New York veteran benefits: 63 state programs, verified
Every program below is sourced from an official state agency or MyArmyBenefits, with a source name and last-verified date on the card. Run the free scan to check which ones may apply to you.
New York's 63 active programs lean toward two things: dedicated license plates and automatic protections that kick in without filing anything. Purple Heart recipients, Gold Star mothers, and Medal of Honor recipients each get their own plate — the Medal of Honor and Purple Heart plates carry no annual renewal fee once the roughly $28.75 initial fee is paid. On the automatic side, a New York resident's driver license and vehicle registration extend on their own through active-duty service and into a grace period after discharge, and nonresident spouses of nonresident service members stationed in New York under military orders are exempt from state income tax on wages earned there under the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act.
New York also covers ground the other pilot states skip. The Gold Star Families Annuity Program pays a semi-annual benefit to the family of a service member who dies while serving, and the Incarcerated Veterans Program specifically addresses reentry for veterans coming out of prison — a category none of the other four pilot states carry a dedicated program for. Only two of New York's 63 programs set a minimum disability-rating requirement, and voter registration plus absentee-ballot access are built in for service members and their families stationed outside the state.
New York programs by category
| Category | Programs |
|---|---|
| Other | 18 |
| Education | 10 |
| Taxes | 8 |
| Employment | 8 |
| Recreation | 6 |
| Financial | 5 |
| Health | 4 |
| Housing | 2 |
| Burial & Memorial | 2 |
| Total active programs | 63 |
2 of New York's 63 programs set a minimum VA disability rating; the rest are open regardless of rating (though many still have other requirements — see each program's details).
Sample New York programs
No account needed to see these — real entries from the catalog for New York. Sign in and run the scan to see the full list filtered to your profile.
Automatic License and Registration Extension for New York Resident Service Members
OtherNew York driver licenses and vehicle registrations of active-duty service members are automatically extended throughout their service and for a grace period after discharge.
Source: MyArmyBenefits · Last verified 2026-07-20
New York Commercial Driver License (CDL) Military Skills Test Waiver
OtherNew York offers a CDL military skills test waiver to service members and former service members based on their military training and experience.
Source: MyArmyBenefits · Last verified 2026-07-20
New York Congressional Medal of Honor License Plate
OtherRecipients of the Medal of Honor are eligible for the New York Congressional Medal of Honor license plate, at no cost.
💰 No fee for this license plate
Source: MyArmyBenefits · Last verified 2026-07-20
New York Disabled Veteran License Plate
OtherNew York offers the Disabled Veteran license plate to Veterans who have a New York plate with the universal symbol of access.
💰 $28.75 initial fee, no annual renewal fee
Source: MyArmyBenefits · Last verified 2026-07-20
New York Gold Star Families Annuity Program
FinancialA semi-annual payment to eligible family members of a U.S. Armed Forces service member who dies while serving.
Source: MyArmyBenefits · Last verified 2026-07-20
New York Gold Star Mother License Plate
OtherNew York offers the Gold Star Mother license plate to mothers of service members who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
💰 $28.75 initial fee, no annual renewal fee
Source: MyArmyBenefits · Last verified 2026-07-20
New York Incarcerated Veterans Program
OtherAddresses the readjustment and reentry needs of Veterans returning to society following incarceration.
Source: MyArmyBenefits · Last verified 2026-07-20
New York Military Spouse Residency Relief Act
TaxesA nonresident spouse of a nonresident service member stationed in New York under military orders is exempt from New York income taxes on wages earned in New York.
Source: MyArmyBenefits · Last verified 2026-07-20
New York Purple Heart Recipient License Plate
OtherRecipients of the Purple Heart are eligible for the New York Purple Heart license plate.
💰 $28.75 initial fee, no annual renewal fee; personalized plates add $60 plus $31.25 annual renewal
Source: MyArmyBenefits · Last verified 2026-07-20
New York Resident Service Member and Family Military Voter Registration
OtherAllows New York resident service members and their family members stationed outside New York to register as military voters and receive absentee ballots.
Source: MyArmyBenefits · Last verified 2026-07-20
See which of these New York programs may apply to you.