California Veterans Benefits Overview
Benefits:
(* Benefits administered by the California Department of Veterans
Affairs)
COLLEGE TUITION FEE WAIVERS FOR VETERANS’ DEPENDENTS
THE BENEFITS
Waiver of mandatory systemwide 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.
To view this year’s poverty level, go to www.cdva.ca.gov/VetService/Waivers.aspx.
Note: All students must meet
California residency requirements.
*Note that all students must meet California residency requirements.
WHERE TO APPLY
Contact your local County Veterans Service Office or the Admissions
Office of any California system
campus or go to www.cacvso.org
for more information and to download
an application.
NON-RESIDENT COLLEGE FEE WAIVER
THE BENEFIT
Waiver of non-resident fees (pay at California resident rate) at all
State of California Community
Colleges, California State University or University of California
campuses.
WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE
- A student who is a veteran of the armed forces of the United
States stationed in this state on active
duty for more than one year immediately prior to being discharged
from the armed forces is entitled to
resident classification for the length of time he or she lives in
this state after being discharged up
to the minimum time necessary to become a resident.
- An undergraduate student who is a member of the Armed Forces of
the United States stationed in this
state on active duty, except a member of the Armed Forces assigned
for educational purposes to a
state-supported institution of higher education.
- An undergraduate student who is a natural or adopted child,
stepchild, or spouse who is a dependent
of a member of the armed forces of the United States stationed in
this state on active duty.
- A student seeking a graduate degree who is a member of the Armed
Forces of the United States
stationed in this state on active duty, except a member of the
Armed Forces assigned for educational
purposes to a state-supported institution of higher education.
There is a two-year limit for graduate
level studies.
- A student seeking a graduate degree who is a natural or adopted
child, stepchild, or spouse who is a
dependent of a member of the armed forces of the United States
stationed in this state on active duty.
There is a one-year limit for graduate level studies.
WHERE TO APPLY
At the Admissions Office of any California system campus.
DISABLED VETERAN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITIES
THE BENEFITS
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.
WHERE TO APPLY
Office of Small Business and DVBE Certification
707 3rd Street, 1st Floor, Room 400
West Sacramento, CA 95798-9052
(916) 375-4940 or (800) 559-5529
http://www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/smbus
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES
The State DVBE Advocate
California Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Services Division
1227 ‘O’ Street, Suite 105
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 653-2573
http://www.cdva.ca.gov/VetService/DVBE.aspx
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.
WHERE TO APPLY
To obtain additional information or an application, or to schedule a
visit, contact one of our Veterans
Homes:
Veterans Home of California, Yountville (Napa County)
1-800-404-8387
Veterans Home of California, Barstow (San Bernardino County)
1-800-746-0606
Veterans Home of California, Chula Vista (San Diego County)
1-888-857-2146
(Additional information and an application may be obtain at the
Veterans Homes admission page on our web site)
Admissions.aspx
California Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Home Division
1227 ‘O’ street
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cdva.ca.gov/homes
1-800-952-5626
MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES WAIVED
THE BENEFITS
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.
HOW TO APPLY
Medal of Honor recipients should complete a DMV form
REG 17A, and proof of receipt of the Medal of Honor.
Ex-Prisoners of War should complete a DMV form
REG 17, and proof of former status as a POW.
WHERE TO APPLY
Applications and necessary documentation should be mailed to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 932345
Sacramento, CA 94232
1-800-777-0133
www.dmv.ca.gov
DISABLED VETERAN LICENSE PLATES
THE BENEFIT
Waiver of registration fees and free “DV” handicap parking license
plates for one passenger motor
vehicle, motorcycle, or 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:
(a) Has a disability which has been rated at 100 percent by the
Department of Veterans Affairs or the
military service from which the veteran was discharged, due to a
diagnosed disease or disorder
which substantially impairs or interferes with mobility or,
(b) Is so severely disabled as to be unable to move without the aid
of an assistant device or,
(c) Has lost, or has lost use of, one or more limbs or,
(d) Has suffered permanent blindness, as defined in Section 19153 of
the Welfare and Institutions Code.
