Veteran Benefits for Connecticut

Connecticut Income Tax on Military Pay: Connecticut resident service members are required to pay state taxes on their military pay unless they meet all the following requirements:

• Does not maintain a permanent residence in Connecticut
• Maintains a permanent residence outside Connecticut
• Spends 30 days or less in Connecticut

Service members who do not meet all the conditions above but live outside the U.S. for an extended period may qualify as nonresidents under the “Group B Exception.” In addition, Connecticut offers the same benefits for federal taxes to Service members serving in a combat zone or during a contingency operation. These benefits include:

• • 180-day extension to file and pay taxes while deployed or hospitalized due to injuries or illness received in a combat zone or contingency operation
  • The tax exclusion for base pay, hostile fire/imminent danger pay, bonuses, school loan repayments, and proceeds from selling accrued leave (exceptions apply for commissioned officers)

Connecticut State Tax Exemption for Military Retired Pay: Retired Service members do not have to pay Connecticut income taxes on military retired pay if their military retired pay is taxed on their federal income tax return.

• Former Spouses of retired Service members who receive part of the Service member’s military retired pay under a final decree of divorce, dissolution, annulment, legal separation or a court-ordered property settlement do not qualify for the 100% military retired pay tax exemption.

Connecticut State Taxes on Military Disability Retirement Pay: Military Disability Retirement Pay received as a pension, annuity, or similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces is not taxed in Connecticut. Some of the payments that are considered disability benefits include:

• Disability compensation and pension payments for disabilities paid to Veterans or their Families
• Grants for homes designed for wheelchair living
• Grants for motor vehicles for Veterans who lost their sight or the use of limbs, or
• Benefits under a dependent-care assistance program

Connecticut State Taxes on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of Service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.

Connecticut Taxes on Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)/ Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP)/ Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan (RSFPP): SBP, RCSBP and RSFPP survivor annuities are not subject to Connecticut income taxes.

 Connecticut Military Spouse Residency Relief Act: A nonresident military Spouse who shares the same state of residence as a nonresident Service member stationed in Connecticut due to military orders is not subject to Connecticut income taxes on wages earned within the state. However, the nonresident Spouse is still responsible for paying taxes (if applicable) to their state of residence.

Connecticut Veteran Property Tax Exemptions: Connecticut property tax is administered by local municipalities. These municipalities have the option to interpret and apply exemptions at their discretion within the framework established by state law. For specific eligibility and exemption amounts, Veterans should contact their local municipality.Property tax exemptions can be applied toward real estate or automobile property taxes. In general, exemptions are available for:

• Veterans of World War II – $1500
• Wartime Veterans – $1,000
• Disabled Veterans and their un-remarried Surviving Spouse:
  • $2,000 for disability rating between 10% – 25%
  • $2,500 for disability rating between 26% and 50%
  • $3,000 for disability rating between 51% and 75%
  • $3,500 for disability rating over 76%, or has reached age 65, or suffered an amputation of an arm or leg
• Severely disabled Veterans – up to $10,000
• Unmarried Surviving Spouse of a Veteran who is receiving a pension, annuity, or compensation from the U.S. Government – $1,000
• Unmarried Surviving Spouse or Minor Child of a Service member who died on active duty or as a result of that service – $3,000
• Municipal option for total property tax exemption for Veterans who receive specially adapted housing from the VA

In addition, Veterans with income below threshold levels (set by local municipalities) or Veterans with 100% disability may claim an exemption up to twice the amount of the exemptions listed above.

Reduced Connecticut Vehicle Purchase Sales Tax for Nonresident Service Members: Nonresident Service members serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and stationed in Connecticut may purchase motor vehicles (including leased vehicles) with a reduced sales tax rate of 4.5%. Purchases can be made individually or jointly with the Service member’s Spouse.

Connecticut Tax Relief for Service Members Killed in a Combat Zone or as a Result of Injuries: Resident Service members who die while serving on active duty in a combat zone or as a result of injuries received in a combat zone are exempt from Connecticut Income taxes in the year of their death. Any taxes paid that year are refunded, and unpaid assessments will be canceled.

Sales Tax:

• Statewide: 6.35%
• Counties: cannot levy an additional sales tax
• Common Exceptions:
  • Prescription and OTC Medicine are exempt
  • Some medical devices & supplies
  • Bicycle helmets
  • Unprepared foods and meals are exempt

Recreation

Connecticut Hunting and Fishing Privileges for Nonresident Service Members:  Active duty, nonresident Service members serving in the U.S. Armed Forces can purchase Connecticut hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses for the resident prices. Service members must carry proof of active duty status while hunting, fishing, or trapping.

