An estimated 131,270 veterans live in Connecticut, making up 4.5% of the state's population or the 45th-highest of the 56 U.S. states, territories and District of Columbia.
Connecticut Military and Veteran Income Taxes
Military Retiree Income Tax
Military retirement pay and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are tax free.
Active-Duty Income Tax
Active-duty pay is tax free if stationed out of state, provided the service member doesn't own a home in the state or live there more than 30 days a year.
Connecticut Veteran Property Taxes
Disabled veterans: A law that took effect in 2024 fully exempts from property tax either the dwelling a permanently and totally disabled veteran owns and lives in; or, if the veteran does not own a dwelling, a motor vehicle the veteran owns and keeps in the state. A spouse, unremarried surviving spouse or other surviving dependent may receive the benefit in lieu of the veteran.
Veterans with at least a 10% disability, regardless of whether it's permanent, may receive a property tax exemption depending on the veteran's age, disability rating and income. A veteran with a 100% rating may receive an exemption of at least $10,500 with income of $18,000 or less ($21,000 or less if the veteran is married). With income above the threshold, the exemption is at least $5,250.
War veterans: Veterans with at least 90 days of wartime service, including Merchant Marines during World War II, may receive a $1,500 property tax exemption from either real estate or automobile taxes. Veterans who don't own real property or a vehicle may receive a tax refund if they lease a vehicle.
Connecticut Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
Tuition waivers granted to veterans attending public colleges and universities pay the difference if federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits don't cover the full tuition cost. Waivers don't pay for course fees, books, fees, parking, or room and board.
Active-duty personnel stationed in the state, and their spouses and dependents, may receive in-state tuition at the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system.
Military Dependent Education
Active-duty dependents, see "Military/Veteran Education."
Connecticut Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preference
Preference points: Veterans receive 5 preference points in state hiring, and those with a service-connected disability receive 10 preference points.
Driving: Military members or veterans within a 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.
Military Spouse Employment
The state's Departments of Public Health and Consumer Protection issue licenses or credentials to spouses of active-duty service members stationed there if they've practiced safely under another state's license for at least four years and meet other requirements.
Connecticut Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
Connecticut's single veterans home in Rocky Hill includes both a residential facility and a skilled-care facility. It's open to state resident veterans with an other-than-dishonorable discharge, for an income-based fee.
Homeless Veterans
The Veterans Affairs Residential Facility provides temporary housing on the campus of the Rocky Hill veterans home, along with help gaining skills and other resources to achieve permanent housing.
Adapted Housing
No state-funded benefits.
Connecticut Veteran Financial Assistance
Wartime bonus: State National Guard members may receive a bonus of $50 for every month of mobilized service after Sept. 11, 2001, with maximum payments of $500 for non-combat service and $1,200 for combat service.
Hardship grant: The Connecticut Military Relief Fund provides up to $5,000 in assistance to service members and their families whose financial hardship is due to military service.
Connecticut Veteran Legal Assistance
No state-funded legal services.
Connecticut Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
Any active-duty military member may buy hunting, trapping and fishing licenses at the resident rate.
Parks/Camping
Resident veterans with a service-connected disability may receive a free lifetime pass to state parks and forests.
Connecticut Veteran Transportation Benefits
No state-funded transportation benefits. Disabled American Veterans (DAV) offers van rides to VA medical centers in many states and may be available in the states without a state-funded transportation benefit.
Connecticut Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans Cemeteries
Connecticut's single state veterans cemetery that's currently accepting burials is in Middletown. Any veteran with an other-than-dishonorable discharge is eligible. Spouses are also eligible.
More Information
Visit the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs website for more information about any of these programs.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
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