Pennsylvania State Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans

100% State Benefits- Pennsylvania

Note: Information for this document was gathered from various sources including:
https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/pennsylvania-state-veterans-benefits.html

Visit the Pennsylvania Bureau of Veterans’ Affairs for more detailed information:
https://www.dmva.pa.gov/veteransaffairs/Pages/default.aspx

Veterans Homes

For more information, visit: https://www.nasvh.org/state-homes/statedir.cfm

Your eligibility for State Veterans Homes is based on clinical need and setting availability.

Each State establishes eligibility and admission criteria for its homes.

Talk with a VA social worker about the eligibility requirements of State Veterans Homes near
you and to figure out a plan for paying for State Veterans Home care services.

State Veterans’ Cemeteries

For more detailed information visit: https://www.cem.va.gov/find-cemetery/state.asp?STATE=PA

National Veterans Cemeteries:

Indiantown Gap National Cemetery

60 Indiantown Gap Road

Annville, PA 17003

Burial Space: Open

Phone:

717-865-5254

National Cemetery of the Alleghenies

1158 Morgan Road

Bridgeville, PA 15017

Burial Space: Open

Phone:

724-746-4363

Washington Crossing National Cemetery

830 Highland Road

Newtown, PA 18940

Burial Space: Open

Phone:

215-504-5610

State Veterans Cemeteries:

Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home Cemetery

560 East Third Street

Erie, PA 16512

VA Grant Funded: Yes

Phone:

814-871-4531

Many states have established state veterans cemeteries. Eligibility is like Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries but may include residency requirements. Even though they may have been established or improved with Government funds through VA’s Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, state veterans’ cemeteries are run solely by the states.

Pennsylvania Veteran Financial Benefits

Income Tax

Active duty pay earned out-of-state is tax-free.

Military retirement pay and SBP payments are tax-free.

Military Family Relief Assistance Program

Visit the following website for more information and the application: https://www.dmva.pa.gov/Veterans/Benefits/Pages/MilitaryFamilyReliefAssistanceProgram.aspx

A sudden or unexpected loss of income, real or personal property, assets or support, directly related to military service, or exigent circumstances affecting, the service
member.
Emergency need for childcare for which the applicant lacks financial resources.
Natural or man-made disasters resulting in a need for food, shelter, or other necessities.
The death or critical illness of a parent, spouse, sibling, or child resulting in immediate need for travel, lodging or subsistence for which the applicant lacks financial resources.

Eligibility requirements must be met to apply.

Contact information:

Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP)

Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Bldg. 9-26, Fort Indiantown Gap

Annville, PA 17003-5002

Phone: (717) 861-7820

Toll-free: (866) 292-7201

Fax: (717) 861-9084

Email: ra-pa-mfrap@pa.gov

Veterans Temporary Assistance

For more information, visit the following website: https://www.dmva.pa.gov/Veterans/Benefits/Pages/VeteransTemporaryAssistance.aspx

Pennsylvania may provide temporary financial assistance to veterans and their unremarried surviving spouses for the necessities of life (food, shelter, fuel and clothing).

The assistance can’t exceed $1,600 in a twelve month period.

Where to Apply: Contact the County Veterans’ Affairs Director in the county you reside to apply for this program.

Applicants must demonstrate:

A temporary loss of income, assets or support due to sickness, disability, unemployment, natural or manmade disaster or other cause beyond the control of, and not as a result of misconduct by, the applicant, or,
A temporary increase in costs or expenses beyond the control of, and not as a result of misconduct by, the applicant resulting in insufficient funds to pay for necessities of living.

The Following Documents are Mandatory:

Veteran’s DD Form 214 or Report of Separation from active military service.
A copy of the applicant’s marriage license and Veteran’s death certificate for widows and widowers.
A copy of a birth certificate of the Veteran’s dependent children and if applicable, a copy of court orders indicating payment of child support.
Proof of Pennsylvania residency.
Proof of loss of employment, if applicable, including the applicant’s termination notice from employment and last pay slip.
Proof of all other benefits such as unemployment compensation, education benefits, disability compensation/pension, social security, other pensions, union benefits, workman’s compensation or insurance benefits.
Proof of lack of other income, including employment pay and allowances, annual or sick leave, income from rental property, savings, financial assistance provided by family and friends, interest and dividends.
Proof of expenses (i.e., shelter, clothing, health care, child support, essential furnishings, utilities, transportation, communication, food, laundry and personal care).
Receipts indicating current mortgage, rent and all utility payments claimed.

