West Virginia State Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans
100% State Benefits – West Virginia
Note: Information for this document was gathered from various sources including: https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/west-virginia-state-veterans-benefits.html
Visit the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance for more detailed information: https://veterans.wv.gov/Benefits/Pages/default.aspx
Veterans Homes
For more information, visit: https://www.nasvh.org/state-homes/statedir.cfm
Your eligibility for State Veterans Homes is based on clinical need and setting availability.
Each State establishes eligibility and admission criteria for its homes.
Talk with a VA social worker about the eligibility requirements of State Veterans Homes near you and to figure out a plan for paying for State Veterans Home care services.
Veterans Homes Locations:
- THE WEST VIRGINIA VETERANS HOME – BARBOURSVILLE BARBOURSVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA
- WEST VIRGINIA STATE VETERANS NURSING FACILITY – CLARKSBURG CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia runs a veteran’s home in Barboursville, and a nursing facility in Clarksburg. They are open to veterans who have been residents of West Virginia for at least 30 days (or entered the service from West Virginia), have an honorable discharge, and who served at least 12 months of active-duty service. Charges are based on income.
State Veterans’ Cemeteries
For more detailed information visit: https://www.cem.va.gov/find-cemetery/state.asp?STATE=WV
National Veterans Cemeteries:
| Grafton National Cemetery 431 Walnut St. Grafton, WV 26354 Burial Space: Closed | Phone: 304-265-2044 Fax: 304-265-4336 |
| West Virginia National Cemetery 42 Veterans Memorial Lane Grafton, WV 26354 Burial Space: Open | Phone: 304-265-2044 Fax: 304-265-4336 |
State Veterans Cemeteries:
| Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery 130 Academy Drive Dunbar, WV 25064 VA Grant Funded: Yes | Phone: 304-746-0026 Fax: 304-746-0146 |
Many states 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.
West Virginia Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Tax
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, military retirement income, including retirement income from the regular Armed Forces, Reserves and National Guard paid by the United States or the State of West Virginia are exempt from state income tax.
This includes any survivorship annuities, to the extent that they are included in federal adjusted gross income for the taxable year.
Disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption
Visit the following websites for more information: https://code.wvlegislature.gov/email/11-13MM/
and
https://www.wvveteransblog.com/uncategorized/west-virginia-veterans-now-eligible-for-new-tax-credit/
Beginning January 1, 2024, honorably discharged military Veteran residents of the state may be eligible for a tax credit contingent upon property taxes. If you are a West Virginia veteran with a 90 percent or greater Combined Disability Rating through the federal VA, you may qualify for a tax credit in the amount of your property tax paid to your county of residence.
This tax credit will be applied to the veteran’s state income tax burden on your 2024 taxes. If the amount exceeds what you owe on your state income tax or if you don’t typically file state income tax returns, you can claim a reimbursement in the amount of the credit.
This benefit replaces the previous homestead exemption of $20,000 reduction on assessed value for 100 percent permanent and totally disabled veterans. Funds are not issued through county offices, and the amount of property tax paid to counties is not reduced.
For a property to qualify for the tax credit, property tax amounts to be credited must have been paid to a county sheriff on a homestead that is used or occupied exclusively for residential
purposes. Additionally, the credit will not be offered on payment of delinquent real property tax or “back taxes.”
File with your local tax assessor by December 1 st to receive the exemption for the next year.
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
Veterans Bonus
West Virginia offers a cash bonus to veterans who served during the War in Afghanistan. The bonus includes a one-time payment of $600 for service in the combat zone or a one-time payment of $400 for service outside the combat zone.
Active-duty service members can apply for the cash bonus. A qualified veteran must apply within one year of leaving active-duty and have an honorable discharge.
Contact the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance for more information and for the application.
Veteran License Plates
Special vehicle license plates and disabled veteran tags are provided without fee to veterans who qualify for federal VA auto grant benefits or who have a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability.
Former POWs, Purple Heart recipients and Pearl Harbor survivors are also eligible for special license plates without fee.
Veteran plates are available to all other honorably discharged veterans for a one-time fee of $10 over and above the regular license fee required by the state Division of Motor Vehicles.
