Veteran Benefits for California

• California Taxes on Military Retired Pay: Military retired pay received by California residents is taxed in California.Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) does not withhold taxes for state or local income tax, but it is reported annually on IRS Form 1099-R. All TSP distributions are subject to state taxes and early distributions may incur higher taxes.To request the 2024 Tax Information for Military Personnel please provide an email address to the following California Franchise Tax Board, online document request form.
• California Taxes on Military Pay: Military pay received by California resident service members stationed outside California is not taxed. Pay received by a resident service member stationed in California is subject to state income tax.

To request the 2024 Tax Information for Military Personnel please provide an email address to the following California Franchise Tax Board, online document request form.

• California 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 should not be included in taxable income. Some of the payments which 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.
• California 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.
• California State Taxes on Military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP), and Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan (RSFPP) Annuities: SBP, RCSBP and RSFPP annuities are taxed in California.

To request the 2024 Tax Information for Military Personnel please provide an email address to the following California Franchise Tax Board, online document request form.

• California Income Tax Exemption for Nonresident Military Spouses: A nonresident service member’s spouse may be exempt from paying California taxes on income earned while stationed in California.
  • Who is eligible for California Income Exemption for Nonresident Military Spouses? A nonresident military spouse must meet the following requirements to be exempt from California income tax:
    • Service member and spouse are residents of another state or territory
    • Service member is in California in compliance with military orders
    • Spouse is in California only to be with the service member

To request the 2024 Tax Information for Military Personnel please provide an email address to the following California Franchise Tax Board, online document request form

• California Income Tax Exclusion for Combat Pay and Extension to File: Military pay received by a resident service member serving on active duty in a combat zone, or Qualified Hazardous Duty Area (QHDA) that is excluded from their federal adjusted gross income is also exempt from California income tax.

Service members have a 180 day extension from their return from a combat zone, plus the number of days they were in a combat zone or QHDA to file and pay their state tax return without interest and penalties. Service members who serve outside the U.S. but not in a combat zone or QHDA have 180 days from their return from overseas duty to file and pay their state tax return without interest and penalties. Both of these extensions apply to the service member and spouse regardless of whether they file singly or jointly.

To request the 2024 Tax Information for Military Personnel please provide an email address to the following California Franchise Tax Board, online document request form.

• California Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption: The California Veterans’ Exemption provides a property tax exemption of up to $4,000 for eligible service members, Veterans and their eligible family members.

To qualify for this exemption, the applicant may not own property (real or personal) worth more than $5,000 if single, $10,000 if married. Those eligible must have lived in California on January 1 of the year they apply.

• • Who is eligible for the California Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption? To be eligible for the California Veterans’ Exemption applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
    • Currently serving service member
    • Veteran who received an honorable discharge and meets one of the following requirements:
      • Served during a wartime period
      • Served during peace time in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal was authorized by Congress
      • Discharged from active-duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces during peace time due to a service-connected disability
    • Service member serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces who was called to federal active-duty service
    • Unremarried surviving spouse of a deceased eligible Veteran
    • Parent of a deceased eligible Veteran

To apply for the Veterans’ Exemption applicants must file each year by February 15 with the County Assessor where the property is located. Claim forms are available from the local County Assessor.

• California Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption: The Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption reduces the property tax on the principal residence of eligible disabled Veterans and their surviving spouses.

There are two levels of the Disabled Veterans’ Exemption:

• Basic Exemption – $175,298, available to all eligible (only required to apply once)
• Low-Income Exemption – $262,950, available to those who have a combined household income of $78,718 or less for the previous year (must apply each year)

Claim for Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption 26-G (Sample) (exemption amounts and income limit information)

• Who is eligible for the California Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemptions? Veterans must meet the following requirements to be eligible:
  • Served during a wartime period and received a discharge “other than dishonorable”, and
  • Has a service-connected disability rating from the VA or their branch of Service of 100% or rated Individually Unemployable and paid at the 100% rate, or
  • Blind in both eyes, or
  • Lost or loss the use of two or more limbs

Surviving spouses must meet one of the following requirements:

• • Unremarried surviving spouse of an eligible deceased Veteran
  • Unremarried surviving spouse of a deceased Veteran who would have qualified for the exemption if they had been alive on or after January 1, 1977
  • Unremarried surviving spouse of a Veteran who died from a service-connected injury or disease

To apply for the Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption applicants must file an application with the County Assessor where the property is located. Claim forms are available from the local County Assessor.