For more information: Ra-vta@pa.gov (Please do not send completed applications or personally identifiable information over e-mail.

Real Estate Tax Exemption

For more information, visit the following website: https://www.dmva.pa.gov/Veterans/Benefits/Pages/RETX.aspx

Any honorably discharged Pennsylvania resident veteran with a 100% VA disability and wartime service may be exempt from property taxes on their home. There are income limits. Surviving spouses who have not remarried may also be eligible.

Veteran’s eligibility criteria:

Received Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions discharge
Served during a period of warOpens In A New Window as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs **The following decorations can also be used to establish wartime service: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or Navy Expeditionary Medal.
Must have a total or 100% permanent service-connected disability rating by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or as the result of military service the veteran is blind or paraplegic or has sustained the loss of two or more limbs
Blind: Visual acuity of three-sixtieths or ten two-hundredths, or less normal Vision
Paraplegic: The bilateral paralysis of the upper or lower extremities of the body
Must be a resident of the Commonwealth
Must occupy the real estate as his/her principal dwelling
Dwelling is owned solely by the veteran or as an estate in the entirety

Must prove financial need:

Veteran must prove financial need according to the criteria established by the State Veterans Commission if their annual income exceeds $95,279, effective Jan. 1, 2021.
Applicants with an annual income of $95,279 or less are given a rebuttable presumption to have a need for the exemption.
**Upon the death of a qualified veteran, tax exemption may pass on to the unmarried surviving spouse if financial need can be shown.

Where to apply?

Contact the County Veterans Affairs Director in the county you reside to apply for this program.

How is financial need established?

An applicant whose gross annual income exceeds $95,279 will be considered to have a financial need for the exemption when the applicant’s allowable expenses exceed the applicant’s household income. The applicant’s monthly household expenses will be calculated to include a cost-of-living allowance and dependent’s allowance.

What happens after the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs certifies a “financial need” for the Disabled Veterans Tax Exemption and eligibility criteria has been verified?

The County Board for the Assessment and Revision of Taxes will grant the tax exemption. Cases that have been granted tax exemption will be reviewed every 5 years to determine continued need for exemption from certain real estate property taxes.

Contact: Ra-retx@pa.gov (Please do not send completed applications or personally identifiable information over e-mail.)

Consult the local assessor’s office for detailed requirements regarding these exemptions.

Annual refiling is often required.

Find your local tax assessor at this link: https://www.publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Assessor-and-Property-Tax-Records.htm

Blind Veterans Pension

Visit the following website for more information: https://www.dmva.pa.gov/Veterans/Benefits/Pages/BlindVeteransPension.aspx

A pension of $150 per month for honorably discharged veterans who suffered a service connected injury or disease which resulted in blindness or severe loss of vision.

Veteran’s eligibility criteria:

Resident of Pennsylvania upon entering the military
Received Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions discharge
Suffered a service-connected injury or incurred a disease that resulted in loss of vision:
Visual acuity with correcting lens is 3/60 or 10/200 or equivalent, or less normal vision in the better eye OR
Includes circumstances where the widest diameter of the visual field of the better eye has contracted to an angular distance of not greater than 20º.

Where to apply?

Contact the County Veterans Affairs Director in the county you reside to apply for this program.

What documentation is needed to apply?

Need a copy of last military service DD214
Proof of Pennsylvania residency upon entering the military
United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability claim number

Contact: Ra-bvp@pa.gov (Please do not send completed applications or personally identifiable information over e-mail.

Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension

For more information, visit the following website: https://www.dmva.pa.gov/Veterans/Benefits/Pages/AmputeeandParalyzedVeteransPension.aspx

The Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension provides eligible Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans a pension of $150.00 per month.

Veteran’s eligibility criteria:

Resident of Pennsylvania upon entering the military
Received Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions discharge
Suffered a service-connected injury or incurred a disease resulting in the loss or loss of use of two or more extremities (arms/hands or legs/feet).
At least a 40% disability compensation rating or higher in each limb as determined and certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Where to apply?

Contact the County Veterans Affairs Director in the county you reside to apply for this program.

What documentation is needed to apply?

Need a copy of last military service DD214
Proof of Pennsylvania residency upon entering the military
United States Department of Veterans Affairs Code Sheet

Contact: Ra-pvp@pa.gov (Please do not send completed applications or personally identifiable
information over e-mail.

