The state of Connecticut provides several veteran benefits. This page explains some of them.
Connecticut Veterans Home
The Connecticut Veterans Home in Rocky Hill is open to veteran residents of Connecticut with an other than dishonorable discharge. There is both a residential facility and a skilled-care facility.
There is an income-based fee.
Connecticut Veteran Financial Benefits
Property Tax Exemptions
Veterans, who have ninety days of wartime service, including Merchant Marines, who served during WWII, are eligible for a $1,500 exemption for property tax purposes (e.g., real property or automobiles). You have the option to choose to apply this exemption to your real estate or automobile tax. Certain veterans, who do not own real property or a motor vehicle, may be eligible for a tax refund if they are leasing a motor vehicle.
Veterans below a certain income level and/or service connected disabled veterans are eligible for additional property tax exemptions (up to $10,000 for paraplegics). Surviving spouses of veterans may also be eligible for this benefit. Contact your municipality's Tax Assessor Officer for specific details.
Income Tax
Active duty pay is tax-free if stationed out-of-state, provided you don't own a home in Connecticut or live there for more than 30 days per year.
Military retirement pay and Survivor Benefit Plan are tax-free.
Wartime Bonus
Connecticut National Guard members are eligible for a bonus of $50 for every month of mobilized service after Sep. 11, 2001 with a maximum payment of $500 for non-combat or $1,200 for combat service.
Connecticut Military Relief Fund
The Military Relief Fund provides monetary grants to service members and their families experiencing a financial hardship as a result of military service.
The amount of the grant award is dependent on the unique circumstances of each case but may not exceed $5,000.
Connecticut State Veteran Employment Benefits
For state and municipal employment exams, a wartime veteran eligible for or receiving U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation receives an additional 10 points. A wartime veteran not eligible for VA compensation or pension receives five additional points. A spouse of a qualified veteran is also eligible for additional points.
CDL Skills Test Exemption
Military members or veterans within one year of separation, who operated military vehicles that would require a commercial driver's license in the civilian world, can skip the skills test portion of a CDL exam.
Documentation required.
Veterans Agriculture Program
Some veterans are eligible for sales and use tax exemptions for property used exclusively in commercial agricultural production
Connecticut Veteran Education Benefits
Tuition and fees at state regional community and technical colleges as well as state universities may be waived for Connecticut resident veterans who served at least 90 days of active duty during a period of war. A veteran's dependents can also qualify for the tuition waiver if the veteran is declared missing in action while serving in the armed forces after Jan. 1, 1960.
Connecticut Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting and Fishing Licenses
Any active-duty military member, no matter where they are stationed, can buy hunting, trapping and fishing licenses for the resident rate.
State Parks
Connecticut offers a free lifetime pass to all state parks and forests for Connecticut residents with a service-connected disability.
Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery
Any veteran discharged with other than a dishonorable discharge is eligible for burial in the state veterans cemetery in Middletown. Spouses are also eligible for this benefit.
Visit the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs website for more information about any of these programs.
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