State guide
California veteran benefits
By the VetUnlocked editorial team ยท Updated Oct 22, 2026
1 state benefit so far, each from an official California source. Compare states in the State Showdown.
California programs
About California benefits on this site
So far we've added California's Disabled Veterans' property tax exemption, checked against the State Board of Equalization. California has other veteran programs we haven't added yet.
Property tax at a glance
For 2026, the exemption takes $180,671 off the assessed value of a qualifying veteran's principal residence, or $271,009 for households with income of $81,131 or less (BOE).
Federal benefits still apply
Living in California doesn't change federal VA benefits. The list below shows federal benefits that apply in every state. Use the finder with California selected to see state and federal matches together.
Federal benefits that apply in every state
- Money & claimsAnnual clothing allowance$1,053.19 a year per device or skin medicine that damages clothes due to a service-connected condition.Federal
- Travel & lodgingArmed Forces Vacation Club (AFVC)Free-to-join travel club with discounted resort stays for veterans and military families.Federal
- Money & claimsAutomobile allowance and adaptive equipmentOne-time payment up to $27,908.90 toward a specially equipped vehicle, plus adaptive equipment.Federal
- HealthCHAMPVAVA shares health care costs for family of veterans rated P&T and some survivors.Federal
- Discounts & IDsCommissary, exchange and MWR privilegesShop commissaries, exchanges and MWR retail if eligible. No application needed.Federal
- Travel & lodgingDoD Lodging (on-base hotels)Book on-base hotels if you have a VA rating, a Purple Heart or were a POW.Federal
- Jobs & careersFederal veterans' preference and 30% disabled hiring authority5 or 10 extra points in federal hiring; 30%+ rated veterans can be hired noncompetitively.Federal
- RecreationFree Military Lifetime Pass (national parks)Free lifetime pass for national parks and other federal recreation lands.Federal
- EducationMarine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry ScholarshipUp to 36 months of tuition, housing and books for children and spouses of members who died in the line of duty.Federal
- EducationPost-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) and Transfer of Education BenefitsTuition, a monthly housing allowance and book money for school or training; may transfer to family.Federal
- Travel & lodgingSpace-A travel (military hops)Fly free in open seats on military flights. Retirees and 100% P&T veterans can qualify.Federal
- Housing & property taxSpecially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grantsGrants up to $126,526 (FY2026) to build or adapt a home for certain service-connected disabilities.Federal
- EducationSurvivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35)Monthly education payment, up to 36 months, for families of veterans rated P&T or who died of a service-connected cause.Federal
- Money & claimsVA disability compensationTax-free monthly pay for service-connected conditions: $180.42 at 10% to $3,938.58 at 100%.Federal
- HealthVA health careVA medical care. Toxic-exposure rules now cover many Vietnam, Gulf War and post-9/11 veterans.Federal
- Housing & property taxVA home loan and funding fee exemptionBuy a home with no down payment in most cases; rated veterans skip the funding fee.Federal
- Discounts & IDsVeteran ID Card (VIC)Free digital photo ID from VA that proves you're a veteran for business discounts.Federal
- Jobs & careersVeteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31)Job training, school and career help, with a monthly allowance, when a disability affects work.Federal
- Money & claimsVeterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife)Guaranteed whole life insurance up to $40,000 for veterans with any service-connected rating, even 0%.Federal
- Family & survivorsVeterans burial allowanceVA burial allowance of up to $2,000 for a service-connected death, plus plot and transport costs.Federal
- EducationYellow Ribbon ProgramYour school and VA split tuition costs above the GI Bill cap at participating schools.Federal