Guam US Territory Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans

Guam US Territory Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans

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100% US Territory Benefits- Guam

Information for this document was gathered from various sources including: https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/State/Territory-Benefits/Guam

Visit the Guam Veterans Affairs Office Website for more information: https://gvao.guam.gov/

State Veterans’ Cemeteries

For more detailed information visit: https://www.cem.va.gov/find-cemetery/state.asp?STATE=GU

National Veterans’ Cemeteries:  There are no National Veterans’ Cemeteries located in Guam.

State Veterans’ Cemeteries: 

Guam Veterans Cemetery
150 Spruance Drive
Piti, Guam 96910

VA Grant Funded: Yes		 Phone:
671-475-8388

Fax:
671-475-8396

Many states, territories, and tribes have established state veterans’ cemeteries. Eligibility is like Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries but may include residency requirements. Even though they may have been established or improved with Government funds through VA’s Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, state veterans’ cemeteries are run solely by the states.

Financial Benefits

Tax Benefits

Guam Taxes on Military Retired Pay: 

Military retired pay is taxable in Guam.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) does not withhold taxes for state or local income tax, but it is reported annually on IRS Form 1099-R. All TSP distributions are subject to taxes and early distributions may incur higher taxes.

Guam Taxes on Military Pay:

Military pay is taxable in Guam.

Guam Taxes on Military Disability Retirement Pay:

Military Disability Retirement Pay received as a pension, annuity or similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces should not be included in taxable income. Some of the payments which are considered disability benefits include:

  • Disability compensation and pension payments for disabilities paid to Veterans or their families
  • Grants for homes designed for wheelchair living
  • Grants for motor vehicles for Veterans who lost their sight or the use of limbs, or
  • Benefits under a dependent-care assistance program

Guam Taxes on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Disability Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): 

DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of a service member who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of a Veteran whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.

Guam Taxes on Military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP), and Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan (RSFPP) Annuities: 

SBP, RCSBP and RSFPP annuity payments are taxable in Guam.

Property Tax Exemption

If you own and live in a home in Guam as a disabled veteran, surviving spouse, Gold Star Parent, or as the legal guardian of a disabled veteran, you may be exempt from all Guam property taxes.

Eligibility:

To qualify for the Guam Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption, you or your family members must meet the following criteria:

  • You are a veteran who served in the U.S. Armed Forces with a 100% service-connected disability rating or have been rated as individually unemployable by the VA.
  • You are the unremarried surviving spouse of an eligible veteran.
  • You are a Gold Star Parent (as defined in Guam Code 16-7-7120.3).
  • You are the legal guardian managing the property of a veteran with service-connected disabling injuries.

Note that the exemption applies to only one residence per person and cannot be used if the property is used for commercial purposes.

How to Apply:

Consult the local assessor’s office for detailed requirements regarding these exemptions. 

Annual refiling is often required.

Find your local tax assessor at this link: https://www.publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Assessor-and-Property-Tax-Records.htm

Guam Government Employment Veterans’ Hiring Preference:

Guam offers Veterans’ hiring preference for civil service employment by adding points to passing initial employment examination scores. Eligible veterans receive five points, while disabled veterans receive ten points. If two applicants are equally qualified, the one eligible for veterans’ preference will be offered the position first.

Eligibility for Guam Government Employment Veterans’ Hiring Preferences

You are eligible if you meet the following criteria:

  • Veteran: Served in the U.S. Armed Forces for at least 180 cumulative days and received a discharge other than dishonorable.
  • Disabled Veteran: Received a service-connected disability rating from the VA or your branch of service.

Application Process

To claim veterans’ preference, you must:

  1. Submit your DD214 (or other official documentation) as proof of discharge status.
  2. If you are a disabled veteran, also provide a VA Benefit Summary Letter or official documentation from your branch of service confirming your service-connected disability.

Disabled Veteran Drivers

Visit the following website for more information: https://www.guamtax.com/about/mvd.html

Guam license and registration fees are waived for eligible Veterans and certain family members.

Eligibility:

  • Veteran who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and has a 100% service-connected disability rating, or has been rated as individually unemployable by the VA
  • Spouse or unremarried surviving spouse of an eligible Veteran
  • Gold Star Parents
  • Legal guardian who is taking care of and managing the property of a Veteran who has service-connected disabling injuries

How to Apply: 

  1. Gather Required Documentation:
    • Proof of Disability: Obtain a VA Benefit Summary Letter or official documentation from your branch of service confirming your service-connected disability.
    • Proof of Military Service: Have your DD214 or other official documentation proving your status as a veteran.
  2. Visit the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation (DRT):
    • Location: 1240 Army Drive, Barrigada, GU 96913
    • Motor Vehicle Division Office
  3. Complete the Application Process:
    • Forms: Fill out the necessary application forms for a disabled veteran driver’s license. These forms are available at the DRT office.
    • Submit Documentation: Provide your proof of disability and proof of military service.
    • Identification: Bring valid identification (e.g., your current driver’s license).
  4. Pay Fees (if applicable):
    • Check with the DRT for any fees associated with issuing a disabled veteran driver’s license.
  5. Await Processing:
    • Your application will be processed, and you will be issued a disabled veteran driver’s license if all requirements are met.

Contact Information for Assistance:

Guam Veteran’s License Plates

You can get Veteran license plates in Guam if you are a resident veteran with an other-than-dishonorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces. You can also request decals below the license number to indicate medals of valor, combat duty, or disabilities. 

Available decals include:

  • Distinguished Service Cross
  • Silver Star
  • Bronze Star
  • Purple Heart
  • Combat Wounded
  • Disability access symbol

You must provide official documentation to prove your honorable service and eligibility for decals. You are allowed two sets of Veteran license plates.

Guam Special Recognition Veteran License Plates:

You can get Special Recognition Veteran license plates if you are a resident service member or veteran who has received one of the following medals:

  • Medal of Honor
  • Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross
  • Silver Star
  • Bronze Star with “V” Device
  • Purple Heart

You need to provide your DD214 or other official documentation proving you received the medal. You are authorized two sets of these plates. If you are an unremarried surviving spouse, you can continue to use the Special Recognition Veteran license plates of your deceased spouse.

Guam Gold Star License Plate:

You can get a Special Gold Star license plate if you are the surviving spouse or parent of a service member killed during military conflict. There is no fee for this plate. Eligible family members include:

  • Surviving spouse
  • Parents
  • Stepparents
  • Adoptive parents
  • Parents in loco parentis

The service member must have been killed under one of these circumstances:

  • World War I, World War II, or during any later period of armed conflict before July 1, 1958
  • After June 30, 1958:
    • In combat against an enemy of the U.S.
    • In military operations against an opposing foreign force
    • While serving with friendly foreign military forces during combat operations against an opposing enemy when the U.S. is not involved
  • After March 28, 1973:
    • In an international terrorist attack against the U.S. or a friendly foreign nation
    • In military operations outside the U.S. as part of a peacekeeping force