These 4 States Offer Licensing Benefits for Veterans
Little Known Licensing Benefits for Veterans: Often Unused in These 4 States
The following four states have programs for veterans that either revolve around occupational licensing or veteran designations on their drivers licenses. Unfortunately, many veterans are not taking advantage of them. Take a look.
Hawaii
The Specialty Veteran’s License Plate program is the most underused benefit of the Aloha State. For the same cost as the regular state license plate, veterans can choose one of many different veteran license plates:
- Combat Veteran
- Combat Wounded
- Korea Veteran
- Persian Gulf Veteran
- Veteran
- World War II Veteran
- Vietnam Veteran, Motorcycle
- Vietnam Veteran
- Pearl Harbor Survivor
- Gold Star Family
Check out Hawaii’s Office of Veterans’ Services for more information.
Idaho
It may be underused because the ink on this new legislation is still drying, but Idaho recently passed an Occupational Licensing Reform Act, which expedites processing of license applications and credit for military training that is relevant to the occupational license or registration.
Marv Hagedorn of Idaho’s Division of Veterans Services explains, “This is a significant reduction in regulatory hurdles and will meaningfully impact veterans, military members and their families as more become aware of this benefit.”
For more information, contact the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses by email at ibol@ibol.idaho.gov or by phone at (208) 334-3233.
Illinois
The state offers the Illinois Veterans Grant/Illinois National Guard Grant which may not be fully utilized. The state’s newest benefit is the Veteran designation for the state driver’s license.
Since 2015, military veterans have been able to get an updated driver’s license or state ID with the “VETERAN” designator under the signature block. This designator helps ensure veterans of Illinois receive the services and benefits for which they are entitled.
You will need to provide proof of service. Call 800-437-9824 for assistance.
Utah
The ACE Program is designed to assist Utah veterans, actively drilling members of the Guard and Reserve and their respective spouses, overcome barriers to employment or better employment by assisting them in attaining certificates and licenses using their military training and experience, or by assisting them with short-term training.
The ACE Program is intended to provide an avenue for eligible participants to gain employment in the civilian job market by capitalizing on their past experience, training, and knowledge, or by assisting with the acquisition of certificates or licenses that would facilitate that employment.
For more information on these and other benefits offered by the Utah VA, visit their Veterans and Military Affairs website.
State Licensing
Most states have veterans license plates and driver license designations. Fewer states have occupational licensing programs, which are extremely helpful for military families during the dreaded PCS season.
The states listed above are those who reported an underuse of these benefits and seek to engage more veterans from their states to take advantage of them.
To check out the specific benefits offered by your state, use the VA State Benefits page and follow the link to your state. You deserve the benefits offered to you, so please take advantage of them.
(Image courtesy of Karen Roach via www.123rf.com)
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About the author
Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.