Pennsylvania offers various benefits for veterans. On this page, you’ll find a concise overview of each of these benefits.
Pennsylvania Veterans Homes
Pennsylvania operates six veterans homes located in Erie, Hollidaysburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, and Spring City. Eligibility for admission is open to honorably discharged Pennsylvania residents and their spouses. Monthly payments are determined based on the resident’s financial capacity.
Pennsylvania Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Active-duty pay earned outside of the state is exempt from taxes.
Military retirement pay and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are also tax-exempt.
Military Family Relief Assistance Program
Emergency financial aid for eligible Pennsylvania service members and their qualifying family members is granted when facing direct and immediate financial hardships due to uncontrollable circumstances. The maximum grant available is $3,500.
Veterans Temporary Assistance
Pennsylvania offers temporary financial aid to veterans and their un-remarried surviving spouses to cover essential needs such as food, shelter, fuel, and clothing.
Applicants must demonstrate an urgent and immediate requirement for temporary support to ensure their and their families’ basic living needs are met.
The assistance provided cannot exceed $1,600 within a 12-month timeframe.
Real Estate Tax Exemption
Pennsylvania grants property tax exemptions on homes for honorably discharged resident veterans with a 100% disability from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and wartime service. However, income restrictions apply. Additionally, surviving spouses who have not remarried may qualify for this exemption as well.
Blind Veterans Pension
Veterans who were honorably discharged and have experienced blindness or severe vision loss due to a service-connected injury or disease are eligible for a monthly pension of $150.
Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension
Veterans who were honorably discharged and have suffered a service-connected injury or disease resulting in the loss or loss of use of two or more extremities (arms/hands or legs/feet) are eligible for a monthly pension of $150.
Pennsylvania Education Benefits
Pennsylvania Veterans Educational Gratuity
Children of individuals who died during military service or became permanently and totally disabled due to military service are entitled to receive up to $500 per semester for a period of four years. Eligible children must be between the ages of 16 and 23 years.
Pennsylvania National Guard Education Assistance Program
The Pennsylvania National Guard Education Assistance Program provides National Guard members who fulfill a six-year contract with the opportunity to receive up to 10 semesters of tuition-free education at a state institution.
Military Family Education Program
The Military Family Education Program provides families of National Guard members, who commit to a six-year contract, with the opportunity to receive up to 10 semesters of tuition-free education at a state institution. It’s important to note that the same six-year contract cannot be utilized for both the National Guard Education Assistance Program and the Military Family Education Program.
Pennsylvania Veteran Employment Benefits
Veterans’ Preference For State Jobs
Honorably discharged veterans who served on active duty after August 2, 1990, as well as spouses of disabled veterans and surviving spouses of disabled veterans, are eligible to receive a 10-point addition to their test scores for state employment.
State Retirement
Veterans honorably discharged and employed by the commonwealth for a minimum of three years may qualify to acquire retirement credit for their active-duty military service.
Pennsylvania Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing/Trapping License for Disabled Veterans
Veterans with 100% disability from wartime service may qualify for complimentary hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses. Those with disabilities ranging from 60% to 99% can obtain licenses at a reduced fee. Applications can be submitted at your county treasurer’s office.
Active Duty Hunting and Fishing
Residents on leave are exempt from needing a fishing license and are eligible for a reduced-fee hunting license.
Nonresidents stationed in Pennsylvania can obtain a fishing license at the resident rate.
