Florida State Benefits

Updated 3/5/2019

This installment of State Benefits is for Florida.  As a very popular state for retirement in general, it’s no surprise that Florida has the third highest Veteran population by state.  The site for the Florida Department of Veterans – http://floridavets.org/.

Property Tax Exemptions

• Any real estate owned and used as a homestead by a veteran who was honorably discharged and has been certified as having a service-connected, permanent and total disability, is exempt from taxation if the veteran is a permanent resident of Florida and has legal title to the property on January 1 of the tax year for which exemption is being claimed. (FS 196.081(1))
• Any real estate owned and used as a homestead by the surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who died from service-connected causes while on active duty is exempt from taxation if the member was a permanent resident of this state on January 1 of the year in which the member died. (FS 196.081(4)(a))
• If, upon the death of the veteran, the spouse holds the legal or beneficial title to the homestead and permanently resides there, the exemption from taxation carries over to the benefit of the veteran’s spouse until such time as he or she remarries, sells, or otherwise disposes of the property. If the spouse sells the property, an exemption not to exceed the amount granted from the most recent ad valorem tax roll may be transferred to the new residence as long as it is used as the primary residence and the spouse does not remarry. (FS 196.081(3))  Any real estate used and owned as a homestead by any quadriplegic is exempt from taxation. Veterans who are paraplegic, hemiplegic, or permanently and totally disabled who must use a wheelchair for mobility, or are legally blind, may be exempt from real estate taxation. Check with your local property appraiser to determine if gross annual household income qualifies. The veteran must be a resident of Florida. (FS 196.101)
• Eligible resident ex-servicemembers with a VA certified service-connected disability of 10 percent or greater shall be entitled to a $5,000 property tax exemption. The ex-servicemember must establish this exemption with the county tax official in the county in which he or she resides by providing documentation of this disability.
• The unremarried surviving spouse of such a disabled ex-servicemember, who on the date of the disabled ex-servicemember’s death had been married to the ex-servicemember for at least five years, is also entitled to this exemption. (FS 196.24)
• Any partially disabled veteran who is age 65 or older, any portion of whose disability was combat-related, and who was honorably discharged, may be eligible for a discount from the amount of ad valorem tax on the homestead commensurate with the percentage of the veteran’s permanent service-connected disability. Eligible veterans should apply for this benefit at the county property appraiser’s office. (FS 196.082)
• Service personnel entitled to homestead exemption in this state, and who are unable to file in person by reason of such service, may file through next of kin or a duly authorized representative. (FS 196.071)

“V” for Veterans Designation on Driver License

• Florida’s veterans can add a veteran designation to their driver license or identification card. To add the “V” to a license or ID card, veterans can visit any Florida driver license office, to include those operated by county tax collectors.
• Requirements:
  • Present a discharge document which shows an honorable discharge from active duty;
  • Pay a onetime $1 fee, in addition to the replacement or renewal fee. If it is too soon to renew your license, you can pay a one-time $2 fee plus other applicable service fees;
  • Visit www.GatherGoGet.com to ensure you have all other documents. Veterans who need to obtain a copy of their DD-214 may request it online at www.archives.gov/veterans/militaryservice-records/

100% Disabled Veteran State ID Card

• A disabled veteran ID card may be issued by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs to any veteran who is a permanent resident of the state and is determined by the VA or Department of Defense to have a 100% service-connected, permanent and total disability rating. (FS 295.17) The card may be used as proof of eligibility for any state benefit except exemption of homestead property taxes. For more information, call (727) 319-7400 / 7440.

Driver License & State ID Fee Exemptions

• Any honorably discharged veteran who has a valid FDVA disabled veteran ID card or who has been determined to have a 100% total and permanent service-connected disability and is qualified to obtain a driver license is generally exempt from all fees. However, a fee may be applied to drivers seeking to reinstate a license. (FS 322.21(7))
• The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or a county tax collector may issue or renew an identification card to a person who presents evidence that he or she is homeless without payment of the fees required. A $6.25 fee may apply in offices operated by county tax collectors. Homeless veterans may prove their status with a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that establishes eligibility in the HUD-VASH program.

