Connecticut Veteran Benefits (2026 Guide)
A complete guide to state-level benefits for veterans living in Connecticut, including property tax exemptions, education programs, employment preference, and more. These benefits are in addition to your federal VA benefits.
Official source: Connecticut veterans affairs agency — applications, forms, and current filing deadlines come from the state directly.
Benefits at a Glance
Connecticut packs meaningful veteran benefits into a small state footprint. With full military retirement pay exemption, tiered property tax relief, and one of the lower disability rating thresholds for free hunting and fishing licenses in the country, Connecticut ensures that veterans at every rating level can access state-level support.
Getting help in Connecticut
Accredited claims help
Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs
Phone: (860) 616-3600
287 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Verified September 2026. Call to confirm before you travel.
Local veterans offices
Every Connecticut municipality is required by law to have a veterans advisory committee, a director of municipal veterans services, or a municipal veterans representative. Connecticut has no county government.
Where to Get Help — municipal VetRep directory
Financial help: Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund (state fund, administered by The American Legion)
Verified September 2026.
Not sure what you qualify for yet? The briefing takes about three minutes and needs no signup.
Start the briefingProperty Tax Exemption
Exemptions from $2,000 by disability rating; full exemption for 100% P&T veterans (a town may cap it at its median assessed value)
Under C.G.S. § 12-81(20), veterans with a service-connected rating of 10% or more get an exemption from assessed value of at least $2,000 (10-25%), rising to $3,500 (over 75%, or at age 65); towns raise these amounts at each revaluation, and § 12-81g adds more, with a larger amount for those who meet an income limit. Veterans with listed severe service-connected disabilities (paraplegia, hemiplegia, total blindness, or loss of both arms, legs, hands or feet, or a hand and a foot) get $10,000 under § 12-81(21). Since the assessment year beginning October 1, 2024, the dwelling of a veteran the VA rates permanently and totally disabled with a 100% service-connected rating is fully exempt (§ 12-81(83)); from October 1, 2025, a town may cap that exemption at the median assessed value of homes in the town. Towns may also adopt a full exemption for veterans rated IU (§ 12-81pp). Wartime veterans with no rating get $1,000 under § 12-81(19). Surviving spouses also eligible while they remain unmarried. Prove eligibility to your town assessor.
Income Tax Benefits
Military retirement pay fully exempt
Connecticut fully exempts military retirement pay from state income tax. VA disability compensation is also tax-free.
Hunting & Fishing Licenses
No veteran-specific hunting or fishing license
Connecticut's fish and wildlife agency does not offer a veteran-specific license. Active, full-time members of the armed forces may buy fishing and small game firearms licenses at the resident fee.
Education Benefits
Tuition waiver at state colleges for veterans
Connecticut waives tuition at Connecticut State Colleges and Universities for eligible veterans.
Employment & Hiring Preference
Veterans preference in state employment
Connecticut grants veterans preference in state civil service exams — 5 points for wartime veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans. The state also offers the Veterans Workforce Development Program through CT Department of Labor.
Vehicles & DMV
Free disabled veteran license plates
Free "Disabled Veteran" license plates for veterans with service-connected disability.
State Parks
Free parking and admission for disabled veterans
Connecticut state parks offer free parking and day-use admission for disabled veterans with DV plates.
Housing & Veterans Homes
Connecticut Veterans Home in Rocky Hill
The Connecticut State Veterans Home in Rocky Hill provides residential and healthcare services for eligible veterans. The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority also offers special mortgage programs for veterans.
Additional Benefits
- Property tax exemption for surviving spouses
Veterans in Connecticut
Connecticut's roughly 135,000 veterans are served by a compact but effective support network. The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs operates the state veterans home in Rocky Hill and a network of outreach offices. The state's proximity to major VA medical centers in West Haven and Newington means most Connecticut veterans are within an hour's drive of comprehensive VA healthcare. The submarine base in Groton (Naval Submarine Base New London) is the primary East Coast submarine base, and many Navy veterans choose to settle in Connecticut after their service.
Frequently Asked Questions About Connecticut Veteran Benefits
Does Connecticut offer property tax exemptions for veterans?
Exemptions from $2,000 by disability rating; full exemption for 100% P&T veterans (a town may cap it at its median assessed value). Under C.G.S. § 12-81(20), veterans with a service-connected rating of 10% or more get an exemption from assessed value of at least $2,000 (10-25%), rising to $3,500 (over 75%, or at age 65); towns raise these amounts at each revaluation, and § 12-81g adds more, with a larger amount for those who meet an income limit. Veterans with listed severe service-connected disabilities (paraplegia, hemiplegia, total blindness, or loss of both arms, legs, hands or feet, or a hand and a foot) get $10,000 under § 12-81(21). Since the assessment year beginning October 1, 2024, the dwelling of a veteran the VA rates permanently and totally disabled with a 100% service-connected rating is fully exempt (§ 12-81(83)); from October 1, 2025, a town may cap that exemption at the median assessed value of homes in the town. Towns may also adopt a full exemption for veterans rated IU (§ 12-81pp). Wartime veterans with no rating get $1,000 under § 12-81(19). Surviving spouses also eligible while they remain unmarried. Prove eligibility to your town assessor.
Are military retirement benefits taxed in Connecticut?
Military retirement pay fully exempt. Connecticut fully exempts military retirement pay from state income tax. VA disability compensation is also tax-free.
What education benefits does Connecticut offer veterans?
Tuition waiver at state colleges for veterans. Connecticut waives tuition at Connecticut State Colleges and Universities for eligible veterans.
Do veterans get free or discounted hunting and fishing licenses in Connecticut?
No veteran-specific hunting or fishing license. Connecticut's fish and wildlife agency does not offer a veteran-specific license. Active, full-time members of the armed forces may buy fishing and small game firearms licenses at the resident fee.
Does Connecticut give veterans hiring preference for state jobs?
Veterans preference in state employment. Connecticut grants veterans preference in state civil service exams — 5 points for wartime veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans. The state also offers the Veterans Workforce Development Program through CT Department of Labor.
Are there veterans homes or housing programs in Connecticut?
Connecticut Veterans Home in Rocky Hill. The Connecticut State Veterans Home in Rocky Hill provides residential and healthcare services for eligible veterans. The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority also offers special mortgage programs for veterans.
Do veterans get free or discounted state park access in Connecticut?
Free parking and admission for disabled veterans. Connecticut state parks offer free parking and day-use admission for disabled veterans with DV plates.
Want the full picture?
Connecticut benefits sit alongside federal compensation, healthcare, education, housing, and employment benefits. The optional briefing walks through what may apply to your specific service.
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