Connecticut Veterans’ Home
The Department has a health care center with a capacity of 250 beds, a 50-bed substance abuse recovery program and a 500-bed Residential Program.  Professional services are provided by staff physicians, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, OT, PT, RT, dieticians and social workers are augmented by community specialists, as well as, networking to local VA and major area hospitals when appropriate. By Statute, veterans who are able to pay in whole or in part for programs or services determined by the applicable fee schedule will receive a monthly bill for such services rendered.

Learn more about the Connecticut Veterans’ Home

Property Tax Exemptions
Veterans, who have ninety days of wartime service, including Merchant Marines, who served during WWII, are eligible for a $1,500 exemption for property tax purposes (e.g., real property or automobiles). You have the option to choose to apply this exemption to your real estate or automobile tax. Certain veterans, who do not own real property or a motor vehicle, may be eligible for a tax refund if they are leasing a motor vehicle.

Veterans below a certain income level and/or service connected disabled veterans are eligible for additional property tax exemptions (up to $10,000 for paraplegics). Surviving spouses of veterans may also be eligible for this benefit. Contact your municipality’s Tax Assessor Officer for specific details.

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Employment Assistance
An employee who leaves any public authority or public agency to enter the armed forces can be reinstated in their former position. Veterans must reapply within ninety days following receipt of a certificate from the armed forces confirming satisfactory service.

For classified competitive state exams, a wartime veteran eligible for or receiving VA compensation receives an additional ten points. A wartime veteran not eligible for VA compensation or pension receives five additional points. A spouse of a qualified veteran is also eligible for additional points. However, to qualify, the veteran or spouse must achieve a passing grade on the examination score. If an honorably discharged veteran has served in a military action for which he/she received, or is entitled to receive, a campaign badge or expeditionary medal, he/she qualifies for five additional points if they receive a passing grade on their examination.

On a competitive municipal examination, a wartime veteran eligible for VA compensation or a pension, who has received a passing score, receives ten additional points.

A wartime veteran not eligible for compensation or a pension, who has received a passing score, receives five additional points.

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Burial in Connecticut’s Veterans’ Cemetery
Any veteran discharged with other than a dishonorable discharge is eligible for burial in a state veterans’ cemetery. Spouses are also eligible for this benefit.

Learn more about Burial in Connecticut’s Veterans’ Cemetery

Motor Vehicles Waiver
State law provides for free motor vehicle registration and special plates to former prisoners of war and recipients of the Medal of Honor.

Veterans, who were state residents at the time of induction and who apply within two years of receiving an honorable discharge, are exempt from paying for an operator’s license and examination fees for one licensing period.

State law also provides that fees may be waived for the following registration items, subject to a formal determination by the Department of Motor Vehicles:

Special License plates for disabled veterans
Special fee license plates for certain disabilities (loss of use or loss of limb, or blind) handicapped and overtime parking.
If receiving auto grant from the VA or Medal of Honor recipient, exemption from registration fees.

Learn more about the Motor Vehicles Waiver

Retirement
Members of The Municipal Employees’ Retirement System, who leave municipal employment to enter the armed forces while the United States is at war, engaged in hostilities, or during national emergencies and are re-employed by the municipality within six months of discharge, are credited with the period of service as though they had been continuously employed. This six-month limitation can be extended due to service-related disability.

Learn more about Retirement Benefits