New Presumptive Need Level
On January 1, 2025, the State Veterans' Commission adjusted the presumptive need level for the Disabled Veterans' Real Estate Tax Exemption upward to $114,637 in accordance with state law. Veterans and surviving spouses who have previously been denied for need are encouraged to consider submitting a new application.
Mandatory eligibility criteria for disabled veterans and their surviving spouses include:
- Resident of the Commonwealth
- Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States
- Service during a period of war as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (operation or service-specific expeditionary medals can also be used to establish wartime service)
- Real estate occupied as principal dwelling
- Real estate owned solely by the veteran or jointly with spouse or as an estate by the entirety
- 100 percent permanent service-connected disability, total disability individual unemployability, or service-connected blindness, paraplegia, or loss of two or more limbs as rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Applicants must also show financial need. Applicants with an annual income of $114,637 or less are given a presumption of need for the exemption. Applicants whose gross annual income exceeds $114,637 will be considered to have a financial need for the exemption when their allowable monthly expenses exceed monthly household income. The applicant’s monthly household expenses must be verified with supporting documentation and will be calculated to include a cost-of-living allowance.
To Apply:
To apply for this benefit, contact your County Director of Veterans Affairs in the county you reside to apply for this program.
If you have any questions, contact the DMVA at Ra-retx@pa.gov (Please do not send completed applications or personally identifiable information over e-mail).