Puerto Rico veteran benefits
Veteran Compass lists 15 Puerto Rico programs for veterans and their families. Each one links to the official government page, because rules, amounts and deadlines change. This is a guide to what is worth looking into, not a decision about whether you qualify. Federal VA benefits, such as health care, disability compensation and the GI Bill, also apply in Puerto Rico; see the full directory or use the Benefit Finder.
Burial
Atlantic Garden Veterans Cemetery (Aguadilla)
A veterans cemetery in Aguadilla listed by the Puerto Rico Veterans Advocate Office. The page gives the location and contact details for the cemetery administration.
Who it may help: The page does not state who is eligible or how to request burial. Additional requirements apply; confirm with the cemetery administration at 787-221-6858 or the Veterans Advocate Office. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-23
Free Burial in Municipal Cemeteries for Veterans (Law 203)
Law 203 requires municipalities with public cemeteries to provide free burial service and a grave, niche or ash plot for eligible deceased veterans who lived in that municipality.
Who it may help: The veteran must have lived in the municipality and meet the law's service conditions, which include dying honorably while serving or after service ended. Contact the municipality or the Veterans Advocate Office. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-23
Education
65th Infantry Regiment Scholarship for Children of Veterans (2026-2027)
A scholarship program run through the Veterans Advocate Office for children of veterans. The 2026-2027 requirements sheet lists eligibility and the documents needed.
Who it may help: Applicant must be the biological or legally adopted child of a veteran whose discharge was not dishonorable, a Puerto Rico resident, a high school graduate admitted to a school, under 26 (unless certified impairment), with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50. Only one child per family, no VA education benefits, and no unresolved Treasury debt. The sheet lists many required documents, does not state a deadline, and does not state the award amount. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-23
University of Puerto Rico Tuition Benefits for Veterans and Families (Law 203)
Under the Puerto Rican Veterans Bill of Rights, the University of Puerto Rico offers tuition discounts or exemptions to veterans and some family members. Amounts vary by group, for example veterans who have used up federal education benefits and dependents of service members who died on active duty.
Who it may help: Veterans generally need an honorable discharge and proof that VA education benefits are exhausted. Spouses, children and dependents need to show the family relationship; survivors of service members need the death to be service-related. Non-resident GI Bill users may qualify for resident tuition rates if admitted and within the stated time after discharge. Contact the campus veterans office. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-23
Employment
Puerto Rico Veterans Hiring and Promotion Preference
Law 203 gives veterans preference in appointments and promotions when qualifications are equal, extra credit on hiring or promotion exams, and job-return rights after military service.
Who it may help: Applies to veterans with honorable service as the law defines it. Reinstatement requires requesting it within a stated period after honorable discharge. Confirm how it applies to a specific job with the hiring agency or the Veterans Advocate Office. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-23
Financial
Puerto Rico Income Tax: Military Pension and Combat-Zone Pay Exemptions
The Treasury's 2025 individual return instructions describe an income tax exemption for military pensions of retired U.S. Armed Forces members who live in Puerto Rico. They also describe an exemption for pay earned during active service in a declared combat zone and extensions for those activated outside Puerto Rico.
Who it may help: Pension exemption applies to Puerto Rico residents who are veterans or retired service members and is claimed with the federal W-2 or 1099-R. The combat-zone exemption does not apply to people mobilized elsewhere to relieve those sent to the zone. Ask the Treasury Department or a tax professional about your situation. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-23
Puerto Rico Additional Personal Exemption for Veterans
The Treasury's 2025 individual return instructions list an additional personal exemption on the return for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, with a larger amount if both spouses on a joint return are veterans.
Who it may help: Claimant must be a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces filing a Puerto Rico return; keep a copy of the DD-214 for records. Check the instructions for the current exemption amount. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-23
Puerto Rico Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans and Disabled Veterans
Law 203 provides property tax exemptions on a veteran's primary residence, a fuller exemption for disabled veterans, and an additional partial exemption for veterans with a VA rating at a stated level.
Who it may help: Applies to veterans and some surviving spouses on a home that is their primary residence, subject to assessed value limits that were amended over time. The disabled-veteran exemption is for the home and lot that serve as residence. Claims for the rated exemption must be renewed yearly unless the disability is permanent. Confirm current limits and filing with the municipal property tax office (CRIM) and the Veterans Advocate Office. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-23
Healthcare
Casa del Veterano (Juana Diaz) Domiciliary and Nursing Care
A long-term care institution published on the Veterans Advocate Office site, with a domiciliary section for residents needing less direct care and a nursing home section. The page lists included and excluded services for each.
Who it may help: The page says it serves veterans, spouses and widows or widowers of veterans, and Gold Star parents. Admission criteria include an honorable discharge for veterans, sufficient income, a negative criminal background certificate, and a level of care need that matches the section; U.S. citizenship is listed for the domiciliary section. Admission can be denied if an applicant poses a risk to residents or staff. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-23
Medical Care at Public Facilities for Veterans and Families (Law 203)
Law 203 says municipal and state health facilities provide care, treatment, hospitalization and medicines at no cost to veterans, spouses and children, based on a prescription and an income evaluation.
Who it may help: Eligibility uses an economic evaluation under federal Medicaid criteria; children are covered up to stated ages (students) or with no age limit if disabled. Additional requirements apply; confirm with the Health Department or the Veterans Advocate Office. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-23
Housing
Veterans Housing Rent Subsidy Program (Law 313-2000)
Law 313 of 2000 created a rent subsidy program for Puerto Rican veterans, administered by the Department of Housing. The page is the 2000 statute; later amendments and current program rules were not reviewed.
Who it may help: The law text covers veterans who are Puerto Rico residents with federal veteran status and their spouses and surviving spouses, with the subsidy amount based on monthly income. It ties the subsidy to housing at the state veterans home in Juana Diaz. Additional requirements apply; confirm current rules with the Veterans Advocate Office or the Department of Housing. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-23
Legal
Puerto Rico Veterans Advocate Office (OPV) Help and Regional Offices
The territorial Veterans Advocate Office helps veterans and families get information about programs and services. The site has a directory of regional offices around the island.
Who it may help: Open to veterans and their families seeking program information. The site does not list specific services at each regional office, so call (787) 758-5760 or the nearest office to ask what is offered. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-23
Recreation
Recreational Site Discount for Veterans (Law 203)
Law 203 provides a discount for veterans, spouses, and minor or disabled children at national-park-type recreation sites such as beaches, zoos and camping areas.
Who it may help: For veterans and listed family members; the benefit passes to a surviving spouse and dependent children. Additional requirements apply; confirm with the operating agency or the Veterans Advocate Office. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-23
Transportation
Puerto Rico Special Veteran License Plate
Veterans may apply through the transportation department for a special veteran plate. The form says the first plate is issued without cost and additional plates require fee receipts.
Who it may help: Veteran must show an honorable discharge (VA certification or DD-214), plus the vehicle registration, a government photo ID, proof any fines or liens are cleared, and the current plate surrendered. Check form DTOP-DIS-058 for the fees and other documents. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-23
Puerto Rico Vehicle Fee and Registration Benefits for Veterans
Law 203 lists vehicle benefits, including tax and license fee exemptions for vehicles provided to impaired veterans by the VA, certain license fee exemptions, and a discount on the annual registration sticker for one vehicle.
Who it may help: Different benefits apply to different groups: impaired veterans with VA-provided vehicles, veterans rated 100% disabled, veterans over 60, and veterans with one vehicle in their name. Additional requirements apply; confirm with the transportation department (DTOP). Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-23
Spot something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official source.