Maine

Maine Veteran Benefits

If you're a veteran resident of the Pine Tree State or a current servicemember stationed here, you may be able to enjoy many of the benefits offered by the state. With a variety of programs to help you get a degree, find a home, switch careers, and more, Maine is a great place for members of the military.

Veteran Home Loans

If you're serving in Maine with the Air Force or the Navy, you could think about buying your own home here. You might even be able to find a house near your duty station.

VA loans in Maine can make homeownership fairly easy to attain. VA loans allow you to buy a home:

Even if you have a low credit score
Without saving for a down payment
With a lower interest rate than many other mortgage types
Without needing to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI)

Private lenders issue VA loans using the VA's guidelines and are protected by a VA guaranty. Lenders can issue Maine veteran loans to both veterans and current military personnel.

You'll need to call several lenders for quotes to try to compare and find the best veteran loan rates in Maine. Your lender's rates and terms can set your monthly payments for many years. In addition, you should find a lender with experience helping veterans and servicemembers.

Low VA Rates has had a mission to serve military personnel and veterans since we were founded. Count on us to figure out the right VA loan for you. You can call us for a quote toll-free at 866-569-8272 or start an online application.

Maine Home Loan Program

MaineHousing, the state's housing authority, offers a low interest rate on 30-year fixed interest mortgages. Servicemembers and veterans can receive an additional 0.25% discount on their interest rate using the veteran-specific program called SaluteME.
In addition, the regular benefit it usually only available to first-time homebuyers, but this requirement is waived for veterans and servicemembers through the state's Salute Home Again program.

To qualify for a MaineHousing mortgage with a veterans discount, you must meet ONE of the following requirements:

Have an honorable discharge from the military OR be on active duty
Have either active duty experience from a war zone OR at least 180 days of active duty

Members of Maine's National Guard may also qualify under the second option above.

For more details about the program, including what types of homes are allowed, down payment requirements, and other criteria, visit the SaluteME page. Or, to apply for one of these loans, you can contact any of the approved MaineHousing lenders.

Veteran Housing Benefits

Maine Veterans' Homes

Maine has six veterans' homes that are available for veterans who need a variety of services, including rehabilitative care, therapy, both long- and short-term care, and skilled nursing care. In order to be eligible to live at one of the homes, you must:

Have an honorable discharge
Have been a Maine resident when he or she entered the military OR be a Maine resident when he or she applies to a Maine veterans' home
Have served at least one day of active duty

Spouses, surviving spouses, and Gold Star parents of eligible veterans may also qualify for admittance. To learn more about all eligibility requirements, you can request a free eligibility guide.

Or, to begin the application process, you can simply contact the veterans' home near you. Just make sure you have your DD-214 form ready.

Homestead Tax Exemption

The homestead tax exemption in Maine can be for up to $20,000. To qualify:

You must have owned your Maine homestead for a year or longer
The house you live in has to be your permanent home as of April 1 of the year

If you're a military servicemember on active duty in Maine at a military base, station, or naval post, you can be considered to be a Maine resident for the purposes of this homestead exemption. (This doesn't apply to the members of the Guard or Reserves.)

Veteran Property Tax Exemption

Veterans can qualify for a couple of different property tax exemptions. The first is for $6,000 and is simply called the "Veteran Exemption." It is available to those who meet at least ONE of the following requirements:

Is at least 62 and have wartime military experience
Receives a pension or compensation from the VA for a 100% disability, whether service-related or not
Receives compensation from the VA for a service-related disease, injury, or disability

The second exemption, called the "Paraplegic Veteran Exemption," provides a property tax exemption of up to $50,000. To qualify, you must be a paraplegic veteran who received federal funds for specially adapted housing.

To apply for either of these exemptions, you will need to fill out the Maine Veteran Property Tax Exemption form.

Homeless Veterans Services

Maine has several organizations that can help you if you are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

To find the options nearest you, visit Maine's Bureau of Veterans' Services Resources page. Once you're there:

Click on the "Homeless/Housing" button on the left side to add a checkmark to it
Select your county in the small box at the bottom of the page
Click "Submit" to see a map of any organizations near you

To learn more about each option, you can click on any of the house icons that display on the map.

You can also contact the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services at 207-430-6036 and ask for the Homeless Veterans Coordinator, or you can download a document that lists all of the different organizations offering homeless services for veterans.

Veteran Education & Employment Benefits

Education Benefits

The state of Maine provides education assistance and other programs to both servicemembers and their families. These opportunities can make getting an education much more affordable.

Veterans Dependents Educational Benefits

The spouses and dependents of certain Maine veterans can enjoy a 100% waiver of educational tuition and fees. The institutions that participate in this program are the Maine Community Colleges, the University of Maine System, and the Maine Maritime Academy.