Pennsylvania Education Benefits

Pennsylvania offers a wide variety of Educational Benefits to resident veterans and their dependents.

State Educational Benefits can be used in conjunction with the National Educational Benefits (DEA)

Visit the following link for a full list: https://www.pa.ng.mil/education/

Contact the Education and Incentives Center for information: 717-865-4529

Education and Incentives Center

Bldg. 9-54, Fort Indiantown Gap

Annville, PA 17003

Pennsylvania Veterans Educational Gratuity

For more information, visit the following website: https://www.dmva.pa.gov/Veterans/Benefits/Pages/EducationalGratuityProgram.aspx

Children of those who died in service or are permanently and totally disabled because of military service are eligible for up to $500 per semester for 4 years. The children must be between 16 and 23 years.

Veteran’s eligibility criteria:

Died in service during a period of war or armed conflict or,
A veteran who has:
An Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces
Served during established war service dates as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. **The following decorations can also be used to establish wartime service: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or Navy Expeditionary Medal
Veteran must have a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Child’s eligibility criteria:

Must be between the ages of 16 and 23, living within the Commonwealth five years prior to application and must attend a school within the Commonwealth.
Applicant must have a financial need.

Where to apply?

Contact the County Veterans Affairs Director in the county you reside to apply for this program.

What documentation is needed to apply?

Need a copy of last military service DD214 or Military Death Certificate of the sponsoring veteran
Copy of birth certificate of applicant
Proof of identification (driver’s license, voter registration, etc.)
Proof of Pennsylvania residency for last five (5) years

Contact: Ra-eg@pa.gov (Please do not send completed applications or personally identifiable information over e-mail.)

Pennsylvania National Guard Education Assistance Program

For more information, visit the following website: https://www.pa.ng.mil/education/Military-Family-Education-Program/

The Military Family Education Program offers up to 10 semesters free college at a state school for families of National Guard members who execute a six-year contract. You cannot use the same six-year contract for both the National Guard Education Assistance Program and the Military Family Education Program.

The member can assign the entire benefit to one dependent or a portion of the benefit to more than one dependent.

Contact:

Education Services Office

Bldg. 9-54, Fort Indiantown Gap

Annville, PA 17003

Phone: 717-861-2434

Pennsylvania Veteran Employment Benefits

Veterans’ Preference For State Jobs

For more information, visit the following website:

https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional Info/Veterans Preference/Pages/default.aspx

Honorably discharged veterans who served on active duty after Aug. 2, 1990, spouses of disabled veterans, and surviving spouses of disabled veterans can get 10 additional points on their test scores for state employment.

State Retirement

For more information, visit the following websites:

https://www.scsc.pa.gov/veterans/Pages/default.aspx

https://sers.pa.gov/pdf/FactSheet_PurchaseOfService.pdf

Honorably discharged veterans employed by the commonwealth for at least three years may be eligible to purchase retirement credit for active-duty military time.

Pennsylvania Veteran Recreation Benefits

Hunting/Fishing/Trapping License for Disabled Veterans

For more information, visit the following website:

https://www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/LicensesandPermits/Pages/LicenseTypes.aspx

Wartime veterans with 100% disability may be eligible for free hunting/fishing/trapping licenses.Veterans with a 60 – 99% disability can get reduced fee licenses. Application can be made at your county treasurer.

There are a variety of different hunting/trapping licenses available for Disabled Veterans. We recommend contacting the game commission or visiting the website listed above to see which one best applies.

Free Lifetime Fishing License for 100% Disabled Veterans

For more information, visit the following website:

https://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/FishingLicense/Pages/BuyAFishingLicense.aspx

100% Permanent and Totally disabled veterans can qualify for a free lifetime fishing license.
To qualify for a free fishing license, an applicant must:

Be a bona fide resident of Pennsylvania; And qualify as one of the following:
Have a disability incurred in any war or armed conflict consisting of (a) loss of one or more limbs; (b) loss of use of one or more limbs; or (c) total blindness.

Be 100% disabled as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

A Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie Permit will be issued free of charge to disabled veterans who qualify for free fishing licenses. This “combo” stamp is valid as a trout/salmon stamp and Lake Erie permit.

Free or reduced fishing licenses can be obtained from county treasurers, the Fish and Boat Commission’s Harrisburg office or the six regional law enforcement offices.