The state of Connecticut provides several veteran benefits. This section offers a brief description of each of the
following benefits.
Housing Benefits
Financial Assistance Benefits
Employment Benefits
Education Benefits
Other State Veteran Benefits
Connecticut Veteran Housing Programs
Connecticut Veterans’ Home
The Department has a health care center with a capacity of 250 beds, a 50-bed substance abuse recovery program
and a 500-bed Residential Program. Professional services are provided by staff physicians, Advanced Practice
Registered Nurses, OT, PT, RT, dieticians and social workers are augmented by community specialists, as well as,
networking to local VA and major area hospitals when appropriate. By Statute, veterans who are able to pay in
whole or in part for programs or services determined by the applicable fee schedule will receive a monthly bill for
such services rendered.
Learn more about the Connecticut Veterans’ Home
Connecticut Financial Assistance Benefits
State Income Tax Exemptions
Connecticut veterans receiving federally taxable military retirement pay are eligible for an exemption from the state
income tax. Connecticut applies a 50 percent exemption from the state income tax on federally taxable military
retirement pay to members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Army and Air National
Guard. To learn more, read the full article on Military.com.
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.
Learn more about Property Tax Exemptions
The Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Marines’ Fund
The Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Marines’ Fund (SSMF) is a state fund administered by the American Legion for the
purpose of providing temporary financial assistance for veterans with ninety days of wartime service, who are
disabled, unemployed or for sickness. An applicant must be a resident of the State of Connecticut at the time of
application for benefits. SSMF provides funding for emergency needs such as clothing, food, medical and surgical
aid, and general care and relief. For further information please call 860-296-0719.
Learn more about The Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Marines’ Fund
Connecticut State Employment Benefits
Employment Assistance
An employee who leaves any public authority or public agency to enter the armed forces can be reinstated in their
former position. Veterans must reapply within ninety days following receipt of a certificate from the armed forces
confirming satisfactory service.
For classified competitive state exams, a wartime veteran eligible for or receiving VA compensation receives an
additional ten 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. However, to qualify, the veteran or
spouse must achieve a passing grade on the examination score. If an honorably discharged veteran has served in a
military action for which he/she received, or is entitled to receive, a campaign badge or expeditionary medal, he/she
qualifies for five additional points if they receive a passing grade on their examination.
On a competitive municipal examination, a wartime veteran eligible for VA compensation or a pension, who has
received a passing score, receives ten additional points.
A wartime veteran not eligible for compensation or a pension, who has received a passing score, receives five
additional points.
Learn more about Employment Benefits
Connecticut Veteran Education Benefits
Educational Benefit/Tuition Waivers
State law provides that tuition fees at state educational institutions be waived for certain veterans and certain
dependents.
Approved institutions for this benefit are:
State Regional Community/Technical Colleges
State Universities
In order to be eligible for a tuition waiver, one must:
Be a veteran who served 90 days of active duty during a period of war as defined in; and
Have been accepted to an approved institution; and
Be a Connecticut resident at the time of acceptance to the institution.
A veteran’s dependents can also qualify for tuition waiver if the veteran is declared missing in action while
serving in the armed forces after January 1, 1960.
Learn more about Educational Benefit/Tuition Waivers
High School Diplomas and Veterans of WWII
Local Boards of Education may award diplomas to those WWII veterans who did not receive them when they left
high school before graduation for military service.
Learn more about High School Diplomas and Veterans of WWII
Other Connecticut State Veteran Benefits
Burial in Connecticut’s Veterans’ Cemetery
Any veteran discharged with other than a dishonorable discharge is eligible for burial in a state veterans’ cemetery.
Spouses are also eligible for this benefit.
Learn more about Burial in Connecticut’s Veterans’ Cemetery
Motor Vehicles Waiver
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State law provides for free motor vehicle registration and special plates to former prisoners of war and recipients of
the Medal of Honor.
Veterans, who were state residents at the time of induction and who apply within two years of receiving an
honorable discharge, are exempt from paying for an operator’s license and examination fees for one licensing
period.
State law also provides that fees may be waived for the following registration items, subject to a formal
determination by the Department of Motor Vehicles:
Special License plates for disabled veterans
Special fee license plates for certain disabilities (loss of use or loss of limb, or blind) handicapped and
overtime parking.
If receiving auto grant from the VA or Medal of Honor recipient, exemption from registration fees.
Learn more about the Motor Vehicles Waiver
Retirement
Members of The Municipal Employees’ Retirement System, who leave municipal employment to enter the armed
forces while the United States is at war, engaged in hostilities, or during national emergencies and are re-employed
by the municipality within six months of discharge, are credited with the period of service as though they had been
continuously employed. This six-month limitation can be extended due to service-related disability.
Learn more about Retirement Benefits
[Source: www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/connecticut-state-veterans-benefits Sep2010 ++]
