An estimated 39,550 veterans live in Rhode Island, making up 4.5% of the state's adult population or the 46th-highest per capita of the 56 U.S. states, inhabited territories and District of Columbia.
Rhode Island Military and Veteran Income Taxes
Military Retiree Income Tax
Military retirement and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are tax free.
Active-Duty Income Tax
Active-duty pay follows federal tax rules.
Rhode Island Veteran Property Taxes
Veterans with an other-than-dishonorable discharge may receive an exemption on either their real estate or motor vehicle tax bill. Exemption amounts vary by category and location. Recipient categories include:
- Veteran
- Unmarried widow/widower of qualified veteran
- Veteran who is totally service-connected disabled
- Veteran who is partially service-connected disabled
- Gold Star parents
- Prisoners of war
- Specially adapted housing
Rhode Island Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
Veterans with at least a 10% service-connected disability receive free tuition at state colleges and universities.
The State Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) for Rhode Island National Guard members provides a tuition waiver to state institutions for the fall and spring semesters. The State Tuition Exemption Program (STEP) provides state Guard members tuition-free summer courses at state institutions.
Military Dependent Education
Rhode Island will pay the tuition at a state institution for up to four years for a surviving spouse or child of a state Guard member who died in the line of duty.
Rhode Island Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preference
Veterans receive 5 points added to their final score on their test for state employment. Disabled veterans receive 10 points.
Military Spouse Employment
No state benefits.
Rhode Island Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
The Rhode Island Veterans Home is in Bristol. Admission is open to honorably discharged Rhode Island resident wartime veterans. The cost is 80% of adjusted net income.
Homeless Veterans
No state benefits.
Adapted Housing
No state benefits.
Rhode Island Veteran Financial Assistance
No personal loan or grant programs.
Rhode Island Veteran Legal Assistance
No state-funded legal services.
Rhode Island Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
All 100% service-connected disabled veterans may receive a free license to hunt and/or fish indefinitely. Recipients may reside in any state.
Non-resident military members stationed in Rhode Island may buy hunting and fishing licenses for the resident rate.
Parks/Camping
Veterans with a 100% disability rating from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) receive free admission to Rhode Island state parks. Camping, picnic and equestrian fees are still charged. Veterans don't have to be a Rhode Island resident to qualify.
Rhode Island Veteran Transportation Benefits
Any honorably discharged veteran who has lost one or more limbs, or the use of one or more limbs, receives a lifetime exemption from the annual vehicle registration and license fees. Totally disabled veterans also receive this benefit.
Rhode Island Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans Cemeteries
The Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery is in Exeter. Honorably discharged Rhode Island wartime veterans and 20-year retirees of the National Guard or reserve components are eligible. Some spouses and dependents may also be eligible for burial.
More Information
Visit the Rhode Island Office of Veterans Services website for more information on any of these programs.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
Stay on Top of Your Veteran Benefits
Military benefits are always changing. Keep up with everything from pay to health care by subscribing to Military.com, and get access to up-to-date pay charts and more with the latest benefits delivered straight to your inbox.
