The state of Maine provides several veteran benefits. We explain them on this page. Visit the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services website for more information on any of these programs.

Maine Housing Benefits

Veterans Home

Maine has six veterans’ homes located in Augusta, Bangor, Caribou, Machias, Scarborough, and South Paris. Honorably discharged Main resident veterans who served at least one day of active duty; spouses, widows, and widowers of qualified veterans; and gold star parents can come to a Maine Veterans’ Home.

Home Loans

Maine State Housing Authority offers active duty, veterans, and retired military a 0.25% discount on mortgages through the Salute Home Again program. 

Household income and home purchase price limits apply; however most Maine households and homes are eligible for the program. Limits can vary depending on how many people live in your household and where the home you plan to buy is located. 

Maine Veteran Financial Benefits

Income Tax

Military pay earned out-of-state is tax-free.

Military retirement & SBP payments are tax-free.

Property Tax Exemption

An other-than-dishonorably discharged resident Maine veteran who served during wartime and is 62 years or older; or, is receiving 100% VA disability; or, became 100% disabled while serving, is eligible for a $6,000 property tax exemption. Un-remarried surviving spouses are also eligible.

Paraplegic veterans, and their qualifying spouses are eligible for up to a $50,000 property tax exemption.

Vehicle Registration Fee

100% permanent and total, service-connected disabled veterans are exempt from one registration fee, title fee, and driver license renewal fee.

Veterans Emergency Financial Assistance

Maine veterans who suffer an emergency and do not have sufficient savings or access to other financial assistance to resolve the emergency may be eligible for up to $2,000 in assistance.

Examples of qualifying emergencies are: damage to the veterans home due to fire, flood or hurricane that is not covered by insurance; Illness of the veteran or family member that results in hardship, assistance to prevent or resolve the veteran being homeless; and any other condition that puts the veteran at risk of not having the basic necessities of food, shelter, or safety.

Maine Veteran Employment Preference

State employment preference points shall be added to passing examination scores for state employment.

Honorably discharged veterans get a 5 point preference, 10% or greater disabled veterans get a 10 point preference. Spouses may be eligible as well.

Education Benefits

Maine Dependents Education Benefits Program

Maine offers a 100% waiver of tuition and all fees at state schools for dependents of Maine veterans who are permanently and totally disabled, died of a service connected disability, or was killed in action.

This benefit applies to dependents of Maine veterans who entered the service from Maine or has been a resident for 5 years immediately preceding application for aid and, if living, continues to reside in Maine throughout the duration of benefits administered under the educational

Spouses have 10 years from the date of first entrance to complete the program, children have 6 academic years from the date of first entrance to complete 8 semesters. 

State of Maine Guard Tuition Assistance

Maine offers a 100% tuition waiver for Maine’s National Guard members to attend all of the schools in the University of Maine and Maine Community College Systems, as well as Maine Maritime Academy.

Maine Veteran Recreation Benefits

Hunting & Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans

A disabled veteran who has a service connected disability of at least 50% can get a free license to fish, trap, & hunt. This includes archery, muzzle load, bear, migratory bird, pheasant, spring/fall wild turkey, coyote night hunt, crossbow, one expanded archery antlerless deer permit, and upon meeting the qualifications, a license to guide.

This license is available to residents of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

This license(s) remains valid for the life of the license holder, as long as they keep residency requirements.

Recreation Area Admission Fees

The following are eligible for free admission to Maine state parks, museums, and sites.

• All Maine veterans with an other-than-dishonorable discharge
• 100% disabled Maine veterans and their dependents 
• Maine residents who are enlisted active duty members and their dependents 

Disabled Veteran Hunting & Fishing Licenses

A disabled veteran who has a service connected disability of 50% or more can get a free license to fish, trap, hunt, including archery, muzzleload, bear, migratory bird, pheasant, spring/fall wild turkey, coyote night hunt, crossbow, one expanded archery antlerless deer permit, one expanded archery either sex permit, and upon meeting the qualifications, a license to guide. They must still apply for any lottery permits such as moose and any-deer.

This license is available to residents of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Texas and any other state that has reciprocal agreement with Maine.

Active Duty Military Hunting & Fishing Licenses

Active duty Maine residents, and their dependents, can buy a discounted hunting, fishing, or combination hunting and fishing license.

Hunting & Fishing Licenses for Non-Resident Active Duty Members

Any military member stationed in Maine, as well as their dependents, can pay the resident fee for a hunting, fishing, or trapping license.

Maine Veterans Memorial Cemeteries

The Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery System consists of four cemeteries. One of which is located in Caribou, two in Augusta and one in Springvale. Burial is free of charge to veterans with an other-than-dishonorable discharge as well as their dependents.

Visit the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services website for more information on any of these programs.