California Veteran Benefits

California adds powerful state-level benefits on top of your federal VA benefits—covering property tax relief, DMV perks, education support for dependents, and outdoor licenses.

Quick Facts

• Property Tax: Disabled Veterans’ Exemption on a primary residence. 2025 amounts: basic $175,298 and low-income $262,950 (income limit $78,718). Apply with your county assessor. Amounts adjust annually.
• DMV: “VETERAN” designation on DL/ID via CVSO form VSD-001; Disabled Veteran (DV) plates available. DV plates carry disabled parking privileges when eligibility is met.
• Education: CalVet College Fee Waiver waives tuition & systemwide fees at CCC/CSU/UC for eligible dependents (Plans A–D).
• Income Tax Notes: California does not tax VA disability compensation; see FTB guidance.

Property Tax Relief

California’s Disabled Veterans’ Exemption reduces the taxable value of a qualifying veteran’s primary residence. For 2025 the exemption amounts are $175,298 (basic) or $262,950 (low-income; household income limit $78,718). Eligibility generally requires a service-connected disability rated 100% (or rated totally disabled due to unemployability) or equivalent criteria under state law. File with your county assessor; amounts index annually. Surviving spouses may qualify—confirm locally. See “Sources” for details.

DMV & License Benefits

Add the “VETERAN” indicator to your California DL/ID by obtaining a Veteran Status Verification Form (VSD-001) from your County Veteran Service Office and presenting it at DMV. California also issues Disabled Veteran (DV) plates; qualifying DV plates provide disabled parking privileges when the veteran is the driver or a passenger and requirements are met. Start at DMV for forms and eligibility.

Education Benefits

The CalVet College Fee Waiver waives tuition and systemwide fees at California Community Colleges, CSU, and UC for eligible spouses and dependents under Plans A–D (criteria vary by plan). Apply through your County Veteran Service Office and your school’s financial aid office.

Hunting & Fishing

California Department of Fish & Wildlife offers reduced-fee hunting and sport-fishing licenses for honorably discharged veterans with a service-connected disability of 50% or greater; a reduced-fee license is also available for recovering service members.

Spouse & Dependent Benefits

Surviving spouses may qualify for the Disabled Veterans’ Exemption on a primary residence (subject to statute). Eligible dependents can use the CalVet College Fee Waiver at CCC/CSU/UC. Check county and school requirements for documentation and deadlines.

California Veterans Agency

California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet)

VA Regional Office

Los Angeles VA Regional Benefit Office
11000 Wilshire Blvd., Federal Building, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Other California regional offices: Oakland (1301 Clay St., Oakland, CA 94612) and San Diego (8620 Spectrum Center Blvd., San Diego, CA 92123).

VA Medical Centers & Key Clinics

• VA Greater Los Angeles HCS — West Los Angeles (Wadsworth)
• VA Long Beach Healthcare System — Long Beach
• VA San Diego Healthcare System — San Diego
• VA Loma Linda Healthcare System — Loma Linda
• VA Palo Alto Health Care System — Palo Alto/Menlo Park/Livermore
• San Francisco VA Health Care System — San Francisco
• VA Northern California HCS — Mather/Sacramento (with clinics across NorCal)
• VA Central California HCS — Fresno

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Sources

• CA Board of Equalization — Disabled Veterans’ Exemption
• BOE Letter to Assessors 2024/015 — 2025 DV Exemption Amounts
• California DMV — Veterans & Active Duty (VETERAN DL/ID)
• California DMV — Disabled Veteran (DV) Plates
• CalVet — College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents
• California Dept. of Fish & Wildlife — Disabled Veteran Reduced-Fee Licenses
• Franchise Tax Board — Military (VA disability tax treatment)

Last verified: August 26, 2025