Georgia Veteran and Military Resources
Georgia offers a wide range of benefits for veterans, service members, and their families, including support with education, employment, housing, and more. The information provided here is only a general overview to help you explore additional resources that may be available in your state.
Each program listed includes a brief description and a direct link to the official source for more information and how to apply. Please note that we are not experts on these individual programs — this guide is intended to help point you in the right direction.
For the most accurate and up-to-date details, we recommend visiting the official program websites or contacting the Georgia Department of Veterans Service directly.
Veteran and Military State Tax Benefits
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Georgia offers a homestead property tax exemption of $121,812 in 2025 for eligible disabled veterans, their surviving spouse, or minor children. To qualify, veterans must be Georgia residents with an honorable discharge and have a 100% service-connected disability rating, be paid at the 100% rate due to unemployability, or have a qualifying loss such as the loss of use of feet, hands, or vision. Any property value above the exemption amount is still taxable.
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Georgia provides a homestead property tax exemption of $121,812 in 2025 for the surviving spouse of a service member who was killed or died from any war or armed conflict. Any property value above this amount remains taxable.
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Nonresident military spouses stationed in Georgia do not have to pay Georgia income tax if they and their service member spouse are residents of the same state outside Georgia, the service member is in Georgia under military orders, and the spouse is in Georgia only to be with the service member.
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Retired service members in Georgia may be eligible to receive state tax exemptions on their military retired pay: up to $17,500 if under 62 years old, an additional $17,500 if they also have at least $17,500 in earned income, up to $35,000 if they are between 62 and 64, and up to $65,000 if they are 65 or older.
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Military disability retirement pay received as a pension, annuity, or similar allowance for an injury or illness from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces should not be included in taxable income. This includes disability compensation and pension payments to veterans or their families, grants for specially adapted homes for wheelchair living, grants for motor vehicles for veterans who lost their sight or use of limbs, and benefits from a dependent-care assistance program.
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SBP, RCSBP, and RSFPP payments are treated as taxable income. However, surviving spouses who meet certain age or disability requirements can qualify for state tax exclusions: up to $35,000 if under 62 and permanently disabled and unable to work, up to $35,000 if aged 62 to 64, and up to $65,000 if 65 or older.
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Service members who die from wounds, disease, or injury received while serving in a combat zone are exempt from all Georgia income taxes for the year they died and for any prior year starting from when they entered the combat zone.
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Certain disabled veterans may qualify for an Ad Valorem tax exemption on one vehicle they own. To be eligible, the veteran must have an honorable discharge and either a 100% total and permanent service-connected disability, be rated 100% due to unemployability, or have a qualifying loss such as the loss or loss of use of feet, hands, or vision.
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A disabled veteran who uses a VA grant to buy and modify a specially adapted vehicle is exempt from paying Georgia state sales and use tax on that vehicle, but only for the original grant purchase.
Veteran and Military Employment Benefits
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Georgia provides employment preference for certain veterans and their spouses when applying for state jobs. Eligible veterans receive extra points added to passing exam scores or priority consideration if exams are not scored. Those with qualifying service may be eligible to receive five extra points. Disabled veterans with at least a 10% VA disability rating, veterans over 55 receiving a pension for any disability, their spouses, and non-remarried surviving spouses of veterans who died in conflict can receive ten extra points. In a reduction in force, eligible veterans and spouses must be retained over non-veterans.
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Georgia law allows private employers to give hiring, promotion, or retention preference to honorably discharged Veterans who served on active duty. The preference must be in writing and applied consistently to all related employment decisions.
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Georgia state employees who serve in the National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces Reserves receive 18 days of paid military leave each federal fiscal year when ordered to duty, including travel time to and from their place of service.
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The VECTR Center is a one-stop resource for Veterans and their families, offering career counseling, educational coaching, workforce training, employment services, benefits assistance, and connections to community resources and information.
Services
Community Support
Education Financing
Education and Training
Employment
Testing Center
Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC)
Workshops
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Disabled veterans in Georgia who were honorably discharged and have a VA disability rating of 10% or more may be exempt from paying local occupational taxes, administration fees, and regulatory fees for up to 10 years when running a business or practicing a profession.
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Georgia’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) program provides temporary income for workers who lose their job through no fault of their own and are either actively looking for work, have a definite job recall within six weeks, or are in an approved training program. Employers fund UI through taxes, not employees. Eligibility is based on past wages, reason for separation, availability, and job search requirements. Claims take effect on the filing date and are not retroactive to the last day worked.
Veteran and Military Education Benefits
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Veterans who left high school to serve in World War II, Korea, or Vietnam and did not receive a diploma are eligible to receive one. They can apply through the board of education in the school district where they attended.
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The Georgia HERO Scholarship supports service members in the Georgia National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces Reserves who were deployed to combat zones, as well as their spouses and children. Recipients can receive up to $2,000 per academic year, with a maximum of $8,000 over four years. Eligibility is divided into four categories:
Service members deployed to combat zones for at least 181 days or evacuated due to severe injuries.
Children of such service members, born before or within nine months of deployment, and age 25 or younger during service.
Children of former service members who were killed, died, or became 100% disabled due to combat injuries, meeting the same age and birth timing criteria.
Spouses of former service members who were killed, died, or became 100% disabled due to combat injuries.
For more information, please call the Georgia Student Finance Authority at 770-724-9249, or 800-505-4732.
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The University System of Georgia offers in-state tuition to eligible nonresident service members, separated service members, their spouses, and dependents. This includes active duty members stationed in or near Georgia, Georgia National Guard and Reserves, and those separated within 36 months who live in or plan to reside in Georgia. Dependents and spouses of eligible service members also qualify.