In order to qualify, the veteran parent or spouse must meet at least ONE of the following conditions:

They were killed in action
They a complete and permanent service-related disability, as rated by the VA
They had a service-related disability that resulted in death
They were completely and permanently disabled with a service-related disability when he or she died, but that disability was not the cause of death
Are a current active-duty US military servicemember who has been MIA or a POW for at least 90 days

In addition, the veteran must have joined the military from Maine or have been a Maine resident for at least five years right before their dependent applies for this benefit. And, if the veteran is alive, he or she must stay a Maine resident while the benefit is being used.

To apply, you must download and complete the Veterans' Dependents Educational Benefits Program Application.

Postsecondary Education Benefits for Maine National Guard Members

If you're a member of the Maine National Guard, you may be eligible for free in-state tuition for postsecondary education. You can use this benefit at the Maine Maritime Academy, the Maine Community College System, the University of Maine System, and other public universities and colleges in Maine.

To qualify, you must:

Be accepted or enrolled in an institution of higher learning
Not yet have a bachelor's or equivalent degree
Be a qualified, fully participating Maine National Guard member

Veterans Upward Bound

The Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program helps veterans in Maine get college degrees. It's offered through the University of Southern Maine (USM).

The VUB program advises, tutors, mentors, and instructs veterans in skills they'll need to enter a college degree program. Veterans can receive help with:

Financial literacy
Career exploration
Financial aid applications
Prior learning assessments
Joint services transcript review
Computer literacy
Academic skills assessment and preparation in math, science, foreign languages, and English
Study skills

To qualify for the VUB program, you cannot already have a bachelor's degree, and you must have a discharge status that was not dishonorable. You will also need to meet ONE of the following service requirements:

You served on active duty for 181 consecutive days or longer
You were activated for at least 30 days from a reserve component

Finally, you must also meet one of the ONE of the following conditions:

Are disabled, whether or not it's because of military service
Haven't attended school for five or more years
Had parents (either biological or adoptive) who didn't have a bachelor's degree and lived with you at least half the time
Have a taxable income that qualifies according to federal rules

You can inquire about the VUB program by calling 207-780-4627 or emailing vub@maine.edu. You can also apply for the program on the USM website.

Employment Benefits

Maine also tries to help its veterans successfully transition from the service to civilian life by offering a variety of employment benefits. These services can help you look for a job, improve your chances of getting hired, and offer additional training.

Veterans Services at the CareerCenter

Maine's CareerCenters offer specialized veterans services. At all locations, staff members can help veterans:

Search for work
Write a resume
Prepare for interviews
Train for new skills
Connect to federal and state veterans resources
Apply military training to civilian work

When you apply to any program with the Maine Department of Labor, it's recommended that you inform the staff that you are a veteran or the spouse of a veteran. When you do, the staff will prioritize serving you.

To get started, you can get in touch with your nearest CareerCenter location. If any of the following conditions apply to you, we recommend that you request to work directly with a Veterans' Representative:

You're homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
You have a service-related disability and are a veteran
You're between 18 and 24 years old
You have a low income
You haven't earned a high school diploma
You're recently unemployed
You're an offender who was released within the last year

Veteran's Preference in Applications for State Employment

If you're a veteran and you apply to work for the State of Maine, you could receive preference for employment. This preference includes being guaranteed an interview if you're qualified for the position.

There are, however, some other conditions you must meet. Namely, you must have some active duty service history in any branch of the US Armed Forces, including the National Guard and the Reserves. In addition, your DD-214 must show that your discharge was not dishonorable.

Another component of Maine's veteran preference is that, if you applied for a state government position and weren't hired, the state Human Resources department should direct you to other positions you're qualified for. You can contact the Bureau online or by calling 207-624-7761.

Finally, the veterans preference benefit also applies to gold star spouses, as long as you're able to show your DD-1300 form.

Maine's Occupational Licensing Initiative

If you're a veteran resident of Maine and want an occupational license, you may be able to get one at an accelerated rate if you have military experience in one of these areas:

Fuel
Plumbing
Electrical
Boiler

Maine law allows you to apply your military experience toward licensing and education requirements so you can avoid duplicate training. When you apply for a license, you'll need to show a copy of your DD-2586 form, which shows your military training and experience, and a copy of your DD-214.

The State of Maine also offers additional resources to help you apply for your license using your military training and experience.

Other Veteran Benefits

Maine offers a variety of other benefits for veterans and servicemembers, including tax exemptions for military pensions, mental health care, military driver's licenses and license plates, and more.

Tax Exemption for Military Pensions

Thanks to Maine's tax exemption for military pensions, you won't have to pay Maine state income tax on any portion of your military pension or on survivor benefits. Also, if you're a veteran and receive civilian retirement benefits, you can get a $10,000 tax exemption on that income.

Mental Health Care and Case Management

Maine's Bureau of Veterans' Services offers mental health care and case management services for free to:

Veterans of the US Armed Forces who need mental health treatment or help finding treatment
Veterans who've been diagnosed with mental health conditions by the VA or who've received mental health disability ratings
Current military servicemembers

Services include mental health therapy, substance abuse treatment, family advocacy, and psychiatric assessment and treatment. You can refer yourself to these services or be referred by an organization or health care provider.

