Puerto Rico Exclusive Territorial Benefits

Factoid: Puerto Rico has one of the highest per capita veteran populations in the United States, with a long history of military service in every major U.S. conflict since World War I. The island offers territorial level tax relief, education benefits, and other support services for veterans.
Key Contact:
Puerto Rico Office of the Veterans Advocate (PROVA) – Oficina del Procurador del Veterano de Puerto Rico
📍 Edificio Prudencio Rivera Martínez, Ave. Luis Muñoz Rivera #1542, San Juan, PR 00926
🌐 https://veterano.pr.gov | 📞 (787) 729 8347 | 📧 vog.rp.onaretev%40ofni
________________________________________

⚕️ Veterans Facilities Support
🟩 Coordinates with VA Caribbean Healthcare System for hospital/clinic access.
🟩 Assists with service connection to federal and territorial medical resources.
🌐 https://veterano.pr.gov | 📞 (787) 729 8347
🚗 Driver License & ID Benefits
🟩 “Veteran” designation available on driver’s license or ID for honorably discharged veterans.
🟩 Some municipalities waive vehicle registration fees for 100% disabled veterans.
📍 Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works
🌐 https://www.dtop.pr.gov | 📞 (787) 729 2929
🏠 Property Tax Exemption
🟩 100% disabled veterans eligible for full property tax exemption on primary residence.
📍 Apply via Puerto Rico Municipal Revenue Collections Center (CRIM).
🌐 https://www.crimpr.net | 📞 (787) 625 CRIM
💵 Income Tax Benefits
🟩 Military retirement pay and VA disability benefits exempt from Puerto Rico income tax.
🌐 https://hacienda.pr.gov | 📞 (787) 721 2020
🎓 Education Benefits
🟩 Free tuition at the University of Puerto Rico system for veterans and dependents of 100% disabled veterans or those KIA/MIA.
🌐 https://www.upr.edu | 📞 (787) 765 4500
🟩 Scholarships and training programs for transitioning veterans available through PROVA.
🌐 https://veterano.pr.gov | 📞 (787) 729 8347
💼 Employment Services
🟩 Veterans preference in territorial government hiring.
🟩 Job placement assistance through Puerto Rico Department of Labor & Human Resources.
🌐 https://www.trabajo.pr.gov | 📞 (787) 754 5504
🌳 Recreation & Licenses
🟩 Discounted or free entry to commonwealth parks, recreation facilities, and some municipal sports programs for disabled veterans.
📍 Puerto Rico Department of Natural & Environmental Resources
🌐 https://drna.pr.gov | 📞 (787) 999 2200
⚖️ Legal Assistance
🟩 Free legal advice for veterans via Puerto Rico Bar Association and municipal legal aid programs.
🌐 https://capr.org | 📞 (787) 721 3358
⚰️ Veterans Cemeteries
🟩 Puerto Rico National Cemetery (Bayamón) — free burial for veterans, nominal cost for spouses/dependents.
📍 50 Ave. Cementerio Nacional, Bayamón, PR 00961
🌐 https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/puertorico.asp | 📞 (787) 798 8400
💡 Additional Puerto Rico Specific Programs
🟩 Veterans transportation services to medical facilities available through PROVA.
🟩 Housing improvement assistance for low income disabled veterans.
🌐 https://veterano.pr.gov | 📞 (787) 729 8347
________________________________________
Disclaimer:
This is NOT an official handout from DoD, VA, DOL nor FFSC but created by Dr. Tony Astro, PhD, GCDF, CMCS, CCSP as part of his class & capstone counseling. To reach out for correction and additional information connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyastro. You can also subscribe to his Military Benefits and Transition page for an update on this at https://www.linkedin.com/company/tonyastro.