Pennsylvania Veterans Benefits

Full exemption from real estate (property) tax on a veteran's principal dwelling. Requires an honorable discharge, a 100% PERMANENT and total service-connected disability rating from the VA (or blindness, paraplegia, or loss of two or more limbs from military service), wartime service, PA residency, and a demonstrated financial need. As of Jan 1, 2025 the presumptive need (income) level was raised to $114,637, and a new law excludes all veterans benefits from the income assessment. Surviving spouses may continue to qualify. Apply through the County Director of Veterans Affairs.

Pennsylvania does not tax military retirement pay. Per the PA Personal Income Tax Guide, retired/retainer pay of a member or former member of a uniformed service calculated under Chapter 71 of Title 10 U.S.C. is exempt from PA PIT. PA also does not tax VA disability compensation. No rating threshold applies.

Provides financial assistance for higher education (college, trade school, apprenticeship in PA) to children of honorably discharged wartime veterans who have a service-connected TOTAL and PERMANENT (100%) disability, or whose veteran parent died in service during a period of war/armed conflict. Child must be age 16-23, a PA resident for 5 years prior, attend a PA school, and demonstrate financial need. Up to $500 per term for up to 8 terms ($4,000 total) per child.

Under the PA Veterans' Preference Act (51 Pa.C.S. §§7101-7111), a qualifying veteran who passes a civil service appointment examination for a Commonwealth position receives an additional 10 points added to the final examination score for hiring eligibility. Preference applies to initial appointments, not to promotions or internal postings.

PennDOT issues Disabled Veteran and Severely Disabled Veteran special registration plates to qualifying veterans (application form MV-371DV). The Severely Disabled Veteran plate corresponds to a 100% service-connected disability certified by the VA. Provides distinctive plates and, for severely disabled veterans, ties to the free-registration benefit.

A severely disabled veteran with a 100% service-connected disability certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may receive free registration for one qualifying passenger vehicle or light-duty truck. The veteran applies via PennDOT/DMV (form MV-145V). Note: standard license plate fees may still apply for specialty plates; the registration fee is what is waived.

The PA Fish and Boat Commission issues a free fishing license to veterans with a 100% service-connected disability (documented by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs); a reduced-fee license is available at lower disability levels. A Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit is issued free to those who qualify for the free license. Obtained through county treasurers, the Fish & Boat Commission Harrisburg office, or regional offices.

Pennsylvania issues a free Resident Disabled Veteran (DV) hunting and furtaker license to veterans with a 100% service-connected disability (VA certification of 100% physical disability or 100%/total compensation). The disability must be service-related and incurred during a war or armed conflict. Issued by county treasurers, PA Game Commission offices, and online.

DMVA operates six veterans' homes — Philadelphia, Scranton (Gino J. Merli), Hollidaysburg, Erie, Spring City (Southeastern), and Pittsburgh (Southwestern) — providing skilled nursing, personal care, and domiciliary care. Eligibility: honorably discharged veteran (or eligible spouse/surviving spouse) who was a bona fide PA resident with home of record in PA upon entry into service. Residents make monthly maintenance-fee payments based on ability to pay; admission is first-come, first-served. No minimum disability rating required.

A monthly state pension of $150 for veterans with a service-connected injury resulting in the loss or loss of use of two or more extremities, or paralysis (paraplegia/hemiplegia/quadriplegia), incurred during military service. Administered by DMVA; apply through the County Director of Veterans Affairs.

A monthly state pension of $150 for veterans who are blind as a result of (or with blindness existing during) wartime military service. Administered by DMVA; apply through the County Director of Veterans Affairs.

Grant assistance for PA-resident service members (and certain family members) who serve 30+ consecutive days of active duty and have a direct and immediate financial need resulting from circumstances beyond their control. Administered by DMVA.

Provides temporary financial assistance of up to $1,600 in a 12-month period to PA-resident veterans and their beneficiaries for the necessities of life (food, shelter, fuel, clothing) during a financial hardship. Administered by DMVA; apply through the County Director of Veterans Affairs.