Ca - California Veterans Benefits

[jason]

State of California Department of Veterans Affairs

(available in printer-friendly PDF file here)

COLLEGE TUITION FEE WAIVERS FOR VETERANS' DEPENDENTS

THE BENEFITS

Waiver of mandatory systemwide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University or University of California campus.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Plan A:

The spouse, registered domestic partner, child (under the age of 27) or unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who is totally service-connected disabled, or who has died of service-connected causes may qualify.

Plan B:

The child of a veteran who has a permanent service-connected disability. The child's income and value of support provided by a parent cannot exceed the national poverty level.

*Note that all students must meet California residency requirements.

WHERE TO APPLY

Contact your local County Veterans Service Office (located in the county government section of your telephone book or at www.cacvso.org) to obtain an application, information and to apply for benefits under this program. Additional information and an application form is available on this site at www.cdva.ca.gov/service/feewaiver.asp

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DISABLED VETERAN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITIES

THE BENEFITS

Certified veteran owned businesses can participate in the state goal of awarding 3% of all state contracts to disabled veterans through the Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Program.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 10% or greater who own at least 51% of a business, and who meet other eligibility criteria.

WHERE TO APPLY

Office of Small Business and DVBE Certification

707 3rd Street, 1st Floor, Room 400

West Sacramento, CA 95798-9052

(916) 375-4940 or (800) 559-5529

http://www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/smbus

OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES

The State DVBE Advocate

California Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Services Division

1227 'O' Street, Suite 101

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 653-2573

http://www.cdva.ca.gov/DVBE/dvbe.asp

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VETERANS HOMES OF CALIFORNIA

THE BENEFITS

Professional and low cost residential, assisted living and medical care facilities throughout California.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Aged or disabled U.S. veterans who are residents of California.

WHERE TO APPLY

To obtain additional information, an application, or to schedule a visit, contact one of our Veterans Homes:

Veterans Home of California, Yountville (Napa County)

1-800-404-8387

Veterans Home of California, Barstow (San Bernardino County)

1-800-746-0606

Veterans Home of California, Chula Vista (San Diego County)

1-888-857-2146

California Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Home Division

1227 'O' street

Sacramento, CA 95814

www.cdva.ca.gov

1-800-852-5626

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PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS

THE BENEFITS

Property tax exemptions on the assessed value of a home of:

a) up to $103,107 if the total household income from all sources is over $46,302 per year.

up to $154,661 if the total household income from all sources is under $46,302 per year.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

a) Wartime veterans who are in receipt of service-connected disability compensation at the totally disabled rate.

Unmarried surviving spouses or registered domestic partners of veterans who are in receipt of service-connected death benefits.

c) Wartime veterans who are service-connected for loss the use of two or more limbs.

d) Wartime veterans who are service-connected for blindness.

Those applying for benefits should bring proof from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, verifying receipt of service-connected disability/death benefits.

HOW TO APPLY

The local County Assessors Office (located in the county government section of your telephone book or at: www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/assessors.htm.

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MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES WAIVED

THE BENEFITS

Waiver of registration fees and free license plates for one passenger motor vehicle, or one motorcycle, or one commercial motor vehicle of less than 8001 pounds unladen weight.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Medal of Honor recipients, American Ex-Prisoners of War and "disabled veterans" as defined in the "Disabled Veterans License Plate" section of this pamphlet.

HOW TO APPLY

Medal of Honor recipients should complete a DMV form REG 17A, and proof of receipt of the Medal of Honor.

Ex-Prisoners of War should complete a DMV form REG 17, and proof of former status as a POW.

WHERE TO APPLY

Applications and necessary documentation should be mailed to:

Department of Motor Vehicles

P.O. Box 932345

Sacramento, CA 94232

www.dmv.ca.gov

1-800-777-0133

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DISABLED VETERAN LICENSE PLATES

THE BENEFITS

Waiver of registration fees and free "DV" handicap parking license plates for one passenger motor vehicle, or one motorcycle, or one commercial motor vehicle of less than 8001 pounds unladen weight.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

A "disabled veteran" is any person who, as a result of injury or disease suffered while on active service with the armed forces of the United States, suffers any of the following:

(a) Has a disability which has been rated at 100 percent by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the military service from which the veteran was discharged, due to a diagnosed disease or disorder which substantially impairs or interferes with mobility or,

(:o Is so severely disabled as to be unable to move without the aid of an assistant device or,

© Has lost, or has lost use of, one or more limbs or,

(d) Has suffered permanent blindness, as defined in Section 19153 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

HOW TO APPLY

Obtain a signed doctor's statement that indicates that the veteran in question has a service-connected disability with at least one of the above listed mobility impairments, complete DMV forms REG 195 and REG 256A, and mail the completed package to:

DMV PLACARD

P.O. Box 942869

Sacramento, CA 94269-0001

1-800-777-0133

www.dmv.ca.gov

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FREE LICENSE PLATES

THE BENEFITS

Free specialized license plates.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

a) Legion of Valor plates for recipients of the Medal of Honor, Distinguish Service Cross, Navy Cross or the Air Force Cross.

