The commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides several veteran benefits. This page explains those benefits.
Pennsylvania Veterans Homes
Pennsylvania runs six veterans homes. The homes are in Erie, Hollidaysburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, and Spring City. Honorably discharged Pennsylvania residents as well as their spouses may be eligible for admission.
Monthly payments are based on the resident's ability to pay.
Pennsylvania Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Active-duty pay earned out of state is tax-free.
Military retirement pay and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are tax-free.
Military Family Relief Assistance Program
Emergency financial assistance for eligible Pennsylvania service members and their eligible family members requires a direct and immediate financial need as a result of circumstances beyond their control. The maximum grant amount is $5,000.
Veterans Temporary Assistance
Pennsylvania may provide temporary financial assistance to veterans and their un-remarried surviving spouses for the necessities of life (food, shelter, fuel and clothing).
Recipients must show a direct and immediate need for temporary assistance in order to provide themselves and their families with shelter and the necessities of living.
The assistance can't exceed $1,600 in a 12-month period.
Real Estate Tax Exemption
Any honorably discharged Pennsylvania resident veteran with a 100% U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 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.
Blind Veterans Pension
A pension of $150 per month is for honorably discharged veterans who suffered a service-connected injury or disease that resulted in blindness or severe loss of vision.
Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension
A pension of $150 per month is for honorably discharged veterans who suffered a service-connected injury or disease that resulted in the loss, or loss of use of, two or more extremities (arms/hands or legs/feet).
Pennsylvania Education Benefits
Pennsylvania Veterans Educational Gratuity
Children of those who died in service or are permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service are eligible for up to $500 per semester for four years. The children must be between ages 16 and 23 years.
Pennsylvania National Guard Education Assistance Program
The Pennsylvania National Guard Education Assistance Program offers up to 10 semesters of free college at a state institution for National Guard members who execute a six-year contract.
Military Family Education Program
The Military Family Education Program offers up to 10 semesters of free college at a state institution 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.
Pennsylvania Veteran Employment Benefits
Veterans' Preference For State Jobs
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
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
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.
Active Duty Hunting and Fishing
Residents home on leave don't need a fishing license; and they can get a reduced-fee hunting license.
Nonresidents stationed in Pennsylvania can get a fishing license for the resident rate.
Learn more about the other Pennsylvania Bureau of Veterans' Affairs Benefits.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
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