double amputee as a result of service connection and who owns a specially adapted homestead acquired with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or with proceeds from the sale of any previous homestead acquired with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, shall be exempt from all taxation on the homestead. The Veteran’s Surviving Spouse shall also be exempt from all taxation on the homestead.”

If these tax benefits weren’t enough, disabled veterans in New Hampshire are exempt from driver’s license fees and motor vehicle registration fees as well. 

For more information on benefits for New Hampshire veterans, visit their Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services website. 

Texas

Last, but not least, is Texas. Texas is thought by many to be the best state to live for disabled veterans. 

Disabled veterans in Texas are eligible for a number of housing grants, including those that help to pay for home modifications and weatherization. Texas veterans with a 60% or higher disability rating are also entitled to a free driver’s license. 

Best of all, Texas veterans with a 100% disability rating are exempt from all property taxes! 

Check out the Texas Veterans Commissioner website for more information about the benefits available to disabled veterans in the State of Texas. 

So, what states have the best benefits for 100% disabled veterans? These are just seven of the best! We hope this information is useful in making a decision about where to live as a disabled veteran!

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Catherine Hall

Catherine Hall, LMSW is a therapist at a small group practice in New York City. She earned her master of social work degree at New York University.