Virginia statewide Veteran discounts

Mike Certo · Cornerstone First Mortgage · NMLS #260555 · Updated May 30, 2026 (Q2 2026 edition)

This is the Virginia statewide Veteran discount + benefit reference. Discounts change — call the business or check current policy before relying on any specific discount listed here. Refresh cadence: quarterly (next update August 2026).

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Virginia state programs worth knowing

1. Disabled Veteran Real Estate Tax Exemption (Va. Code §58.1-3219.5)

Value: $2,000-$8,000+/year for 100% rated Veterans Virginia gives Veterans rated 100% permanent-and-total a FULL real-estate tax exemption on the principal residence plus up to one acre, with no value cap (Va. Code §58.1-3219.5). Unremarried surviving spouses keep it — and may move it to a new home. File with your city or county commissioner of the revenue; decisions come within 20 business days. Full guide.

2. Virginia Vehicle Registration — Disabled Veteran License Plate

Value: one free plate set Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled (or lost use of a limb, or are blind) get one set of Disabled Veteran plates free; other service-connected-disabled Veterans can buy DV plates for a $10 special fee plus registration (Va. Code §46.2-739). Through Virginia DMV.

3. Virginia State Parks — Disabled Veteran Annual Pass

Value: free Veteran Disability Passport Virginia State Parks give 100% service-connected disabled Veterans the Disabled Veteran's Passport — free parking and admission, plus 50% off camping, swimming, picnic shelters, and equipment rentals (Va. Code §10.1-202.2, dcr.virginia.gov).

4. Virginia Hunting + Fishing License Discount

Value: free lifetime license Virginia-resident Veterans with a permanent, total service-connected disability get a free lifetime hunting and freshwater fishing license (discounted saltwater) through Virginia DWR (dwr.virginia.gov).

5. Free vehicle license plates for combat Veterans

Combat Veterans (any era) qualify for special Veteran license plates with reduced fees. Various designs available — Purple Heart, Combat Wounded, specific service branch plates.

6. Virginia Veterans' Services + Education

• Virginia Tuition Waiver — Some Virginia public universities offer tuition reduction for Virginia-resident Veterans (verify current eligibility with each institution)
• Virginia Veterans' Education Assistance — Supplemental to federal GI Bill at certain Virginia schools
• Dependent education benefits — Surviving spouses + children of deceased service members may qualify

7. Virginia Voter Registration + Polling Access

Virginia allows mail-in absentee ballots for deployed military + family members. Active-duty also have expedited polling place access.

8. Virginia-Specific Veteran Court Programs

Several Virginia counties have Veterans Treatment Courts for Veterans involved in non-violent legal issues. Combines accountability + treatment instead of standard prosecution.

National retail discounts (typically available at Virginia locations)

These are well-established Veteran discounts at national chains. Mike has personally verified many at Virginia locations, but always confirm at the store before assuming the discount applies.

Home improvement

• Home Depot — 10% off year-round for Veterans, active-duty, military spouses (with verification via SheerID)
• Lowe's — 10% off year-round for Veterans, active-duty (with verification)
• Ace Hardware — Varies by Virginia location; many offer 5-10% discount with ID
• Sherwin-Williams — 10% off for active-duty + Veterans

Food + dining (varies by location)

• Chick-fil-A — Free meal on Veterans Day at participating Virginia locations
• Applebee's — Free meal on Veterans Day
• Texas Roadhouse — Free meal on Veterans Day; free appetizer year-round at some Virginia locations
• Outback Steakhouse — 10% off year-round at participating Virginia locations
• Starbucks — Free tall coffee on Veterans Day for Veterans, active-duty, spouses
• Krispy Kreme — Free original glazed dozen on Veterans Day

Retail + apparel

• Lululemon — 25% off year-round for active-duty + Veterans (with ID verification)
• Under Armour — 10% off year-round
• Nike — 10% off year-round via official.gov verification
• Adidas — 30% off year-round through MILITARY VERIFY
• Old Navy + Gap + Banana Republic — 10% off year-round with verification

Auto + travel

• GEICO — Auto insurance discount for active-duty + Veterans (verify current rate)
• USAA — Banking + insurance designed specifically for military members + families
• Choice Hotels — Military discount on most properties (verify at booking)
• Avis + Budget car rental — Discount with military verification
• National Car Rental — Emerald Club benefits sometimes waived for active-duty
• Anytime Fitness — Many Virginia locations waive enrollment fee for Veterans

Communications + technology

• AT&T Wireless — 25% off most plans for Veterans + active-duty (verify)
• Verizon Wireless — Military discount on most plans (verify)
• T-Mobile — Magenta MAX Military 50% off select plans (verify)
• Spectrum Internet — Military discount on some plans (verify)
• Apple Education + Military — Apple ID with.mil email gets discounts on Mac + iPad

Federal benefits worth knowing

VA disability compensation

2026 monthly rates (single Veteran, no dependents):

• 10% = $175
• 30% = $545
• 50% = $1,114
• 70% = $1,759
• 100% = $3,800+ (single; more with dependents)

Tax-free federally and in Virginia. Use for mortgage qualification (grossed-up 25% for DTI).

VA healthcare priority groups

• Priority 1 — 50%+ disabled Veterans; no copays
• Priority 2 — 30-40% disabled
• Priority 3 — Former POWs, Purple Heart recipients
• Priority 4 — Catastrophically disabled, low income
• Priority 5 — Veterans under 50% disability who can't afford care
• Priority 6-8 — Other Veterans including 0% rated; some copays apply

Apply at any VA Medical Center; benefits include primary care, mental health, prescription drugs.

VA education + GI Bill

• Post-9/11 GI Bill — Tuition + housing + book stipend for 36 months of education
• Yellow Ribbon Program — Covers tuition above state-school cap at participating private schools
• Transfer of GI Bill — Active-duty can transfer benefit to spouse or dependents

VA pension (for low-income Veterans)

Federal income supplement for low-income wartime Veterans aged 65+ or permanently disabled. Tax-free.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

Tax-free monthly payments to surviving spouses + children of service members who died in service or from service-connected causes.

VA-backed home loans

The benefit you already know — used to buy + refinance with $0 down + no PMI. Funding fee waived for 10%+ disability rating. Full Virginia guide.

How to verify any of these discounts

Most national chains use SheerID, ID.me, or GovX for verification. One-time signup gives you reusable verification across multiple retailers.

• ID.me — VA's official verification service (also works for retailer + government discounts)
• SheerID — Used by Home Depot, Lowe's, Under Armour, many others
• GovX — Federal employee + military marketplace; aggregates many discounts
• VetRewards by VetFriends — Quarterly membership ($4/mo) aggregates 100,000+ discounts

Download the full Virginia Veterans Money-Saving Guide PDF

Virginia Veteran discounts & benefits guide — 20-page printable guide consolidating everything on this page plus additional resources. Updated quarterly. Free.

Subscribe to quarterly updates

Discounts change. Mike refreshes this page quarterly. Get notified when new discounts are added or programs change:

Disclaimer

This page is for informational purposes. Discounts and benefits are subject to change without notice. Always verify current discount availability with the business or program administrator. Mike Certo and Cornerstone First Mortgage are not affiliated with the businesses, products, or government programs listed unless specifically noted. No endorsement is implied.