FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE
Additional Benefits For West Virginia Veterans
West Virginia Veterans and their families may qualify for valuable state benefits that can reduce property taxes, make higher education more affordable, and open new paths to homeownership. Understanding the West Virginia disabled Veteran benefits available to you—from refundable property tax credits to tuition waivers and Veteran home financing—can help you make the most of the benefits you’ve earned through military service.
Tax Relief
Property Tax Benefits for Veterans in West Virginia
- Veterans with a 90% or greater qualifying service-connected disability can recover property taxes paid on their homestead. West Virginia's Disabled Veteran Real Property Tax Credit provides a refundable state income tax credit equal to the West Virginia real property taxes timely paid on a qualifying Veteran's homestead. The Veteran must generally have been honorably discharged and be rated at least 90% totally and permanently disabled due solely to service-connected disabilities by the VA.
- Veterans who are 100% permanently and totally disabled may also qualify for West Virginia's Homestead Exemption. The state's Homestead Exemption generally exempts the first $20,000 of assessed value of an owner-occupied residence for qualifying individuals who are permanently and totally disabled. West Virginia's Department of Veterans Assistance specifically identifies Veterans rated 100% permanent and disabled by the VA as potentially eligible.
Family Tuition Assistance
Education Benefits for West Virginia Veterans & Families
- Eligible surviving spouses and children can have tuition and fees waived. West Virginia's War Orphan Education Program provides qualifying surviving spouses and children with a waiver of tuition and fees at eligible West Virginia postsecondary education or training institutions after applicable federal DEA or Fry Scholarship benefits. Eligible children generally must be at least 16 but no older than 25, while spouses are exempt from that age requirement.
- The program can also help with books, housing and other education expenses. In addition to the tuition and fee waiver, the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance may provide qualifying students with up to $1,000 per semester and $2,000 per year toward room, board, books and other living expenses. Award amounts can depend on available funding and the number of eligible applicants.
Home Financing
Home Loan Benefits for West Virginia Veterans
- West Virginia Veterans can explore state and federal programs designed to make homeownership more affordable. The West Virginia Housing Development Fund has offered dedicated Veteran mortgage financing with reduced interest rates and optional down-payment assistance, while eligible Veterans may also use VA-backed home loans through approved private lenders.
- VA-backed home loans can reduce some of the biggest upfront costs of buying a home. Eligible Veterans may be able to purchase a primary residence with no down payment, no monthly private mortgage insurance, competitive financing terms, and limits on certain closing costs, subject to VA and lender requirements.
Sources
- West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance — State Benefit
- West Virginia Tax Division — Disabled Veteran Real Property Tax Credit (DV-1)
- West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance — Education Benefits
- West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance — War Orphan Education Program
- West Virginia National Guard — Educational Encouragement Program
- WVHDF — Veterans’ Home Loan Mortgage Program Funding Status
- West Virginia Housing Development Fund — Veterans’ Home Loan Funding Status