Interested veterans should contact their local DMV office.
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Professional License Transfer and Application
For more information, visit the following website: https://statepolicy.militaryonesource.mil/state/WV
Service Members, Veterans, and their Spouses in certain professional fields may be eligible for expedited license applications and license transfers.
West Virginia State agencies will l issue temporary licenses to military spouses licensed in good standing in another state within 30 days of receipt of a completed application. The temporary license expires 6 months after the date it is issued. Some licensing fees may be waived upon request. Boards will require an applicant to indicate their status as a service member or spouse, and report annually on the number of licenses, certificates and/or registrations issued, the amount of fees waived.
Military Incentive Program
The West Virginia Military Incentive Credit encourages the employment of veterans and members of the guard and reserve forces in the private sector by providing tax credits to qualified businesses that employ economically disadvantaged veterans and unemployed members of the West Virginia National Guard and United States Reserve forces.
Their services can assist you with resume writing, developing your job interview skills, and they can help find training opportunities to enhance your career prospects.
Additional information is available through Workforce West Virginia.
West Virginia Veteran Education Benefits
West Virginia offers a wide variety of Educational Benefits to resident veterans and their dependents.
State Educational Benefits can be used in conjunction with the National Educational Benefits (DEA)
Visit the following link for a full list: https://veterans.wv.gov/Benefits/Pages/default.aspx
NOTE: Information regarding several of these benefits is difficult to find online. We recommend reaching out to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission for more detailed information.
Call their Financial Aid Hotline: 877-987-7664
OR
Visit their website at: https://www.wvhepc.edu/
War Orphan Education Program
For more information and for the application, visit the following website: https://veterans.wv.gov
Students who qualify for the War Orphan Education Program will not be charged tuition and fees by a West Virginia post-secondary education or training institution.
Award amounts administered by the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance are to cover costs associated with room, board, books, and other living expenses. This amount fluctuates according to the number of applications received each semester. No more than $1,000 will be awarded to a student in any one semester and no more than $2,000 will be awarded to a student in any one year.
To qualify, a student must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be at least sixteen years old, but not more than twenty-five (Veteran’s spouses are exempt from this requirement)
- Must be enrolled in a post-secondary education or training institution in the state of West Virginia
- Veteran parent (or spouse) must have designated West Virginia as his or her state of record at time of enlistment
- Veteran parent must have served in the United States Armed Forces on active duty as declared by President under Title 10 and must have been killed in action or have died as a result of his or her war service
Application deadline for Fall semester: August 31st
Application deadline for Spring semester: January 31st
NOTE: Students may not apply for this assistance retroactively.
The completed application and accompanying documents should be submitted to:
West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance
Office of the Cabinet Secretary
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Building 5, Suite 205
Charleston, WV 25305
Phone: 304-558-3661
Veterans Re-Education Act Fund
For more information, please visit the following website: https://veterans.wv.gov/Benefits/Pages/default.aspx
Veterans who have used all their GI Bill benefits may be eligible for state funds that can be used for tuition assistance, tests associated with professional license and certification or other training materials.
Award amounts may fluctuate according to the number of applicants and the total amount of funding allocated to the program by the West Virginia Legislature each fiscal year. Award monies may be granted at the discretion of the WVDVA for tuition assistance, tests associated with professional licensure or certification, or other training materials. There is no application deadline, but payments could take up to six weeks to process. Students who wish to reapply must submit a new application each semester.
To qualify, the following eligibility criteria must be met:
- Must have served in and been Honorably Discharged from the United States Armed Forces
- Must have exhausted GI Bill benefits.
- Must be a resident of West Virginia.
To apply for Veterans Re-education Assistance, please compile the following documents:
- A completed version of this application form
- A copy of your DD214
- Proof of enrollment in a West Virginia institution of postsecondary education or training (copy of tuition bill, schedule of courses, test enrollment confirmation, etc.)
- Proof of West Virginia residence
Please enclose all documents in a single envelope and submit to:
West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance
Office of the Cabinet Secretary
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Building 5, Suite 205
Charleston, WV 25305
Phone: 304-558-3661
Financial Aid Hotline: 877-987-7664
Medal of Honor & Purple Heart Tuition Waivers
Visit the following website for more information: https://www.wvhepc.edu/
All West Virginia state colleges waive tuition and mandatory fee charges for residents who have been awarded the Medal of Honor or Purple Heart.
