New Hampshire Veterans Benefits

Updated: November 4, 2022
In this Article

    Find state and local veterans benefits including education, employment, healthcare, tax breaks/exemptions, recreation and more below. The Granite State is home to 110,000 veterans who can access the many benefits offered.

    Veteran Education Benefits

    Tuition Waivers

    New Hampshire National Guard service members may apply for tuition waivers while attending a state college. In order to qualify for tuition assistance, New Hampshire National Guard service members must meet the following criteria:

    • Enrollment in any vocational or technical school falling under the authority of the commissioner of regional community-technical colleges.
    • Enrollment in a state-supported public college or university.
    • Be an active service member in the New Hampshire National Guard, who has completed advanced individual training or who has been commissioned.
    • In-state or out-of-state New Hampshire resident.

    Waivers are granted on a space-available basis. Additionally, tuition waivers are granted after other federal educational entitlements have been applied, (this excludes Montgomery GI benefits and National Guard scholarship grants).

    Free Tuition for Dependents

    Under certain circumstances, qualifying children of service members may receive free tuition for college or vocational-technical school.  Qualifying circumstances include:

    • Children of reported missing service members serving after Feb. 28, 1961, and stationed in the state of New Hampshire
    • Children of service members killed during wartime may qualify for free tuition at New Hampshire state colleges
    • Children of veterans who die from a service-related disability

    Children in need of financial aid may also receive scholarships of (up to $2,500 per year at the time of this writing)  to cover the costs of rent, room, board, books and supplies. These scholarships are granted for up to four years.

    Veteran Employment Benefits

    Employment Services Priority

    New Hampshire Employment Services, (NHES), gives priority to veterans and their spouses for training, employment and placement services in all Department of Labor-funded state workforce programs. In order to qualify for priority status, veterans must meet the following criteria:

    • Military service for a minimum of 90 days
    • Released or discharged under conditions other than dishonorable

    In order to qualify for priority status, spouses must meet one of the following criteria:

    • Surviving spouse of a service member who died as a result of a service-connected disability
    • Spouse of any service member who has been declared MIA, has been captured by hostile forces, or has been forcibly detained and/or interned by a foreign government or power
    • Spouse of a veteran who is totally, permanently disabled as a result of military service

    Additionally, NHES gives priority to qualifying veterans in obtaining state or federal funding for training.

    Employment Preference

     The following state agencies give preference to veterans during hiring:

    • The Director of the State Office of Veterans Services
    • Employees of the State Liquor Commission
    • Both the Commandant and employees of the New Hampshire Veterans Home
    • Members of the State Office of Veterans Services
    • State and local public departments and/or public works, including unremarried surviving spouses and spouses of disabled veterans

    Additionally, when applying within 90 days of discharge from service, veterans may receive re-employment preference by towns and other political subdivisions.

    Veteran Housing Benefits

    Housing Assistance

     If an honorably-discharged wartime veteran is unable to support his or her family, the state of New Hampshire provides housing assistance. This assistance comes through either public welfare offices or the county commissioners’ office.

    Veterans Assisted Care Homes And Nursing Homes

    The New Hampshire State Veterans’ Home in Tilton is a 250-bed facility, with 100 beds designated for residents in need of memory care. It is an intermediate to long-term care facility, and is staffed by nearly 400 healthcare professionals.

    The Veterans’ Home coordinates with local hospitals and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in order to provide both outpatient care and inpatient hospitalization. In order to be eligible for the facility, veterans must meet the following criteria:

    • Honorably discharged from any branch of service, reserves or the New Hampshire Army/Air National Guard, (service during combat or disability as a result of service is not required).
    • Residency in New Hampshire for at least one year prior to the date of application or New Hampshire listed as the “home of record” on military discharge papers.
    • The Home must have the resources and ability to treat any conditions or disabilities the veteran may have, and the veteran cannot exhibit a potential danger to him or herself or other residents.
    • Financial assets must not exceed a cap ($275,000 at the time of this writing).
    • Assets are reviewed for a period of one year prior to the date of application. In cases where the applicant is married and owns a home, that home remains the property of the spouse.

    There is no minimum age requirement for eligibility of admission.

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    Veteran Financial Benefits

    License Fee Waivers

     Veterans with disabilities that are a result of military service, or the un-remarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, may be exempt from fees required for a Peddler’s License.

