Veteran Benefits for Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania Taxes on Military Retired Pay: Military retired pay is not taxable in Pennsylvania.

  Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) does not withhold taxes for state or local income tax, but it is reported annually on IRS Form 1099-R. All TSP distributions are subject to state taxes, and early distributions may incur higher taxes.

• Pennsylvania Taxes on Military Pay: Military Pay earned by a resident Service member while residing in Pennsylvania is taxed. Military pay received when a Service member serves on federal active duty or federal active duty for training outside Pennsylvania is not taxable.

  Military pay earned in a combat or hazardous duty area is offered the same additional time to file and make payments as is allowed for federal income tax purposes. The deadline is automatically extended to 180 days from the last day of service or the last day of continuous hospitalization for an injury incurred in one of these areas.

• Pennsylvania Taxes on Differential Pay for Reserve Component Service Members: Pennsylvania taxes the difference between military pay and regular wages when an employer compensates a reserve component Service member. However, differential pay is not taxed for Service members serving active duty in a combat zone or hazardous duty area.
• Pennsylvania Taxes on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Military Disability Retirement Pay: Military Disability Retirement Pay received as a pension, annuity, or similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces should not be included in taxable income. Some of the payments that are considered disability benefits include:
  • Disability compensation and pension payments for disabilities paid to Veterans or their families
  • Grants for homes designed for wheelchair living
  • Grants for motor vehicles for Veterans who lost their sight or the use of limbs or
  • Benefits under a dependent-care assistance program
• Pennsylvania State Taxes on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of Service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.
• Military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)/ Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP)/ Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan (RSFPP) Pennsylvania State Tax Benefits: SBP, RCSBP, and RSFPP annuities are not taxed in Pennsylvania.
  • Received an Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions discharge
  • Served during established war service dates or received an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
  • Has a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating from the VA, or blind, paralyzed, or lost two or more limbs due to military service
  • Pennsylvania resident
  • Must occupy the property as their principal home
  • Home is owned solely by the Veteran or as an entire estate.
  • Un-remarried surviving spouses of eligible Veterans can continue to receive the property tax exemption if they demonstrate a financial need.
  • Applicants must demonstrate they have a financial need. An applicant whose gross annual income is not more than $108,046 is considered to have a financial need. Applicants whose gross annual income exceeds $108,046 are considered to have a financial need for the exemption when their allowable monthly expenses exceed monthly household income.Pennsylvania Disabled Veterans’ Real Estate Tax Exemption: Pennsylvania provides a real estate tax exemption for honorably discharged, resident Veterans who are 100% disabled and have a financial need.

    Who is eligible for a Pennsylvania Disabled Veterans’ Real Estate Tax Exemption? To be eligible for the exemption, the Veteran must meet the following requirements:

Sales Tax:

• Statewide: 6.0%
• Counties: can levy an additional sales tax of no more than 2.0%
• Current average sales tax: 6.34%

Recreation

• Free Pennsylvania Fishing License for Severely Disabled Veterans: Severely disabled Veterans may be eligible for a free annual Pennsylvania fishing license.
• Discounted Pennsylvania Fishing License for Disabled Veterans: Partially disabled Veterans may be eligible for an annual Pennsylvania fishing license for $2.97.
• Discounted Pennsylvania Fishing License for Former Prisoners of War (POWs): Former POWs are eligible for a discounted annual Pennsylvania fishing license for $2.97.
• Free Fishing License for Deployed Reserve Component Service Members: Pennsylvania offers a free fishing license to recently deployed reserve component Service members. Only one license may be issued for each qualifying deployment.
• Pennsylvania Resident Service Members Stationed outside Pennsylvania may Fish without a License: Active duty resident Service members stationed outside Pennsylvania can legally fish without a license while home on leave.

  Which Pennsylvania Resident Service Members Stationed outside Pennsylvania may Fish without a License? To be eligible, Service members must meet the following requirements:

  • Pennsylvania resident
  • Serving on active duty
  • Stationed outside Pennsylvania
  • In Pennsylvania, on authorized leave

  While fishing, the Service member must carry proof of Pennsylvania residency, military ID, and leave papers showing duty assignment and leave status.

