New Hampshire veteran benefits add unique value for veterans and their families over and above the federal benefits available to all eligible U.S. military veterans.
More than 99,000 veterans make their home in the Granite state (about 13% of the population), and there are many special New Hampshire veteran benefits available to honor those who served.
New Hampshire’s Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services administers most of the programs and benefits available to veterans living in the state.
The central office in Manchester includes a customer service center and provides support for all agency programs. If you’re looking for information on veteran benefits and programs, the DMAVS website is an excellent resource.
Read on for the ultimate guide to the top New Hampshire veteran benefits!
- Property Tax Benefits
- Education Benefits
- Employment Benefits
- Veteran Housing
- New Hampshire Veteran Benefits for Financial Assistance
- Driver’s License and License Plate Benefits
- Recreation Benefits
- Miscellaneous Benefits for New Hampshire Veterans
- VA Locations and Medical Facilities in New Hampshire
- Useful Resources for Veterans in New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Veteran Benefits Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Does New Hampshire offer any property tax exemption for disabled veterans?
- Does New Hampshire offer children of 100% disabled veterans free college tuition?
- Do New Hampshire veterans receive preferential treatment when seeking employment?
- Do New Hampshire disabled veteran benefits include vehicle benefits?
- Are there special New Hampshire veteran benefits offering reduced recreational fees?
- Are there income tax benefits for New Hampshire veterans?
- MAKE SURE YOU GET ALL THE BENEFITS YOU DESERVE
- About the Author
You DESERVE a HIGHER VA rating.
WE CAN HELP.
Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call with an experienced Team Member. Learn what you’ve been missing so you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation you’ve earned for your service.
Property Tax Benefits
Property taxes in New Hampshire are locally assessed and administered by each county. Each county follows the baselines, but some offer additional exemptions. New Hampshire publishes historical tax data by county so you can estimate your tax exemption.
All wartime veterans are eligible for a standard property tax credit of $50, up to $750 depending on your county.
Minimum $700 property tax credit
Disabled New Hampshire veterans with a Permanent and Total (P&T) VA disability rating and their unremarried surviving spouses are eligible for a standard $700 tax credit on their primary residence.
Depending on your local county, this could increase up to $4000.
Disabled veterans with specially adapted homes receive full property tax exemption in New Hampshire
Blind, paraplegic, or double amputee veterans, or veterans with a 100% P&T disability rating who also own a specially adapted home acquired with assistance from the VA, may be fully exempt from paying property tax.
In order to be eligible for tax exemption, the state requires at least one year of residency by April 1 of the year of the exemption. This requirement increases to five years for disabled veteran exemptions.
To apply for property tax exemptions, fill out Form PA-29 by April 15 of the current tax year.
Important Tax Forms for New Hampshire Veterans:
- PA-29 Permanent Application for Property Tax Credit/Exemptions
- PA-30 Elderly and Disabled Tax Deferral Application
- PA-33 Statement of Qualification – Life Estate/Trusts must be filed with PA-29
- PA-35 Assessing Official’s Response to Exemptions/Tax Credits/Deferral Application
Education Benefits
Tuition-Free College For Dependents of 100% Disabled Veterans
The University System of New Hampshire awards tuition waivers to children of 100% P&T disabled New Hampshire veterans, as long as the child is under 27 on the first day of the term the child intends to use the waiver.
This is a new benefit for eligible veterans, effective July 1, 2021.
To apply, the child must be accepted or currently enrolled in a state institution. The student must apply for all federal aid along with post-September 11, 2001 tuition benefits and other federally-funded military tuition assistance.
If you’re interested in using this benefit, you should fill out the Tuition Waiver by May 31st when applying for the Fall term.
Tuition-Free College For Children of Deceased Veterans
If a service member dies in service during wartime or due to a service-connected disability, his or her children are eligible for free tuition at New Hampshire State Schools.
Children who demonstrate financial need are also eligible for up to $2,500 per year for four years for room and board and books.
This tuition-free New Hampshire veteran benefit also applies to children of service members who are declared missing in action after February 28, 1961.
Applicants are required to apply at least 90 days prior to the first academic term.
New Hampshire National Guard Tuition Waivers
Members of the New Hampshire National Guard may be eligible to take courses at post-secondary institutions tuition-free on a space-available basis.
To be eligible, the student must:
- Be an active member of the New Hampshire National Guard, regardless of residence
- Be enrolled in a vocational or technical school under the authority of the commissioner of regional community-technical colleges or in any degree-enhancing curriculum in any public college within the state.
- Have first utilized any federal educational entitlements, not including Montgomery GI benefits and National Guard scholarship grants.
National Guard members interested in applying for a tuition waiver should contact the NHARNG Education Office at (603) 227-1550.
Employment Benefits
New Hampshire veteran benefits include employment support and hiring preference with the state.