    Tax Credits for Veterans

     New Hampshire provides a standard tax credit of $50 for veterans who served during a “qualifying war or armed conflict.”  To qualify for either tax credit, veterans must have served during at least one of the following periods:

    • “World War I for the period between April 6, 1917, and Nov. 11, 1918. This period is extended to April 1, 1920, for service in Russia. The period on or after Nov. 12, 1918, and before July 2, 1921, with prior service between April 6, 1917, and Nov. 11, 1918, are included in World War I service period.
    • World War Two for the period between Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946.
    • Korean Conflict for the period between June 25, 1950, and Jan. 31, 1955.
    • Vietnam Conflict for the period between Dec. 22, 1961, and May 7, 1975, or the period between July 1, 1958 and Dec. 22, 1961, if a Vietnam service medal or the armed forces expeditionary medal was awarded.
    • Persian Gulf War for the period between Aug. 2, 1990 and after, as ordered by either Presidential proclamation or law.
    • Hostilities occurring after May 8, 1975, and in which an armed forces expeditionary medal or theater of operations service medal was awarded.

    Additionally, recipients must meet the following criteria:

    • Active service during at least one of the periods of “qualifying war or armed conflict” for at least 90 days with an honorable discharge, or his or her spouse or surviving spouse, (Title 10 training for active duty by a member of the national guard or reserve also qualifies).
    • Veterans separated from service due to disability as a result of service, or his or her surviving spouse.
    • The surviving spouse of any service member whose death resulted from military service.

    New Hampshire also provides an optional veterans’ tax credit of between $51 and up to $750 at the time of this writing. Either credit is subtracted each year from the veterans’ residential property tax burden.  The surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of service may also receive the credit.

    Other tax credits provided by New Hampshire include the following:

    • The surviving spouse of a veteran killed while on active duty may be eligible for a tax credit of between $700 and $2000 at the time of this writing.
    • A veteran who is permanently and totally disabled as a result of service may qualify for a tax credit. This includes veterans who are double amputees or paraplegics as a result of service, or an unremarried surviving spouse. This credit may be increased to up to $2000 through city or town vote.

    Property Tax Exemption For Totally Disabled Veterans

    Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled, (blind, double amputee or paraplegic), may qualify for an exemption from property tax. Veterans who wish to receive this exemption must also meet one of the following requirements:

    • Ownership of a specially adapted home purchased through an assistance program of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
    • Ownership of a home purchased with proceeds from the sale of a previous home purchased through an assistance program of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

    Surviving spouses may also qualify for this exemption.

    Compensation

     There are several compensation programs for veterans living in New Hampshire.

    The New Hampshire Vietnam War Bonus pays $100 to eligible veterans.  To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:

    • Served for 90 days or more
    • Served in Vietnam between Aug. 5, 1964, and Aug. 15, 1973, or between July 1, 1958, and Aug. 5, 1964
    • Earned the Vietnam Service Medal or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
    • Be a resident of New Hampshire at the time of enlistment
    • Received an honorable discharge

    Claims filed after Aug. 22, 1977, require approval by the Adjutant General, the Governor, and Executive Council.

    The New Hampshire Persian Gulf War Service Bonus pays $100 to eligible veterans.  To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:

    • Service between Aug. 2, 1990, and Nov. 30, 1995
    • Awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal
    • Honorably discharged
    • Be a resident of New Hampshire at the time of service

    Veterans who have received Persian Gulf War Bonus payments from another state may not receive this bonus. Additionally, while the program expired on Aug. 31, 2002, provisions allow for the submission and acceptance of applications after this date.

    The New Hampshire Global War on Terrorism Operations Service Bonus pays $100 to eligible veterans. To qualify, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

    • Service on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and on or before a date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense
    • Awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
    • Honorably discharged
    • Be a resident of New Hampshire at the time of such service

    Service members who are missing in action or who were killed in action also qualify posthumously for this program.  Additionally, while the program expired on June 11, 2009, provisions allow for submission and acceptance of applications after this date.

    National Guard service members may receive Workers’ Compensation benefits under certain circumstances:

    • The Compensation for New Hampshire National Guard Service Members who Sustain Injury or Illness while on state active duty program awards Workers’ Compensation benefits to eligible veteran applicants who have been injured or become ill while serving in the National Guard on state active duty.
    • The Compensation for New Hampshire National Guard service members killed while on state active Duty posthumously awards workers’ compensation benefits to deceased service members who are killed while on, or as a result of, state active duty.