• Resident Fishing Privileges for Nonresident Active Duty Service Members Stationed in Pennsylvania: Nonresident Service members who are stationed in Pennsylvania under permanent change of station orders for six months or more can purchase a fishing license for the resident price.
• Free Pennsylvania Resident Disabled Veteran Hunting and Fur taker Licenses: The Pennsylvania Game Commission offers free annual hunting and fur takers licenses to eligible disabled Veterans.
• Pennsylvania Resident Reduced Disabled Veteran Hunting and Furtakers Licenses: Resident Veterans who have a service-connected disability rating from the VA, between 60% and 99%, due to injuries or illness they received during a war or armed conflict can purchase a hunting or .furtakers license for $2.97 each.

  The first free license can be purchased from County Treasurers or a Pennsylvania Game Commission Office. After receiving their initial license, Veterans can renew their license at any license-issuing agent or online.

• Pennsylvania Resident Service Members Stationed Outside Pennsylvania may Purchase Reduced Cost Hunting Licenses: Resident active duty Service members stationed outside Pennsylvania can purchase reduced fee hunting licenses for $2.97.

  This license includes one antlered deer tag, one fall turkey tag, one spring turkey tag, and small game hunting privileges for one license year.

• Reduced Fee Pennsylvania Hunting Licenses for Reserve Component Service Members: National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Service members who recently returned from a deployment can purchase general hunting licenses for $2.97. Only one license may be issued for each qualifying deployment.

  This license includes one antlered deer tag, one fall turkey tag, one spring turkey tag, and small game hunting privileges for one license year.

• Reduced Fee Pennsylvania Hunting Licenses for Former Prisoners of War (POWs): Resident former POWs can purchase reduced annual hunting licenses for $2.97.

  Who is eligible for Reduced Fee Pennsylvania Hunting Licenses for Former POWs: Reduced fee general hunting licenses are available to Pennsylvania residents who were declared POWs.

  Applicants must provide a copy of orders showing they received the Prisoner of War Medal, their DD214 stating POW status, and proof of residency. This license is available only at County Treasurers and Pennsylvania Game Commission Offices.

• Pennsylvania Resident U.S. Armed Forces Antlerless Deer Licenses: Resident active duty Service members serving in the U.S. Armed Forces can purchase one Antlerless Deer license for $6.97 each year.

  Who is eligible for the Pennsylvania Resident U.S. Armed Forces Antlerless Deer Licenses? To be eligible, service members must be Pennsylvania residents serving full-time active duty or within 60 days of receiving an honorable discharge. Service members are not required to be stationed outside of Pennsylvania. Service members in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces called to full-time federal active duty are eligible to apply.

• Pennsylvania Resident Disabled Veteran Antlerless Deer Licenses: Resident disabled Veterans can purchase one Antlerless Deer license for $6.97 each year.

  Who is eligible for Pennsylvania Resident Disabled Veteran Antlerless Deer Licenses? To qualify for a reduced fee Disabled Veteran Antlerless Deer License, Veterans must be a resident of Pennsylvania, have a disability incurred in war or armed conflict, and meet one of the following requirements:

  • Loss of, or the loss of use of one or more limbs
  • 100% disability rating as certified by the VA

  · Individually unemployable and compensated at the 100% rate by the VA

Pennsylvania Military & Veteran Miscellaneous Benefits

• Pennsylvania Veterans Temporary Assistance: The Veterans Temporary Assistance Program provides temporary financial aid in an emergency to Veterans and their Surviving spouses who live in Pennsylvania. A Veteran or their Surviving Spouse can qualify for up to $1,600 in twelve months if eligible.

  Who is eligible for Pennsylvania Veterans Temporary Assistance? Applicants must be a Pennsylvania resident who served in the U.S. Armed Forces or their un-remarried Surviving spouse. Veterans must meet the following requirements:

  • Served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (other than for training) and received a discharge under honorable conditions (must provide a copy of their DD214 or other documentation as proof of eligibility) or
  • Died while serving on active duty or
  • Suffered a service-connected disability as certified by the VA
• Pennsylvania Blind Veterans Pension: Pennsylvania provides eligible blind Veterans a pension of $150 per month.