Connecticut Free Fishing, Marine Waters Fishing, and Small Game Hunting Licenses for Disabled Persons:  Connecticut residents who lost a limb or the use of a limb are eligible for free inland fishing and small game hunting licenses. Applicants must provide certification of their disability from a doctor. Nonresidents who are residents of states which allow Connecticut residents the same privileges are also eligible.

Connecticut Group Fishing License for Organizations Hosting Disabled Veteran Fishing Programs: Connecticut offers group fishing licenses for non-profit organizations that host fishing programs for Veterans who have service-connected disabilities. Organizations can host up to 50 events per year for 50 Veterans. The cost for the license for each event is $125. 

Free Connecticut State Park Lifetime Pass for Disabled Veterans:  The Connecticut State Park Lifetime Disabled Veteran Pass provides access to Connecticut State Parks and Forests and is available free to resident Veterans who have a service-connected disability.

• Please note that each pass is issued to a specific person and can only be used by the disabled Veteran. They are not valid for camping or special events having separate admission charges and may not be used for commercial purposes.

Miscellaneous Connecticut Military & Veteran Benefits

Education Programs

Connecticut Veterans, Military Service Member, Veteran, and Dependent Tuition Waiver:

Tuition at Connecticut public colleges and universities is waived for eligible Veterans, Connecticut National Guard Service members, and certain dependents. This waiver will cover tuition costs that exceed tuition benefits provided by VA educational benefits or the student’s employer. This waiver does not cover other fees such as books, student activities, course fees, parking, or room and board. Veterans enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a Connecticut State University campus are granted a full 100% tuition waiver for both the fall and spring semesters, along with a 50% tuition waiver for summer or intersession courses.

Connecticut Community Colleges provide a tuition waiver for full or part-time study, excluding its use for summer, intersession, or extension fund courses.

• Additionally, Charter Oak State College extends a 50% course fee waiver to eligible Veterans.

Connecticut High School Diplomas for Veterans of WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam:  Connecticut local boards of education will award diplomas to honorably discharged Veterans who left high school before graduation to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, Korea, or Vietnam. Those interested should contact their local board of education in their school district for more information.

Connecticut Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children:

he purpose of this compact is to remove barriers to educational success imposed on Children of military Families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents by:

• Facilitating the prompt enrollment of Children of military Families and ensuring that they are not placed at a disadvantage due to difficulty in the transfer of educational records from the previous school district or variations in entrance or age requirements
• Facilitating the student placement process through which Children of military Families are not disadvantaged by variations in attendance requirements, scheduling, sequencing, grading, course content, or assessment. Facilitating the qualification and eligibility for enrollment, educational programs, and participation in extracurricular academic, athletic, and social activities
• Facilitating the on-time graduation of Children of military Families
• Providing for the enforcement of administrative rules implementing the provisions of this compact
• Providing for the uniform collection and sharing of information between and among member states, schools, and military Families under this compact
• Promoting coordination between this compact and other compacts affecting military Children
• Promoting flexibility and cooperation between the educational system, parents, and the student to achieve educational success for the student

Housing: The following are the sites for Veterans Homes

Connecticut State Veterans Home at Rocky Hill

Eligibility for admission:

• Received an Honorable Discharge or a General Discharge, Under Honorable Conditions from active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces
• Resident of Connecticut at the time of application, or was a resident of Connecticut at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces
• Served at least 90 days on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (does not include active duty for training), unless discharged early due to a service-connected disability (as determined by the VA)

Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, Patriots’ Landing: Connecticut’s Patriots’ Landing, located at Rocky Hill, has five separate single-family, three-bedroom homes for homeless Veterans, their Spouse and Children. All homes are completely furnished, equipped with kitchen supplies, bedding, furniture, washers and dryers, and full kitchens.

• Housing is provided on a month-to-month basis, not to exceed twelve months unless extended by the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs for not more than two, six-month periods based on specified extenuating circumstances
• Participants pay a monthly housing program fee
• Participants comply with all terms and conditions listed in the Patriots’ Landing Temporary Housing Program Agreement (provided upon admission)

A case manager is assigned to assist couples and Families with individual recovery plans to return them to independent living in the community. Case managers will also offer career and educational assistance as well as resume writing, networking, and interviewing skills.

