California

Any California veteran who owns property receives a $4,000 exemption off the assessed value of their property.

Cannot be combined with the Homeowners' Exemption ($7,000) -- veteran must choose one. Applies to personal property if no real property is owned.

Disabled veterans receive an exemption on the first $161,083 of assessed value of their primary residence, with a higher exemption for low-income households.

Basic exemption: first $161,083 of assessed value (2024 amount, adjusted annually). Low-income exemption: first $241,627 if household income is below $73,608. Must own and occupy as primary residence.

California fully taxes military retirement pay. There is no state exemption for military pensions.

California is one of the states that taxes military retirement income. VA disability compensation remains tax-free under federal law. Combat zone pay is excluded from California income tax.

Veterans with service-connected disabilities can obtain special DV license plates with wheelchair symbol. Veterans rated 100% disabled are exempt from registration fees.

California offers specialty plates for veterans including Purple Heart, Medal of Honor, Pearl Harbor Survivor, POW, and Gold Star Family plates.

Most specialty plates have additional fees ($50+ initial, $40+ renewal). Medal of Honor and Ex-POW plates are free and include registration exemption.

Veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled, former POWs, and Medal of Honor recipients are exempt from vehicle registration fees on one vehicle.

Veterans with qualifying disabilities can obtain a free disabled parking placard from the DMV.

Children, spouses, or domestic partners of veterans with service-connected disability or who died of service-connected causes receive a full waiver of tuition and fees at UC, CSU, and community colleges.

Value can exceed $10,000-$15,000+ per year depending on campus. Requires CalVet approval letter submitted to campus financial aid office.

Active members of the California Army or Air National Guard can receive up to 100% of tuition and fees at California public colleges and universities.

All GI Bill-eligible veterans receive in-state tuition at California public institutions regardless of residency status under state law AB 13.

Low-income veterans may qualify for fee waivers at California community colleges, where fees are already among the lowest in the nation at $46/unit.

Veterans may qualify for Cal Grant financial aid for California institutions. Filing deadline is March 2 each year.

California public colleges and universities provide priority class registration for veterans.

Veterans receive preference points on state civil service examinations: 10 points for disabled veterans, 5 points for non-disabled veterans.

Veterans receive priority of service at EDD America's Job Centers of California, with dedicated veteran employment representatives, job search workshops, and career counseling.

California allows military experience to count toward professional licensing requirements, with expedited processing and fee waivers available for veterans and military spouses.

California has a 3% state contracting goal for Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises, providing access to state contracts and procurement opportunities.

Veterans with 50%+ service-connected disability receive a reduced-fee sport fishing license, significantly less than the standard $55+ resident fee.

Veterans with 50%+ service-connected disability receive a reduced-fee hunting license.

California operates the largest state veterans home system in the nation with 8 facilities providing residential, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care.

Locations: Yountville, Barstow, Chula Vista, Fresno, Lancaster, Redding, Ventura, and West Los Angeles. Costs are based on level of care with income-based sliding scale, subsidized by VA per diem.

Low-income veterans may qualify for Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program) in addition to VA healthcare, supplementing VA coverage for services not available through the VA.

CalVet connects veterans with mental health resources including peer support programs and crisis intervention referrals.

Disabled veterans and former POWs receive a free Distinguished Veteran Pass providing free day-use entry to all California State Parks.

Regular day-use fees range from $5-$15 per vehicle.

Any honorably discharged veteran can get VETERAN printed on their California driver's license or ID card at no additional cost by presenting DD-214 at the DMV.

State-backed home loans at competitive, below-market interest rates for California veterans. One of the only state-run direct home loan programs in the country.

Available for purchase of single-family homes, condos, farms/ranches, and manufactured homes. CalVet holds title until loan is paid off (contract of sale model).

California has veterans treatment courts in many counties offering alternative sentencing for veterans with PTSD, TBI, or substance abuse issues.

Combines judicial supervision with VA treatment and veteran mentors. Available in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Orange, and other counties.

Free VA claims assistance through CalVet-accredited veteran service representatives and County Veteran Service Offices (CVSOs) in all 58 California counties.

California State Veterans Cemeteries provide burial at no cost to eligible veterans, with multiple national cemeteries also available statewide.

National cemeteries include Golden Gate, Riverside, San Francisco, Fort Rosecrans, Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, Bakersfield, and Miramar.

California state employees receive up to 30 days of paid military leave per fiscal year.