  Who is eligible for Pennsylvania Blind Veterans Pension? To be eligible for the Pennsylvania Blind Veterans Pension, Veterans must meet the following requirements:

  • Received an honorable discharge
  • A resident of Pennsylvania when they entered the U.S. Armed Forces
  • Suffered a service-connected injury or disease which resulted in loss of vision:
    • Visual acuity with correcting lens is 3/60 or 10/200 or equivalent, or less normal vision in the better eye, or
    • Includes circumstances where the widest diameter of the visual field of the better eye has contracted to an angular distance of not greater than 20º
• Pennsylvania Amputee and Paralyzed Veteran Pension: Pennsylvania provides eligible amputees or paralyzed veterans a monthly pension of $150.

  Who is eligible for Pennsylvania Amputee and Paralyzed Veteran Pension? To qualify for the Pennsylvania Amputee and Paralyzed Veteran Pension, Veterans must meet the following requirements:

  • Received an honorable discharge
  • A resident of Pennsylvania at the time they entered the U.S. Armed Forces
  • Suffered a service-connected injury or disease resulting in the loss or loss of use of two or more extremities (arms/hands or legs/feet)
  • At least a 40% disability compensation rating (or higher) in each limb as determined by the VA
• Pennsylvania Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP): MFRAP provides financial grants to eligible resident Service members and their families. The grant amount is based on proven financial need up to $3,500. Examples of financial need include:
  • Sudden or unexpected loss of income, real or personal property, assets, or support directly related to military service, or emergencies affecting the Service member
  • Emergency need for childcare that the applicant cannot afford
  • Natural or man-made disasters resulting in a need for food, shelter, or other necessities
  • Death or critical illness of a parent, spouse, sibling, or child resulting in immediate financial need for travel, lodging, or subsistence
  • Service members outside the U.S. must seek assistance through military channels for emergency travel before applying for MFRAP assistance. The Service member must state that assistance is unavailable and why, signed by the first Lieutenant Colonel in their chain of command.
• Pennsylvania County Burial Allowance: Pennsylvania counties provide a burial allowance to eligible Veterans and their Surviving spouses. These amounts may vary by county. County burial allowances are provided whether the person died in the county or was buried in the county.
• Pennsylvania County Grave Markers: A county grave marker is provided free of charge to deceased Veterans.
• Pennsylvania Government or Private Headstones Allowance: A county headstone allowance is provided by the county where a Veteran has legal residence. The headstone allowance assists the Veteran’s family with purchasing or placing a government-provided or individually purchased headstone in a private cemetery.
• Exemption from Further Military Service and Jury Duty for some Pennsylvania National Guard Service Members: Pennsylvania National Guard Service members who served for nine years in the Pennsylvania National Guard or served for nine months or longer on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and was honorably discharged is exempt from further military service, except in case of war, invasion or insurrection.

  Pennsylvania National Guard Service members are exempt from jury duty during active service.

• Exemption from Arrest for Pennsylvania National Guard Service Members: Pennsylvania National Guard Service members may not be arrested on any warrant, except for treason or a felony, while going to, at, or returning from their place of duty.
• Recording of Discharge Certificates for Pennsylvania Veterans: U.S. Armed Forces discharge documents (Forms DD214, DD215, NGB22, etc.) are recorded free at the county seat courthouse. Each County has its procedures; check with the local County Director of Veterans Affairs office or the county courthouse for more information. Free certified copies are available for Veterans and their next of kin.
• Exemption from Civil Process for Pennsylvania National Guard Service Members: No civil process can be issued or enforced against any Service member in the Pennsylvania National Guard while on state active duty or until 30 days after they have been released from active duty.

Education Programs

• Pennsylvania “Operation Recognition” Diplomas for Wartime Veterans: “Operation Recognition” is a state law that authorizes school districts to grant a high school diploma to an honorably discharged Veteran who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War.
• Pennsylvania “Operation Recognition” Diplomas for Wartime Veterans: “Operation Recognition” is a state law that authorizes school districts to grant a high school diploma to an honorably discharged Veteran who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War.

  Who is eligible for Pennsylvania “Operation Recognition” Diplomas for Wartime Veterans? Honorably discharged veterans who left high school before graduation to serve in World War II, Korea, or Vietnam are eligible for diplomas. Veterans must have served during the following periods:

  • September 16, 1940, through December 31, 1946
  • June 27, 1950, through January 30, 1955
  • February 28, 1961, through May 7, 1975

  Eligible Veterans should contact their local school district to apply. These diplomas may be awarded posthumously.

