Maine VA Disability Benefits & Resources for Veterans

State benefit details verified against official state sources on September 27, 2026.

Overview

Maine’s veteran benefits are run through the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (BVS) in Augusta, which also issues the state’s disabled veteran hunting and fishing license and its lifetime park pass. The headline benefits are a fixed-dollar property tax exemption, a full income tax exemption for military retirement, and a tuition and fee waiver for families of veterans rated 100% permanent and total.

Key benefits at a glance

Property tax relief

Maine’s veteran exemption under 36 M.R.S. §653 is a flat dollar amount rather than a percentage-based tier:

• $6,000 of just value for a resident veteran who served during a federally recognized war period (or earned an expeditionary medal) and is either age 62 or receiving VA compensation for total disability, service-connected or not.
• $6,000 of just value for any veteran receiving compensation for a total service-connected disability, whatever the era of service.
• $50,000 for the specially adapted housing unit of a wartime veteran who received a federal specially adapted housing grant.
• $6,000 for the unremarried surviving spouse or minor child of a veteran who would have qualified.

World War I-era veterans and their survivors get $7,000 instead of $6,000.

Deadline: file a written application with proof of eligibility with the assessor of the town where you live on or before April 1 of the first year you request the exemption. Applications are confidential.

State income tax

According to Maine Revenue Services, benefits from a military retirement plan, including survivor benefits, have been fully exempt since tax year 2016, and unlike Maine’s general pension deduction the military exemption is not reduced by Social Security. For tax years starting January 1, 2026, the definition of a military retirement plan explicitly includes reserve component service and the commissioned corps of NOAA and the Public Health Service.

VA disability compensation is not included in federal gross income (IRS Publication 525), so it never reaches a Maine return.

Vehicle registration and plates

• Excise tax exemption: veterans with a total service-connected disability do not pay Maine’s vehicle excise tax, whether or not they choose the Disabled Veteran plate (BVS). BVS can issue a letter confirming eligibility from your VA Benefit Summary letter.
• Disabled Veteran plates: a veteran with a permanent disability receiving 100% service-connected benefits gets a registration with no annual fee and Disabled Veteran plates for up to three vehicles, plus a free disability placard on request (29-A M.R.S. §523). A motorcycle version is available.

Hunting, fishing and parks

• Disabled veteran license: a veteran with a service-connected disability rated 50% or more can get a complimentary license to fish, trap and hunt (including archery, muzzleloader, bear, migratory bird, turkey and expanded archery permits) that stays valid for life (BVS). Residents of Maine and reciprocal states (New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Texas and others) qualify. You need VA documentation stating the 50% rating.
• Lifetime park and museum pass: resident veterans with an honorable or general discharge can get a free lifetime day-use pass to state parks, historic sites and the state museum by mailing an application and DD-214 to BVS (BVS).
• Free camping: a 100% disabled veteran, spouse and unmarried children camp free at state parks once the veteran is on the Disabled Veterans’ Camping List kept by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (BVS).

Education benefits

The Veterans Dependents Educational Benefits program waives 100% of tuition and mandatory fees at the University of Maine System, Maine Community Colleges and Maine Maritime Academy for spouses and dependents of a veteran who:

• has a 100% total and permanent service-connected rating;
• was killed in action or died from a service-connected disability;
• was permanently and totally disabled from service at death, even if death was unrelated; or
• is listed as missing, captured or detained for more than 90 days.

The veteran must have entered service from Maine or lived in Maine for five years before the application. The student must also apply for a Federal Pell Grant.

State veterans homes

Maine Veterans’ Homes, created by the Legislature in 1977 and now an independent nonprofit, runs six homes: Augusta, Bangor, Caribou, Machias, Scarborough and South Paris. They serve veterans, spouses and Gold Star parents.

Employment preference

Maine does not use a points system for state jobs. Instead, under Public Law 2015, chapter 438, qualified veterans who apply for classified state positions are guaranteed an interview, and the Bureau of Human Resources offers guidance on other openings to veterans who are not selected (BVS).

How to apply in Maine

1. Get your VA Benefit Summary letter from VA.gov. It is the proof for the excise exemption, plates, and hunting license.
2. Contact BVS at 207-287-7020 or [email protected], or visit a BVS field office, for the hunting license, park pass, excise letter and dependents education application. BVS service officers can also file federal claims for free.
3. Property tax: apply with your town assessor before April 1.
4. Plates: take the certification to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles along with proof of excise payment or exemption.

VA regional office and medical centers

The Togus VA Regional Office is at 1 VA Center, Building 248, Augusta, ME 04330. The Togus VA Medical Center on the same campus anchors VA Maine Healthcare, with clinics in Bangor, Calais, Fort Kent, Houlton, Lewiston, Lincoln, Portland, Presque Isle and Rumford.

Filing a federal VA claim

Disability claims follow the same federal process in every state: see how to file a VA claim, check your claim status, and the current compensation rates. A BVS service officer can file for you at no charge.

If you are in crisis, call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.