    Additional Veteran Benefits

    Driver License and ID Cards For Veterans

    Veterans may receive a “Veteran” indicator on their New Hampshire driver licenses, commercial driver license, or non-driver ID cards.  In order to be eligible for this indicator, applicants must present proof of honorable discharge to any Department of Motor Vehicle location.

    There is no additional cost if this indicator is applied for during the regular time for license or ID renewal. There is, however, a $3.00 fee if the application is submitted outside the regular time for license or ID renewal.

    Disabled veterans may be exempted from paying driver license fees.  In order to be eligible for this fees exemption, applicants must meet the following criteria:

    • Be an amputee or paraplegic
    • Must have received a motor vehicle from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
    • Per the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, be classified as a permanently and totally disabled veteran as a result of military service

    Vehicle Registration for Veterans

    Vehicle registration fee exemptions are available to eligible veterans under certain circumstances:

    • Registration Fee Exemption for Blind Veterans: Registration fees for one vehicle may be waived for veterans who have been classified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as being totally blind as a result of military service.
    • Registration Fee Exemption for Vehicle provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Registration fees are waived for vehicles provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to amputee, paraplegic or blind veterans classified as being permanently and totally disabled due to military service.
    • Registration Fee Exemption for Amputee or Paraplegic Veterans: Registration fees are waived for vehicles provided by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to amputee or paraplegic veterans, or for veterans who have lost the of use of a limb as a result of military service, and who have been certified as being totally and permanently disabled as a result of military service.

    License Plates and Parking Benefits

    Special license plates may be issued to eligible veterans at little to no cost. To qualify for these plates, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

    • Motor vehicles owned by individuals with walking disabilities. A fee of $5 is charged to cover the cost of printing and mailing.
    • Amputee or paraplegic veterans classified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as being permanently and totally disabled due to military service, for a vehicle received from or replaced by the Department of Veterans Affairs. There is no charge for these plates.
    • Blind veterans who have been determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to be totally blind as a result of military service. There is no charge for these plates.
    • Veterans who are former prisoners of war (POWs). There is no charge for these plates.

    Veterans who own vehicles with special disabled veteran license plates that bear the international accessibility symbol may park for free in any city or town in New Hampshire.

    Recreational Benefits For Veterans 

    Hunting and fishing licenses may be issued to eligible veterans at little to no cost. To qualify for these licenses, applicants must meet at least one of the following:

    • Veterans who have been determined to be permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service, who have been honorably discharged, and who are residents of New Hampshire may be issued a free perpetual Fish and Game License. There is a one-time administrative fee of $10 for this permit.
    • Paraplegic veterans may be issued a permit to hunt from motor vehicles or boats without motors. There is a one-time administrative fee of $10 for this permit.
    • Veterans who are either resident patients at the VA Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire, or residents of the New Hampshire Veterans’ Home, may be issued fishing permits. There is no charge for this permit.

    Disabled veterans and New Hampshire National Guard service members may receive admission to New Hampshire state parks free of charge. To qualify, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

    • The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has determined the disability is due to military service, and either the veteran has New Hampshire Disabled Veteran license plates, or a “state park” letter issued by the VA verifying disability as a result of military service.
    • National Guard service members who are New Hampshire residents, and are either serving or retired in pay grades E-1 through E-6.

    This does not include the use of facilities such as ski lifts, campgrounds, or food service.

    Burial Benefits For Veterans

    The New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery is located in Boscawen, New Hampshire. The cemetery provides burial services for veterans, whether or not they are residents of New Hampshire, as well as qualifying spouses and dependents, under certain circumstances. To qualify, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

    • Honorable discharge, with service prior to Sept. 7, 1980
    • Services of at least 24 months service after Sept. 7, 1980
    • Under certain circumstances, Reserve Components and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps are eligible for interment

    Veterans should pre-apply to determine eligibility. Pre-need eligibility determination is not considered an advance reservation or a guarantee that space will be available at the time of need. Upon approval, eligible veterans will receive an eligibility certificate. This certificate may include eligible dependents. An indigent veteran who has died in a municipality of New Hampshire may be buried at the expense of the municipality.

    Written by Veteran.com Team