Recreation

• California Hunting and Fishing Benefits for Service Members and Veterans: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) offers Disabled Veteran Sport Fishing and Hunting Licenses, and the Recovering Service Member Fishing and Hunting Licenses to eligible service members and Veterans.
• California Disabled Veteran Sport Fishing and Hunting Licenses:Honorably discharged Veterans who have a service-connected disability rating from the VA of 50% or greater can purchase a reduced fee Disabled Veteran Sport Fishing ($10.29) or Hunting license ($9.46). Veterans are required to provide a VA Benefit Summary Letter certifying they received an honorable discharge and have a service-connected disability rating of 50% or greater.
• California Recovering Service Member Sport Fishing and Hunting Licenses:Service members serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces who are receiving medical treatment or therapy in an out-patient status while recovering from a service-connected serious injury or illness, can purchase a reduced fee Recovering Service Member Sport Fishing license ($10.29) or Hunting license ($9.46). Service members are required to provide a letter from their commanding officer or from a military medical doctor verifying their eligibility.

All applicants must provide the following to prequalify for these licenses:

• Driver’s license
• GO (Get Outdoors) ID number, new customers must register online using the California Online License Sales and Services website to receive an ID number
• Official documentation of eligibility

o VA Benefit Summary Letter for disabled Veterans

o Recovering service members must submit a letter from their commanding officer or a military doctor

• Telephone number
• Email address (optional, may process quicker)
• Proof of hunter education (for hunting licenses only)

Prequalifying information and documentation may be submitted by:

• Upload through the CDFW Online License Sales and Services website
• Mail to any CDFW License Sales Office
• Fax to 916-419-7585
• Secure document upload, must request a secure document upload by emailing LRB@wildlife.ca.gov

After prequalifying, applicants can purchase these licenses online at the CDFW Online License Sales and Services webpage, at any CDFW License Sales Office or at a CDFW License Agent.

• California State Parks, Free Lifetime Distinguished Veteran Pass: The California State Park Distinguished Veteran Pass is a free lifetime pass available to eligible Veterans. This pass authorizes use of all basic facilities, including day use, camping and boating at California State Parks at no charge.
  • Who is eligible for the California State Parks, Free Lifetime Distinguished Veteran Pass? Veterans must meet the following requirements to be eligible:
    • California resident wartime Veteran
    • Received an honorable discharge
    • Has a 50% or greater service-connected disability rating from the VA, or
    • Former prisoner of war, or
    • Medal of Honor recipient

To apply for the California State Park Distinguished Veteran Pass, Veterans can apply online at ReserveCalifornia.com, in person at a California State Parks Pass Sales Location or by mailing their completed application.

HOUSING: THE FOLLOWING ARE THE SITES FOR VETERANS HOMES

California State Veterans Home at Barstow

California State Veterans Home at Chula Vista

California State Veterans Home at Fresno

California State Veterans Home at Lancaster

California State Veterans Home at Redding

California State Veterans Home at Ventura

California State Veterans Home at West Los Angeles

California State Veterans Home at Yountville

ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION:

To be eligible for admission applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (other than for training purposes) and received an Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions Discharge
• Aged 55 or older (no age limit for disabled or homeless Veterans)
• California resident at the time of application
• Covered under a medical insurance policy

Non-Veteran spouses (or domestic partners) must meet the following requirements:

• Submit a joint application with the Veteran
• Surviving spouse or domestic partner of a deceased Medal of Honor recipient or former prisoner of war; these spouses are not required to submit a joint application with an eligible Veteran
• Was married, or in a registered domestic partnership, and lived with the eligible Veteran for a year or longer
• Aged 55 or older (no age limit for disabled or homeless applicants)
• California resident at the time of application
• Covered under a medical insurance policy

Medal of Honor recipients, former prisoners of war, wartime Veterans, homeless Veterans, and those with a 70% or greater service-connected disability rating, are given priority for admission over other applicants.

EMPLOYMENT AND JOB TRAINING: VETERAN’S PREFERENCE

• California State Employment Veterans’ Hiring Preference:  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.  California provides Veterans’ Preference to eligible Veterans, as well as their Spouse or Surviving Spouse, during the state employment hiring process. This preference can be applied to open and non-promotional applications submitted by eligible applicants.

