State file · GA
Veteran benefits in Georgia
Georgia offers a substantial homestead exemption for disabled veterans, the HERO Scholarship, state park discounts, and two state veterans homes, alongside a dense network of VA facilities. Here's the landscape, category by category.
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Financial benefits
Retirement income adjustments
Georgians who are 62 or older, or permanently disabled, may claim retirement income adjustments on their state return covering pensions and annuities, interest, dividends, net rental income, capital gains, and royalties, plus up to $4,000 of earned income. Retired military pay falls under the same treatment.
Combat deployment filing extension
The state tax filing deadline for combat-deployed military personnel is extended until 180 days after the deployment ends.
Homestead exemption for disabled veterans
Qualifying disabled veterans receive a homestead property tax exemption of $60,000 plus an additional sum set each year (roughly $85,645 in 2019). The exemption extends to an un-remarried surviving spouse or minor children, and a parallel exemption exists for survivors of service members killed in action.
DIC not taxed
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of service members who died in the line of duty.
Adapted vehicle sales tax exemption
Disabled veterans who receive a VA grant for the purchase and special adapting of a vehicle are exempt from sales tax on that vehicle.
Sales tax picture
Statewide sales tax is 4.0%, with county additions of up to 5.0%; the combined average is roughly 7.48%.
Recreation
Hunting & fishing licenses
Veterans returning from service can receive a free hunting and fishing license for a full year, and permanently disabled veterans qualify for a discounted sportsman's license.
State park discount
Service-connected disabled veterans with an honorable discharge receive a 25% reduced entrance fee at any Georgia state park, historical site, or recreational area.
Education programs
Georgia HERO Scholarship
Provides up to four award years at $2,000 per year — a maximum of $8,000 — for Georgia National Guard members and Reservists who served in combat zones, or their children.
University System of Georgia fee waiver
Combat veterans deployed after September 11, 2001 for 181 or more consecutive days can receive a waiver of all mandatory fees at University System of Georgia schools.
Interstate compact for military children
Georgia participates in the interstate compact that removes school-transfer barriers for military children, covering timely enrollment, records transfer, student placement, fair treatment in attendance, scheduling and grading, course content, and extracurricular activities.
Veteran housing
Georgia State Veterans Homes
Georgia operates state veterans homes in Augusta and Milledgeville. Residents must be honorably discharged Georgia residents who served during wartime.
Employment & job training
State hiring preference
Honorably discharged veterans receive 5 points added to state employment examination scores; service-connected disabled veterans receive 10 points.
State employee military leave
State employees called to military duty receive 18 days of paid leave per federal fiscal year.
Disabled veteran business exemption
Qualifying disabled veterans are exempt from payment of occupational taxes, administration fees, and regulatory fees for their businesses.
USERRA protections
Federal law protects the civilian job rights and benefits of veterans and members of Reserve components returning from duty.
Burials & memorials
National cemeteries in Georgia
Georgia is home to two national cemeteries: Georgia National Cemetery in Canton and Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta.
VA resources in Georgia
Atlanta Regional Benefits Office
The VA regional office in Decatur serving Georgia for benefits claims and questions; the Southeast District office is also based in Decatur.
Official siteAtlanta VA Health Care System
VA medical care for the metro Atlanta area, based in Decatur.
Official siteBefore you apply
- First-time applicants generally need a copy of their DD-214 or discharge paperwork — keep certified copies somewhere safe.
- Most programs require a discharge under other than dishonorable conditions; a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge may bar eligibility.
- “Active service” has a specific definition for many programs — training periods don’t always count. When in doubt, ask the agency directly.
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