Who is eligible to stay at the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, Patriots Landing? A Veteran must meet the following requirements:

• Received an Honorable Discharge or a General Discharge, Under Honorable Conditions from active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces
• Resident of Connecticut at the time of application or was a resident of Connecticut at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces

Employment and Job Training: Veteran’s Preference

Connecticut Department of Labor Veteran Services:  Veterans can receive employment services from trained Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialists and Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVER) at American Job Centers (AJCs) located in Connecticut. Connecticut has five comprehensive AJCs and several smaller affiliate locations.

DVOPs provide intensive services and help meet the employment needs of Veterans who have significant barriers to employment as well as eligible Spouses and Family caregivers.

Connecticut Veteran Preference when Bidding for State Contracts: Veteran-owned small businesses in Connecticut can receive a 15% price preference when determining the lowest bid for state contracts. Veterans must receive a Connecticut Veteran-Owned Micro Business Certification to be eligible. To receive certification the business must be at least 51% owned by one or more Veterans and have gross revenues not exceeding $3,000,000.

Leave for Connecticut State Employees for Military Duty: State employees who are Service members in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are authorized 30 days per year of military leave with pay for military duty.  Service members on military leave cannot lose leave, holidays, promotion potential or continued employment.

Connecticut State Employment Reinstatement after Military Leave: Any state employee who leaves their job to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces must be reinstated to their former position when they leave the military.

Connecticut State Employment Veterans Hiring Preference: Connecticut offers a Veterans hiring preference when hiring for state employment to eligible Veterans and Spouses. Preference is provided by adding points to passing scores on competitive hiring examinations.

• 10 point eligibility:
  • Honorably discharged disabled Veterans who are eligible for, or receiving compensation for disabilities from the VA and served recognized time of war
  • Spouse of a disabled Veteran who is unable to work due to their disabilities
  • Surviving Spouse of a Veteran who was eligible for the 10-point preference
• 5 point eligibility:
  • Honorably discharged Veterans who served during a recognized time of war and are not eligible for compensation from the VA or receiving a pension

Federal Employment Veteran’s Hiring Preferences: By Federal law, Veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over non-veterans in hiring into the federal civil service and in retention during reduction in force. Veterans may be entitled to 5 or 10 points included in any scoring process for examination or interviews.

5-point Hiring Preference: Five points are added to the examination score or rating of a Veteran who served:

• During a war, or
• During the period April 28, 1952, through July 1, 1955, or
• For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976, or
• During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992, or
• For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on August 31, 2010, the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom, or
• In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge, including El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, and Haiti, qualifies for preference

10-point Compensable Disability (CP) Preference:  Ten points are added to the examination score or rating of a Veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of at least 10% but less than 30%.

10-Point 30% Compensable Disability Preference (CPS): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a Veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of 30% or more.

10-Point Disability Preference (XP): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of:

• A Veteran who served at any time and has a present service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the VA but does not qualify as a CP or CPS, or
• A Veteran who received a Purple Heart

10-Point Derived Preference (XP): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of Spouses, Surviving Spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a Spouse (including a Surviving Spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran’s service if they both meet the requirements. However, neither may receive preference if the Veteran is living and is qualified for federal employment.

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of the Spouse of a disabled Veteran who is disqualified for a federal position along the general lines of their usual occupation because of a service-connected disability. Such a disqualification may be presumed when the Veteran is unemployed and:

• Is rated by appropriate military or VA authorities to be 100% disabled and/or unemployable, or
• Has retired, been separated, or resigned from a civil service position because of a disability that is service-connected in origin, or
• Has attempted to obtain a civil service position or other position along the lines of their usual occupation and has failed to qualify because of a service-connected disability

Preference may be allowed in other circumstances but anything less than the above warrants a more careful analysis.

A campaign medal holder or Gulf War Veteran who originally enlisted after September 7, 1980, (or began active duty on or after October 14, 1982, and has not previously completed 24 months of continuous active duty) must have served continuously for 24 months or the full period called or ordered to active duty. The 24-month service requirement does not apply to 10-point preference eligible Veterans separated for disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or to Veterans separated for hardship or other reasons under Title 10 U.S.C. 1171 or 1173.         

Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA): USERRA protects civilian job rights and benefits for Veterans and members of reserve components. USERRA also protects Service member rights and benefits by clarifying the law, improving enforcement mechanisms, and adding Federal Government employees to those employees already eligible to receive Department of Labor assistance in processing claims.