Applicants who achieve a passing score on a civil service examination are positioned at the forefront of the ensuing eligibility list. It’s important to note that Veterans’ Preference is not extended once an individual attains permanent civil service status.

• 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 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.

• Who is eligible for California State Employment Veterans’ Hiring Preference? The following applicants are eligible for Veterans’ preference:
  • Veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for 30 days or more during a time of war, or in peace time when a campaign or expeditionary medal was authorized and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable
  • Veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for at least 181 consecutive days and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable
  • Surviving Spouse of an eligible Veteran
  • Spouse of a 100% disabled Veteran
• Veterans’ Preference in Promotional Exams: Veterans who retired from the U.S. Armed Forces or were honorably discharged from active duty and are eligible to compete in promotional examinations may have their names placed on the promotion eligibility list.

Veterans must meet the minimum qualifications for the promotion and receive a passing score on the examination to be eligible.

• California Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Program: The DVBE Program aims to assist certified disabled Veteran-owned businesses in competing for state contracts. California has established a goal of allocating 3% of all state contracts to certified DVBE businesses. Through the DVBE option, state agencies are able to enter direct contracts with certified DVBEs for goods, services, and information technology goods and services with values ranging from $5,000.01 to $249,999.99 (or up to $388,000 for public works contracts). Certification within this program typically lasts for two years.

The DVBE Program provides the following assistance:

• • Assist certified DVBE businesses throughout the contracting process
  • Assist contract officers looking for DVBE businesses to participate in contracts and purchasing
  • Provide information to businesses or agencies regarding DVBE
  • Serve as an advocate for the disabled Veteran businesses
  • Reporting violations of the California Military and Veterans Code

• California Business License Tax and Fee Waiver:

Veterans who have been honorably discharged and engage in the sale of goods, wares, or merchandise (excluding services) are eligible for an exemption from municipal, county, and state business license fees, taxes, or related fees. It’s important to note that this exemption does not cover alcoholic beverages.

To qualify for this exemption, Veterans are required to furnish evidence of their honorable discharge to the relevant county or city licensing authority. It’s essential to be aware that eligibility criteria may vary depending on local jurisdictions.

• California State Employee Military Leave: California offers several different types of military leave for state employees who are serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces. A short description of these types of leave are listed below.
• Short-Term Military Leave: California state permanent, probationary, limited-term, or temporary employees who are members of a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for short-term military leave for six months or less.

Short term military leave can be granted for:

• Annual training such as active duty military training, encampment and special exercises
• Inactive duty (unpaid) such as scheduled drill periods

Service members are authorized one additional day for travel unless their orders authorize more travel time.

• Long-Term Military Leave: California state permanent and probationary employees who are members of a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces and are ordered to active duty for six months or more are eligible for long-term military leave for up to five years. U.S. Code, Title 38, Section 4312 [c] does offer some exceptions to the five year time limit in certain circumstances.

Service members must begin their active duty within 90 calendar days after the last day worked, or the last day of vacation or time off used before reporting for active duty. Service members are authorized to receive their state salary for the first 30 days of the long-term military leave. The Service member has six months from the date of discharge from active duty to return to work.

• Emergency Military Leave: California state employees who are members of the California National Guard and are ordered to state active duty are eligible for emergency military leave.

The length of emergency military leave is the period of active duty plus one day for travel going to and returning from the Service members duty location unless their orders authorize additional travel time.

Service members must begin their active duty within 10 calendar days after the last day worked, or the last day of vacation or time off used before reporting for duty. Service members are authorized to receive their state salary for the first 30 days of the emergency military leave.

Permanent or probationary state employees must return to work within 14 calendar days after the end of their military leave. Limited-term or temporary state employee must return work within 10 calendar days after the end of their military leave.

• War or National Emergency Leave: California state employees who are members of a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces and are ordered to federal active duty are eligible for war or national emergency leave.

The length of emergency military leave is the period of federal active duty plus one day for travel going to and returning from the Service members duty location, unless their orders authorize additional travel time.

Service members must begin their active duty within 10 calendar days after the last day worked, or the last day of vacation or time off used before reporting for duty. Service members are authorized to receive their state salary for the first 30 days of the emergency military leave.

