This guide to Guam veteran benefits covers territorial programs run through the Guam Veterans Affairs Office (GVAO), the Department of Revenue and Taxation, and related GovGuam agencies—plus the federal VA benefits (health care, disability compensation, GI Bill®, VA home loans) veterans on Guam use most often. Guam has a meaningful local footprint (registry, property tax relief for 100%/IU veterans, cemetery, DMV designations), but many core benefits remain federal. Updated for 2026.
Programs, dollar amounts, and eligibility rules change. Always confirm with the official agency linked below, GVAO, or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs before you apply.
Guam Veteran Benefits: Population & Overview
The Guam Veterans Affairs Office (GVAO) assists veterans and dependents with information, claims preparation, and local benefit eligibility. VA-accredited Veterans Service Representatives help with federal and local laws; services are free.
GVAO maintains the Guam Veterans Registry to share benefits information and help verify eligibility for local programs. Online and PDF registration forms are available through GVAO resources.
Federal population data for Island Areas is dated: the 2010 Island Areas census counted about 8,041 veterans on Guam—the largest share among the four Island Areas analyzed—and roughly 7.9% of Guam’s civilian population age 18+, the highest veteran share among those territories. Prefer newer Census or VA data when available for planning.
Guam hosts major U.S. military installations (Naval Base Guam, Andersen AFB / Joint Region Marianas) and Guam National Guard components—another reason local claims help and federal care pathways both matter.
GVAO: gvao.guam.gov · contact page: Contact Us (community directories often list 671-475-8388–8394—verify current numbers on the official site)
Major territorial programs at a glance
- Guam Veterans Registry — outreach and local eligibility verification
- 100% / IU real property tax exemption — residence of qualifying disabled veterans, surviving spouses, and certain guardians
- GovGuam hiring preference (+5 / +10 points) and military leave protections
- Driver license veteran designation, license fee waivers, and vehicle fee relief for qualifying veterans/families
- Guam Veterans Cemetery (Piti)
- No territory-funded free-college or tuition-waiver program currently listed—use federal GI Bill and related VA education benefits
Guam Veteran Medical & Healthcare Benefits
VA health care (federal)
Most clinical care for veterans is through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility depends on service history, discharge status, income in some priority groups, and other federal rules.
- Check eligibility and apply: VA health care eligibility · How to apply (10-10EZ)
- Find Guam and Pacific facilities: VA facility locator
- Main VA line: 800-698-2411
Specialty and hospital care may involve VA Pacific Islands pathways and community care. Confirm current clinics and referral routes with VA before traveling.
Guam Vet Center
The Guam Vet Center provides readjustment counseling and help understanding medical benefits, finding VSOs, education benefits, housing/home loan information, and burial referrals.
VA benefits office / intake (Guam)
VA directory listings include a Guam benefits / intake location in the Tamuning area (for example 770 East Sunset Blvd., Suite 165, Tamuning, GU 96913; hours historically about Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–3:45 p.m.). Confirm address and hours on the current VA facility directory before you go: VA directory facility listing.
Territorial health notes
- Guam National Guard members on territorial active duty may receive workers’ compensation coverage for injury, illness, or death under Guam law—separate from federal VA care
- Eligible populations also use federal TRICARE and VA insurance pathways as applicable
Guam Veteran Housing Benefits
Guam’s highest-value local housing-related benefit for many severely disabled veterans is the real property tax exemption. Broader purchase financing still centers on federal VA home loans.
Disabled veteran real property tax exemption (territorial)
Under Guam Code Title 11 § 24401.1, real property owned and occupied as a residence may be exempt for:
- A veteran rated by USDVA as 100% disabled or individually unemployable (IU) due to service-connected injuries
- A surviving spouse as defined in Title 10 GCA Chapter 67
- A legal guardian of a qualifying disabled veteran (as defined in statute)
Key limits:
- Exemption continues only while 100%/IU status continues (or while a surviving spouse remains unremarried / a guardian remains vested under the statute)
- One residence only
- Any commercial portion of the property is not exempt
This is a 100%/IU-focused relief path—not a general veteran homestead for all ratings. MyArmyBenefits also references Gold Star Parents among related tax-relief family categories; confirm exact statutory categories on the current Department of Revenue and Taxation application and instructions.
How to apply: File the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation Application for Veteran Exemption with VA certification of 100%/IU (or surviving spouse/guardian status as required). GVAO has historically helped veterans obtain VA benefit letters—start with GVAO if you need documentation support.
Federal VA home loan guaranty
Eligible veterans can use the federal VA home loan program through private lenders, with or without other financing structures. Certificate of Eligibility and lender requirements apply. Adapted-housing grants may be available when federal criteria are met.
Homeless veterans
- National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 877-424-3838 (24/7)
- VA homeless programs overview
- HUD-VASH · SSVF
Guam Veteran Education Benefits
There is no territorial education tuition program for service members or veterans currently listed in official military/veteran benefit summaries for Guam. Eligible students use federal VA education benefits.
Federal education benefits
Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Montgomery GI Bill®, DEA (Chapter 35), Yellow Ribbon (where schools participate), and VR&E are the primary paths. Explore: About GI Bill benefits · VA education hub.
Local schools as certifying institutions
University of Guam, Guam Community College, and other schools act as VA-certifying institutions. Work with each school’s School Certifying Official (SCO) for enrollment certification under your benefit chapter.
