Maryland Veteran Benefits
13 state benefits for veterans in Maryland.
Property Tax
View all Property Tax in Maryland →100% Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
Maryland grants a complete exemption from state and local real property taxes on the primary residence (dwelling and surrounding yard) of qualifying totally disabled veterans, with no income limit and no filing deadline.
Eligibility: Veterans with a VA-determined service-connected disability rated 100% permanent and total, or 100% individually unemployable; also disabled active-duty members and certain un-remarried surviving spouses.
Estimated value: Full exemption of real property taxes on the principal residence
How to apply: File the SDAT '100 Percent Disabled Veteran Exemption Application' with the local county assessment office, including a current VA award letter and proof of Maryland residency. Applications may be filed at any time.
Education
View all Education in Maryland →Edward T. & Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship
State scholarship covering tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Maryland veterans, and for children and surviving spouses of service members who died or became 100% disabled from military service.
Eligibility: Maryland resident who is a veteran with a service-connected disability of 25% or greater and who has exhausted or is no longer eligible for federal VA education benefits; or children/stepchildren/surviving spouses of members who died or suffered a 100% service-connected permanent disability from military service (and other qualifying categories).
Estimated value: Up to the annual tuition and mandatory fees of a resident undergraduate at a University System of Maryland four-year institution
How to apply: Apply through the financial aid office at your Maryland institution by July 15 each year; awards are administered by the school and renewed automatically if still eligible.
In-State Tuition for Veterans and Dependents
Honorably discharged veterans (and eligible dependents using GI Bill benefits) who live in Maryland are exempt from nonresident tuition rates at Maryland public colleges and universities, regardless of formal state of residence.
Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans residing or domiciled in Maryland; and spouses/children using Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill (or Fry Scholarship) benefits who live in Maryland, subject to federal Veterans Choice Act timing rules.
Estimated value: In-state tuition rate instead of higher nonresident tuition
How to apply: Submit proof of honorable discharge (DD-214) and Maryland residency to the admissions/registrar or veterans office at your Maryland public institution.
Employment
View all Employment in Maryland →State Employment Veterans Preference
Maryland grants a hiring preference (veteran's credit) to eligible veterans and certain spouses applying for State of Maryland government jobs, with an enhanced preference for certified disabled veterans.
Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans (including reserve and National Guard service) applying for state employment, and eligible spouses/surviving spouses. Certified Disabled Veterans (30% or greater service-connected disability) qualify for an enhanced hiring preference and may be selected without competitive process.
Estimated value: Veteran's credit added to selection ratings; disabled veteran hiring preference
How to apply: Claim the Veteran's Credit or Certified Disabled Veteran Credit when applying for State of Maryland positions through the Department of Budget and Management.
Private Employer Veterans Hiring & Promotion Preference
Maryland law permits private employers to voluntarily grant a hiring and promotion preference to veterans and certain spouses without violating state equal employment laws.
Eligibility: Veterans of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces (including National Guard and reserves) with an honorable discharge or certificate of satisfactory service; spouses of veterans with service-connected disabilities; and surviving spouses of deceased eligible veterans.
Estimated value: Voluntary hiring/promotion preference by participating private employers
How to apply: No application; eligible individuals may inform private employers that they qualify. The policy is established under Maryland Labor & Employment Article 3-714.
Expedited Occupational & Professional Licensing
Maryland offers expedited occupational and professional licensing for military service members, veterans, and their spouses, including credit for military training and experience.
Eligibility: Active-duty service members, veterans, and their spouses applying for occupational or professional licenses regulated by the Maryland Department of Labor.
Estimated value: Expedited license processing; military training credited toward requirements
How to apply: Contact the relevant licensing board within the Maryland Department of Labor Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing and identify yourself as a veteran or military spouse when applying.
Recreation/Hunting & Fishing
View all Recreation/Hunting & Fishing in Maryland →Free Lifetime Hunting & Fishing License
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers a complimentary lifetime hunting and fishing license to 100% disabled veterans and former prisoners of war.
