Guide to Veterans’ Benefits in Maryland

Maryland, being so close to the capital and home to many military bases, is a front runner for the resources available to resident US Veterans. From home and financial benefits, free or discounted licenses and free admission to state parks, this guide will highlight the many perks in place for our esteemed military personnel. Our Military is a resource for military families and veterans, and lists details on these and other benefits for Maryland and nationwide.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS

Veterans who have a permeant disability from a service-connected incident get their property tax on their primary home waived. This benefit extends to their spouse if the military member loses their life in the line of duty as well as the spouse of a permanently disabled veteran. If the spouse has a DIC card, they may also have a right to these benefits.

Income taxes may be waived for you as a veteran as well. Maryland gives up to $15,000 of military pay tax-free if earned while serving overseas. You will also receive up to $5,000 tax-free retired pay when the time comes and that jumps to $15,000 after the age of 55.

Active duty veterans who also have a vessel can qualify for an exception for the 5% vessel excise tax. This only applies to active duty members who PCS (permeant change of duty station) to the area, so if you buy a vessel there than you will not qualify.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR VETERANS

The state authority on appointing skilled and professional appointments will grant ten credit points on any selection test to a veteran who is eligible, as well as points to the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran or one with a permanent disability. Those with a disability will receive another two points as long as it was a service-related injury.

MARYLAND VETERAN’S HOME

The Veteran’sHome in Charlotte Hall in Maryland is open to all honorably discharged veteran residents at the age of 62 and older. Those with disabilities and unable to work as also welcome, although there may be a charge.

CDL LICENSING

The Department of Motor Vehicles Administration will waive the class A and B CDL skill test requirements for any veteran who is within 12 months of separation so long as they had those qualifications while serving. The process to transfer your military licenses to civilian is as simple as can be.

RECREATIONAL BENEFITS FOR VETERANS

Free hunting licenses for disabled veterans or certified POW’s for life. This includes a stamp for archery hunting, muzzle loading and a furbearer permit. One of the things not included in this benefit is Maryland’s migratory game bird stamp.

Former POW’s and 100% service-related disabled veterans also get a free lifetime fishing license. This includes both the Chesapeake Bay sport fishing license and the non-tidal angler’s license, but this gift from Maryland does not include trout stamp.

Those who are currently active duty and residents of Maryland while home on leave do not need to purchase a hunting or fishing license. You can claim a free temporary pass during your stay back in Maryland.

Active duty service members who are non-residents of Maryland will need to purchase their own hunting and fishing licenses at the standard resident rate.

STATE PARK ADMISSIONS

All MD state park entrance charges are waived for active-duty personnel as well as residential and non-residential veterans. This waiver is only available to the veteran or active duty member and not available to those traveling with them. If there is a single vehicle charge than that one vehicle, they are in will be waived.

MARYLAND STATE VETERANS CEMETARY

There are five state veterans’ cemeteries located in Cheltenham, Crownsville, Flintstone, Hurlock, and Owings Mills in the state of Maryland. The veteran and each dependent of the veteran receive a burial plot if the veteran is a resident of the state of Maryland and has received an honorable discharge from the service. All plots are open as a first come first served basis.

The plots are no cost to the veteran as well as no cost for opening, closing, and the headstone. Dependents who are eligible have a low cost for opening and closing and a direct cost for the headstone.

MILITARY SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN (SBP)

This plan also includes the reserve components as well (RCSBP). Surviving spouses who receive military retirement income are given the benefit of subtracting up o $5000 of the income from their federal gross income before getting taxed. So , you get $5000 of untaxed income. Also starting in the tax year of 2015 if you are of the age of 65 or older, you are allotted to subtract up to $10,000 of your income before it is taxed.

MARYLAND VA HOSPITALS

The VHA (Veterans Health Administration) is the component of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that implements the healthcare program of the VA Outpatient Clinics (OPC), Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC), and VA Community Living Centers (VA Nursing Home) Programs.

Three of the main VA hospitals in Maryland are:

Baltimore VA Medical Center

Loch Raven VA Medical Center

Perry Point VA Medical Center

In MD there are dozens of veteran clinics for prior service members who require additional care after transitioning back to the civilian sector. OurMilitary.com provides you with a list of the type of clinic and location for all VA clinics in Maryland.