Purple Heart Medal recipients

c) Pearl Harbor Survivors

d) Former Prisoners of War

HOW TO APPLY

Recipients should complete a DMV form REG 17A, and provide proof they received a medal as described above or the evidence of being stationed at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Former POW's complete form REG 17

WHERE TO APPLY

Applications and necessary documentation should be mailed to:

Department of Motor Vehicles

P.O. Box 932345

Sacramento, CA 94232

1-800-777-0133

www.dmv.ca.gov

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VETERANS CLAIMS REPRESENTATION

AT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (USDVA) REGIONAL OFFICES

THE BENEFIT

Professional, accredited, USDVA claims and ratings review, and representation in appellate processes.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Any veteran, dependent or veteran's survivor applying for USDVA benefits.

WHERE TO APPLY

Any County Veterans Service Office (located in the county government listings in your telephone book)

OR

California Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Services Division

1227 'O' Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

1-800-952-5626

www.cdva.ca.gov/service/claims.asp on our Web Site.

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FISHING AND HUNTING LICENSES

THE BENEFITS

Reduced annual fees for fishing and hunting licenses.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Any veteran with a 50% or greater service-connected disability.

HOW TO APPLY

First time applicants must submit proof of their service-connected disability from the USDVA.

The California Department of Fish and Game

License and Revenue Branch

3211 'S' Street

Sacramento, CA 95815

Phone (916) 227-2245.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/.

OR any Department of Fish and Game Office.

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EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ASSISTANCE

THE BENEFITS

Assistance in obtaining training and employment as well assistance in obtaining unemployment insurance.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

All veterans.

WHERE TO APPLY

Service-connected disabled veterans should contact a Veterans Employment Service Specialist (VESS). Other veterans should contact a Veterans Workforce Specialist (VWS) located at a local Employment Development Department (EDD) Office (see the state government section of your local telephone book).

www.edd.ca.gov

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FARM AND HOME LOANS (CALVET)

THE BENEFIT

Direct loans from the State of California, highly competitive rates, quick processing, unbeatable earthquake and disaster coverage, and proven ability to work well with our homeowner veterans.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Any veteran who served honorably on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, who resides in and wishes to purchase a farm or home in California.

WHERE TO APPLY

Any California Department of Veterans Affairs CALVET District Office (located in the state government section of your telephone book), or

California Department of Veterans Affairs

Farm and Home Loan Division

1227 'O' Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

1-800- 952-5626

Or visit www.cdva.ca.gov/calvet/

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STATE PARKS AND RECREATION PASS

THE BENEFITS

A lifetime State of California Parks pass for only $3.50.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Any veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 50% or greater, or a former Prisoner of War.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply by mail, a veteran should submit: (1) a completed Department of Parks and Recreation form DPR 619, (2) a letter from the USDVA verifying a service-connected disability rated at 50% or greater, or former Prisoner of War status (3) a copy of the veterans drivers license to verify California residency, and (4) a check or money order for $3.50 made payable to the Department of Parks and Recreation.

California Department of Parks and Recreation

Field Services Division

P.O. Box 942896

Sacramento, CA 94296-0001

(916) 653-4272

http://www.parks.ca.gov/.

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BUSINESS LICENSE, TAX AND FEE WAIVER

THE BENEFIT

Waiver of municipal, county and state business license fees, taxes and fees, for veterans who hawk, peddle or vend any goods, wares or merchandise owned by the veteran, except spirituous, malt, vinous or other intoxicating liquor, including sales from a fixed location.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Honorably discharged veterans who engage in sales (not services) activities may be eligible. Eligibility criteria differs based upon local jurisdiction.

HOW TO APPLY

Bring proof of honorable discharge to your local appropriate county/city licensing authority.

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VETERANS PREFERENCE IN CALIFORNIA CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS

THE BENEFIT

Additional points added to the final score of a civil service examination as follows:

a) Open Entrance Exams-15 points for a disabled veteran and 10 points for other veterans and surviving spouses.

B) Open Nonpromotional Entrance Exams-10 points for disabled veterans and 5 points for other veterans.

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

a) Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 10% or greater.

B) "Wartime" veterans who served have served with honor.

c) A veteran who served under honorable conditions for a period of at least 181 days

d) Spouses of totally disabled service-connected veterans.

e) Unmarried, surviving spouses of a veteran who has died of service-connected causes.

WHERE TO APPLY

Please mail an application, discharge papers, and other documents to:

State Personnel Board

Veterans Preference Coordinator

P.O. Box 944201

Sacramento, CA 94244-2010

(916) 653-1502

http://www.spb.ca.gov.

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CALIFORNIA VETERANS CEMETERY

THE BENEFIT

Complete, professional burial services at no cost to veterans ($500 fee for spouses or dependents).

WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE

Veterans, dependents and survivors who meet USDVA eligibility requirements for burial in a national cemetery.

WHERE TO APPLY

Northern California Veterans Cemetery

P.O. Box 76

11800 Gas Point Road

Igo, CA 96047-0076

(866) 777-4533

http://www.cdva.ca.gov/memorial/cemetery5.asp

[SSGMike.Ivy]

1/11/08

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to announce new programs for California veterans and National Guard members during his State of the State Address this month. He wants to make it easier for veterans and retirees to get into higher level state jobs. He also wants to set up a program to help California National Guard members pay for college fees and books.