Florida State Benefits Guide for Disabled Veterans

Under Florida Statutes § 322.21 and § 320.084, 100% disabled veterans are eligible for: 

• No-fee driver’s license or state ID card 
• Free “DV” license plate 
• Free ID cards for homeless veterans and their families 

Do Disabled Veterans Pay for Parking in Florida? 

No. Florida disabled veterans qualify for permanent disabled parking permits at no cost. Apply using HSMV Form 83039. 

Do Disabled Veterans Pay Tolls in Florida? 

Veterans generally do pay tolls in Florida, but disabled veterans with severe upper-limb impairments and specially equipped vehicles may be eligible for a Toll Permit Exemption. Details and application: FDOT Toll Permit 

Do Veterans Get Free Car Registration in Florida? 

Yes, 100% disabled veterans may receive free vehicle registration with qualifying license plates. Visit your county tax collector’s office for eligibility. 

Do Veterans Pay Sales Tax on Vehicles in Florida?

In most cases, yes, unless the vehicle has been modified for disability use, in which case the tax may be waived. 

The Congressman C.W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Act waives out-of-state tuition for veterans, their spouses, and dependents living in Florida and enrolled in public institutions. 

Does Florida Offer Free College Tuition for Disabled Veterans’ Dependents? 

Yes. The Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV) program provides full tuition to:

•  Dependents of veterans who are 100% P&T disabled 
• Survivors of service members killed in action 
• Children of veterans MIA or POW 

Learn more here 

Virginia State Employment Veterans Hiring Prefence 

Florida supports veterans through the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) and Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER). Veterans receive: 

• Priority workforce services 
• Resume and interview coaching 
• Special support for military spouses through the Military Family Employment Program 

Find these resources 

Veterans’ Preference 

• 20 points for 100% disabled veterans and their spouses 
• 15 points for wartime veterans, spouses of deceased/injured veterans 
• 10 points for veterans and reservists 

More info on Florida Veterans’ Preference 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection provides the following passes to eligible veterans: 

• Free Lifetime Military Entrance Pass – Available to honorably discharged veterans with service-connected disabilities, as well as surviving spouses and parents of veterans fallen in combat 
• 25% Discount on Annual Entrance Passes – Offered to all active duty and honorably discharged veterans.  

Eligible veterans must apply in person at a Florida State Park with a staffed ranger station. Find out more.

Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans 

• Free 5-year license for 100% disabled veterans 
• $20 Military Gold Sportsman’s License for active or retired service members 

Apply here 

Operation Outdoor Freedom 

Offers free hunting, fishing, and recreational trips for wounded veterans. Learn more or call (863) 578-1894. 

Disabled veterans in Florida can receive medical care at any VA Medical Center (VAMC), Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), or Vet Center throughout the state. Services include primary care, mental health counseling, specialty care, and support for claims. 

VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) 

• Bay Pines VA Healthcare System – Bay Pines, FL – (727) 398-6661 
• Malcom Randall VAMC – Gainesville, FL – (352) 376-1611 
• Lake City VAMC – Lake City, FL – (386) 755-3016 
• Miami VA Healthcare System – Miami, FL – (305) 575-7000 
• Orlando VA Healthcare System – Orlando, FL – (407) 631-1000 
• James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital – Tampa, FL – (813) 972-2000 
• West Palm Beach VA Medical Center – West Palm Beach, FL – (561) 422-8262 

Florida also operates over 50 outpatient clinics and more than 25 Vet Centers for counseling and community reintegration services.

State Veterans’ Nursing Homes in Florida

Florida has seven state-run veterans’ nursing homes offering skilled nursing care to eligible veterans:

• Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans’ Domiciliary Home – Lake City, FL – (386) 758-0600 
• Emory L. Bennett State Veterans’ Nursing Home – Daytona Beach, FL – (386) 274-3460 
• Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home – Land O’ Lakes, FL – (813) 558-5000 
• Alexander “Sandy” Nininger State Veterans’ Nursing Home – Pembroke Pines, FL – (954) 985-4824 
• Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home – Port Charlotte, FL – (941) 613-0919 
• Clifford C. Sims State Veterans’ Nursing Home – Panama City, FL – (850) 747-5401 
• Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home – Port St. Lucie, FL – (772) 241-6132 

These homes provide skilled nursing care and are designed to support veterans with complex medical needs. To be eligible, veterans must be honorably discharged, in need of skilled care as certified by a physician, and Florida residents.