Absence from Work for Military Duty:  USERRA establishes the cumulative length of time that an individual may be absent from work for military duty and retain reemployment rights for five years. Exceptions to the five-year limit, include initial enlistments lasting more than five years, periodic National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserve training duty, and involuntary active duty extensions and recalls, especially during a time of national emergency. USERRA establishes that reemployment protection does not depend on the timing, frequency, duration, or nature of an individual’s service as long as the basic eligibility criteria are met.

Disability Accommodation:  USERRA provides protection for disabled Veterans, requiring employers to make reasonable efforts to accommodate the disability. Service members recovering from injuries received during service or training may have up to two years from the date of completion of service to return to their jobs or apply for reemployment.

Return to Work without Loss of Seniority:  USERRA provides that returning Service members are reemployed in the job that they would have attained had they not been absent for military service, with the same seniority, status, and pay, as well as other rights and benefits determined by seniority. USERRA also requires that reasonable efforts (such as training or retraining) be made to enable returning Service members to refresh or upgrade their skills to help them qualify for reemployment. USERRA also provides that while an individual is performing military service, they are deemed to be on a furlough or leave of absence and are entitled to the non-seniority rights accorded to other individuals on non-military leaves of absence.

Extension of Health and Pension Plans: Health and pension plan coverage for Service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer-sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium. For military service of less than 31 days, health care coverage is provided as if the Service member had remained employed. USERRA clarifies pension plan coverage by making explicit that all pension plans are protected.

Who is eligible for USERRA? Veterans, Reservists, or National Guard members who leave a position for training or active military service are eligible.

The Department of Labor, through the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), helps all who have claims under USERRA, including Federal and Postal Service employees.

Connecticut Hilton Honors Military Program: The Connecticut Hilton Honors Military Program helps make the career transition from service in the U.S. Armed Forces to civilian employment easier for current and former Service members. The Hilton Honors Military Program will provide hotel accommodations for required travel while they are looking for a new job, training for a new job, or finding housing. Those eligible can receive up to a total of 100,000 hotel points for verifiable employment-related activities. Each state sets its own eligibility and residency requirements. Recipients must have a Hilton Honors account to receive the points. 

Burials and Memorials

he National Cemetery Administration (NCA) pays tribute to eligible Veterans and their family members by providing a final resting place and a lasting memorial to commemorate the Veteran’s dedicated service to the nation.

The burial benefits encompass a gravesite in any of our open cemeteries with available space, the opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government-furnished headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, all at no cost to the family. Some Veterans may also meet the criteria for a burial allowance. Cremated remains are interred or inurned in national cemeteries with the same honors and respect as casketed remains.

Burial benefits extend to eligible spouses and dependents, including burial alongside the Veteran and perpetual care of the interment site. The name and relevant dates of birth and death of the spouse or dependent are inscribed on the Veteran’s headstone at no expense to the family. Importantly, spouses and qualified dependents are eligible for burial even if they pass away before the Veteran and are not required to be interred in the same national cemetery as the Veteran.

National Cemeteries include:

Middletown: State Veterans Cemetery

Connecticut VA Benefit Resources

Connecticut provides Veterans with a Regional Benefits Office and VA Medical Centers.

Connecticut VA Regional Benefits Office

• Newington: Hartford Regional Office

Connecticut VA Medical Centers

• Newington: VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Newington Campus
• West Haven: VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven Campus

Important information for Connecticut Veteran Benefits:

For Veterans applying for VA benefits for the first time, you must submit a copy of your DD 214 (discharge paperwork). This will provide your discharge status, along with your full name, social security number, branch of service, and dates for which you served. Honorable and general discharges qualify a Veteran for most VA benefits.

You should always keep your paperwork, along with your medical records, in a safe place where you and your family can have access to them. It is imperative to have it in a location where it cannot be destroyed or tampered with, which includes a safe.

Your eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Active service means full-time service as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, the Environmental Services Administration or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Any Veteran discharged from the military under the conditions of “Dishonorable” due to bad conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial may bar VA benefits. Veterans in prison and parolees may be eligible for certain VA benefits. VA regional offices can clarify the eligibility of prisoners, parolees, and individuals with multiple discharges issued under differing conditions.

*This information is accurate as of October 2023

Connecticut Veteran Benefits

If you are a disabled Veteran in Connecticut and are VA rated 90% or less, you may be eligible for additional benefits. Contact Veterans Guardian for a free consultation with no obligation. Let us review your claim to determine whether you qualify for additional benefits.