VA Benefits for Virginia Veterans: Where Service Began

Virginia is the birthplace of American democracy — home to the first representative assembly in the New World, and to the generals and presidents who built the nation. That legacy of service continues today: roughly 680,000 veterans call the Commonwealth home, one of the highest concentrations of any state, shaped by deep military roots from the Pentagon to Norfolk. Many served during the Korean War, Vietnam, or Gulf War eras and are now reaching the point where long-term care has become a real and pressing question for their families.

The good news for Virginia veterans is that benefits go well beyond what the federal VA offers on its own. The Commonwealth operates its own veteran support system through the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) — including four state Veterans Care Centers, a full property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans with no income limits, a $40,000 state tax subtraction on military retirement pay, and one of the most generous education programs for military families in the country. This guide covers both the federal and Virginia-specific benefits most relevant to veterans and their families.

1. VA Aid & Attendance — Help Paying for Long-Term Care

For wartime veterans who need help with daily activities — bathing, dressing, eating, getting around — the VA Aid & Attendance benefit is often the most financially significant program available. It provides a tax-free payment each month that can be applied toward in-home care, assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing costs.

Aid & Attendance is a VA pension benefit — not a disability benefit — which means it is based on care needs and household finances rather than how a veteran was injured or whether they served in combat. To qualify, a veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a recognized wartime period (WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, or Gulf War era), received an other-than-dishonorable discharge, need assistance with activities of daily living, and meet the VA’s income and net worth limits. In 2026, the net worth limit is $163,699.

The 2026 tax-free benefit rates are:

• Surviving Spouse: $1,558/month
• Single Veteran: $2,424/month
• Married Veteran: $2,874/month
• Two Veterans Married to Each Other: $3,845/month

For Virginia veterans and surviving spouses managing the cost of long-term care — whether at home, in an assisted living community, or in a skilled nursing setting — Aid & Attendance can make a meaningful difference. The benefit can be used toward care in a private home, a licensed assisted living community, a memory care community, or a skilled nursing facility, including one of Virginia’s four state Veterans Care Centers. It can also be used in some circumstances to pay a family member who provides care — see our guide on whether a family member can be paid to care for a veteran or surviving spouse.

2. Virginia’s Four State Veterans Care Centers

Virginia operates four state Veterans Care Centers through the Department of Veterans Services, positioned across the Commonwealth so veterans from every region have a campus reasonably close to home and family. Each center provides long-term skilled nursing care, dementia/memory care, and short-term rehabilitative care in a setting built specifically for veterans.

• Davis & McDaniel Veterans Care Center — Roanoke, serving southwest Virginia (opened in 1992 as the Virginia Veterans Care Center)
• Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center — Richmond, adjacent to the Central Virginia VA Health Care System campus, opened in 2007
• Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center — Virginia Beach, a state-of-the-art campus serving Hampton Roads, named for two Medal of Honor and Purple Heart recipients from the Tidewater region
• Puller Veterans Care Center — Fauquier County (Warrenton), the newest of the four, built on the historic Vint Hill Farms Station to serve veterans in northern Virginia

To be eligible, an applicant generally needs an honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces, Virginia residency at the time of admission or entry into active duty from Virginia, and a documented medical need for nursing home-level care. The centers accept payment from private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid, and many residents also qualify for VA per diem support — which helps keep costs affordable compared to private-pay skilled nursing.

3. Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption

Virginia offers one of the strongest property tax benefits available to disabled veterans anywhere in the country. Written directly into the Virginia Constitution, the exemption completely eliminates local real estate taxes on the primary residence — plus up to one acre of land — for veterans with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating from the VA. Veterans compensated at the 100% rate through Individual Unemployability with a permanent and total determination also qualify.

Unlike many states, Virginia’s exemption has no income limit, no net worth test, and no wartime-service requirement — the 100% permanent and total rating is the qualifying standard. The exemption continues for an unremarried surviving spouse after the veteran’s death, and thanks to a constitutional amendment approved by Virginia voters, the surviving spouse may even move to a new principal residence without losing the exemption.

Virginia extends the same principle to vehicles: since 2021, one car or pickup truck owned and primarily used by a veteran with a 100% permanent and total rating is exempt from local personal property tax — a meaningful annual savings in a state known for its “car tax.”

Applications are filed with the Commissioner of the Revenue in the veteran’s city or county, along with a VA summary of benefits letter documenting the 100% permanent and total rating — not through the VA or DVS directly. Once granted, the real estate exemption generally does not need to be renewed annually unless circumstances change.