Florida has several VA cemeteries that provide a final resting place for eligible veterans and their spouses: 

• South Florida National Cemetery – Lake Worth, FL 
• Barrancas National Cemetery + Annex – Pensacola, FL 32508 
• Bay Pines National Cemetery – Bay Pines, FL 
• Jacksonville National Cemetery – Jacksonville, FL 
• Tallahassee National Cemetery – Tallahassee, FL 
• Sarasota National Cemetery – Sarasota, FL 
• St. Augustine National Cemetery – St. Augustine, FL 32084 

Veterans must be honorably discharged. Spouses and certain dependents may also qualify. Find out more about burial benefits and other VA benefits survivors are entitled to receive. 

Besides state-specific benefits, disabled veterans also get various federal VA disability benefits. Whether you qualify for some of these federal benefits depends on your disability rating percentage. Federal VA benefits include: 

• Monthly tax-free compensation based on your VA disability rating (calculate it here) 
• VA healthcare access, including mental health care 
• Housing assistance and home loan programs 
• VR&E services and federal hiring preference 
• GI Bill education benefits 
• Aid & Attendance for assisted living 

Eligibility for some of these benefits depends on the disability rating percentage. Use the links below to see what federal benefits Florida veterans can get with a rating of 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, etc. 

• 50% VA disability benefits
• 60% VA disability benefits
• 70% VA disability benefits
• 80% VA disability benefits
• 90% VA disability benefits

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits

Veterans with a 100% disability rating receive the highest level of federal VA benefits, including:

• Full monthly VA compensation
• Full VA healthcare coverage
• Dental care
• Adaptive equipment grants

See all federal benefits for a 100% disabled Florida veteran →

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits for Spouse and Dependents

Spouses and family members of 100% disabled veterans may also be able to get several benefits:

• CHAMPVA healthcare
• DIC eligibility
• Education benefits
• Continued property tax exemption
• Access to Florida state resources

Florida hosts several military installations with known toxic contamination, linked to serious health issues (including various cancers, liver and kidney diseases). Veterans who served at these bases may be eligible for compensation. Some of the contaminated Florida bases include:  

• Avon Park Air Force Range 
• Camp Blanding Joint Training Center  
• Cape Canaveral Air Force Station  
• Cecil Naval Air Station  
• Eglin Air Force Base  
• Homestead Air Reserve Base  
• Hurlburt Air Force Base  
• Naval Air Station Jacksonville  
• Naval Air Station Pensacola 
• Naval Air Station Whiting Field 
• Patrick Air Force Base 
• Saufley Field 
• Tyndall Air Force Base 

If you served at a base in a different state, you can find yours on our toxic exposure map: https://www.hillandponton.com/toxic-exposure/. 

How to Apply for VA Benefits in Florida – Free Guide 

Attorney Matthew Hill has written THE book on how to get VA disability compensation and benefits. And it’s yours free of charge. We also offer a free online course for easy, immediate access.

Download the free eBook version here 

Florida State Legal Support 

• Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA) 
• Florida Courts: Veterans Legal Help 
• Veterans Treatment Courts – specialized court programs that focus on rehabilitation and treatment for veterans involved in the criminal justice system, particularly those with service-related mental health or substance abuse issues 

Roanoke VA Regional Office: 210 Franklin Road SW, Roanoke, VA 24011 | Phone: 800-827-1000 
This office serves as the central hub for administering VA benefits to veterans, service members, and their families throughout Virginia. Services include: 

• Disability compensation claims 
• Education benefits (GI Bill) 
• Home loan assistance 
• Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) services 
• Life insurance and pension benefits 
• Support for homeless veterans 

Help from VA Attorneys 

Hill & Ponton was founded in Orlando, Florida in 1986. Since then we’ve assisted thousands of disabled veterans across the state in getting the benefits they deserve. We’ll fight on your behalf and only get paid if we win. Discuss your case with our team: 

• Orlando VA Lawyers 
• Tampa VA Lawyers 
• DeLand VA Lawyers