VetTOC · Veteran benefits reference
Find a VA-accredited representative: www.va.gov/get-help-from-accredited-representative/find-rep
The San Mateo County Assessor prints the 2026 amounts, $180,671 basic and $271,009 under an $81,131 income limit, and takes unemployability.
Gate: 100% or compensated at 100% for unemployability
Five points on a passing entrance examination score for a veteran with 90 days of active duty or a campaign medal and a discharge under honorable conditions, and five more for a…
Gate: Five more points at 30%
San Mateo County Parks waives its $6 vehicle entrance fee year-round for a veteran with proof of veteran status, at every county park.
In the unincorporated county, a self-employed veteran pays no fee for the peddler's or solicitor's licence, which otherwise costs $12 for six months.
San Mateo County's Superior Court runs two veterans' programmes: Military Diversion, before a plea, for misdemeanours, open to honorable, general and other than honorable…
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…
Mandatory systemwide tuition and fees waived at any California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus, for the child, spouse, or…
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
The word VETERAN on the front of a California driver license or identification card.
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
A $4,000 exemption for a wartime or campaign veteran, a surviving spouse, or a qualifying parent.
Eight state veterans homes running independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.
79 federal benefits apply here as well and are left off this page; the place page lists them.