HOW TO APPLY
Obtain a signed doctor’s statement that indicates that the veteran in
question has a service-connected
disability with at least one of the above listed mobility
impairments, complete
DMV forms REG
195 and
REG 256A,
and mail the completed package to:
DMV PLACARD
P.O. Box 942869
Sacramento, CA 94269-0001
1-800-777-0133
www.dmv.ca.gov
FREE LICENSE PLATES
THE BENEFITS
Free specialized 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
HOW TO APPLY
Recipients should complete a DMV form
REG 17A, and provide proof they received a medal as described
above or the evidence of being
stationed at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Former POW’s complete
DMV form REG 17
WHERE TO APPLY
Applications and necessary documentation should be mailed to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 932345
Sacramento, CA 94232
1-800-777-0133
www.dmv.ca.gov
VETERANS PREFERENCE IN CALIFORNIA CIVIL SERVICE
EXAMINATIONS
THE BENEFIT
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 Nonpromotional 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.
WHERE TO APPLY
Please mail an application,
discharge
papers, and other documents to:
State Personnel Board
Veterans Preference Coordinator
P.O. Box 944201
Sacramento, CA 94244-2010
(916) 653-1502
www.spb.ca.gov
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.
WHERE TO APPLY
Northern California Veterans Cemetery
P.O. Box 76
11800 Gas Point Road
Igo, CA 96047-0076
(866) 777-4533
Or visit www.cdva.ca.gov/Cemetery/Default.aspx
on our website.
VETERANS CLAIMS REPRESENTATION AT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS (USDVA) REGIONAL OFFICES
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.
WHERE TO APPLY
Any County
Veterans Service Office
(located in the county government listings in your telephone book)
OR
California Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Services Division
1227 ’O’ Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
1-800-952-5626
www.cdva.ca.gov/otherbenefits/claims.aspx
on our Web Site.
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.
HOW TO APPLY
First time applicants must submit proof of their service-connected
disability from the USDVA.
The California Department of Fish and Game
License and Revenue Branch
1740 N. Market Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone (916) 928-5805
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/
OR any Department of Fish and Game Office.
EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ASSISTANCE
THE BENEFITS
Assistance in obtaining training and employment as well assistance in
obtaining unemployment insurance.
WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE
All veterans.
WHERE TO APPLY
Service-connected disabled veterans should contact a Veterans
Employment Service Specialist (VESS). Other
veterans should contact a Veterans Workforce Specialist (VWS) located
at a local
Employment
Development Department (EDD) Office (see
the state government section of your local telephone book).
www.edd.ca.gov
FARM AND HOME LOANS (CALVET)
THE BENEFIT
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.
WHERE TO APPLY
Any California Department of Veterans Affairs CalVet District
Office (located in the state government section of your telephone
book), or
California Department of Veterans Affairs
Farm and Home Loan Division
1227 ‘O’ Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
1-800-952-5626
Or visit www.cdva.ca.gov/CalVetLoans/
on our web site.
STATE PARKS AND RECREATION PASS
THE BENEFITS
A lifetime State of California Parks pass.
WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE
Any war veteran (as defined in Public Resources Code section 5011.5)
with a service-connected disability rated at 50% or greater, or a former
Prisoner of War.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply by mail, a veteran should submit: (1) a completed
Department of Parks and Recreation form DPR 619, (2) a letter
from the USDVA verifying a
service-connected disability rated at 50% or greater, or former
Prisoner of War status (3) a copy of the
veterans drivers license to verify California residency, and (4) a
check or money order for $3.50 made
payable to the Department of Parks and Recreation.
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Field Services Division
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
(916) 653-4272
http://www.parks.ca.gov/
BUSINESS LICENSE, TAX AND FEE WAIVER
THE BENEFIT
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.
HOW TO APPLY
Bring proof of honorable discharge to your local appropriate
county/city licensing authority.
PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS
THE BENEFITS
Property tax exemptions on the assessed value of a home of:
a) Up to $111,296 if the total household income from all sources is
over $49,979 per year.
b) Up to $166,944 if the total household income from all sources is
under $49,979 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 of, or loss of
use of, two or more limbs.
d) Wartime veterans who are service-connected for blindness.
Those applying for benefits should bring proof from the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, verifying
receipt of service-connected disability/death benefits.
HOW TO APPLY
The local County Assessors Office (located in the county government
section of your telephone book) or
at: www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/assessors.htm.
A welcoming home for our Troops.
