Are you wondering if veterans are eligible to receive state veteran benefits in US territories? The answer is yes! Veterans in all US territories, including Guam, are eligible to claim benefits.
Are you taking advantage of the Guam Veteran benefits and opportunities available to you?
The local government offers a range of supports to make life easier for veteran citizens in Guam who are returning home after service. These benefits aid with taxes, education, employment, and more. Many of these benefits can help make life more affordable for Guam veterans and their families.
We’ve created this guide to help inform veterans about all the Guam military and veteran benefits that they could be benefiting from now. Many of these benefits are specifically intended to support Guam’s disabled veterans. In many cases, all you need to claim your benefits is proof of military service or a valid ID.
Continue reading to learn more about the available benefits for Veterans and their families on the island of Guam.
Financial Benefits for Guam Veterans
Disabled veterans in Guam qualify for a property tax exemption. The exemption applies to one residence, excluding commercial property.
A veteran must have a 100% disability rating to qualify for the exemption. Likewise, any veteran who is unemployable due to injuries sustained during service may claim this exemption.
Gold star parents, surviving spouses, or dependent children may also claim this benefit on behalf of a related veteran.
Furthermore, disabled veterans in Guam do not need to pay taxes on their retirement pay. This includes allowances for personal injury or illness sustained during service. Annuities and pensions are also exempt from taxation for qualifying veterans.
Employment Benefits for Guam Veterans
When any Guam citizen is seeking government employment, they must take a service examination. The individual’s score on the exam will determine when the government places them in a role. Typically, individuals with higher scores receive job placements more efficiently.
In Guam, veterans can receive preferential credits to boost their scores on such exams. These help qualified veterans move to the front of the queue and gain employment quicker. These preferential points are often enough to help an eligible veteran find satisfying work quickly.
All veterans will receive five preferential points added to their final score on this exam. Disabled veterans will receive ten preferential points. Note that this only applies to veterans initially seeking government employment.
If a veteran needs more support to find employment, they have access to the Guam Disabled Veterans Outreach Program. It exists explicitly for those with significant barriers to employment.
This includes veterans in the following categories:
- Veterans with a 30% disability rating or greater
- Homeless or at-risk
- Incarcerated or recently incarcerated offenders
- Those without a high school diploma or GED
- Those in low-income categories
- Individuals between 18 and 24 years of age
- Wounded warriors
- Active duty service members in transition
Services include resume assistance, interview assistance, recruitment, up-skilling, and more. This ensures that Guam’s most vulnerable veterans have a successful reintegration experience.
Education Benefits for Guam Veterans
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers services that can help Guam residents pay for and receive an education. The specifics of the benefits will depend on the school that you choose. In some cases, you may be eligible for free or in-state tuition through the GI Bill.
Approval for GI Bill funds extends to several institutions in the Guam territory. These include Guam Community College and the University of Guam.
Reach out to individual institutions for more information. Veterans may qualify for free or discounted tuition at either of these schools.
Transportation Benefits for Guam Veterans
Foremost, the government waives all driver’s license fees for veterans residing in Guam. This includes all classes and endorsements. This can expand job prospects for those with experience operating special machinery.
This benefit also extends to eligible veterans’ spouses, guardians, and Gold Star parents.
Furthermore, there are three special plates available to Guam’s veterans. These are for veterans, retirees, and the family members of veterans.
Veterans who can provide proof of service can receive a special veteran designation on their ID. Interested veterans should ask for this the next time they renew or apply for a license in Guam.
Healthcare Benefits for Guam Veterans
There is a VA clinic located in Agana Heights, Guam. It is part of the Pacific Islands Healthcare System, based in Honolulu, Hawaii.
This clinic offers:
- mental health services
- podiatry
- primary care
- specialty care
As at any VA clinic, these services are free for qualifying veterans.
Veterans might also seek medical care at the Guam Vet Center in Maite or the VA Regional Benefits Office in Tamuning.
Guam considers members of the Guam National Guard who are on territorial duty public employees. They can benefit from workers’ comp benefits based on their rate of current active-duty pay. Therefore, these individuals receive full National Guard Medical Coverage while in Guam.
Claim Your Guam Veteran Benefits
The governments in every state and US territory have policies in place to help military veterans transition back to civilian life. Guam Veteran benefits exist to make life easier and more enjoyable for residents who have served. They can make a massive difference in the quality of life for disabled veterans in particular.
Is your disability rating accurate and up to date? Professionals with VetLink Solutions want to make sure that you receive all of the benefits you deserve. Reach out today for a free evaluation and ensure that you have the documentation you need to enjoy life to the fullest.
