The state of California provides several veteran benefits. This section offers a brief description of each of the following benefits.
- Housing Benefits
- Financial Assistance Benefits
- Employment Benefits
- Veteran Business Benefits
- Education Benefits
- Other State Veteran Benefits
California Veteran Housing Programs
Veterans Homes of California
The Benefits: Professional and low cost residential, assisted living and medical care facilities throughout California.
Who May Be Eligible: Aged or disabled U.S. veterans who are residents of California.
Learn more about the Veterans Homes of California
California Financial Assistance Benefits
Property Tax Exemptions
Property tax exemptions on the assessed value of a home of:
a) up to $103,107 if the total household income from all sources is over $46,302 per year.
b) up to $154,661 if the total household income from all sources is under $46,302 per year.
Who May Be Eligible: a) Wartime veterans who are in receipt of service-connected disability compensation at the totally disabled rate. b) Unmarried surviving spouses or registered domestic partners of veterans who are in receipt of service-connected death benefits. c) Wartime veterans who are service-connected for loss the use of two or more limbs. d) Wartime veterans who are service-connected for blindness.
Learn more about Property Tax Exemptions
Calvet Farm and Home Loans
Direct loans from the State of California, highly competitive rates, quick processing, unbeatable earthquake and disaster coverage, and proven ability to work well with our homeowner veterans.
Who May Be Eligible: Any veteran who served honorably on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, who resides in and wishes to purchase a farm or home in California.
Learn more about Calvet Farm and Home Loans
Motor Vehicle Registration Fees Waived
Waiver of registration fees and free license plates for one passenger motor vehicle, or one motorcycle, or one commercial motor vehicle of less than 8001 pounds unladen weight.
Who May Be Eligible: Medal of Honor recipients, American Ex-Prisoners of War and “disabled veterans” as defined in the “Disabled Veterans License Plate” section of this pamphlet.
Learn more about Motor Vehicle Registration Fees
California Employment Benefits
Employment and Unemployment Insurance Assistance
Assistance in obtaining training and employment as well assistance in obtaining unemployment insurance.
Who May Be Eligible: All veterans.
Learn more about Employment and Unemployment Insurance Assistance
Veterans Preference in California Civil Service Examinations
Additional points added to the final score of a civil service examination as follows: a) Open Entrance Exams-15 points for a disabled veteran and 10 points for other veterans and surviving spouses. b) Open Non-promotional Entrance Exams-10 points for disabled veterans and 5 points for other veterans.
Who May Be Eligible: a) Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 10% or greater. b) “Wartime” veterans who served have served with honor. c) A veteran who served under honorable conditions for a period of at least 181 days d) Spouses of totally disabled service-connected veterans. e) Unmarried, surviving spouses of a veteran who has died of service-connected causes.
Learn more about Veterans Preference in California
California Veteran Business Benefits
Business License, Tax and Fee Waiver
Waiver of municipal, county and state business license fees, taxes and fees, for veterans who hawk, peddle or vend any goods, wares or merchandise owned by the veteran, except spirituous, malt, vinous or other intoxicating liquor, including sales from a fixed location.
Who May Be Eligible: Honorably discharged veterans who engage in sales (not services) activities may be eligible. Eligibility criteria differs based upon local jurisdiction.
Learn more about the Business License, Tax and Fee Waiver
Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Opportunities
Certified veteran owned businesses can participate in the state goal of awarding 3% of all state contracts to disabled veterans through the Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Program.
Who May Be Eligible: Veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 10% or greater who own at least 51% of a business, and who meet other eligibility criteria.
Learn more about Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Opportunities
California Education Benefits
College Tuition Fee Waivers for Veterans’ Dependents
Waiver of mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University or University of California campus.
Who May Be Eligible: Plan A: The spouse, registered domestic partner, child (under the age of 27) or unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who is totally service-connected disabled, or who has died of service-connected causes may qualify. Plan B: The child of a veteran who has a permanent service-connected disability. The child’s income and value of support provided by a parent cannot exceed the national poverty level.
Learn more about College Tuition Fee Waivers for Veterans’ Dependents
Other California State Veteran Benefits
Disabled Veteran License Plates
Waiver of registration fees and free “DV” handicap parking license plates for one passenger motor vehicle, or one motorcycle, or one commercial motor vehicle of less than 8001 pounds unladen weight.
Who May Be Eligible: A "disabled veteran" is any person who, as a result of injury or disease suffered while on active service with the armed forces of the United States, suffers any of the following:
Learn more about Disabled Veteran License Plates
Free License Plates
Who May Be Eligible:
a) Legion of Valor plates for recipients of the Medal of Honor, Distinguish Service Cross, Navy Cross or the Air Force Cross.
b) Purple Heart Medal recipients
c) Pearl Harbor Survivors
d) Former Prisoners of War
Learn more about Free License Plates
Veterans Claims Representation
The Benefit: Professional, accredited, USDVA claims and ratings review, and representation in appellate processes.
Who May Be Eligible: Any veteran, dependent or veteran’s survivor applying for USDVA benefits.
Learn more about Veterans Claims Representation
Fishing and Hunting Licenses
The Benefits: Reduced annual fees for fishing and hunting licenses.
Who May Be Eligible: Any veteran with a 50% or greater service-connected disability.
Learn more about Fishing and Hunting Licenses
State Parks and Recreation Pass
The Benefits: A lifetime State of California Parks pass for only $3.50.
Who May Be Eligible: Any veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 50% or greater, or a former Prisoner of War.
Learn more about the State Parks and Recreation Pass
State of California Veterans Cemetery
The Benefit: Complete, professional burial services at no cost to veterans ($500 fee for spouses or dependents).
Who May Be Eligible: Veterans, dependents and survivors who meet USDVA eligibility requirements for burial in a national cemetery.
Learn more about the State of California Veterans Cemetery
Veterans License Plates
These special California license plates may be ordered with the armed force or veterans service organization logo/emblem of your choice. Over 100 insignias are available, and your logo will be prominently displayed to the left of a six number/letter combination. Sequential plates are only $30 per year. You may also "personalize" your Vets Plates (your choice of up to 6 characters) for an additional one-time fee of $10.
Learn more about Veterans License Plates
The California Women Veterans Roster
Unfortunately, women veterans have not applied for or utilized their veterans benefits as have their male counterparts, which ultimately dilutes the voice of veterans overall. The California Women Veterans Roster is an information bridge that connects California's women veterans to the various resources and benefits available to them.
The roster is strictly confidential and used solely as a link among California's women veterans. Help give women the voice they earned through service to our country. If you are a woman veteran, join the California Women Veterans Roster! If you are not a woman veteran, please give the gift of information and pass a copy of the roster application form (see below) on to a woman veteran or someone you know associated with women veterans.
Learn more about the California Women Veterans Roster
The California Veterans Registry at the California Veterans Memorial
The California Veterans Registry is a permanent record of all California Veterans -- past and present -- who have served our nation since statehood was established in 1850. Whether cook or fighter pilot, mechanic or chief of staff, this memorial will honor them all, and forever immortalize the contributions that California veterans have made to their nation.
Each California veteran is entitled to the basic information of name, rank and branch of service. To create a truly living memorial, California veterans are encouraged to expand on the basic information by contributing to the enhanced registry.
Learn more about the California Veterans Registry
