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Veterans Benefits in Pennsylvania

13 benefit programs available in Pennsylvania.

Healthcare

Pennsylvania State Veterans Homes — Long-Term Care

Subsidized long-term care

Pennsylvania operates six state veterans homes providing skilled nursing care, personal care, and dementia/memory care to eligible veterans and spouses at subsidized rates. Locations in Hollidaysburg, Erie, Pittsburgh, Scranton, Spring City, and Southeast PA.

Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA)

Note: Six homes across PA. Must be honorably discharged and a PA resident. Spouses may also be eligible.

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Education

Pennsylvania Educational Gratuity for Veterans' Dependents

Free tuition at PA state schools

Provides free tuition at Pennsylvania state schools for children of veterans who died or are permanently disabled as a result of service-connected causes.

Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA)

Note: For dependents of deceased or permanently disabled PA veterans. Covers tuition at PA state-owned schools (14 universities in PA State System of Higher Education). Apply through DMVA.

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Pennsylvania National Guard Education Assistance Program (EAP)

Up to 10 semesters of free tuition

Provides up to 10 semesters of free tuition at Pennsylvania state-owned or state-related institutions for PA National Guard members who execute a six-year contract.

Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA)

Note: Can be used concurrently with GI Bill and Federal TA. State pays tuition at PA schools; GI Bill provides housing allowance and book stipend. One of the few state programs confirmed for simultaneous use.

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Employment

Pennsylvania Veterans Preference in Hiring

Veterans receive point preferences when applying for Pennsylvania state government positions. Disabled veterans receive an additional advantage in the hiring process.

Agency: Pennsylvania State Civil Service Commission

Note: 10-point preference for disabled veterans; additional points for combat-decorated veterans. Applies to all state civil service positions. Must claim preference at time of application.

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Financial

Pennsylvania Blind Veterans Pension

$150 per month

Monthly pension of $150 to veterans who lost their vision due to a service-connected injury or disease, with visual acuity of 3/60 or 10/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses.

Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA)

Note: Must have been a PA resident at time of entering military service. Blindness must be service-connected.

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Pennsylvania Veterans Temporary Assistance (VTA)

Up to $1,600 per year

Provides emergency financial assistance of up to $1,600 within a 12-month period to eligible veterans and their dependents for necessities of life including food, shelter, fuel, and clothing.

Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA)

Note: Must demonstrate direct and immediate need. Contact County Director of Veterans Affairs to apply.

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Pennsylvania Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP)

Up to $5,000 grant

Provides emergency financial grants of up to $5,000 to eligible Pennsylvania service members and their families facing financial hardship as a result of military service. Grants do not need to be repaid.

Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA)

Note: Covers sudden loss of income, emergency childcare, disaster-related necessities, or death/illness of close family member. Non-repayable grant.

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Pennsylvania Paralyzed and Amputee Veterans Pension

$150 per month

Monthly pension of $150 to veterans who lost or lost the use of two or more extremities due to service-connected injury or disease, with at least a 40% disability rating in each affected limb.

Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA)

Note: Must have been a PA resident when entering service. Requires loss or loss of use of 2+ extremities with at least 40% VA disability in each limb.

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Tax

Pennsylvania Military Retirement Pay Tax Exemption

Full exemption of military retirement income from state tax

All military retirement pay, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), and Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) annuities are fully exempt from Pennsylvania state income tax.

Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Revenue

Note: Military retired pay, SBP, RCSBP, and RSFPP annuities are all excluded from PA taxable income. Also excludes disability retirement pay.

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Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans

Full property tax exemption

Permanently and totally disabled veterans may receive a full real estate tax exemption on their primary residence, subject to income limitations.

Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Revenue / County Board of Assessment

Note: Must be 100% P&T disabled. Income limits apply for some programs. Apply at county Board of Assessment Appeals. Surviving spouses may continue exemption if unremarried.

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Transportation

Pennsylvania Disabled Veterans Free Vehicle Registration

Free vehicle registration and title fees

Veterans who lost a limb or eye or became partially paralyzed while serving are eligible for free vehicle registration and title fees. Severely disabled veterans receive special license plates with parking privileges.

Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)

Note: DV plates available. SDV plates include permanent disabled parking privileges for qualifying 100% disabled veterans. Use form MV-145V.

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Recreation

Pennsylvania Free Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans

Free licenses (100% disabled) or reduced cost (60-99%)

Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability receive free resident hunting, fishing, and fur-trapping licenses. Veterans rated 60% to 99% disabled receive licenses at reduced cost.

Agency: Pennsylvania Game Commission / PA Fish & Boat Commission

Note: Apply at county treasurer office. 100% disabled get free hunting, fishing, and fur-trapping. 60-99% get reduced-cost licenses.

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Other

Pennsylvania Veterans Cemetery Burial Benefits

Free burial plot, marker, and perpetual care

Pennsylvania operates state veterans cemeteries providing free burial plots, grave markers, and perpetual care to eligible veterans and their spouses.

Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA)

Note: The PA Soldiers and Sailors Cemetery has over 1,300 gravesites. Additional national cemeteries at Indiantown Gap and Washington Crossing. Spouses may be interred with the veteran.

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