Contact the
service office nearest you for free assistance when applying for state of
federal veteran benefits.
The State of West Virginia offers through the Department of Veterans
Assistance and other state bodies, the following programs:
Tax Benefits
Military Retirement Pay State Income Tax Exemption
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, military retirement income,
including retirement income from the regular Armed Forces, Reserves and National
Guard paid by the United States or the State of West Virginia are exempt from
state income tax. This includes any survivorship annuities, to the extent that
they are included in federal adjusted gross income for the taxable year. For
more information see
House Bill 201, passed October 17, 2017, and West Virginia State Code
§11-21-12.’’
Disabled Veteran Real Property Tax Credit
Beginning January 1, 2024, a resident Veteran with a 90 percent or greater VA Combined Disability Rating will be eligible for an income tax credit in the amount they paid on property tax for their real property used for residential purposes. For more information on eligibility, see §11-13MM-4 - Disabled veteran real property tax credit.
Education Benefits
War Orphan Education Program
Students who qualify for the War Orphan Education Program will not be charged
tuition and fees by a West Virginia post-secondary education or training
institution. Award amounts administered by the West Virginia Department of
Veterans Assistance are to cover costs associated with room, board, books and
other living expenses. This amount fluctuates according to the number of
applications received each semester. No more than $1,000 will be awarded to a
student in any one semester and no more than $2,000 will be awarded to a student
in any one year. More information is available in West Virginia State Code
18-19.
Applications are available here
High School Diplomas for Veterans
West Virginia veterans who served in WWII, Korea or Vietnam and did not graduate
from high school may be awarded a high school diploma. The diploma may be
granted by the veteran’s current county of residence or by the county in which
the school he/she attended is located. More details are available in
West Virginia State Code 18-2-34 or
Title 126 Legislative Rule Series 96.
Click here for an application.
Medal of Honor & Purple Heart Tuition Waivers
All public institutions of higher education waive tuition and mandatory fee
charges for West Virginia residents who have been awarded the Medal of Honor or
Purple Heart. More information is available in
West Virginia State Code 18B-10-10 or through the
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
In-state Tuition Rates for Nonresident Veterans
All public higher education institutions will assess tuition at the in state
rate for nonresident recipients of the GI Bill who enroll within three years of
their discharge (beginning July, 2015). More information is available in
Title 133 Legislative Rule Series 25 or through the
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program
All public institutions of higher education are participants of the US
Department of Veterans Affairs’ Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement
Program, also known as the “bridging the gap” program. This benefit helps
veterans afford programs where costs exceed the amount of funding provided by
the G.I. Bill. More information is available in
West Virginia State Code 18B-10-7C or through the
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
Veterans Re-education Assistance
Since fiscal year 1997, the West Virginia legislature has included in the annual
budget various amounts of funding for postsecondary education. This program
offers up to a $500 per semester stipend to veterans who are enrolled in a
certified post-secondary class. Additionally, this program can assist veterans
with vocational and non-traditional education endeavors on a case-by-case basis.
Click here to view the application.
Employment Benefits
Professional License Transfer and Application
Service Members, Veterans, and their Spouses in certain professional fields may be eligible for expedited license applications and license transfers. For more information on eligibility, see §30-1B
Military Incentive Program
The West Virginia Military Incentive Credit encourages the employment of
veterans and members of the guard and reserve forces in the private sector by
providing tax credits to qualified businesses that employ economically
disadvantaged veterans and unemployed members of the West Virginia National
Guard and United States Reserve forces. Additional information is available in
West Virginia State Code 21A-2C-1 and through
Workforce West Virginia.
Veterans’ Preference
Under the West Virginia Civil Service System, all veterans who have served under
honorable conditions in the Armed Forces of the United States during hostile
conflict shall have five points added to a final passing score. An additional
five points are added to a veteran’s score if in receipt of the Purple Heart or
if he/she has a compensable service-connected disability. More information is
available in
West Virginia State Code 6-13-1.
Other Benefits
Military Hall of Fame
The West Virginia Hall of Fame is intended to honor Veterans of West Virginia who have distinguished themseves during thier military service and who have also made significant contributions to the state or to their communities following their discharge from the military. A virtual Hall of Fame will be created to showcase the lives of those inducted. Hershal "Woody" Williams was the first inductee. For more information, see West Virginia State Code §9A-6-1. See below for the administrative process and how to nominate a veteran for the Military Hall of Fame.
- Nominations shall be on a nomination application form maintained by the Department of Veterans Assistance and hosted on their state web site.