• California State Employment Differential Pay for Reserve Component Service Members Ordered to Federal Active Duty: Reserve component Service members are eligible for the difference between their military pay and their state salary when ordered to federal active duty due to the War on Terror or due to a presidential determination of national emergency following the September 11, 2001, attack.
  • War on Terror: State employees who are reserve component Service members ordered to federal active duty after September 11, 2001, in support of the War on Terror, are authorized to receive the difference between their military pay and their state salary (not including hazardous duty pay, hostile fire pay, or imminent danger pay).

Service members can receive this differential pay for a total of 760 days. Service members will continue to be eligible for salary changes based on:

• General salary adjustments
• Labor marked adjustments
• Merit salary adjustments
• Special in-grade salary adjustments

Service members can continue to receive health, dental, and vision care benefits for up to 730 calendar days. Vacation and sick leave will continue to accrue during war or national emergency leave for up to 24 months.

• Presidential Determination:  State employees who are reserve component Service members ordered to federal active duty by a presidential determination after September 11, 2001, are authorized to receive the difference between their military pay and their state salary for 180 days. The Service member will continue to be eligible for merit salary adjustments and continue to be eligible for all benefits they are entitled to, had they not been called to active duty.
• California Employment Development Department, Employment Assistance for Veterans:  The California Employment Development Department (EDD) plays a vital role in aiding Veterans, Service members transitioning out of the U.S. Armed Forces, and eligible Spouses by providing comprehensive employment training and placement services. EDD personnel conduct an initial assessment to determine the most suitable services, which may include self-service, group sessions, or one-on-one assistance. Furthermore, Veterans gain exclusive 24-hour access to job listings before they are made available to the general public.

Within EDD, there are specialized teams such as Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialists, Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVER), and Consolidated Veteran Representatives, who assume combined responsibilities. They focus on delivering tailored services to Veterans, Service members, and Spouses to facilitate their reentry into the workforce. These highly trained professionals offer a wide range of support, including employment services, job training, vocational education, supportive services, and participation in community college programs.

LVERs concentrate on individualized job development services for Veterans who are deemed job ready. Their duties encompass outreach to employers, assistance with job development contacts, coordination of job search workshops, and the establishment of job search groups to enhance employment prospects for Veterans.

• Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act:  USERRA safeguards the employment rights and benefits of both Veterans and members of reserve components in their civilian jobs. This act also reinforces the rights and benefits of Service members by providing clarity to the law, enhancing enforcement mechanisms, and expanding its coverage to include Federal Government employees who are now eligible to receive Department of Labor assistance in processing claims.
• Absence from Work for Military Duty: USERRA sets the maximum duration for an individual’s military duty-related absence while preserving reemployment rights at five years. There are exceptions to this five-year limit, which encompass cases like initial enlistments lasting beyond five years, periodic National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserve training obligations, and involuntary active-duty extensions and recalls, particularly during national emergencies. USERRA emphasizes that reemployment protection is not contingent on factors like the timing, frequency, duration, or nature of a person’s military service, as long as they meet the fundamental eligibility criteria.
• Disability Accommodation:  USERRA offers safeguards for disabled Veterans, mandating that employers make reasonable accommodations for their disabilities. Service members in recovery from injuries sustained during service or training are granted a window of up to two years from the date of service completion to either return to their previous jobs or seek reemployment.
• Return to Work without Loss of Seniority:  USERRA dictates that returning Service members are to be reinstated in the job they would have reached had they not been absent for military service. This includes reinstating them with the same seniority, status, pay, and the rights and benefits determined by seniority. Furthermore, USERRA mandates that reasonable efforts, such as training or retraining, should be undertaken to assist returning Service members in refreshing or upgrading their skills to qualify for reemployment.

Additionally, USERRA acknowledges that while an individual is engaged in military service, they are considered to be on a furlough or leave of absence, entitling them to the non-seniority rights granted to other individuals on non-military leaves of absence.

• Extension of Health and Pension Plans:  USERRA safeguards the health and pension plan coverage for Service members. Those engaged in military duty for over 30 days have the option to maintain their employer-sponsored health care for a duration of up to 24 months. However, they may be obligated to cover up to 102% of the full premium.