Guam Veteran Benefits for Employment & Tax
GovGuam hiring preference
Eligible veterans receive a hiring advantage on GovGuam initial employment exams:
- +5 points for eligible veterans
- +10 points for disabled veterans
- Preference when candidates are equally qualified
- Typical service theme: about 180 cumulative days of service and other-than-dishonorable discharge; DD-214 required; disability documentation for the 10-point path
Confirm current human-resources procedures with the hiring agency. Related code themes appear in Guam Code Title 4 Chapter 4.
Military leave and VA appointment leave
- 15 days paid military leave per fiscal year for GovGuam employees in the Guard or Reserve
- 5 workdays non-chargeable leave per calendar year for VA disability re-examination or treatment (proof of appointments required)
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP)
Guam Department of Labor partners with the American Job Center and HireGuam to serve veterans with significant barriers to employment through DVOP and related employment services.
- Guam DOL — DVOP
- American Job Center
- HireGuam
- Phone often listed: 671-300-4555 (verify)
Federal employment protections
Federal veterans’ preference and USERRA apply to covered employment.
Income tax (Guam DRT)
Guam residents generally file with the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation under a mirror of U.S. tax law (48 U.S.C. § 1421i). See also IRS Publication 570.
As commonly summarized for Guam: military pay and military retired pay are taxable; military disability retirement pay and VA disability/pension-type payments are generally excluded under IRS concepts; DIC is tax-free; SBP-type annuities are typically taxable. Confirm with DRT for your return: guamtax.com.
Guam Other Veteran Benefits
Driver license and motor vehicles
Guam provides several motor-vehicle benefits for veterans and certain family members (documentation required—confirm current Motor Vehicle Division rules):
- “Veteran” designation on Guam driver license or ID for honorably discharged veterans
- Driver’s license fee waiver for honorably discharged veterans, active/reserve members, retirees, and certain spouses, surviving spouses, Gold Star parents, and guardians
- Vehicle license/registration fee waiver for 100%/IU veterans and certain eligible family members
- Specialty plates: Special Recognition (valor medals), Veteran plates with optional decals, and Gold Star plate (no fee)
- Active-duty licenses may remain valid while stationed outside Guam under statutory return windows
Apply through Revenue & Taxation Motor Vehicle Division with DD-214 and/or VA letters as required. Start with GVAO if you need help assembling documentation.
Guam Veterans Cemetery
Guam Veterans Cemetery
150 Spruance Drive, Piti, Guam 96910 · 671-477-5697
About the cemetery · Contact
Eligibility generally follows VA National Cemetery rules (other-than-dishonorable discharge, active-duty death, qualifying Reserve retirement, and eligible spouses/dependents). Confirm eligibility before making arrangements: VA burial eligibility.
Parks
No veteran-specific Guam Department of Parks and Recreation benefits are listed in standard military/veteran benefit summaries. Federal recreation access (for example the free Military Lifetime Pass for many federal lands) still applies when you visit qualifying U.S. federal sites: NPS Military Lifetime Pass.
Guam Veterans Registry
Register with the GVAO Veterans Registry for outreach and local eligibility verification: GVAO Resources / Registry.
Federal disability compensation
Monthly tax-free compensation for service-connected disabilities is federal: VA disability · How to file. GVAO or an accredited VSO can help at no charge for basic claims assistance.
Mental health & suicide prevention
If you or a veteran you know is in crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line immediately: dial 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat via VA resources. The Guam Vet Center can also help with readjustment counseling and local navigation.
How to Apply for Guam Veteran Benefits
- Guam Veterans Affairs Office (GVAO) — claims, registry, local benefit letters: gvao.guam.gov · Contact
- Property tax exemption — DRT Application for Veteran Exemption + VA 100%/IU (or surviving spouse/guardian) certification
- DVOP / jobs — HireGuam or American Job Center · often 671-300-4555
- Guam Veterans Cemetery — 671-477-5697 · veteranscemetery.guam.gov
- Vet Center / VA benefits office — Guam Vet Center · VA facility locator
- DMV / motor vehicle benefits — Revenue & Taxation Motor Vehicle Division with DD-214 / VA letters
- Federal VA — va.gov · 800-698-2411
- Accredited representative — Find VA-accredited help
- Crisis support — Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255
Official Resources & Contacts
Use these official links to verify and claim Guam veteran benefits. Prefer .gov and official territorial portals over third-party summaries.
| Resource | Link / contact |
|---|---|
| Guam Veterans Affairs Office | gvao.guam.gov · Contact |
| Guam Veterans Registry | GVAO Resources |
| Guam Dept. of Revenue & Taxation | guamtax.com |
| Veteran property tax exemption form | Application (PDF) |
| Guam Veterans Cemetery | 150 Spruance Dr, Piti · 671-477-5697 · veteranscemetery.guam.gov |
| Guam Vet Center | va.gov/guam-vet-center |
| VA Benefits Office (Guam) | VA directory listing (confirm hours/address) |
| Guam DOL DVOP / AJC | DVOP · HireGuam |
| VA.gov | va.gov · 800-698-2411 |
| VA facility locator | Find locations |
| GI Bill / education | va.gov/education |
| VA home loans | Home loans |
| VA disability | Disability compensation |
| VA burial eligibility | Burials & memorials |
| Veterans Crisis Line | 988 then 1 · text 838255 |
| Homeless veterans hotline | 877-424-3838 |
Proud Veteran provides general information for veterans and families. We do not determine eligibility, provide legal or tax advice, or replace GVAO, the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation, or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Property tax relief is focused on 100%/IU paths—not a general veteran homestead. Verify every benefit with the linked official sources before you apply.
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