New York Veteran Benefits
13 state benefits for veterans in New York.
Property Tax
View all Property Tax in New York →Alternative Veterans' Property Tax Exemption
Reduces the assessed value of a veteran's primary residence by 15% for wartime service, with an additional 10% for combat-zone service and a further reduction tied to a service-connected disability rating.
Eligibility: Veterans who served during a period of war or received an expeditionary medal (Cold War veterans also eligible as of December 2025), with a qualifying discharge; must be the veteran's primary residence in a participating taxing jurisdiction.
Estimated value: 15% assessed-value reduction for wartime service, +10% for combat, plus a disability-based reduction (subject to local maximums)
How to apply: File Form RP-458 with your local municipal assessor by the taxable status date (generally March 1).
Cold War Veterans' Property Tax Exemption
Provides a 10% or 15% reduction in the assessed value of a Cold War veteran's primary residence, with an additional reduction for those with a service-connected disability.
Eligibility: Veterans who served on active duty between September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991 and received an honorable discharge (or their unremarried surviving spouse); property must be the primary residence in a participating jurisdiction.
Estimated value: 10% or 15% assessed-value reduction, plus a disability-based reduction equal to half the disability rating
How to apply: File Form RP-458-b with your local municipal assessor by the taxable status date.
Veterans Property Tax Exemptions Overview (DVS)
New York offers three real-property tax exemptions for veterans (Alternative, Cold War, and Eligible Funds); the Department of Veterans' Services provides guidance on which one fits a veteran's service and property.
Eligibility: New York veterans and certain family members who own and primarily reside in the property; specific eligibility varies by exemption type.
Estimated value: Assessed-value reductions on a primary residence (varies by exemption and jurisdiction)
How to apply: Review options with the NYS Department of Veterans' Services and file the applicable form (RP-458, RP-458-a, RP-458-b, or RP-458) with your local assessor.
Education
View all Education in New York →New York State Veterans Tuition Award (VTA)
Covers tuition for eligible veterans at SUNY, CUNY, participating private colleges, and approved vocational programs, up to the SUNY resident tuition rate.
Eligibility: New York State residents (12 continuous months) who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces with qualifying service (four years active duty, or service in a designated combat theater) and a non-dishonorable discharge, enrolled at an approved NY institution.
Estimated value: Up to the full SUNY resident undergraduate tuition rate per year (for full-time study; part-time prorated)
How to apply: Complete the FAFSA and TAP application, then file the NYS Veterans Tuition Award Supplement through HESC (HescWeb).
Employment
View all Employment in New York →Veterans' Civil Service Examination Credits
Veterans receive additional points added to passing civil service exam scores for New York State and local government jobs.
Eligibility: New York resident veterans who served on active duty (other than for training) with an honorable discharge; disabled veterans qualify for larger credits with a VA-certified disability of 10% or more.
Estimated value: Non-disabled: 5 points (open-competitive) / 2.5 points (promotion). Disabled: 10 points (open-competitive) / 5 points (promotion). One-time use.
How to apply: Request veterans' credits when applying for a civil service exam through the NYS Department of Civil Service (or local commission) and submit your DD-214.
Recreation/Hunting & Fishing
View all Recreation/Hunting & Fishing in New York →Reduced-Fee Hunting, Fishing & Trapping Licenses for Disabled Veterans
Disabled veterans can obtain a reduced-fee NYSDEC sporting license and receive preference for Deer Management Permits.
Eligibility: Veterans with a VA-certified service-connected disability of 40% or more who are New York State residents.
Estimated value: $5 for a hunting, fishing, or trapping license (buy one, the other two are free)
How to apply: Submit VA disability documentation to the DEC License Sales Unit (by email or fax) or to a license-issuing agent; once enrolled, purchase licenses online, by phone, or in person.
Lifetime Liberty Pass (State Parks & Recreation)
A free lifetime pass giving New York veterans and Gold Star family members free vehicle entry to state parks and DEC day-use areas, free greens fees at state golf courses, free state pool entry, and discounted camping.
