Florida Veteran Benefits

Florida grants preference in hiring, promotion, and retention to eligible veterans and disabled veterans across the State, its agencies, the State University and College Systems, and political subdivisions. Employers using a numeric scoring system add 5, 10, or 15 points depending on the applicant's eligibility category, with the highest preference for service-connected disabled veterans.

A no-cost combined hunting and fishing license (including saltwater/freshwater fishing and multiple hunting permits) is available to Florida-resident veterans who were honorably discharged and are certified by the VA or a branch of the Armed Forces with a service-connected disability of 50% or greater.

Florida-resident active-duty and retired military members can obtain the Military Gold Sportsman's License for $20 (versus the standard $100), covering hunting, saltwater and freshwater fishing plus deer, WMA, archery, and muzzleloading permits.

Honorably discharged veterans with a service-connected disability (documented via VA 100% disability letter or Florida FDVA disabled veteran ID card) receive a free-for-life Military Entrance Pass waiving entrance fees at Florida state parks; surviving spouses and parents of members who fell in combat also qualify.

Under s. 320.084, F.S., veterans with a service-connected 100% disability rating (or whose vehicle was acquired with VA financial assistance) are eligible for a 'DV' license plate at no charge; DV plate holders are also exempt from state/county/municipal parking fees on public streets and metered spaces.

Florida-resident veterans can add a 'Veteran' designation to their driver license or ID card at any local service center; the replacement license is free when only adding the Veteran designation.

The Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs operates skilled nursing facilities (in Daytona Beach, Land O' Lakes, Panama City, Pembroke Pines, Port Charlotte, and St. Augustine) and an assisted living facility in Lake City. Admission requires an honorable discharge, Florida residency immediately preceding application, and VA-physician certification of the need for long-term care.

Homestead property owned by the unremarried surviving spouse of a service member who died from service-connected causes while on active duty is exempt from taxation (if the member was a Florida resident on Jan. 1 of the year of death); surviving spouses of disabled ex-servicemembers may also claim the $5,000 exemption.

The combat-related service-connected disability property-tax discount carries over to the veteran's surviving spouse who holds title, permanently resides at the homestead, and has not remarried, at a percentage equal to the veteran's VA disability rating.

Spouses and dependent children who receive VA educational assistance and reside in Florida while enrolled at Florida public institutions are eligible for a waiver of out-of-state tuition and fees.