**Support to state employees**
Entitled to 30 days of pay upon deployment (Guard and Reserve) Receive pay difference between military pay and state salary (Guard and Reserve) Continued health insurance coverage during activations (Guard and Reserve) Entitled to 17 days of paid military leave each year to cover annual training (Guard and Reserve) Veteran’s preference for state employment (Active, Guard or Reserve) Educational Benefits Priority placement in gifted, special needs and voucher programs for the children of military members (Active Duty) High School seniors of military families transferring to Florida are exempt from exit exams and substitute of SAT of ACT (Active Duty) Prepaid 4 year scholarship program for spouses and children of Florida military members who die in the line of duty or have been certified as having 100% permanent disability ratings. (Active, Guard, or Reserve) Education Dollars for Duty: 100% of Tuition paid for in-state colleges and universities for National Guard Members up to a Master’s Degree. (GUARD ONLY) Free undergraduate tuition at state colleges and universities for Florida recipients of the Purple Heart and other combat related decorations superior in precedence to the Purple Heart. (Active, Guard, and Reserve) The Troops to Teachers Program: a referral and placement assistance service that helps eligible military personnel begin a new career as public school teachers. $5000 stipend to pay for certification and up to a $10,000 bonus. (Active, Guard or Reserve) Family Support Extends Servicemembers Credit relief Act (SCRA) to include early termination of auto leases, cell phone agreements, and other commonly leased/contracted items (Active, Guard, or Reserve) Cap on interest and fees on title loans (Active, Guard, or Reserve) Florida National Guard Foundation Family Assistance Fund to provide emergency assistance to soldiers and dependent family members on deployment and up to 120 days after returning home. (Guard Only. Starts in 2010) Spouses of Military members who hold professional licenses received expedited processing for Florida certification. (Active, Guard, or Reserve) Military Dentist receive expedited processing of Florida certification. (Active, Guard, or Reserve) Tax and Financial Benefits Real Estate Tax deferment for deployed Guard members. (Guard only) Service-Disabled Veteran’s Businesses receive selection preference when bidding on State contracts. (Active, Guard, or Reserve) Homestead exemption for disabled veterans of $5,000 in addition to standard exemption of $25,000. (Active, Guard, or Reserve) 100% Homestead Exemption for totally and permanently disabled veterans. (Active, Guard, or Reserve) 5 counties forgive property tax while deployed and one-time grant of $600 for deployed renters. (Active, Guard, or Reserve) No fees for Driver’s Licenses for 100% disabled veterans. (Active, Guard, or Reserve) Notary Public fees waived for any wartime veteran with a disability rating of 50% or more. (Active, Guard, or Reserve) Waives the county building permit fee for 100% permanently and totally disabled veterans who are Florida residents when improving access and convenience for activities of daily living to their dwelling. (Active, Guard, or Reserve) The Citizen Soldier Program: provides grants to reimburse private sector companies that provide wages to federally activated National Guard and Reserve members. (Guard and Reserve) Protections, recognition, and employment support Issuance of a 100% service-connected disabled veteran ID card as proof of eligibility for benefits. (Active, Guard, or Reserve) Exempt from arrestor civil process while on duty. (Guard only) Protection from discrimination in public places and in employment. (Active, Guard, or Reserve) State version of Soldier and Sailors Relief Act. (Active, Guard, or Reserve) State version of USERRA: State protected employment and re-employment rights for state and federal active duty. (Active, Guard, or Reserve) One-Stop Career Centers: Veterans receive priority workforce services to find employment and increase opportunities for veterans. (Active, Guard, or Reserve) Vets First: A clearing house website with all veterans benefits, links, and contact data listed in one place: http://floridavets.org/first.asp (Active, Guard, or Reserve) Unemployment for Military Spouses: Spouses of military members forced to quit their jobs due to military ordered moves are eligible for unemployment. (Active, Guard, or Reserve) Licensing, Registrations, and fees National Guard Plates free of charge (Guard Only) Free plates for disabled (50%) veterans (Active, Guard, or Reserve) Free purple heart plates (Active, Guard, or Reserve) Free fishing and small game license for disabled (50%) veterans (Active, Guard, or Reserve) Military Gold Sportsman’s License at a substantially reduced cost (Active, Guard, or Reserve) Free access to state parks for disabled (50%) veterans (Active, Guard, or Reserve)