4. Military Retirement Pay — $40,000 State Tax Subtraction

Virginia has phased in a substantial state income tax break for military retirees. Under the Military Benefits Subtraction, retirees can subtract up to $40,000 of military retirement income from their Virginia taxable income beginning with the 2025 tax year — the final step of a phase-in that started at $10,000 in 2022 and increased by $10,000 each year.

Just as importantly, Virginia eliminated the age 55 requirement beginning with tax year 2024 — so military retirees of any age can now claim the full subtraction. The benefit also extends to Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments received by a surviving spouse. Two caveats worth knowing: the subtraction applies only to military retirement income included in federal adjusted gross income, and distributions from the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) do not qualify.

VA disability compensation has always been fully exempt from both state and federal income tax, with no cap. Military retirement pay received by a Medal of Honor recipient is entirely exempt from Virginia income tax, and Virginia does not tax Social Security benefits.

5. VA Aid & Attendance for Surviving Spouses

Surviving spouses of Virginia wartime veterans represent one of the most consistently overlooked groups when it comes to VA benefit eligibility. A widow or widower who has never served in the military may still qualify for VA pension — including the Aid & Attendance addition — based entirely on their deceased spouse’s military service record.

In 2026, a surviving spouse who qualifies for Aid & Attendance may receive up to $1,558 per month in tax-free benefits — money that can help cover in-home care, assisted living, or other long-term care costs. The veteran does not need to have applied for or received VA benefits during their lifetime for the surviving spouse to be eligible.

For a full explanation of eligibility and how to apply, see our guide to Aid & Attendance for surviving spouses. Surviving spouses who may qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) instead should review our DIC vs. Aid & Attendance comparison to understand which benefit applies to their situation.

6. VA Long-Term Care Benefits

Virginia veterans enrolled in VA health care have access to a range of VA-funded long-term care services that go beyond what most families are aware of. Virginia is served by three VA medical centers — the Central Virginia VA Health Care System in Richmond, the Hampton VA Medical Center, and the Salem VA Health Care System — along with a network of outpatient clinics across the Commonwealth. These services include:

• VA Community Living Centers (CLCs): VA-operated skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities providing long-term care for eligible veterans at VA medical center campuses.
• Community Nursing Home Care: The VA contracts with private nursing homes to provide care for eligible veterans who need placement outside a VA facility.
• Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC): A VA program that brings a team of health professionals — physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers — directly into the veteran’s home. Particularly valuable for elderly veterans who cannot easily travel to VA appointments.
• Adult Day Health Care: VA-funded daytime programs offering health monitoring, therapeutic activities, and social engagement for veterans who live at home but benefit from structured daily support.
• Respite Care: Temporary relief care provided to give family caregivers a break — available through the VA’s caregiver support programs.
• Hospice and Palliative Care: End-of-life care services available through VA facilities and community partners for enrolled veterans.

VA health care and Aid & Attendance pension are separate programs and can often be used together. See our overview of VA long-term care options for a full breakdown of how these programs work and who qualifies.

7. VA Caregiver Support Programs

For Virginia families providing care to a veteran at home, the VA offers two caregiver support programs that operate separately from Aid & Attendance pension and serve different purposes.

The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) is available to caregivers of all enrolled veterans regardless of era served. It provides caregiver education and training, a caregiver support line, peer support mentoring, and referrals to community resources — no financial stipend, but practical support for family caregivers navigating a difficult role.

The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is more substantial. As of October 2022, the VA expanded PCAFC eligibility to include veterans who served before May 7, 1975, opening the program to many older veterans and their caregivers for the first time. Eligible caregivers under PCAFC may receive a monthly financial stipend, health care coverage through CHAMPVA (if not already covered), mental health counseling, respite care, and caregiver training.

For more information on VA programs that support caregivers and the veterans they care for, see our guide to how to get VA caregiver benefits.

8. Education Benefits for Military Families — VMSDEP

The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) is one of the most generous state education benefits for military families in the country. It provides a waiver of all tuition and mandatory fees for up to eight semesters at any Virginia public college or university for the spouses and children of qualifying service members.

The program covers spouses and children — generally ages 16 to 29 for children — of service members who were killed in the line of duty, are missing in action, were taken prisoner of war, or became at least 90% permanently disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict. A constitutional amendment approved by Virginia voters in November 2024 broadened the survivor eligibility standard from “killed in action” to “killed in the line of duty,” extending the benefit to more surviving families beginning in 2025.

VMSDEP is administered by the Department of Veterans Services in coordination with Virginia’s public colleges and universities, and qualifying students may also receive a stipend to offset room, board, and books, subject to available funding. Applications are submitted through the DVS online portal, and residency requirements tied to the service member’s Virginia domicile apply.