All veterans with an honorable discharge receive a 5-point employment preference over non-veterans in interviews and exams for state jobs. Veterans with a disability rating of 10% or more receive a total of 10 points. Spouses of 100% P&T disabled veterans are also entitled to this benefit.
There are no residency length requirements for this benefit.
New Hampshire Veterans Employment Services
The New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES) provides priority of service for veterans and eligible spouses. NHES operates 10 locations across the state.
Services include job search assistance, workshops, resume writing, career guidance, and job referrals.
To be eligible for employment-related New Hampshire veteran benefits, veterans must have served active duty and received an other than dishonorable discharge.
Eligible spouses include the spouses of:
- Any veteran who died of a service-connected disability
- Any member of the U.S. Armed Forces serving on active duty who, at the time of application for the priority, is listed in one or more of the following categories and has been so listed for a total of more than 90 days:
- Missing in action
- Captured in line of duty by a hostile force
- Forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power
- Any veteran who died while a disability was in existence
- Any Veteran who has a total disability resulting from a service-connected disability, as evaluated by the VA
To register online, go to New Hampshire’s Workforce Connect.
Veteran Housing
Tilton New Hampshire Veterans Home
The New Hampshire Veterans Home (Tilton, New Hampshire) provides intermediate and long-term care for New Hampshire veterans.
The home is centrally located in Tilton and offers New Hampshire veterans the best quality of life with dignity, respect, and honor that they earned for serving our country.
Care includes 24-hour nursing, medications, physical therapy, any restorative care, dental care, daily meals, housekeeping, and recreational activities.
While the out-of-pocket daily rate is costly at $320, this is reduced drastically based on financial need. Additionally, homes that are owned by the veteran and occupied by a spouse do not count toward total assets.
New Hampshire veteran benefits for the state Veterans Home extend to 1-year minimum residents of New Hampshire with an honorable discharge.
You can start the admissions process by mail or call the Veterans Home at (603) 527-4400.
You DESERVE a HIGHER VA rating.
WE CAN HELP.
Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call with an experienced Team Member. Learn what you’ve been missing so you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation you’ve earned for your service.
New Hampshire Veteran Benefits for Financial Assistance
New Hampshire veterans benefits include three types of $100 bonuses for veterans who are served during specific periods of conflict:
- New Hampshire Vietnam War bonus
- New Hampshire Persian Gulf War Service bonus
- New Hampshire Global War on Terrorism Operations Service bonus
Veterans must be residents of New Hampshire at entry into the military and receive an honorable discharge.
Veterans eligible for the Vietnam bonus are those who served 90 days or more during Vietnam and earned the Vietnam Service Medal or Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
Veterans who served between August 2, 1990 and November 30, 1995 and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal are eligible for the Persian Gulf War bonus.
Veterans who served after September 11, 2001 and earned the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal are eligible for the Global War on Terrorism Operations bonus.
Check your DD214 for a list of your service medals to see if you’re eligible for one of these New Hampshire veteran benefits.
To apply, you can mail in the applications for the Global War on Terrorism and Persian Gulf War to the New Hampshire Office of Veterans Services.
Driver’s License and License Plate Benefits
New Hampshire veteran benefits include DMV services for licenses and license plates.
Veteran Designation on Driver License or Identification (ID) Cards
Honorably discharged veterans have the option to request a Veteran indicator at no additional cost on the front of their New Hampshire driver’s license or ID card.
The word “Veteran” printed on your license allows New Hampshire veterans to validate their honorable service with a government-issued ID card.
To apply for the designation, applicants must submit an application form along with their DD214 or other proof of service.
Driver License and Vehicle Registration Fee Exemptions for Disabled Veterans
Veterans with a P&T VA disability rating are exempt from the $50 license fee.
Veterans who are amputees, paraplegic, or blind are exempt from vehicle registration fees when the vehicle is provided by the VA.
New Hampshire Disabled Veteran License Plates
Veterans with a special disabled veteran license plate receive free public parking as long as the vehicle is under their control.
To get a disabled veteran license plate, the veteran must be Permanently and Totally (P&T) disabled. Bring VA proof, along with your DD214 to verify your honorable service, to any DMV office.
Recreation Benefits
New Hampshire veteran benefits include generous provisions for disabled veterans to enjoy the state’s parks and recreation programs.
Free Entry Into State Parks for Disabled Veterans
Veterans with any disability rating are eligible for free day entry into New Hampshire state parks. If you don’t have a disabled veteran license plate, bring a VA letter to the park that certifies your service-connected disability.
This benefit is also extended to all state residents who are also members of the New Hampshire National Guard in the rank of E-1 to E-6.
New Hampshire Fish and Game Licenses for Disabled Veterans
State residents with a 100% P&T VA disability rating can apply for a free lifetime Hunting and Fishing License worth up to $1,564.80.
State residents with an 80% or above VA disability rating are eligible for a lifetime Hunting and Fishing License at 50% of the standard cost. Current rates for the license depend on your age.
