New York Veteran Benefits

State-level benefits New York gives its veterans, retirees, and military families. Federal benefits aren't listed here — see Browse by Category for the federal side.

24 benefits

Reduced-Fee Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Disabled

Reduced-Fee Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans

Veterans with a 40% or greater service-connected disability rating from the VA can buy a New York State hunting, fishing, or trapping license for just $5.
free
Veteran
State source
Free Sporting Licenses Under the Patriot Plan

Free Sporting Licenses Under the Patriot Plan (Active Military)

Active-duty New York State residents, including members of the NY Army/Air National Guard, US Reserve Forces, and active-duty service members home on leave for 30 days or less,…
free
Active DutyVeteran
State source
Lifetime Liberty

Lifetime Liberty Pass: Free State Parks & Recreation Access

Veterans, Gold Star Parents, and surviving spouses of veterans who were New York State residents qualify for a free lifetime pass to all New York State parks, historic sites, and recreational facilities.
free lifetime pass to all New York State parks
VeteranDependent
State source
Veterans Tuition Award

Veterans Tuition Award (VTA)

New York State pays up to the full cost of SUNY undergraduate tuition for eligible veterans attending any approved college, university, or vocational training program in New York.
Veteran
State source
Regents Awards for Children of Deceased and Disabled

Regents Awards for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans

New York State provides up to $450 per year to undergraduate students whose parent served during a wartime period and, because of that service, died, suffered a 40% or greater…
Dependent
State source
Veterans with Disabilities Civil Service Employment Program

Veterans with Disabilities Civil Service Employment Program (55-c)

New York State reserves up to 500 state government positions for veterans with a service-connected disability of 10% or more (or any Purple Heart recipient).
Veteran
State source
Experience Counts

Experience Counts: Military License and Certification Credits

New York State's "Experience Counts" program lets veterans apply their military training toward civilian professional licenses and certifications without repeating training they already have.
VeteranActive Duty
State source
Veterans Temporary Hiring Program

Veterans Temporary Hiring Program (State Government Jobs)

Post-9/11 veterans can submit their employment information to a centralized New York State portal where state agencies browse candidates for temporary government positions.
Veteran
State source
Free Lifetime Vendor's License

Free Lifetime Vendor's License for Veterans

New York State veterans who were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions and served overseas (in peace or war) can get a free, lifetime license to operate as a street…
free
Veteran
State source
Civil Service Veterans Credits

Civil Service Veterans Credits (Exam Preference Points)

Veterans who took honorable discharge from the US Armed Forces get additional credit (points) added to their New York State Civil Service exam scores, giving them a competitive…
Veteran
State source
DOL Priority of Service for Veterans

DOL Priority of Service for Veterans (Employment Programs)

When a veteran walks into any New York State employment center, they are served first by the next available staff member and given top priority for any job or training program they qualify for.
VeteranActive Duty
State source
New York Go City Sightseeing

New York Go City Sightseeing Passes

New York Go City Sightseeing Passes offers New York Essentials
Active DutyVeteranRetireeDependent
Source: GovX
New York CityPASS

New York CityPASS

New York CityPASS offers New York CityPass and New York C3
Active DutyVeteranRetireeDependent
Source: GovX
New York State Blind Annuity

New York State Blind Annuity Program

New York State pays a monthly cash annuity to legally blind wartime veterans (and to unremarried surviving spouses of qualifying veterans) who live in New York State.
Veteran
State source
Homes for Veterans Program

Homes for Veterans Program (SONYMA Below-Market Mortgage)

New York State's mortgage agency (SONYMA) offers fixed-rate home loans with interest rates 0.375% below SONYMA's already-low standard rates specifically for veterans and active-duty service members.
VeteranActive Duty
State source
Veterans Emergency Housing

Veterans Emergency Housing Program

New York State can give eligible veterans up to $2,000 per year to cover urgent housing costs they can't afford, things like past-due rent, emergency repairs after a fire or…
Veteran
State source
Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Exemption for Disabled

Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Exemption for Disabled Veterans

Certain disabled veterans in New York State can have their vehicle registration fees and license plate fees waived entirely.
free
Veteran
State source

Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Exemption on Out-of-State Military Purchases

New York State waives its sales and use tax on a vehicle bought in another state by someone in active military service, as long as that other state's tax was paid when getting the title.
Active Duty
State source
Eligible Funds Property Tax Exemption

Eligible Funds Property Tax Exemption

Veterans who bought their home using pension, military bonus, or insurance money received at discharge can get a partial property tax exemption (generally up to $7,500 of assessed value) on that home.
Veteran
State source
Cold War Veterans' Property Tax Exemption

Cold War Veterans' Property Tax Exemption

Veterans who served during the Cold War period (September 2, 1945 through December 26, 1991) qualify for a separate property tax exemption on their primary residence in New York…
Veteran
State source
E-ZPass Free Thruway Tolls for Disabled

E-ZPass Free Thruway Tolls for Disabled Veterans

Qualifying disabled veterans in New York State can get a free E-ZPass account that allows unlimited travel anywhere on the New York State Thruway at no charge.
free
Veteran
State source
Indigent Burial Reimbursement

Indigent Burial Reimbursement Program

New York State reimburses Veterans Service Organizations up to $2,000 per interment when they are asked by a county government to cover burial or cremation costs for a veteran who died without the means to pay.
Veteran
State source
Military License Extension and Renewal Grace Period

Military License Extension and Renewal Grace Period (Driver's License)

New York State automatically extends the validity of an active-duty service member's driver's license throughout their military service and for up to 6 months after discharge.
Active DutyVeteran
State source
New York Hotels

New York Hotels: Save up to 40%

New York Hotels offers save up to 40% for military members via ID.me Shop.
up to 40%
Active DutyVeteranRetireeDependent
Source: ID.me

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