Eligibility: Maryland residents who are 100% service-connected disabled veterans, deemed unemployable by the VA, or former prisoners of war.
Estimated value: Free lifetime hunting and fishing license (includes stamps and permits such as archery, muzzleloader, sika deer, furbearer, non-tidal, Chesapeake Bay sport, and trout)
How to apply: Submit a completed hunting/fishing license application with a VA letter of disability or certification to a DNR Licensing & Registration Service Center (by scan or fax).
State Park Day-Use Entrance Fee Waiver
Maryland waives day-use entrance fees year-round at Maryland State Parks for veterans, and offers a discounted State Park and Trail Passport for veterans and their families.
Eligibility: All veterans (resident and out-of-state) qualify for the day-use admission waiver for themselves; veterans and their families may purchase the discounted annual passport.
Estimated value: Free day-use park entry for the veteran; annual passport discounted to $75 for residents ($100 nonresidents)
How to apply: Present proof of veteran status at the park entrance for the day-use waiver, or purchase the discounted Maryland State Park and Trail Passport through DNR.
Universal Disability Pass
A free pass allowing eligible disabled hunters and anglers to use adaptive methods and access Maryland public lands, available to veterans certified as disabled.
Eligibility: Maryland residents with qualifying disabilities, including veterans certified by the VA as service-connected disabled.
Estimated value: Free access pass for disabled hunters and anglers
How to apply: Complete the Universal Disability Pass application with required disability certification and submit to the Maryland DNR per the posted instructions.
Vehicle/DMV
View all Vehicle/DMV in Maryland →Disabled Veteran License Plates & Registration Fee Waiver
The MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration issues military and disabled veteran license plates and waives vehicle registration fees for qualifying 100% service-connected disabled veterans.
Eligibility: Veterans with a service-connected disability rating qualify for special plates. Veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled receive free registration on all plate types; those rated 50-99% receive free plates but still pay annual registration fees and surcharge.
Estimated value: Waived registration fees for 100% disabled veterans; free specialty plates
How to apply: Complete MVA form VR-120 (Application for Military Related License Plates) with VA disability documentation and submit at any MVA full-service branch, by mail to the Specialty Tag Unit in Glen Burnie, or through a licensed tag and title service.
Healthcare
View all Healthcare in Maryland →Charlotte Hall Veterans Home
Maryland's state veterans home in Charlotte Hall provides assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care for eligible veterans and their spouses.
Eligibility: Maryland veterans age 62 or older discharged under honorable conditions who served on active duty (other than for training); veterans under 62 with a VA service connection of 70% or higher; eligible spouses may also be served. Maryland residency requirements apply.
Estimated value: Subsidized assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care
How to apply: Contact the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home admissions office / Veterans Service Officer to schedule an appointment and submit an admission application.
Financial
View all Financial in Maryland →Military Retirement Pay Income Tax Subtraction
Maryland allows retired service members (and surviving spouses receiving military retirement income) to subtract a portion of military retirement pay from federal adjusted gross income before calculating Maryland state income tax.
Eligibility: Individuals receiving military retirement income. Taxpayers under age 55 may subtract up to $12,500; taxpayers age 55 and older may subtract up to $20,000.
Estimated value: Up to $12,500 (under 55) or up to $20,000 (55+) subtracted from taxable income
How to apply: Claim the subtraction on Maryland Form 502 following the resident tax booklet instructions when filing your state income tax return.
Maryland Veterans Trust Fund
The Veterans Trust Fund provides one-time emergency financial grants to Maryland veterans and their families facing temporary hardship, covering urgent needs such as rent, mortgage, utilities, and transportation.
Eligibility: Maryland veterans and surviving spouses of veterans experiencing a temporary financial emergency; surviving spouses must provide the deceased veteran's discharge and a death certificate.
Estimated value: One-time emergency grant for essential needs
How to apply: Apply through the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families financial support program; contact 410-260-3838 or 866-793-1577 for current application status.