Welcome back to our series about VA benefits for veterans in each of America’s 50 states! This week, we break down some of the best benefits available to veterans living in Georgia. Keeping reading to learn more about VA benefits in The Peach State!
Veterans Homes
Georgia provides two state veterans homes:
- Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home in Augusta
- Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home in Milledgeville
Both locations offer high-quality skilled nursing care and support in improving quality of life and overall health of veterans. Eligibility rules for admission do apply and include residency requirements, an honorable discharge, and serving on active duty during wartime periods. A small fee is charged; however, if a veteran holds a disability rating of 70% or higher, the fee is waived.
State Veterans Cemeteries
There are two state veterans memorial cemeteries in the state of Georgia:
- Georgia Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Glennville
- Georgia Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Milledgeville
Both cemetery locations offer a welcome center, chapel, landscaping, and a columbarium. To be eligible for interment, veterans must hold an honorable discharge and have the proper paperwork completed. Spouses and unmarried dependents who are under the age of 21 are also eligible for interment at both locations.
Financial Benefits
Veterans in Georgia can take advantage of several financial benefits, including:
The state of Georgia offers veterans who have been honorably discharged the opportunity to get a driver’s license free of charge. Any member of the National Guard or Reserves who has one year of service is also eligible for this benefit. Any spouse of a veteran whose disability keeps them from driving is also eligible, as is the spouse of a deceased veteran.
Any veteran who is totally and permanently disabled or who is receiving disability for loss of limbs or loss of vision is eligible to have vehicle tax waives.
Under this benefit, disabled veterans may be eligible to receive an exemption of up to $50,000 from paying property taxes for county, municipal, and school purposes. For more information on eligibility, please visit the link above.
Veterans in Georgia may be eligible to receive an exemption from occupation taxes, administrative fees, and regulatory fees by local governments for conducting a business or practicing a profession for 10 years. This benefit applies to any veteran who holds an honorable discharge, as well as a disability rating of at least 10%.
Employment Benefits
The state of Georgia offers several employment benefits to its veterans:
Any veteran who is applying for a job with the state of Georgia is automatically given a five-point credit. Veterans applying for state positions who hold a disability rating of 10% or higher will receive a 10-point credit.
- Firefighter Qualification
Veterans who received military firefighter training may be eligible for positions as full-time, part-time, volunteer, and airport firefighters. Military training is accepted as basic training for the firefighter qualification in the civilian world.
Veterans who hold an honorable discharge and a disability rating of 25% or higher – or 10% or higher if a wartime veteran – may be eligible for an exemption from exemption from occupation taxes, administrative fees, and regulatory fees by local governments for conducting a business or practicing a profession for 10 years.
Recreation Benefits
Veterans in Georgia can take advantage of a few recreation benefits, including:
Veterans who can prove a service-connected disability are eligible to receive a 25% discount on entrance fees to Georgia state parks, recreational areas, and historical sites.
Honorably discharged veterans are eligible to receive a 20% discount on hunting and fishing licenses in the state of Georgia. Veterans who are totally and permanently disabled are also eligible to receive a discounted sportsman’s license.