• Pennsylvania Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program (PEGP): PEGP provides a waiver for tuition, fees, and on-campus room and board costs charged by public postsecondary institutions for the children of deceased Pennsylvania National Guard Service members. This waiver applies only to charges that remain after all other grants (federal, state, and outside scholarships) have been applied to the student’s account.
• Pennsylvania Educational Gratuity: The Pennsylvania Educational Gratuity program provides financial assistance to children of honorably discharged Veterans who have service-connected disabilities or died during established war service dates.

  The gratuity payment is $500 per term or semester for up to four scholastic years per qualified child enrolled in an approved educational institution. All payments are paid directly to the educational institution.

• Pennsylvania Educational Grant for Children of Service Members Declared a Prisoner of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA): The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Authority offers a state educational grant to the children of a Service member serving in the U.S. Armed Forces who has been declared a POW, or MIA. The maximum award amount is $1,200.
• Pennsylvania National Guard Education Assistance Program (EAP): The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Authority manage EAP for Service members who enter a six-year service commitment with the Pennsylvania National Guard.
• Pennsylvania National Guard Military Family Education Program (MFEP): The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Authority (PHEAA) administers the MEFP for dependents (spouses and children) of Pennsylvania National Guard Service members who enter an additional six-year service commitment with the Pennsylvania National Guard. The MFEP grant can be used for up to five years in a degree or certificate granting curriculum, course of study, or training program required to enter a specific career (as determined by PHEAA).

  The Pennsylvania National Guard Service member can assign the entire benefit to one dependent or a portion to more than one dependent.

  Who is eligible for the MFEP? To be eligible for MFEP, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Service member requirements: Completed National Guard initial service obligation on or after July 1, 2019, and eligible to reenlist in the Pennsylvania National Guard for six additional years
  • Family member requirements:
    • Spouse or child of a Pennsylvania National Guard Service member who has been assigned the MFEP benefit
    • Enrolled in a degree or certificate-granting program of study at an approved Pennsylvania institution
    • If the Service member fails to honor the service commitment, they must repay the total MFEP award amount, plus interest.
      • • A spouse can use the assigned MFEP benefit up to six years after the Service member’s separation from the Pennsylvania National Guard. Children must use the assigned MFEP benefit before reaching 26 years of age.
• Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Authority (PHEAA) Special Processing for Veterans for the Pennsylvania State Grant Program: PHEAA offers special processing when Veterans apply for Pennsylvania State Grants.

  PHEAA will disregard an eligible Veteran’s Expected family Contribution or any Pell award they may be eligible to receive. This means Veterans will receive the highest Pennsylvania State Grant possible based on the allowable college costs for the school they are attending. The grant amount is based on the Veteran’s financial situation and the type of school they are attending.

  Who is eligible for the Special Processing for Veterans for the Pennsylvania State Grant Program? Veterans must meet the following requirements to be eligible for special processing:

  • Served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or was a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies
  • Received an honorable discharge
  • If not a Veteran now, they must be a Veteran by June 30 of the academic year. They are requesting aid

  Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets, current cadets or midshipmen at service academies, and National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Service members who have not served on federal active duty (other than for training) are not eligible.

• Pennsylvania Residency for Tuition Purposes for Service Members, Veterans, and Dependents: Nonresident Service members serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces who are stationed in Pennsylvania and live in Pennsylvania, as well as their dependents, are authorized residency for tuition purposes at Pennsylvania public colleges and universities. Veterans using VA educational benefits or students using transferred VA educational benefits who live in Pennsylvania also qualify for residency for tuition purposes.

  In addition, Veterans are offered Priority course scheduling at Pennsylvania public colleges and universities.