Handicapped Toll Permit

• Licensed drivers who operate a vehicle specially equipped for the handicapped and are certified by a licensed physician or the VA as having permanent upper limb impairments/disabilities substantially affecting their ability to deposit coins in toll baskets, shall pass free through all toll gates. A window sticker from the Florida Department of Transportation must be obtained and displayed. (FS 338.155(3))

Disabled Veteran Motor Vehicle License Plate

• An honorably discharged veteran who has been a resident of Florida continuously for the past five years or who has established a domicile in Florida, as provided by FS 222.17, may apply for one free disabled veteran “DV” license plate for an owned or leased vehicle. The veteran must provide proof of a service-connected 100-percent disability rating or that the vehicle was acquired through VA financial assistance.
• Note: Free license plates with a wheelchair emblem are available for those veterans permanently confined to a wheelchair and who otherwise qualify for a DV plate. Service charges may apply. (FS 320.084)
• Please note: Parking spaces for persons with disabilities are for the exclusive use of individuals who have permanent or temporary mobility impairments. (F.S. 553.5041(3)). Disabled veterans who have been issued a “DV” plate may only park in designated handicapped parking spaces if they also have a mobility impairment. Disabled veterans with a mobility impairment may apply for the disabled parking plate with the wheelchair emblem to avoid possible fines and penalties.
• No state agency, county, municipality or agency thereof may charge the driver of a vehicle displaying a “DV” license plate any fee for parking on public streets, highways or in any metered parking space. There are exemptions to this benefit, which can be found in FS 316.1964.

Special Use License Plates

• New legislation in 2012 authorizes the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to issue a special use license plate for a recipient of the Combat Infantry Badge or Combat Action Badge, and creates a Vietnam War Veteran and Korean Conflict Veteran license plate. These special use license plates are to be issued after the applicant provides documents establishing proof of status, such as a DD-214, and upon payment of the license tax imposed by s. 329.08, F.S. The bill also provides for the issuance of a special use license plate without charge for recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, or Silver Star. These special use license plates are to be issued upon application and proof of qualifications and without payment of the license tax imposed by s. 329.08, F.S.
• In addition, the following existing military license plates are available upon application to the owner or lessee of a vehicle that meet the necessary qualifications:
  • Medal of Honor — Issued to any U.S. citizen who is a resident of Florida and who was awarded the Medal of Honor while serving as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. (FS 320.0893)
  • Ex-POW — Issued to a resident of Florida who is a former prisoner of war, or their unremarried surviving spouse, who was a U.S. citizen serving with the U.S. Armed Forces or the armed forces of an allied nation or who was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and was not a U.S. citizen. (FS 320.089(2))
  • Gold Star — Honoring the family members of Florida service members who have been killed while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The applicant must be a resident of Florida at the time of the service member’s death, and directly related as spouse, legal mother or father, or stepparent who is currently married to the mother or father of the fallen service member. (FS 320.0894)
  • Florida National Guard, U.S. Armed Forces Reserve, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom
    • Issued to a retired member of the Florida National Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve or to a former member of the U.S.military who was deployed and served in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom or in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. (FS 320.089)
  • Pearl Harbor Survivor — Issued to a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. (FS 320.089)
  • Purple Heart — Issued to a recipient of the Purple Heart medal. (FS 320.089)
  • U.S. Paratrooper — May only be purchased by current or former U.S. military personnel who, as part of their military duty, have been trained to jump from aircraft. (FS 320.0891)

Hunting and Fishing

• The Military Gold Sportsman’s License is available for a reduced fee of $20 to any resident who is an active or retired member of the U. S. Armed Forces, U.S. Armed Forces Reserve, National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, or Coast Guard Reserve upon submission of a current military ID card. The license is only available at tax collector’s offices. (FS 379.354(4)(j))
• State hunting and fishing licenses and permits shall be issued without fees for five years to any veteran who is a Florida resident, certified or determined to be 100% totally and permanently disabled by the VA, or the U.S. Armed Forces, or who has been issued a valid disabled veteran ID card by FDVA. For more information, visit http://myfwc.com/ (FS 379.353)
• Florida honors the service of injured war veterans by providing special outdoor recreational opportunities for them. The Division of Forestry has designated areas of state forests as Operation Outdoor Freedom Special Hunt Areas. With funding from the Friends of Florida State Forests Program, active duty members and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces with combat-related injuries have access to specialized hunting areas that are specially adapted to assist their needs. (FS 589.19)
• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission makes it easier for Florida veterans to enter the commercial fishing industry.  Applicants should visit www.MyFWC.com/License and click on Commercial Saltwater Products or call (850) 487-3122.