Eligibility: New York State residents who are veterans (any discharge other than dishonorable, or an honorable/general discharge) or Gold Star parents, spouses, or children.
Estimated value: Free lifetime park entry plus free golf greens fees, free pool entry, and discounted camping/cabin rentals
How to apply: Apply by mail to NYS Parks with a completed application and proof of veteran status (e.g., DD-214).
Vehicle/DMV
View all Vehicle/DMV in New York →Motor Vehicle Registration & Plate Fee Exemption
Qualifying disabled veterans are exempt from NY DMV vehicle registration and license-plate fees.
Eligibility: Veterans who received a vehicle under federal Title 38 (VA automobile/adaptive-equipment grant), or who qualify for Congressional Medal of Honor or Former Prisoner of War custom plates.
Estimated value: Waived registration and plate fees
How to apply: Apply at a NY DMV office with your VA grant documentation (VA Form 21-4502) or qualifying plate approval.
Free E-ZPass for Disabled Veterans (Thruway Non-Revenue Plan)
The New York State Thruway Authority provides free, unlimited Thruway travel to qualifying disabled veterans via a non-revenue E-ZPass.
Eligibility: Veterans holding a fee-exempt DMV vehicle registration (i.e., those who qualify for the VA Automobile or Adaptive Equipment Grant); eligibility is not based on disability percentage.
Estimated value: Free unlimited travel on the New York State Thruway
How to apply: Submit E-ZPass Application TA-W5175 with a copy of your fee-exempt vehicle registration to the Thruway Authority E-ZPass office; renew every two years.
Healthcare
View all Healthcare in New York →New York State Veterans' Nursing Homes
New York operates state veterans' nursing homes (Batavia, Oxford, Montrose, and St. Albans) providing skilled nursing and long-term care to veterans and certain family members.
Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans, spouses of veterans, and Gold Star parents who require skilled nursing care; admission prioritized by medical need.
Estimated value: Skilled nursing and long-term care (Medicare/Medicaid and other payer sources accepted)
How to apply: Contact the Admissions Department of the desired NYS Veterans' Home directly from the community, a hospital, or another facility.
Financial
View all Financial in New York →New York State Blind Annuity Program
Provides an annual annuity payment to legally blind wartime veterans, or their unremarried surviving spouses, who reside in New York State.
Eligibility: New York State resident wartime veterans (or their unremarried surviving spouse) who are legally blind (20/200 in the better eye with correction, or a 20-degree field limitation); blindness need not be service-connected.
Estimated value: Annual annuity payment (set by statute)
How to apply: Submit the Blind Annuity Application and Report of Legal Blindness form, with the veteran's discharge paperwork, to the NYS Department of Veterans' Services.
Military Retirement Pay Income Tax Exemption
Military pension and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are fully exempt from New York State, New York City, and Yonkers income taxes.
Eligibility: Retired service members (any branch) receiving military retirement pay, and beneficiaries receiving SBP payments; no income limits, age requirements, or caps.
Estimated value: 100% exemption of military retirement pay from NYS, NYC, and Yonkers income tax
How to apply: Subtract qualifying military pension income on your New York State income tax return (Form IT-201/IT-203); no separate application required.
Housing
View all Housing in New York →Access to Home for Heroes/Veterans Program
Provides funding for accessibility modifications, emergency repairs, and code-violation fixes to the primary residences of low- and moderate-income disabled veterans.
Eligibility: Veterans (renters or homeowners) with service-related, age-related, or health-related disabilities and household income at or below 120% of area median income; delivered through participating municipalities and nonprofits.
Estimated value: Grant-funded home modifications (e.g., wheelchair ramps, roll-in showers, doorway widening)
How to apply: Contact a participating local government or nonprofit administering Access to Home for Heroes funds; individuals cannot apply directly to HCR.