The state of Georgia provides several veteran benefits. This page offers a brief description of them.
Georgia Veterans Homes
Georgia has two veterans homes, one in Augusta and one in Milledgeville. Admission is open to honorably discharged Georgia veterans with service during wartime.
A nominal daily fee is charged. Eligible veterans may apply for the federal Aid and Attendance benefit to help offset this fee. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher or whose admission is due to a service-connected condition do not have to pay the fee, as this care and treatment is paid in full by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Georgia Veterans Financial Benefits
Partial Income Tax Exemption for Military Retirees
Military retirees under 62 years may exclude up to $17,500 of military retirement income; plus an additional $17,500 for those with at least $17,500 of earned income. All Georgia retirees ages 62 to 64 may exempt up to $35,000. Those 65 and older may claim an exemption of up to $65,000.
Exemption from Homestead Tax
100% disabled veterans, those getting VA disability for loss of vision or limbs, and their surviving un-remarried spouses may be exempt from property tax on their homes. The maximum exemption, which changes every year, is currently $93,356, but there are several factors which determine the amount. Check with the county tax assessor or visit the link at the bottom of this page for details.
Vehicle Tax Exemption
No ad valorem tax on vehicles for permanently and totally disabled veterans or those getting VA disability for loss of vision or limbs.
License Fees and Special Taxes
Georgia veterans are eligible for a certificate granting exemption from any occupation tax, administrative fee, or regulatory fee imposed by local governments for peddling, conducting a business, or practicing a profession or semi-profession for a period of 10 years. This applies to veterans with a VA disability of at least 10% and an honorable discharge.
Free Driver's License
Honorably discharged Georgia veterans can get a free driver's license. A member or former member of the National Guard with 20 or more years of creditable service also qualifies.
Any member of the Georgia National Guard or a Reserve component who is in good standing and has completed at least one year of satisfactory service is eligible for a free National Guard Driver’s License.
The spouse of a qualified veteran, whose disabilities preclude operating a motor vehicle, is eligible for a free honorary driver’s license. To qualify, a veteran must meet the same residence and qualifying service terms for a free veteran’s driver’s license. The surviving un-remarried spouse of an eligible deceased veteran is also eligible for a free honorary driver’s license. To qualify, you must meet the same residence and qualifying service terms for a free veteran’s driver’s license.
Georgia Veterans Employment Benefits
Veterans Employment Preference
A five-point credit is given to war veterans seeking state employment. A 10-point credit is given to those with a VA service-connected disability of 10% or more.
Business Licenses
Some honorably discharged veterans with at least a 25% disability (10% if wartime veterans) are exempt from payment of occupational taxes and other fees for peddling, conducting a business, or practicing a profession or semi-profession.
Firefighter Qualification
Military firefighter training is accepted as required basic training for full-time, part-time and volunteer firefighters, including airport firefighters.
Georgia Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Veterans
Returning veterans are entitled to a free honorary hunting and fishing license for a period of one year following issuance.
All honorably discharged veterans are eligible for a 20% discount on hunting and fishing licenses
Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Permanently and Totally Disabled Veterans
Veterans rated permanently and totally disabled by the VA or Defense Department are eligible for a discounted sportsman's license.
Reduced State Park Admission Fees for Disabled Veterans
Any Georgia resident veteran with a service-connected disability and an honorable discharge can get a discount card good for 25% reduced entrance fee to Georgia state parks, historical sites, and recreational areas.
Georgia State Veterans Cemeteries
Any veteran or their family may be buried in one of the two Georgia State Veterans Memorial Cemeteries in Milledgeville or Glennville. Eligibility requirements are the same as for burial in a VA cemetery and require an other-than-dishonorable discharge.
Visit the Georgia Department of Veterans Service website for more information on any of these programs.
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