California Veterans Benefits in 2026: State Programs and How to Apply
For California veterans and families. Your VA disability, health care, GI Bill, and VA home loan are federal. On top of those, California adds a disabled-veteran property-tax exemption, a college fee waiver for your dependents, veterans homes, CalVet home loans, licensing help, and burial benefits. The best front door for almost every state benefit is your County Veterans Service Office (CVSO). Updated for 2026. We are an independent information site, not a government agency.
Not sure which benefits you and your family can get?
VA benefits sit alongside the ordinary ones, not instead of them — a VA pension can also qualify a household for help with food, energy bills and health costs in California. Answer a few questions and see which of 14 programmes are worth applying for.
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Federal VA benefits (handled nationally)
These come from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Start or manage them here, then use your state’s programs below:
CalVet — your state veterans agency
The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) connects roughly 1.6 million California veterans and families to state and federal benefits. It does not replace the federal VA — it adds California-specific benefits and helps you claim federal ones. Main line 1-800-952-5626. Most state benefits are applied for through your local County Veterans Service Office. CalVet.ca.gov.
Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption
This state exemption reduces property tax on the principal residence of a veteran who is rated 100% service-connected disabled (or paid at the 100% rate for individual unemployability), is blind in both eyes, or has lost the use of two or more limbs. An unmarried surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran may also claim it. There are two tiers — a basic exemption available regardless of income, and a larger low-income exemption for households under an annual income limit. The dollar amounts adjust every year for inflation — check the current-year figures on the official page. File form BOE-261-G with your county assessor with your VA rating letter. California BOE Disabled Veterans’ Exemption.
College Fee Waiver for dependents
The CalVet College Fee Waiver waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees for eligible dependents (and some spouses/survivors) of disabled or deceased veterans at any California Community College, CSU, or UC. It does not cover books, housing, or meals. Eligibility runs through four “plans” based on the veteran’s disability rating and the dependent’s situation, and you reapply each academic year. Apply through your County Veterans Service Office. CalVet College Fee Waiver.
CalVet Veterans Homes
California runs veterans homes offering levels of care from independent/residential living up to skilled nursing and memory care (varies by site), in eight locations including Barstow, Chula Vista, Fresno, Lancaster, Redding, West Los Angeles, Ventura, and Yountville. You generally must have served on active duty with a discharge other than dishonorable, be a California resident, and carry qualifying medical insurance. Submit the admission application and complete a pre-admission clinical evaluation. Apply (CalVet Veterans Homes).
CalVet Home Loans (a state program)
CalVet Home Loans is a state home-loan program (funded by veteran bonds) to buy or refinance an owner-occupied California home — including manufactured homes and some farms — with competitive rates and built-in disaster and life-insurance features. This is separate from the federal VA-guaranteed home loan; some veterans compare both. CalVet Home Loans.
Jobs, licensing, and housing
- Professional license fee waivers: every California Department of Consumer Affairs board waives the initial application and issuance fees for an honorably discharged veteran and expedites processing (proof = DD-214). DCA military/veteran licensing.
- Business support: free Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certification gives a bid advantage on state contracts. CalVet SB/DVBE.
- Veteran housing (VHHP): the Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention program funds affordable and supportive rental housing for veterans; veterans apply for units at completed properties. CalVet VHHP. For a housing crisis, contact your CVSO or the VA homeless line 1-877-424-3838.
Burial & survivors
California operates state veterans cemeteries — including the Northern California Veterans Cemetery (Igo) and the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery (Seaside) — providing burial for eligible veterans and dependents (these are separate from federal VA national cemeteries). Families can arrange interment by contacting the specific cemetery; a CVSO can help. Survivors of veterans who died of service-connected causes may also qualify for federal Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) through the VA. State Veterans Cemeteries (CalVet).
Free accredited veterans help
Start with CalVet above. If you want someone to prepare and file your VA claim with you, use an accredited representative. Help from an accredited veterans service organization representative is always free. An accredited attorney or claims agent may charge a fee, but only after VA has decided your initial claim, and only with a signed fee agreement and VA Form 21-22a on file. VA warns that someone who is not recognized by VA cannot legally help you with a VA benefit claim — so check accreditation before you share personal or military records.
Services and eligibility can vary by county. Confirm current hours and service areas before visiting, and verify VA accreditation before authorizing anyone to represent you. In crisis? Dial 988, then press 1.
California veterans program details
Keep going
See also: California’s disabled veterans’ property tax exemption and our full guide to California disabled veterans benefits.
GlobalBenefits.org is an independent information website. We are not a government agency and are not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any state agency. We link to official government sites so you can apply directly and for free. Rules and amounts change — confirm on the official page before you apply. In crisis? Call the Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1.
Official sources: CalVet (calvet.ca.gov), California BOE (boe.ca.gov), CA DCA (dca.ca.gov), and VA.gov for federal benefits. Reviewed July 2026. Property-tax exemption amounts adjust annually — confirm current figures on the BOE page.