Complete the application for either 100% P&T or 80-99% and mail it to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department or visit the headquarters in Concord, NH. You must also provide proof of a New Hampshire driver’s license.
Miscellaneous Benefits for New Hampshire Veterans
Boscawen Veterans’ Cemetery
There are no residency requirements for burial in New Hampshire’s sole veterans’ cemetery. This is a free benefit offered to all honorably discharged veterans. Spouses and eligible dependents can be buried for a fee.
You can apply for a burial application or call the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery at (603) 796-2026.
VA Locations and Medical Facilities in New Hampshire
List of VA Healthcare and Vet Center Locations in New Hampshire
| VA Medical Centers for New Hampshire Veteran Benefits | |
| Manchester: | Manchester VA Medical Center |
| Community Based Outpatient Clinics in New Hampshire | |
| Conway: | Conway Outpatient Clinic |
| Keene: | Keene Outpatient Clinic |
| Littleton: | Littleton Community Based Outpatient Clinic |
| Portsmouth: | Portsmouth Outpatient Clinic |
| Somersworth: | Somersworth Outpatient Clinic |
| Tilton: | Tilton Outpatient Clinic |
| Vet Centers in New Hampshire | |
| Auburn: | RCS North Atlantic District 1 |
| Gorham: | Berlin Vet Center |
| Hooksett: | Manchester Vet Center |
| Keene: | Keene Outstation |
| Newington: | Newington Outstation |
| Regional Benefit Office for New Hampshire | |
| Manchester: | Manchester Regional Office |
| Intake Site (Pre-Discharge Claims Assistance) | |
| Manchester: | Portsmouth Naval Shipyard/Naval Ambulatory Care Center |
Useful Resources for Veterans in New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services – to help you secure all the benefits you are entitled to under state law
- Schedule a benefits review with the Veterans Service Office
- New Hampshire Veterans’ Resource Directory – list of all resources available in New Hampshire with points of contact focused on employment
- New Hampshire State Benefits Guide
- ID Card locations in New Hampshire
New Hampshire Veteran Benefits Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does New Hampshire offer any property tax exemption for disabled veterans?
New Hampshire offers a standard minimum $700 tax credit for 100% disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. Full property tax exemptions are granted for any veteran with a 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) disability rating who is a double amputee of the upper or lower extremities or any combination thereof; who is paraplegic, or who has blindness of both eyes with visual acuity of 5/200 or less. The veteran must also own a specially adapted home acquired with assistance from the VA.
Does New Hampshire offer children of 100% disabled veterans free college tuition?
Yes, the children under 27 of New Hampshire veterans with a 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) VA rating are eligible for a tuition waiver at any state public institution. The child must utilize all federal aid, post-September 11, 2001 tuition benefits, and other federally-funded military tuition assistance first.
Do New Hampshire veterans receive preferential treatment when seeking employment?
New Hampshire veterans with an honorable discharge receive a 5-point employment preference in interviews and exams for state jobs. Veterans with a disability rating of 10% or higher receive a 10-point employment preference.
Do New Hampshire disabled veteran benefits include vehicle benefits?
Veterans with a Disabled Veteran License Plate receive free public parking and are exempt from paying the $50 license fee if they have a Permanent and Total disability rating.
Are there special New Hampshire veteran benefits offering reduced recreational fees?
New Hampshire offers a free lifetime hunting and fishing license to 100% P&T permanently disabled veterans. Veterans with a disability rating of 80% or higher are eligible for 50% off a lifetime license. Any disabled veteran is also eligible for free entry into state parks; so are New Hampshire National Guard members in the rank of E-1 to E-6.
Are there income tax benefits for New Hampshire veterans?
New Hampshire does not have a personal or corporate income tax. The state does charge a 5% tax on income from interest and dividends. Military retirement and other benefits are not taxed.
MAKE SURE YOU GET ALL THE BENEFITS YOU DESERVE
Regardless of what state you live in, it’s important that veterans pursue the monthly compensation payments due them for disabilities connected to their military service.
Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and therefore not getting the compensation they deserve. At VA Claims Insider, we help veterans understand and take control of the claims process so they can get the rating and compensation they’re owed by law.
Our process takes the guesswork out of filing a VA disability claim and supports you every step of the way in building a fully developed claim (FDC)—so you can increase your rating in less time! If you’ve filed your VA disability claim and have been denied or have received a low rating – or you’re not sure how to get started – reach out to us for a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call so you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation you deserve. We’ve supported more than 25,000 veterans to win their claims and increase their ratings. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN.
About the Author
About VA Claims Insider
VA Claims Insider is an education-based coaching/consulting company. We’re here for disabled veterans exploring eligibility for increased VA disability benefits and who wish to learn more about that process. We also connect veterans with independent medical professionals in our referral network for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible independent medical opinions and nexus statements (medical nexus letters) for a wide range of disability conditions.
