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Veterans Benefits in New York

13 benefit programs available in New York.

Healthcare

New York State Veterans Homes — Skilled Nursing

Subsidized skilled nursing care

New York operates five state veterans homes providing skilled nursing care, medical services, vision care, dental care, and social/wellness programs in Oxford, Batavia, Montrose, Queens (St. Albans), and Stony Brook.

Agency: New York State Department of Veterans Services

Note: Five homes across NY. Must have entered active duty from NY or been a NYS resident for 1 year prior to application. Provides medical, vision, and dental services.

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Education

NY State Regents Awards for Children of Veterans

Up to $450 per year

Provides annual awards for children of veterans who died in service, were classified as missing in action or prisoner of war, or received a 40% or greater VA service-connected disability rating, applicable at NY colleges and universities.

Agency: New York Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)

Note: For children of veterans who died, are MIA/POW, or are 40%+ disabled. Modest benefit ($450/year). Apply through HESC. Must be enrolled in approved NY postsecondary institution.

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New York Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA)

Up to full SUNY tuition per semester

Provides tuition awards for eligible wartime veterans enrolled full-time or part-time in undergraduate or graduate degree programs at NY State institutions. Awards cover up to full SUNY tuition for full-time study.

Agency: New York Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)

Note: Up to ,760/year for full-time. NOT available if Post-9/11 GI Bill (Ch.33) or Yellow Ribbon covers tuition. Only partial Ch.33 recipients may receive partial VTA. Total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance. Contact HESC for details.

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Housing

New York SONYMA Homes for Veterans Program

Up to $15,000 down payment assistance

Down payment assistance up to the greater of $3,000 or 3% of the home purchase price (not to exceed $15,000) for eligible veterans purchasing a home in New York through the State of New York Mortgage Agency.

Agency: State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA)

Note: Greater of $3,000 or 3% of purchase price, capped at $15,000. Can be combined with VA home loan guarantee.

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Employment

NY Veterans Division Counseling & Employment Services

New York provides free employment counseling, resume assistance, and job placement services to veterans through Division of Veterans Services career centers.

Agency: New York State Division of Veterans Services

Note: Free career counseling, resume assistance, and job placement. Walk-in at any DVS regional office. Also provides free claims assistance — NY VSOs have some of the highest claim success rates nationally.

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New York Civil Service Veterans Preference Points

5-10 additional exam points

Non-disabled veterans receive 5 points on open-competitive and 2.5 on promotion exams; disabled veterans receive 10 points on open-competitive and 5 on promotion exams for state and local government employment.

Agency: New York State Department of Civil Service

Note: Disabled veterans: 10 points open-competitive, 5 points promotion. Non-disabled: 5 and 2.5. Must claim preference at time of exam application.

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Financial

New York Supplemental Burial Allowance

Up to $6,000

Provides up to $6,000 to surviving family members of qualifying veterans to cover burial and funeral expenses not otherwise paid by the federal government.

Agency: New York State Department of Veterans Services

Note: Veteran must be a NYS resident at time of death or a member of NY National Guard when entering active duty.

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New York Blind Veterans Annuity

$1,695.96 per year ($141.33/month)

Annual annuity of $1,395.36 ($116.28 monthly) to legally blind wartime veterans or surviving un-remarried spouses domiciled in New York State. Blindness need not be service-connected.

Agency: New York State Department of Veterans Services

Note: Blindness need NOT be service-connected. Must be a wartime veteran and legally blind. Surviving un-remarried spouses also eligible.

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Tax

New York Eligible Funds Property Tax Exemption

Exemption on property value from eligible funds

Veterans who purchase property using pension, bonus, or insurance funds may receive an exemption on the portion of property value attributable to those funds.

Agency: New York Department of Taxation and Finance / Local Assessor

Note: Separate from the Alternative Veterans Exemption. Applies to property purchased with VA pension, bonus, or insurance funds. File with local assessor before taxes are due.

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New York Veterans Property Tax Exemption

Up to 15% reduction in assessed value

New York offers alternative veterans property tax exemptions based on service during wartime, with additional reductions for combat veterans and those with disabilities.

Agency: New York Department of Taxation and Finance / Local AssessorDeadline: March 1 (Taxable Status Date) in most NY municipalities

Note: Three-tier exemption: (1) wartime service 15%, (2) combat zone additional 10%, (3) disability additional based on rating. Municipalities must opt in. Apply at local assessor office by March 1 (Taxable Status Date).

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Transportation

New York Disabled Veterans Vehicle Registration Exemption

Free registration, plates, and Thruway tolls

Disabled veterans who receive a vehicle from the VA or qualify under Federal Title 38 are exempt from vehicle registration and plate fees. Qualifying veterans also receive free unlimited travel on the NY State Thruway.

Agency: New York State DMV / NY State Thruway Authority

Note: Eligible under Federal Title 38, Part III, Chapter 39. Includes MOH and former POW plate holders. Thruway Authority offers free unlimited travel for qualifying disabled veterans.

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Recreation

New York Reduced-Fee Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans

$5 for all three licenses (hunting, fishing, trapping)

Resident veterans with a 40% or greater service-connected disability receive hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses at $5 each. Purchasing one entitles the veteran to the other two for free.

Agency: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

Note: Must be NYS resident with 40%+ VA disability. $5 for one license; buying one gets the other two free. Part of the Patriot Plan.

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New York Empire Pass and Lifetime Liberty Pass for Veterans

Free or discounted state park access

Qualifying veterans may earn a free Empire Pass waiving vehicle fees at state parks. Eligible veterans and Gold Star Families may also apply for a Lifetime Liberty Pass providing discounted access and waived vehicle fees.

Agency: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Note: Empire Pass waives vehicle use fees at state parks, DEC day-use areas, arboretums, and boat launches. Lifetime Liberty Pass for veterans and Gold Star Families.

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