9. Employment, Recreation & Other Virginia Benefits

Beyond the major benefits above, Virginia offers several additional programs that can matter a great deal to a veteran or their family in the right circumstances.

• Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program: A DVS program that trains and certifies Virginia employers committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining veterans — connecting transitioning service members and veterans with employers who actively want to hire them, at no cost.
• State Hiring Preference: Veterans receive an additional 5% added to their scores on state employment tests, and veterans with a service-connected disability receive an additional 10%. Spouses of certain disabled veterans and surviving spouses may also qualify for preference.
• Free & Discounted Hunting and Fishing Licenses: Virginia residents with a 100% service-connected disability qualify for a free lifetime hunting, freshwater fishing, or combined license, with discounted lifetime licenses available at lower disability ratings.
• Virginia State Parks Veteran Disability Passport: Veterans with a 100% service-connected rating receive free admission and parking at all Virginia State Parks, plus discounts on camping, equipment rentals, and shelter reservations.
• Expedited Professional Licensing: Virginia offers expedited licensure and credit for military training and experience for veterans and military spouses in many licensed professions.
• State Veterans Cemeteries: Virginia operates three veterans cemeteries — the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, the Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia, and the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin — providing eligible veterans a dignified final resting place at no cost for the plot, opening/closing, and marker, with spouses and eligible dependents also able to be interred.

How Patriot Angels Helps Virginia Veterans and Their Families

Navigating the full range of federal and Virginia state benefits available to veterans can be complex — and the stakes are high, particularly for elderly veterans and surviving spouses who are managing significant long-term care costs. Patriot Angels has helped more than 30,000 veterans and surviving spouses secure over $1 billion in VA benefits since 2012. Our Benefit Specialists work under the guidance of our VA-accredited attorney and provide expert guidance.

If you have questions about Aid & Attendance or other VA benefits for a Virginia veteran or surviving spouse, call us at (844) 757-3047 or visit our free consultation page to get started.

If you or a loved one served our country, let us help you secure
the benefits you’ve earned.

Start Your
Journey Today

Frequently Asked Questions About VA Benefits for Virginia Veterans

Common questions from Virginia veterans and their families about federal and state benefit programs.

What VA benefits are available for Virginia veterans?

Virginia veterans may qualify for federal VA benefits including Aid & Attendance pension (up to $2,874/month tax-free for a married veteran in 2026), VA disability compensation, VA health care, and VA long-term care programs. Virginia also offers state-level benefits through the Department of Veterans Services, including four state Veterans Care Centers, a property tax exemption that can fully eliminate real estate taxes for 100% disabled veterans, a $40,000 military retirement pay subtraction, education benefits for military families through VMSDEP, and free claims assistance at DVS benefit services offices across the Commonwealth.

What are the Virginia Veterans Care Centers and who can apply?

Virginia operates four state Veterans Care Centers offering long-term skilled nursing care, memory care, and short-term rehabilitation: the Davis & McDaniel Veterans Care Center in Roanoke, the Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center in Richmond, the Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center in Virginia Beach, and the Puller Veterans Care Center in Fauquier County. Applicants generally need an honorable discharge, Virginia residency at the time of admission or entry into active duty from Virginia, and a documented medical need for nursing home-level care. The centers accept private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Can a surviving spouse of a Virginia veteran receive VA benefits?

Yes. Surviving spouses of wartime veterans may qualify for Aid & Attendance pension (up to $1,558/month in 2026), VA Survivors Pension, or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if the veteran’s death was service-connected. Eligibility is based on the veteran’s service record — the surviving spouse does not need to have served in the military. In Virginia, an unremarried surviving spouse of a 100% permanently and totally disabled veteran may also continue the state property tax exemption, even after moving to a new principal residence.

Do disabled veterans pay property taxes in Virginia?

Veterans with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating — including those compensated at the 100% rate through Individual Unemployability — are fully exempt from local property taxes on their primary residence and up to one acre of land in Virginia, with no income or net worth limits. Since 2021, qualifying veterans are also exempt from personal property tax on one car or pickup truck. Applications are filed with the local Commissioner of the Revenue along with a VA summary of benefits letter.

Does Virginia tax military retirement pay?

Virginia allows military retirees of any age to subtract up to $40,000 of military retirement income from state taxable income beginning with the 2025 tax year — the age 55 requirement was eliminated starting with tax year 2024. The subtraction also covers Survivor Benefit Plan payments received by a surviving spouse, though Thrift Savings Plan distributions do not qualify. VA disability compensation is always fully exempt from state income tax, and military retirement pay received by a Medal of Honor recipient is entirely exempt in Virginia.