More information is available through the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
Contact the Financial Aid Hotline: 877-987-7664
High School Diplomas for Veterans
West Virginia veterans who served in WWII, Korea or Vietnam and did not graduate from high school may be awarded a high school diploma. The diploma may be granted by the veteran’s current county of residence or by the county in which the school he/she attended is located.
Click here for an application .
In-state Tuition Rates for Nonresident Veterans
All public higher education institutions will assess tuition at the in-state rate for nonresident recipients of the GI Bill who enroll within three years of their discharge (beginning July, 2015).
More information is available in Title 133 Legislative Rule Series 25 or through the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
Financial Aid Hotline: 877-987-7664
Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program
All public institutions of higher education are participants of the US Department of Veterans Affairs’ Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program, also known as the “bridging the gap” program. This benefit helps veterans afford programs where costs exceed the amount of funding provided by the G.I. Bill.
More information is available in West Virginia State Code 18B-10-7C or through the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
Financial Aid Hotline: 877-987-7664
West Virginia Veteran Recreation Benefits
Disabled Veteran Hunting & Fishing Licenses
For more information and for the application, visit the following website: https://www.wvhunt.com/login
Resident veterans who qualify for federal VA auto grant benefits or who have a 100 percent permanent and total service-connected disability qualify for free West Virginia hunting and fishing licenses.
Active-Duty Hunting & Fishing Licenses
West Virginia residents on active duty and home on leave don’t need hunting & fishing licenses. Leave or furlough papers shall serve in lieu of any required licenses.
West Virginia State Parks
For more information, visit the following website: https://wvstateparks.com/deals/#:~:text=VeteransSaluteDiscount&text=WestVirginiaStateParksthanks,militaryIDatheckin.
Veterans and active-duty members get a 10% discount on all standard lodge rooms, cabins and campsites operated by West Virginia State Parks. You do not have to be a WV resident to qualify.
Veterans Greens Fee Discount
For more information, visit the following website: https://wvstateparks.com/deals/#:~:text=VeteransSaluteDiscount&text=WestVirginiaStateParksthanks,militaryIDatcheckin.
Veterans and active-duty military personnel receive 15% off greens fees at Pipestem, Twin Falls and Cacapon Resort State Parks year-round. Just present a valid military ID when you check in for your tee time.
OTHER BENEFITS
Military Hall of Fame
The West Virginia Hall of Fame is intended to honor Veterans of West Virginia who have distinguished themselves during their military service and who have also made significant contributions to the state or to their communities following their discharge from the military. A virtual Hall of Fame will be created to showcase the lives of those inducted.
Download an application for the West Virginia Military Hall of Fame here.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Transportation Network
The DAV Transportation Network is intended to provide transportation for medical appointments to veterans in rural areas or who have no other transportation. The DAV operates a transportation network that provides transportation for veterans to attend from their appointments at no cost to the veteran.
Becoming a volunteer driver can be a rewarding experience. It is a chance for veterans to help their fellow veterans. For those who have not served their country, this is another way to serve. Volunteering to drive as little as one day per month will help ensure our state’s veterans have access to the health care that they have earned. There will be no change to how veterans schedule a ride.
To schedule a ride or to volunteer to be a driver, call your local Veterans Affairs Medical Center Voluntary Services Office.
Louis A Johnson VA Medical Center – 304-623-7621
Beckley VA Medical Center – 304-255-2121 extension 4162
Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center – 304-429-6741 extension 2952
Martinsburg VA Medical Center – 304-263-0811 extension 3310
Jack Bennett Fund
Families of deceased veterans may be provided grave markers for their loved one free of charge from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. However, some families are unable to cover the cost of installing these grave markers. The Jack Bennett Fund provides applicants up to $380 to offset these costs.
A family’s need for financial assistance may be used to determine eligibility and is based on the “Means Test Threshold” as published by the federal VA.
Any family member of a deceased veteran, licensed funeral directors and cemeteries may apply.