• Pennsylvania Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3): The purpose of this compact is to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents by:
  • Facilitating the prompt enrollment of children of military families and ensuring that they are not placed at a disadvantage due to difficulty in the transfer of educational records from the previous school district or variations in entrance or age requirements
  • Facilitating the student placement process through which variations in attendance requirements, scheduling, sequencing, grading, course content, or assessment do not disadvantage children of military families. Facilitating the qualification and eligibility for enrollment, educational programs, and participation in extracurricular academic, athletic, and social activities
  • Facilitating the on-time graduation of children of military families
  • Providing for the enforcement of administrative rules implementing the provisions of this compact
  • Providing for the uniform collection and sharing of information between and among member states, schools, and military families under this compact
  • Promoting coordination between this compact and other compacts affecting military children
  • Promoting flexibility and cooperation between the educational system, parents, and the student to achieve educational success for the student
• Pennsylvania Purple Star School Program for Military-Friendly Schools: Recent legislation has authorized the Pennsylvania Purple Star School program for military-friendly schools. The Purple Star School program recognizes schools with a major commitment to students and families connected to the U.S. Armed Forces.
  • For a school to qualify for the Purple Star Award, they must appoint a school liaison specially trained to handle the unique challenges experienced by military families. This liaison will ensure that other teachers at their school are aware of special considerations that students from military families can benefit from. Each school will also have a dedicated page on their school website featuring resources for military families. 

Housing: The following are the sites for Veterans Homes

Pennsylvania State Veterans’ Homes: Pennsylvania offers Veterans and their Spouses six extended care facilities. The Veterans’ Homes provide domiciliary, memory, personal, and skilled nursing care.

Pennsylvania State Veterans Home at Erie

Pennsylvania State Veterans Home at Hollidaysburg

Pennsylvania State Veterans Home at Philadelphia

Pennsylvania State Veterans Home at Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania State Veterans Home at Scranton

Pennsylvania State Veterans Home at Spring City

Services provided by the Veterans’ Homes include:

• Furnished modern rooms
• Complete medical services
• Pharmacy services
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapies
• 24-hour nursing care
• Recreational activities
• Social services
• Religious services and spiritual guidance
• Barber and beauty services
• Transportation service

Who is eligible for care at a Pennsylvania State Veterans’ Home? Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for admission:

• A veteran who served in the U.S. Armed Forces or the Pennsylvania National Guard and was discharged under honorable conditions
• A resident of Pennsylvania when they entered the U.S. Armed Forces or a current resident (current residents receive priority)
• Spouse or Surviving spouse of an Eligible Veteran
• Admissions are on a first-come, first-served basis

Employment and Job Training: Veteran Preference

• Pennsylvania State Employee Paid Leave of Absence for Military Duty: State employees who are reserve component Service members are authorized 15 days of paid military leave per year for training or other military duty under orders authorized by federal or state law.
  • In addition, Pennsylvania National Guard Service members are authorized paid leave for all days when ordered to state active duty. Military leave is granted without loss of seniority or efficiency rating.

   

• Pennsylvania Employee Re-Employment following Activation for an Emergency or Military Duty: Pennsylvania reserve component Service members must be rehired to their previous position and status or a position of similar seniority, status, and pay following activation for an emergency or other required military duty.
  • If the Service member is not qualified to perform the duties of the position due to a disability they received during mobilization or deployment; they must be offered a different position of similar seniority and pay within the capabilities of the Service member.
• Pennsylvania Veterans’ Preference when Hiring for State Employment: Pennsylvania offers a Veterans’ preference when hiring for state employment. Eligible applicants receive the following preference benefits:
  • 10 points added to passing state and municipal employment examination scores
  • Preference for all appointments or promotions
  • Preference during a reduction in force

  Who is eligible for Pennsylvania Veterans’ Preference when Hiring for State Employment? Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for Veterans’ preference:

  • A service member who served in an active and reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces completed their initial service obligation and received a discharge other than dishonorable.
  • Active and reserve component Service member who served on active duty (other than for training) during any war or armed conflict and received a discharge other than dishonorable
  • Service member serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces who continues to serve
  • Active duty Service members who served at least three years are within 90 days of discharge and are projected to receive a discharge other than dishonorable.
  • Un-remarried Surviving spouse of a deceased Veteran who was eligible for preference
  • Spouse of a permanent and Disabled Veteran
• Pennsylvania State Employee Military Service Credit for State Retirement: Honorably discharged Veterans who have been a state employee for at least three years may be eligible to purchase credit for active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces.
  • Credited service determines eligibility and the amount of a state employee’s pension. The more years of credited service, the greater the maximum annual pension is at retirement, and the sooner they become eligible for retirement benefits.
• Extension of Employment Benefits During Military Duty for Reserve Component Service Members: When an employee is a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves and is ordered to federal or state duty active duty (other than active duty for training) their employer must continue health insurance and other benefits for at least the first 30 days of their active military service.

