State Programs
- Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension (APVP)
- Blind Veteran’s Pension
- Driver’s License Designation
- Education Gratuity
- Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP)
- Disabled Veteran’s Real Estate Tax Exemption (RETX)
- Pennsylvania National Guard Records
- Veteran’s Registration Plates
- Pennsylvania Veteran’s Homes
- Veteran’s Temporary Assistance (VTA)
We assist Veterans and their dependents in obtaining benefits offered by the Commonwealth to which they may be entitled. Review the Pennsylvania State Benefits Booklet for eligibility information and a detailed explanation of available benefits. Most state benefits are required to be initiated and completed by the county Veterans Affairs office. Please see the list below of state benefits. Please contact our office for questions or assistance.
Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension (APVP)
Through this program, eligible Veterans receive a monthly pension of $150.
Eligibility:
- Served in the military honorably
- Resident of PA upon entering the military
- Suffered a service-connected injury or disease resulting in the loss or loss of use of two or more extremities
- At least 40% disability compensation rating or higher in each limb as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Blind Veteran’s Pension
Provides for a pension of $150 per month.
Eligibility:
- Served in the military honorably
- Resident of Pennsylvania upon entering the military
- Suffered a service-related injury or incurred a disease which resulted in loss of vision:
- Visual acuity with the best correcting lens is 3/60 or 10/200 or equivalent, or less normal vision in the better eye
- Includes circumstances where the widest diameter of the visual field of the better eye has contracted to an angular distance of not greater than 20ºBVP
Driver’s License Designation
Qualified applicants for a Veterans Designation on their Driver's License or Identification Card include those who have received a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty/DD214 or equivalent for service in the United States Armed Forces, including a reserve component or the National Guard.
There is no fee for the Veterans Designation; however qualified applicants must pay any initial issuance; renewal or duplicate Driver's License or ID fees.
Once the Veterans Designation has been added to your license or ID, it will automatically appear each time your license or ID is renewed.
DL-80 Non-Commercial Driver’s License
Our office does not process Driver’s Licenses. Please click here for more information.
Education Gratuity
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides financial assistance (up to $500 per term/semester up to eight semesters) to children of honorably discharged Veterans who have service-connected disabilities and served during a period of war or armed conflict or children of Veterans who die or died in service during a period of war or armed conflict.
Veteran Eligibility:
- Died in service during a period of war or armed conflict, or
- Honorable Discharge
- Served during established war service dates as determined by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
- Veteran must have a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
Child Eligibility:
- Must be between the ages of 16 and 23, living within Pennsylvania five years prior to application and must attend an approved school within the state
- Applicant must demonstrate a financial need
Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP)
Provides emergency financial assistance to eligible PA service members and their eligible family members, and must have a direct and immediate financial need as a result of circumstances beyond their control.
Eligibility:
The program applies to Pennsylvania residents who:
- Serve 30 or more consecutive days of active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces or its reserve components
- Serve 30 or more consecutive days of active duty or state active duty in the PA Army or Air National Guard
- Are a member in good standing of any reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the PA National Guard, for a period of three years after release from a tour of active duty, authorized under Title 10 or Title 32, U.S. Code (other than active duty for training), of 30 or more consecutive days duration, when the need for assistance is directly related to the member’s performance of active duty
- Are a member in good standing of the PA National Guard for a period of three years after release from a tour of state active duty of 30 or more consecutive days duration, when the need for assistance is directly related to the member’s performance of state active duty
- Are a former member of the U.S. Armed Forces of the United States or its reserve components, including the PA National Guard for a period of four years after a medical discharge for a medical disability incurred in Line of Duty and the reasons arising to the discharge did not exist prior to the member’s military service, and meets the other requirements as shown in the Guidelines, Para 4 v. 1 through 6
Disabled Veteran’s Real Estate Tax Exemption (RETX)
Any honorably discharged Veteran who is a resident of Pennsylvania shall be exempt from the payment of all real estate taxes levied upon any building, including up to five acres of land upon which it stands, provided that all eligibility criteria is met.
Eligibility:
- Must be a resident of Pennsylvania
- Honorable Discharge
- Served during established war service dates as determined by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs • Must be blind or paraplegic or has sustained the loss of two or more limbs, or has a service-connected disability declared by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs to be a total or 100% permanent disability
- Dwelling is owned solely by the Veteran or as an estate in the entirety
- Veteran must occupy the real estate as his/her principal dwelling
- Veteran must demonstrate a financial need
- Upon the death of a qualified Veteran, tax exemption may pass on to the unmarried surviving spouse if financial need can be shown.
Pennsylvania National Guard Records
Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard maintain a state file of service after 1985. Information from these state files varies but should include records of enlistment, discharge, and other administrative actions. Our office can assist the Veteran or next of kin of a deceased Veteran to obtain copies of available information.
The Pennsylvania State Archives maintains evidence of service for Pennsylvania Military units during the period 1775-1985.
Veteran’s Registration Plates
The below fact sheet outlines each U.S. Military registration plate available and required documentation needed to qualify for them.
U.S. Military Registration Plates Fact Sheet
Our office does not process registration plates. Please click here for more information.
Pennsylvania Veteran’s Homes
Pennsylvania offers its eligible Veterans or surviving spouses’ residency in one of the six extended-care facilities throughout the state. The varying levels of care provided include personal care, skilled nursing care, and memory care.
Eligibility:
- Honorable Discharge
- Served in the U.S. or PA Armed Forces
- Resident at time of entry or current resident of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Veterans Homes provide residents with the care and support they need to live an active and healthy life with as much independence as possible. The Veterans Homes offer levels of care tailored to the specific health needs of our residents and are supplemented with an array of clinical services that include: medical, clinical, and nursing services; drug and nutritional therapy; rehabilitative services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and recreational therapy; dental services; and social services. Below are the specific levels of care available at each Veterans Home.
Levels of Care Defined
Domiciliary Care
Provides shelter, food, and medical care to veterans who are suffering from a disability, disease, or defect that incapacitates them from earning a living, but who are not in need of nursing care services.
Memory Care
Provides residents suffering from Alzheimer's disease or related dementias with long-term care in a safe and secure environment.
Personal Care
Ideal for individuals who need minimal assistance with bathing, dressing, laundry, medication administration and appointment management.
Skilled Nursing Care
Around-the-clock care is provided for residents with moderate to full assistance with their daily needs.
Available to All Residents
Available to all residents are medical, clinical, and nursing services; drug and nutritional therapy; rehabilitative service such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and recreational therapy; dental services; social services; laundry; transportation; housekeeping; maintenance; security; fiscal management; and other related services.
For more information about PA Veterans Homes, request information, or apply for residency visit the here.
Veteran’s Temporary Assistance (VTA)
Provides temporary financial aid to Veterans and their beneficiaries who reside in Pennsylvania for the necessities of life (food, shelter, fuel, clothing, and medical expenses). If eligible, a Veteran or their beneficiary can qualify for an amount not to exceed $1,600 in a twelve-month period.
Eligibility:
- Must be a resident of Pennsylvania
- Must demonstrate a financial need
- Must show either a loss of income or increase in expenses that renders the applicant temporarily unable to provide themselves with the necessities of living
- Must have a discharge of Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions after a period of active duty, other than active duty for training or has a service-connected disability rating as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Surviving Dependent Eligibility:
- Upon the recent death of a Veteran, their unmarried spouse is eligible provided the Veteran would have qualified prior to his/ her death
- Death Certificate for the Veteran must be included with the application
- Must provide marriage certificate for spouse, birth certificate for children, and the Veteran’s birth certificate for parents