Commission as a Notary Public

• The state’s $10 commission fee shall not be required for a commission as a Notary Public to a veteran with wartime service and who has been rated 50 percent or more for a service-connected disability. Other fees will apply. (FS 117.01(2))

Occupational License Taxes

• A disabled wartime veteran who is unable to perform manual labor and is a permanent Florida resident shall be exempt from this tax up to $50. The unremarried spouse of a deceased disabled veteran is also entitled to this exemption. (FS 205.171)

Disabled Veterans’ Exemption from Fees

• Total and permanently disabled Florida veterans are exempt from county and municipality building license or permit fees when making certain improvements to their residence in order to make the dwelling 10 habitable or safe. Restrictions apply. (FS 295.16)

Education Benefits for Veterans and Families

• Florida State Colleges and Universities offering priority course registration for any segment of the student population now provide priority course registration to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who are receiving GI Bill educational benefits. The benefit also applies to spouses and dependent children receiving GI Bill benefits.  Florida State Colleges and Universities are also adopting rules and regulations enabling eligible current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces to earn academic college credit at public post-secondary educational institutions for college-level training and education acquired in the military. Consult your local campus for details.  Florida waives undergraduate-level tuition at state universities and community colleges for Florida recipients of the Purple Heart and other combat-related decorations superior in precedence to the Purple Heart. For more information, call (850) 245-0407.
• Florida also provides four-year college educational opportunities for dependent children and spouses of veterans who died from a service-connected disability or who are 100% percent service-connected totally and permanently disabled veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. (FS 295.01) For more information, visit https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/factsheets/CSDDV.pdf or call toll free at (888) 827-2004.
• Dependent children of service members Missing In Action or Prisoners Of War may also be eligible for tuition benefits.
• Eligible World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans who, as a result of being inducted into any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and unable to complete their high school education, can be awarded a High School Diploma. For more information, call (850) 245-0446 or visit http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/veteran-diploma.asp

Florida State Park Discount Passes

• The Florida Department of Environmental Protection provides a 25-percent discount on annual passes to Florida’s 161 State Parks for all veterans, active duty service and reserve members. The pass is available for purchase at any Florida State Park staffed ranger station.
• Honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities, surviving spouses, and Gold Star Parents of military veterans who have fallen in combat will receive a lifetime family annual entrance pass at no charge. The free annual pass can only be obtained at a staffed ranger station. For more information, call (850) 245-2157 or visit www.FloridaStateParks.org

Florida State Veterans Homes

• The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs operates six skilled nursing facilities and one assisted living facility. All facilities are licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration and inspected annually by AHCA and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The homes are supervised 24-hours daily by registered and licensed nurses. Under the IRS tax code, monetary donations to specific state veterans’ homes are tax deductible. Per Florida Statutes, all such donations are to be used for the benefit of the home and its residents.
• Resident Admission
  • Basic admission requirements for all state veterans’ homes include an honorable discharge, state residency for one year prior to admission, and certification of need of assisted living or skilled nursing care as determined by a VA physician. For more information, call (727) 518-3202, Ext. 5562.
• Veterans’ Homes
  • The Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans’ Domiciliary Home in Lake City (Columbia County) opened to residents in 1990. The recently renovated 149-bed Assisted Living Facility provides a special combination of housing, personalized supportive services and incidental medical care to eligible veterans. Veterans must be able to feed and dress themselves and in need of assisted living care.
    • Call (386) 758-0600 for more information.
    • Address: 751 SE Sycamore Terrace, Lake City, FL 32025.
  • The Emory L. Bennett State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Daytona Beach (Volusia County) opened to residents in 1993. The recently renovated 120-bed facility provides skilled nursing care to its veteran residents.
    • Call (386) 274-3460 for more information.
    • Address: 1920 Mason Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32117.
  • The Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes (Pasco County) opened to residents in 1999. The 120-bed facility provides skilled nursing care and can accommodate 60 residents with dementia/Alzheimer’s disease.
    • Call (813) 558-5000 for more information.
    • Address: 6919 Parkway Boulevard, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639.
  • The Alexander “Sandy” Nininger State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Pembroke Pines (Broward County) opened to residents in 2001. The 120-bed facility offers skilled nursing care and can accommodate 60 residents with dementia/Alzheimer’s disease.
    • Call (954) 985-4824 for more information.
    • Address: 8401 West Cypress Drive, Pembroke Pines, FL 33025.
  • The Clifford C. Sims State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Panama City (Bay County) opened to residents in 2003. The 120-bed facility offers skilled nursing care and can accommodate 60 residents with dementia/Alzheimer’s disease.
    • Call (850) 747-5401 for more information.
    • Address: 4419 Tram Road, Panama City, FL 32404.
  • The Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Port Charlotte (Charlotte County) opened to residents in 2004. The 120-bed facility offers skilled nursing care and can accommodate 60 residents with dementia/Alzheimer’s disease.
    • Call (941) 613-0919 for more information.
    • Address: 21281 Grayton Terrace, Port Charlotte, FL 33954
  • The Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home in St. Augustine (St. Johns County) opened to residents in 2010. The 120-bed facility offers skilled nursing care and can accommodate 60 residents with dementia/Alzheimer’s disease.
    • Call (904) 940-2193 for more information.
    • Address: 4650 State Road 16, St. Augustine, FL 32092.

As always, if there are any benefits that we’ve missed, please let us know, and we will add them to the list.