  After the first 30 days, the employer must give the Service member the voluntary option of continuing health insurance and other benefits in effect at their own expense.

• Pennsylvania Veterans Employment Assistance at Pennsylvania CareerLink Offices: Pennsylvania CareerLink offices provide a full range of employment services to help Veterans while they search for meaningful employment. Veterans who create a Pennsylvania CareerLink account receive access to a resume-building tool, new job alerts, job tracking tools, and much more. The Pennsylvania CareerLink Veterans webpage has more information and links regarding:
  • Local Workforce Development Boards
  • Educational opportunities
  • Military skills translator

  · Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program information

  • Transition Assistance Programs
  • Disabled Veteran Outreach Program
  • Apprenticeship information
  • Training Opportunities
  • Business startup and expansion information
  • Links to other useful resources for Veterans
• Federal Employment Veteran’s Hiring Preferences:  Federal law mandates that Veterans, especially those with disabilities or those who served during specific time periods or in military campaigns, are granted preference over non-veterans when it comes to Federal civil service hiring and retention during workforce reductions. In various scoring processes for examinations and interviews, Veterans may be eligible for an additional 5 or 10 points.
• 5-point Hiring Preference: Five points are added to the examination score or rating of a Veteran who served:
  • During a war, or
  • During the period April 28, 1952, through July 1, 1955, or
  • For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976, or
  • During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992, or
  • For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on August 31, 2010, the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom, or
  • In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge, including El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, and Haiti, qualifies for preference

  10-point Compensable Disability (CP) Preference:  Ten points are added to the examination score or rating of a Veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of at least 10% but less than 30%.

  10-Point 30% Compensable Disability Preference (CPS): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a Veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of 30% or more.

  10-Point Disability Preference (XP): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of:

  • A veteran who served at any time and has a present service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the VA but does not qualify as a CP or CPS, or
  • Veteran who received a Purple Heart

  10-Point Derived Preference (XP): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, Surviving spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a spouse (including a Surviving spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran’s service if they both meet the requirements. However, neither may receive preference if the Veteran is living and is qualified for Federal employment.

  Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of the spouse of a disabled Veteran who is disqualified for a federal position along the general lines of their usual occupation because of a service-connected disability. Such a disqualification may be presumed when the Veteran is unemployed and:

  • Is rated by appropriate military or VA authorities to be 100% disabled and/or unemployable, or
  • Has retired, been separated, or resigned from a civil service position because of a disability that is service-connected in origin, or
  • Has attempted to obtain a civil service position or other position along the lines of their usual occupation and has failed to qualify because of a service-connected disability

  Preference may be allowed in other circumstances but anything less than the above warrants a more careful analysis.

  A campaign medal holder or Gulf War Veteran who originally enlisted after September 7, 1980, (or began active duty on or after October 14, 1982, and has not previously completed 24 months of continuous active duty) must have served continuously for 24 months or the full period called or ordered to active duty. The 24-month service requirement does not apply to 10-point preference eligible Veterans separated for disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or to Veterans separated for hardship or other reasons under Title 10 U.S.C. 1171 or 1173.

  Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA): USERRA protects civilian job rights and benefits for Veterans and members of reserve components. USERRA also protects Service member rights and benefits by clarifying the law, improving enforcement mechanisms, and adding Federal Government employees to those employees already eligible to receive Department of Labor assistance in processing claims.

  Absence from Work for Military Duty: USERRA establishes the cumulative length of time that an individual may be absent from work for military duty and retain reemployment rights for five years. Exceptions to the five-year limit, include initial enlistments lasting more than five years, periodic National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserve training duty, and involuntary active duty extensions and recalls, especially during a time of national emergency. USERRA establishes that reemployment protection does not depend on the timing, frequency, duration, or nature of an individual’s service if the basic eligibility criteria are met.

  Disability Accommodation: USERRA provides protection for disabled Veterans, requiring employers to make reasonable efforts to accommodate the disability. Service members recovering from injuries received during service or training may have up to two years from the date of completion of service to return to their jobs or apply for reemployment.