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Combat Veterans attending a University System of Georgia school may qualify for a waiver of all mandatory fees (not including housing, food, or special fees) if they meet admissions requirements. Georgia National Guard and Georgia resident U.S. Armed Forces Reserve members called to active duty and deployed to a combat zone on or after September 11, 2001, may qualify if they served at least 181 days in a combat zone, were fully disabled from combat injuries, or were evacuated due to severe injuries.
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The University System of Georgia gives full tuition and mandatory fee refunds, plus prorated refunds of elective fees, to students who can’t finish the term because they’re called to active duty, reassigned, or sent for mandatory training. This applies to reserve and active duty service members and to students significantly affected by a family member’s activation or deployment if they can show a need for the refund.
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Georgia’s Military Flagship School Award honors schools that go above and beyond to support students and families connected to the U.S. Armed Forces. These schools offer special outreach and accommodations for military families’ unique needs and are selected each year through an open application process for all Georgia schools.
Georgia Veterans Homes
The Georgia Department of Veterans Service (GDVS) operates two skilled nursing care homes that provide high-quality care to wartime Veterans, focusing on improving their health and quality of life.
Georgia State Veteran Cemeteries
Georgia has two Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemeteries (GVMC) that provide a dignified final resting place for Veterans and their eligible family members. There is no charge for the gravesite, government-provided grave marker, vault, or use of the committal chapel for the burial service. Specific eligibility requirements apply.
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Location: 2617 Vinson Highway Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone Number: (478) 445-3363
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Location: 8819 U.S. Highway 301 Glennville, GA 30427
Phone Number: (912) 654-5398
Veteran and Military Health and Insurance Benefits
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Georgia National Guard service members on state active duty who are injured, become ill, disabled, or die in the line of duty may be eligible for medical coverage and compensation under Georgia Workers’ Compensation laws.
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SSLI offered through Georgia Guard Insurance Trust to Georgia National Guard service members is made up of several voluntary group life policies that are designed to help meet the needs of National Guard service members and their families.
Veteran and Military Department of Driver Services (DDS) Benefits
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The Georgia Department of Driver’s Services offers a free Veteran designation on driver’s licenses or ID cards for Georgia resident Veterans who served on active duty with an honorable discharge or National Guard members with 20 years of service.
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Georgia offers 186 special license plates to honor eligible service members, Veterans, retirees, and some family members. One set is free for one vehicle; a second set can be purchased by paying the production and registration fees.
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Armed Forces service members and their dependents with a Georgia driver’s license or ID card who are stationed outside Georgia can renew by mail. Processing takes about 30 days, so it’s recommended to apply at least 60 days before the license expires.
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The Georgia Department of Driver’s Services offers a free honorary driver’s license for Georgia resident spouses or non-remarried surviving spouses of Veterans whose disabilities prevent them from driving.
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Georgia National Guard service members in good standing who have completed at least one year of satisfactory service are eligible for a free Georgia driver’s license.
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Georgia offers CDL testing waivers for service members and honorably discharged Veterans (discharged within the past year) based on their military training and experience. The Even Exchange Program allows those with specific Military Occupational Specialties or Ratings to waive both the CDL knowledge and skills tests. Those without these specialties but with at least two years of qualifying military commercial driving experience may apply for a skills test waiver, which waives the road test but not the knowledge test.
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Georgia gives service members a six-month grace period to drive on an expired Georgia driver’s license if it expires while they’re on active duty outside the state. This grace period starts when they’re discharged or reassigned back to Georgia and does not extend the license’s expiration date.
Veteran and Military Recreation Benefits
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Georgia offers a free One-Time Veterans Hunting and Fishing License for Georgia resident Veterans who served at least 90 days of federal active duty and were discharged on or after July 1, 2005. This one-year license covers hunting, big game, migratory bird stamp, alligator, mountain trout, and salt and freshwater fishing. Veterans must not have received this license before.
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Georgia offers a reduced rate Lifetime Sportsman License for eligible service members and honorably discharged resident Veterans for $603 (including a $3 fee). This license covers hunting, big game, WMA access, quota alligator harvest (if drawn), waterfowl and migratory bird stamp, salt and freshwater fishing, and mountain trout.
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Georgia offers discounted Disability Hunting and Fishing Licenses for disabled resident veterans with a 100% VA disability rating. The Resident Disability Sportsman’s License is $18 for 3 years or $8 annually, while individual hunting or fishing licenses cost $12 for 3 years or $6 annually. Active duty residents can also choose an All-Water Fishing Package (fishing license plus freshwater and saltwater endorsements with tags) or a Hunting Package (hunting license plus archery, upland game bird, and migratory game bird endorsements).
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The Georgia Department of Natural Resources offers disabled Veterans a 25% discount on accommodations, recreation fees like mini-golf and boat rentals, golf fees, and historic site admission.
Veteran and Military Miscellaneous Benefits
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The Georgia Women Veterans Office offers information, advocacy, outreach, and support for Georgia’s women veterans and their families. They provide counseling, offer mentorship, and advocate for women veterans in Georgia’s Veterans Treatment Courts.
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When a gas station has both full-service and self-service, a disabled veteran driving a vehicle with Disabled Veteran license plates can request full-service at the self-service price if they are not accompanied by someone 16 or older who is able to pump the gas.
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The Georgia Uniform Guardianship Act allows for a guardian to be appointed for an incompetent Veteran and the Veteran’s children when VA benefits are involved.
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Veterans and their families can get free copies of marriage, divorce, birth, and death records if they are needed to file for disability or death benefits claims.
For assistance, please contact the Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records at 404-679-4702
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Georgia Veterans Treatment Courts assist Veterans involved in the court system by combining drug court and mental health court practices to help promote sobriety, recovery, and long-term stability.