You can contact either the EasterSeals Maine or Health Affiliates Maine for mental health services. EasterSeals covers Androscoggin, Cumberland, Hancock, Penobscot, and York. Health Affiliates Maine covers Androscoggin, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Somerset, York, and Waldo.

You can call the Maine Crisis Hotline at 1-888-568-1112 for help with suicide prevention.

Military Service Designation on Maine Driver's Licenses

You can get a military designation on your Maine driver's license if you're a current US Armed Forces servicemember or a veteran. If you're a veteran, you must present ONE of the following at the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV):

Your DD-214 showing an honorable discharge
Certification from either the VA or your military branch that verifies your service and honorable discharge

You'll also need to present verification that you're a Maine resident and a legal resident of the US.

The military designation is free if you're renewing your driver's license at the renewal time set by the BMV. At any other time, you'll be charged a duplicate license fee.

Many Maine businesses give discounts to military servicemembers and veterans who show evidence of their military status, such as a driver's license with a military designation. To find out more, you can contact a BMV office near you.

Veteran Plates Issued in Maine

You can get specialty license plates in Maine that show an important part of your military background. Many of these plates are exempt from fees. If there are fees, they are listed online next to each type of plate, along with any eligibility requirements.

Examples of these plates include:

Disabled Veteran
Purple Heart
POW
Pearl Harbor Survivor
Congressional Medal of Honor

Plates can be ordered from your closest BMV branch.

Maine Veteran Resident Free Lifetime State Park and Museum Pass

If you're a veteran and a resident of Maine, you can get a lifetime day-use pass to Maine's state parks, museums, and historic sites. Only you, the veteran, can use the pass, and you must show proper identification when you do so.

To get your pass, you'll need to show documentation that:

You're a resident of Maine
You received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions

You can apply for your pass online. The application form provides all of the necessary instructions, including the address for submission.

Please note that if you're 65 or older, you're already granted free admission and don't need this special pass.

Maine Resident Day-Use Park Pass for Active Military Personnel

If you're a current military servicemember in Maine, you can get a free day-use pass to Maine's state parks and historic sites. Your whole family can also use the pass when you're with them. Each pass is good for one year. You'll need proper identification to gain admission.

To be eligible for this pass, you must:

Have Maine listed as your home of residence
Be currently enlisted with the US Armed Forces

You must renew your pass each year and re-verify your eligibility. The application forms are on the Bureau of Veterans' Services website, along with the contact information for any questions you have.

Disabled Veterans Fishing and Hunting Licenses

If you are a Maine veteran with a service-related disability of at least 50%, you can get a free hunting and fishing license. You can also get a license to guide, if you meet the qualifications.

As long as you continue to meet the residency requirements and your license isn't revoked or suspended, your license will remain valid for the rest of your life.

You can apply using the Complimentary Hunting, Fishing, & Archery application. You'll submit your application through the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MDIFW) office in Augusta.

Maine Veterans' Cemetery System

Maine has four veterans cemeteries that offer the following free interment privileges to eligible veterans, as well as their spouses and dependents:

A burial plot
Opening and closing of graves
Perpetual care of the plot
A burial stone from the federal government

The full list of eligibility requirements, including requirements for dependent children, are available online; however, eligible persons include:

Veteran members of the US Armed Forces
Members of the National Guard who died because of a disease or injury sustained during active duty
Members of the Reserves or Guard who served for 20 or more years and were entitled to retired pay (or would have been upon turning 60)

In addition, veterans must have been discharged honorably or have a general discharge under honorable conditions. Their discharge could also have been upgraded through a program of general amnesty.

To streamline the burial process once it's necessary, it's recommended that you pre-register with the Maine Veterans' Cemetery System (MVCS). Pre-registering does not obligate you to be buried there, if your plans change.

If you want to pre-register, you can download the Eligibility Application form. After you fill it out, you can either fax it, mail it, or hand it in at one of the locations listed at the bottom of the form.

Veteran Benefits Assistance

Maine veterans can get help with their benefits from the Maine Veterans' Services offices. Staff members at these locations can help you:

File a benefits claim with the VA
Enroll with the VA to receive benefits and health care services
Get a copy of your DD-214 form
Apply for free fishing and hunting licenses and state park passes

Simply contacting the Maine Veterans' Services Offices and enrolling in VA services helps other veterans in your state by bringing in more federal funds.

About Low VA Rates

Low VA Rates is always available to help you with VA loans in Maine. We've worked with US military servicemembers and veterans since our founding. You can benefit from our many years of experience navigating the VA loan system.

You can call us toll-free at 866-569-8272 and ask about Maine veteran loans, or you can also apply with us online. One of our loans officers will get back to you quickly.