  Return to Work without Loss of Seniority:  USERRA provides that returning Service members are reemployed in the job that they would have attained had they not been absent for military service, with the same seniority, status, and pay, as well as other rights and benefits determined by seniority. USERRA also requires that reasonable efforts (such as training or retraining) be made to enable returning Service members to refresh or upgrade their skills to help them qualify for reemployment. USERRA also provides that while an individual is performing military service, they are deemed to be on a furlough or leave of absence and are entitled to the non-seniority rights accorded to other individuals on non-military leaves of absence.

  Extension of Health and Pension Plans: Health and pension plan coverage for Service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer-sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium. For military service of less than 31 days, health care coverage is provided as if the Service member had remained employed. USERRA clarifies pension plan coverage by making explicit that all pension plans are protected.

  Who is eligible for USERRA Benefits? Veterans, U.S. Armed Forces Reserve or National Guard Service members who leave a position for training or active military service are eligible.

  The Department of Labor, through the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), helps all who have claims under USERRA, including Federal and Postal Service employees.

Burials and Memorials

Please note that your preference regarding burial in a national cemetery and use of a headstone provided by VA should be documented and kept with your paperwork and medical records.

The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) pays tribute to eligible Veterans and their family members by providing a final resting place and a lasting memorial to commemorate the Veteran’s dedicated service to the nation.

The burial benefits encompass a gravesite in any of our open cemeteries with available space, the opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government-furnished headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, all at no cost to the family. Some Veterans may also meet the criteria for a burial allowance. Cremated remains are interred or inurned in national cemeteries with the same honors and respect as casketed remains.

Burial benefits extend to eligible spouses and dependents, including burial alongside the Veteran and perpetual care of the interment site. The name and relevant dates of birth and death of the spouse or dependent are inscribed on the Veteran’s headstone at no expense to the family. Importantly, spouses and qualified dependents are eligible for burial even if they pass away before the Veteran and are not required to be interred in the same national cemetery as the Veteran.

National Cemeteries include:

Annville: Indiantown Gap National Cemetery

Bridgeville: National Cemetery of the Alleghenies

Carlisle: Ashland Cemetery Soldiers’ Lot

Newtown: Washington Crossing National Cemetery

Philadelphia: Mount Moriah Cemetery Naval Plot

Philadelphia: Mount Moriah Cemetery Soldiers’ Lot

Philadelphia: Philadelphia National Cemetery

Pittsburgh: Allegheny Cemetery Soldiers’ Lot

York: Prospect Hill Cemetery Soldiers’ Lot (PA)

Pennsylvania VA Benefit Resources

Pennsylvania provides Veterans with a District Benefits Office and two Regional Benefits Office, along with multiple VA Medical Centers.

Pennsylvania VA District Benefits Office

• Philadelphia: North Atlantic District

Pennsylvania VA Regional Benefits Office

• Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh Regional Office
• Philadelphia: Philadelphia Regional Office

Pennsylvania VA Medical Centers

• Altoona: James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center
• Butler: VA Butler Health Care Center
• Coatesville: Coatesville VA Medical Center
• Erie: Erie VA Medical Center
• Lebanon: Lebanon VA Medical Center
• Philadelphia: Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center
• Wilkes-Barre: Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center

Important information for Pennsylvania Veteran Benefits:

For Veterans applying for VA benefits for the first time, you must submit a copy of your DD 214 (discharge paperwork). This will provide your discharge status, full name, social security number, branch of service, and dates for which you served. Honorable and general discharges qualify a Veteran for most VA benefits.

You should always keep your paperwork and medical records in a safe place where you and your family can access them. It is imperative to have it in a location where it cannot be destroyed or tampered with, which includes a safe.

Your eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under conditions other than dishonorable. Active service means full-time service as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, the Environmental Services Administration, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Any Veteran discharged from the military under the conditions of “Dishonorable” due to bad conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial may bar VA benefits. Veterans in prison and parolees may be eligible for certain VA benefits. VA regional offices can clarify the eligibility of prisoners, parolees, and individuals with multiple discharges issued under differing conditions.

*This information is accurate as of December 2023

Pennsylvania Veteran Benefits

If you are a disabled Veteran in Pennsylvania and are VA rated 90% or less, you may be eligible for additional benefits. Contact Veterans Guardian for a free consultation with no obligation. Let us review your claim to determine whether you qualify for additional benefits.