Georgia offers a variety of state and federal benefits for veterans with VA disability ratings. Here’s an organized breakdown of the diverse benefits accessible to veterans in the state.
Healthcare Benefits
Georgia veterans benefits include the VA Health Care System which provides services like inpatient/outpatient care, mental health treatment, prescriptions, and more for enrolled Georgia veterans.
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The Georgia Veterans Trust Fund offers grants up to $7,500 lifetime for emergency medical expenses and up to $10,000 lifetime for durable medical equipment costs.
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Housing Benefits
The VA Home Loan Guaranty program helps veterans buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt homes in Georgia. Grants up to $81,080 are also available for eligible disabled veterans.
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Property tax exemptions reduce assessed home value for 100% disabled veterans and un-remarried surviving spouses. The exemption amount for 2024 is $116,516.
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Education Benefits
Post 9/11 GI Bill and other federal programs help pay for college tuition, housing, books and supplies. In-state tuition policies also assist veterans and dependents.
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The VA Yellow Ribbon Program helps cover additional tuition costs above the GI Bill cap at participating Georgia colleges and universities.
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Employment Benefits
Georgia provides veterans preference points on civil service exams and business license fee waivers to help disabled veterans secure jobs.
A 5-point credit is extended to war veterans seeking employment with the State of Georgia. A 10-point credit is extended to veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 10 percent or more.
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The Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center assists with career coaching, skills training, education planning, and finding employment.
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Tax Benefits
100% disabled veterans can receive a $116,516 homestead property tax exemption. Military retirement income and VA disability pay is also exempt from state income taxes.
Ad Valorem Tax on Vehicles
This exemption applies to either the annual property tax or the title tax, whichever is applicable.Â
This exemption is for veterans who are verified by VA to be 100 percent totally and permanently service-connected disabled and veterans rated unemployable who are receiving or who are entitled to receive statutory awards from VA for: (1) loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet; (2) loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; (3) loss of sight in one or both eyes; or (4) permanent impairment of vision of both eyes to a prescribed degree.Â
The exemption is granted on ONLY one vehicle the veteran owns and upon which the free Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate is attached. Veterans who qualify for the Purple Heart or Medal of Honor specialty license plates are also exempt.
For more information on vehicle tax exemptions, contact your local County Tax Office. Â
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Sales Tax Exemption for Vehicle Purchase/Adaptation
A disabled veteran who receives a VA grant for the purchase and special adapting of a vehicle is exempt from paying the state sales tax on the vehicle (only on the original grant).
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Recreation Benefits
Hunting and fishing licenses are administered by the Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. For more information, visit georgiawildlife.com or call 800-366-2661. Georgia residency is a requirement.
Returning Veterans
A One Time Veterans License is available free to Georgia resident military veterans who served on active Federal duty for 90 or more days and were honorably discharged on July 1, 2005, or later. This free license is valid for one year from date of issue, is available to Georgia residents, and may be issued only once.
The One Time Veterans Hunting and Fishing License is a full privilege sportsman’s license and includes all state paid recreational hunting and fishing privileges (some additional no-cost state licenses may be required).
After the One Time Veterans Hunting and Fishing License expires, veterans may apply for a discounted full privilege veterans lifetime license.
Discounted Lifetime Licenses
Honorably discharged resident veterans may purchase a Georgia Adult Lifetime Sportsman’s License at a 20% discount ($600, ages 16 - 49).
Veterans may purchase a Senior Discount Lifetime License beginning at age 60 ($315), or an Older Adult Lifetime License at age 50 ($375).
Permanently and Totally Disabled
Veterans with a permanent and total disability rating from VA (or another government agency) for a physical or mental impairment are eligible for a 3-year disability sportsman’s license at a steep discount from regular license cost.
Veterans disabled for mental impairment may obtain a discounted disability fishing license.
Totally Blind
Eligible for a free lifetime honorary fishing license.
Age 65 and Older
Seniors born before July 1, 1952 are eligible for a free senior lifetime sportsman’s license.
Seniors born on July 1, 1952 or after may purchase low cost lifetime or annual licenses.Â
Applications for these licenses are available online at the Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of National Resources, or from any Georgia retail license agent.
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So in summary, veterans in Iowa can utilize healthcare, housing, education, employment, tax, and recreation benefits at both the state and federal level based on their VA disability rating and service history. Contact the Georgia Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
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This information is made available for educational purposes only. This information is not a substitute for legal or medical advice. United Veteran Benefits Agency makes no guarantee of the outcome on VA rating decisions.