In cases of military service lasting less than 31 days, health care coverage is provided as if the Service member had continued their employment. USERRA provides clarity regarding pension plan coverage, explicitly ensuring the protection of all pension plans.

BURIALS AND MEMORIALS

The 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.

Veteran burials are provided free of charge, spouse and dependent burials are charged a fee. Any additional expenses associated with the burial (such as a burial permit and funeral home expenses) are the responsibility of the Veteran or their family. California does offer a fee waiver for families that are suffering financial hardship, those interested should contact the cemetery staff for more information.

• Who is eligible for Burial at a California Veterans Cemetery? Eligibility requirements for burial at a California Veterans Cemetery are the same as for VA National Cemeteries. Exact eligibility requirements can be viewed at the VA, National Cemetery Administration Eligibility webpage. The following are the general eligibility requirements:
  • Discharged from active-duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces under conditions other than dishonorable, or
  • Died while serving on active duty, or
  • Served at least 20 years in the National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces Reserves and is eligible for military retired pay (or would have been eligible except their death occurred before age 60), or
  • Reserve component service members if they were activated for federal service, (active duty for training does not qualify)
  • Spouses and children (burial of dependent children is limited to unmarried children under 21 years old, or 23 years old if a full-time student at an approved educational institution, or a child who develops a lifelong disability prior to age 21)

All Veterans are encouraged to complete the California Department of Veterans Affairs, Eligibility for Burial Benefits Determination to establish eligibility prior to need.

National Cemeteries include:

• Arvin: Bakersfield National Cemetery
• Dixon: Sacramento Valley National Cemetery
• Los Angeles: Los Angeles National Cemetery
• Riverside: Riverside National Cemetery
• San Bruno: Golden Gate National Cemetery
• San Diego: Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
• San Diego: Miramar National Cemetery
• San Francisco: San Francisco National Cemetery
• Santa Nella: San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery

State Cemetaries Include:

California has three state Veterans cemeteries and two Native American Veteran cemeteries that offer a dignified final resting place for Veterans and their eligible dependents.

• Igo: Northern California Veterans Cemetary
• Yountville: Yountville Veterans Home Cemetary
• Seaside: California Central Cost Veteran’s Cemetary
• Weitchpec: Yurok Veterans Cemetary
• Auberry: Big Sandy Racheria Veterans Cemetary

CALIFORNIA VA BENEFIT RESOURCES

California provides Veterans with a District Benefits Office and several Regional Benefit Offices, along with VA Medical Centers.

CALIFORNIA VA DISTRICT BENEFITS OFFICE

• Oakland: Pacific District

CALIFORNIA VA REGIONAL BENEFITS OFFICE

• Los Angeles: Los Angeles Regional Office
• San Diego: San Diego Regional Office
• Oakland: Oakland Regional Office

CALIFORNIA VA MEDICAL CENTERS

• Fresno: Central California VA Health Care System
• Livermore: Livermore
• Loma Linda: VA Loma Linda Healthcare System
• Long Beach: VA Long Beach Healthcare System
• Los Angeles: VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLA)
• Mather: VA Northern California Health Care System
• Menlo Park: Menlo Park
• Palo Alto: VA Palo Alto Health Care System
• San Diego: VA San Diego Healthcare System

Important information for California Veteran Benefits:

For Veterans applying for VA benefits for the first time, it’s crucial to submit a copy of your DD 214 (discharge paperwork). This document provides vital information about your discharge status, including your full name, social security number, branch of service, and the dates of your service. Honorable and general discharges typically qualify a Veteran for most VA benefits.

It is highly advisable to securely retain your paperwork, along with your medical records, in a place that is easily accessible to you and your family. It’s imperative to store these documents in a location where they are safeguarded against damage or tampering, such as a secure safe.

Eligibility for most VA benefits is contingent upon a discharge from active military service under conditions other than dishonorable. Active service pertains to 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.

Notably, Veterans who received a “Dishonorable” discharge due to bad conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial may be ineligible for VA benefits. However, some Veterans in prison and those on parole may still qualify for specific VA benefits. VA regional offices are equipped to clarify the eligibility criteria for prisoners, parolees, and individuals with multiple discharges issued under varying conditions.

CALIFORNIA VETERAN BENEFITS

If you are a disabled Veteran in California 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.

*This information is accurate as of June 2024