Who can apply: Military personnel, including active duty, activated guard duty or activated reserve duty personnel who own or owned property in Manatee County upon which they have homestead exemption and who served for any length of time in a designated combat zone during or subsequent to the 2003 tax year and any qualifying unremarried surviving spouse.

What are you applying for? Reimbursement of the lesser of up to $1,500 or the actual amount of Manatee County's portion of the Ad Valorem Tax bill for each year for which they qualify.

How long do applicants have to apply? Four years following the year during which the qualifying military personnel served in a designated combat zone. The first year for which they may qualify is the 2003 Ad Valorem Tax Year.

How do I find out more? The Veterans Services Division of the Manatee County Community and Veterans Services Department at 1401 3rd Avenue West, Bradenton, 34205. Please call 941-745-3795, ask for a Veterans Services Counselor and mention the Active Combat Duty Grant Program.

Please call the Manatee County Veteran Services office at (941) 745-3795 to make an appointment. Counselors can help you determine your eligibility and build a strong case for benefits.

We are located at 1401 3rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205, 

Our lobby hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. We are closed for lunch from noon-1 p.m.

In recognition of the sacrifices made by those serving in the Armed Forces, Congress enacted laws to prevent Veterans seeking Federal employment from being penalized because of time spent in military service. By law, Veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified periods or in military campaigns are generally entitled to preference over non-Veterans both in Federal hiring practices and in retention during reductions in force.

Preference applies in hiring for most Federal, State and county vacancies, and provides a uniform method by which special consideration is given to qualified Veterans. Veterans’ preference laws do not, however, guarantee Veterans a job, nor do they give Veterans’ preference in internal agency actions such as promotion, transfer, reassignment and reinstatement.

Eligibility for Veterans and the spouses of Veterans can vary.

Manatee County Veterans Services offers expert guidance and help in:

• Understanding the complete claim process
• Rules and regulations of the VA system
• What is necessary for an effective VA claim
• How to appeal a claim that has been denied
• How to apply for other state and local benefits

Some time limits do apply to health care, vocational rehabilitation and education benefits, so be sure to ask about your eligibility.

We can assist you with applying for or provide resources for:

• Service Disability and Pension
• Education Benefits
• Burial Benefits
• Health Care
• Home Loans
• Life Insurance
• Property Tax Exemptions
• Survivor Benefits
• Veterans Preference
• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services
• Active Military Combat Duty Grant Program
• Upgrading military discharges

We may be able to help you obtain the following documents:

• Discharge papers
• Military personnel and medical records

You may use our services if you are one of the following:

• Veteran
• Veteran's dependent
• Surviving spouse or child of a Veteran
• Reservist or National Guard member
• Active-duty service member