California Veterans Benefits

Reduces the assessed value of a disabled veteran's principal residence. Requires a 100% service-connected disability rating, OR being compensated at the 100% rate due to individual unemployability (TDIU). A partial rating (e.g., 80%) does NOT qualify - BOE explicitly states 100% is required. An unmarried surviving spouse may also claim it. Two tiers: a Basic exemption available to all qualifying claimants, and a higher Low-Income exemption for those whose annual household income is at or below the limit. Amounts are compounded annually for inflation under Rev. & Tax. Code 205.5.

California (which historically fully taxed military retirement) now allows a partial exclusion. For tax years 2025 through 2029, a qualified taxpayer may exclude up to $20,000 of federal uniformed-services retirement pay and SBP annuity payments from state gross income. Federal AGI must be under $125,000 (individual) or under $250,000 (joint/surviving spouse). No VA disability rating required - based on retiree status and income.

VA service-connected disability compensation is excluded from federal gross income under 26 U.S.C. 104, and California conforms - VA disability compensation is NOT subject to California personal income tax. This is a federal exclusion California follows; no state add-back applies. (Note: California taxes regular military retirement pay except for the partial exclusion above, but VA disability comp itself is never taxed.)

Waives mandatory systemwide tuition and fees at all California Community Colleges, CSU, and UC campuses for eligible dependents (children/spouses) of service-connected disabled or deceased veterans. Does NOT cover books, parking, or room/board. Four plans: Plan A (unmarried child age 14-27 of a veteran rated totally/100% service-connected disabled or whose death was service-connected); Plan B (child of a veteran with ANY service-connected disability rating, subject to annual income limit, no age/wartime requirement); Plan C (spouse/unmarried surviving spouse of a wartime veteran who is totally service-connected disabled or died of service-connected causes); Plan D (dependents of California National Guard members killed/disabled in state active service). The benefit is for dependents; the qualifying veteran must be service-connected disabled.

California grants Veterans' Preference for OPEN (entrance) state civil service exams. Rather than adding points, any veteran who passes an open exam is placed in Rank 1 (top rank) of the eligibility list, regardless of score. Eligible: any veteran, the widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a 100% disabled veteran, or a current service member who will reach veteran status within 6 months. Preference stops once permanent civil-service status is attained and does not apply to promotional exams. Apply via form CalHR 1093 with DD-214.

Veterans who qualify receive special DV license plates and an exemption from all vehicle registration and license fees (except duplicate-cert and plate/sticker fees) for ONE passenger vehicle, motorcycle, or commercial vehicle with unladen weight 8,000 lbs or less. Eligibility (VC 5007/9105) requires a 100% VA disability rating from a diagnosed disease/disorder that substantially impairs mobility, OR inability to move without an assistive device, OR loss of use of one or more limbs, OR permanent blindness. Requires a USDVA regional-office letter certifying the qualifying disability.

Free lifetime California State Parks pass for honorably discharged California-resident war veterans with an overall/combined service-connected disability rating of 50% or greater, plus former POWs and Medal of Honor recipients. Provides free vehicle day-use, family camping, and boat use at over 100 California State Parks-operated units. No fee to obtain. Passcard must be renewed every 5 years though the benefit is lifetime. Requires DD-214 (or VA Summary of Benefits letter) proving wartime service and a current VA letter (within one year) confirming 50%+ rating.

CDFW offers disabled veterans (50% or greater service-connected, wartime service, plus POWs and Medal of Honor recipients) a reduced-fee sport fishing license; CDFW materials also reference a free sport fishing option for qualifying disabled veterans/recovering service members. The 2026 reduced-fee disabled-veteran sport fishing license fee is in the low-$10 range per CDFW's fee schedule. Requires a VA letter. Exact 2026 fishing fee not independently re-confirmed line-by-line here, so amount flagged.

Honorably discharged California-resident veterans with an overall/combined service-connected disability rating of 50% or greater (with wartime/foreign-operations service), or POWs, or Medal of Honor recipients, qualify for a reduced-fee hunting license. CDFW's fee schedule lists the reduced-fee disabled-veteran hunting license at $9.79 (2026). Tags, validations, and other entitlements are reduced by 50% for reduced-fee license holders. Requires a VA letter; allow ~15 business days for processing.

CalVet operates eight Veterans Homes (Barstow, Chula Vista, Fresno, Lancaster, Redding, Ventura, West Los Angeles, Yountville) providing residential and long-term care. Eligibility: served on active duty, California resident, discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, and covered under a medical insurance policy. Priority admission for Medal of Honor recipients, former POWs, veterans experiencing homelessness, and veterans with a 70% or greater service-connected disability rating. Required docs include DD-214, ID, SSN, and proof of CA residency.