- Nomination applications must be accompanied by documentation showing that the applicant has been awarded at least one of the awards listed in West Virginia State Code §9A-6-1. West Virginia Military Hall of Fame.
- Applications should include a narrative description of why the veteran should be considered for the Hall of Fame. This narrative should include specific honors and accomplishments while in service AND the service the veteran rendered to the state or his or her community after discharge that should make him or her eligible for this honor. The narrative should be accompanied by supporting documentation.
- Applications should be mailed or faxed to the WVDVA Office of the Cabinet Secretary, or hand delivered to a WVDVA benefits office where it can be scanned and sent to the Office of the Cabinet Secretary by encrypted email.
- The West Virginia Military Hall of Fame Board shall be formed in accordance with West Virginia Code §9A-6-1(c). The Board will consist of 7 members, selected by a vote of the Veterans Advisory Council from among the membership of that group. The Secretary of the WVDVA will serve as an ex officio member and the chairperson of the board.
- The Secretary will form and convene the West Virginia Military Hall of Fame Board yearly, and may do so at additional times as needed.
- Board members will review each application in detail, ensuring that only applicants that possess the qualifying military awards listed in West Virginia State Code §9A-6-1 will be considered.
- Board members will, after a detailed review of each qualified application, vote on whether to induct the veteran into the Hall of Fame, or to dismiss the application.
- The reasons for dismissal shall be recorded on the application. If an application is dismissed the applicant can resubmit, so long as additional documentation is provided that addresses the reason for dismissal.
- A copy of each scored application will be returned to the individual who made the nomination.
- A physical or digital copy of the application and supporting documentation shall be retained by the Department of Veterans Assistance for a minimum of ten years.
Download an application for the West Virginia Military Hall of Fame
here.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Transportation Network
The DAV Transportation Network is intended to provide transportation for
medical appointments to veterans in rural areas or who have no other
transportation. The DAV has operated a transportation network since 1987 in all
other states. With more than 3,500 vehicles, volunteer drivers have donated
nearly 1.5 million hours providing more than 625,000 rides to transport veterans
to and from their appointments at no cost to the veteran.
Becoming a volunteer driver can be a rewarding experience. It is a chance for
veterans to help their fellow veterans. For those who have not served their
country, this is another way to serve. Volunteering to drive as little as one
day per month will help ensure our state’s veterans have access to the health
care that they have earned. There will be no change to how veterans schedule a
ride.
To schedule a ride or to volunteer to be a driver, call your local Veterans
Affairs Medical Center Voluntary Services Office.
Louis A Johnson VA Medical Center – 304-623-7621
Beckley VA Medical Center – 304-255-2121 extension 4162
Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center – 304-429-6741 extension 2952
Martinsburg VA Medical Center – 304-263-0811 extension 3310
Veteran License Plates
Special vehicle license plates and disabled veteran tags are provided without
fee to veterans who qualify for federal VA auto grant benefits or who have a
100% permanent and total service connected disability. Former POWs, Purple Heart
recipients and Pearl Harbor survivors are also eligible for special license
plates without fee. Veteran plates are available to all other honorably
discharged veterans for a one-time fee of $10 over and above the regular license
fee required by the state Division of Motor Vehicles. More information is
available in
West Virginia State Code 17A-3-14. Interested veterans should contact their
local DMV office.
Veteran Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Resident veterans who qualify for federal VA auto grant benefits or who have a
100% permanent and total service-connected disability qualify for free West
Virginia hunting and fishing licenses. Services members who are on active duty
in the United States Armed Forces, while on leave or furlough, are permitted to
hunt, fish and trap without a license. Leave or furlough papers shall serve in
lieu of any required licenses. More information is available in
West Virginia State Code 20-2-28.
Applications are available here.
West Virginia State Parks “Veterans’ Salute”
Veterans and active duty military personnel are provided a year-round 10%
discount on all standard lodge rooms, cabins and campsites operated by West
Virginia State Parks. Additional discounts and offers for veterans and military
members are available seasonally.
Click here for more information.
Jack Bennett Fund
Families of deceased veterans may be provided grave markers for their loved one
free of charge from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. However,
some families are unable to cover the cost of installing these grave markers.
The Jack Bennett Fund provides applicants up to $380 to offset these costs. A
family’s need for financial assistance may be used to determine eligibility and
is based on the “Means Test Threshold” as published by the federal VA. Any
family member of a deceased veteran, licensed funeral directors and cemeteries
may apply. Details about the Jack Bennett Fund can be found in
West Virginia State Code 29-22A-10,
Title 86 Legislative Rule Series 4, and
Title 150 Legislative Rule Series 28.
For an application, click here.