CalVet Home Loan
A home loan the state originates and services itself, for a home in California, open after 90 days of active duty (not training) with a discharge under honorable conditions and…
www.calvet.ca.gov/HomeLoans
California College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents
Mandatory systemwide tuition and fees waived at any California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus, for the child, spouse, or…
www.calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Pages/College-Fee-Waiver.aspx
California County Burial of Indigent Veterans
Each county must designate a veteran or veterans remains organization to give a decent burial, outside any pauper section, to an indigent, abandoned or unclaimed veteran or…
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=MVC§ionNum=942.
California Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Program
State departments carry a participation goal of at least 3% of annual contract dollars for certified disabled veteran business enterprises, and bids that propose DVBE…
Gate: At least a 10% service-connected disability, domiciled in California
www.dgs.ca.gov/-/media/Divisions/PD/OSDS/Certification/DVBE/DVBEProgramRequirements.pdf
California Disabled Veteran License Plates and Registration Fee Exemption
Disabled Veteran plates on one vehicle, with registration and license fees waived on that vehicle, plus disabled parking privileges.
Gate: 100% rated for a condition that impairs mobility
www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/license-plates-decals-and-placards/disabled-veteran-dv-license-plates
California Disabled Veterans' Property Tax Exemption
For the January 1, 2026 lien date, $180,671 comes off the assessed value of the home a disabled veteran lives in, or $271,009 when household income is $81,131 or less.
Gate: 100% service-connected; Compensation at the 100% rate for unemployability
www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/dv_exemption.htm
California Distinguished Veteran Pass
A free pass covering vehicle day use, family camping, and boat use at over 100 California State Parks units, for a California resident veteran with a 50% or higher wartime…
Gate: Combined rating of 50% or greater, incurred during wartime
www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30958
California Free Recording and Copies of Discharge Papers
No public office in California may charge to record, index or certify a DD-214 or other discharge document, or for a certified record used in a VA or state veterans benefit claim.
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=6107.
California Military Diversion and Veterans Sentencing
A current or former service member charged with a crime and suffering from PTSD, TBI, military sexual trauma, substance abuse or a mental health problem from service can get up…
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=1001.80.
California Military Retirement and Survivor Benefit Income Exclusion
For tax years 2025 through 2029, up to $20,000 of uniformed-services retired pay or Survivor Benefit Plan annuity income is excluded from California taxable income, for a filer…
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=RTC§ionNum=17132.9
California Pets for Vets: No Adoption Fee at Public Shelters
Every California public animal shelter must waive the adoption fee for a dog or cat when the adopter shows a driver licence or ID card marked VETERAN.
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAC§ionNum=30505.
California Reduced-Fee Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans
A 365-day sport fishing license for $10.54 in 2026, against $64.54 for a resident license, plus a matching reduced-fee hunting license, for a veteran with a 50% or higher…
Gate: Service-connected rating of 50% or greater
wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Hunting/Reduced-Fee
California State Veterans Cemeteries
Three state veterans cemeteries, at Igo near Redding, at Yountville, and at Seaside on the central coast. Burial is free for the eligible veteran.
www.calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Pages/State-Veterans-Cemeteries.aspx
California Veteran Business License Fee Exemptions for Vendors and Sole Proprietors
A veteran with an honorable discharge, or a release from active duty under honorable conditions, can hawk, peddle and vend goods the veteran owns without paying any license, tax…
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC§ionNum=16001.7
California Veteran Designation on a Driver License or ID Card
The word VETERAN on the front of a California driver license or identification card.
www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/special-interest-driver-guides/veterans-and-active-duty-military
California Veterans' Preference for State Civil Service Jobs
Passing an open state civil service examination places an eligible veteran in rank 1 of the eligibility list, whatever the score.
calcareers.ca.gov/CalHRPublic/Landing/Jobs/VeteransInformation.aspx
California Veterans' Property Tax Exemption
A $4,000 exemption for a wartime or campaign veteran, a surviving spouse, or a qualifying parent.
www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/veterans_exemption.htm
Veterans Homes of California
Eight state veterans homes running independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.
www.calvet.ca.gov/calvet-programs/veteran-homes