Veteran Benefits

Federal Benefits

VA Health Care

Eligible veterans can receive comprehensive health care services through the VA, including primary care, mental health, specialty care, prescriptions, and more.

VA HEALTH CARE INFORMATION

Disability Compensation

Monthly tax-free payments to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Compensation is based on severity and may include additional amounts for dependents.

DISABILITY BENEFITS

Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU)

TDIU allows veterans who cannot maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities to receive compensation at the 100% disability rate, even if their combined rating is below 100%. Eligibility generally requires a single service-connected disability rated at 60%, or a combination of disabilities rated at 70% with one at least 40%, along with evidence showing the veteran is unable to work.

UNEMPLOYABILITY CLAIMS

VA Pension

The VA Pension is a needs-based financial benefit for low-income wartime veterans who are age 65 or older or permanently and totally disabled.

Pension Information

Aid & Attendance (A&A) & Housebound

A&A: An additional monthly payment for pension-eligible veterans and survivors who require help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or feeding.

Homebound: An additional monthly payment for pension-eligible veterans and survivors who are substantially confined to the home or bedridden because of a permanent disability

A&A and Homebound Benefits

Educational Benefits (GI Bill)

The GI Bill helps veterans, service members, and eligible family members cover the costs of tuition, housing, books, and training programs.

Education Benefits

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E)

Assists veterans with service-connected disabilities in preparing for, finding, and maintaining suitable employment or achieving independent living goals.

VR&E INFORMATION

VA Home Loans

Help veterans and service members buy, build, or refinance a home with favorable loan terms and no down payment in most cases.

HOME LOAN INFORMATION

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) & Special Home Adaptation (SHA)

The VA offers housing grants for Veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities so that they can buy or change a home to meet their needs and live more independently.

DISABILITY HOUSING GRANTS

VA Life Insurance

Provides a range of life insurance options for veterans, especially those who may have difficulty getting private coverage due to service-connected conditions.

VA LIFE INSURANCE

Survivor Benefits

Eligible surviving spouses, dependent children, or parents may qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), survivor pension, burial reimbursement, and other support.

SURVIVORS PENSION AND DIC

CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)

CHAMPVA is a health care program for eligible spouses and children of veterans who are permanently and totally (P&T) disabled due to a service-connected condition, died from a service-connected condition, or died while rated 100% P&T. It covers a wide range of medical services and supplies, like TRICARE. CHAMPVA is not the same as VA health care and is administered separately.

CHAMPVA BENEFITS

Burial & Memorial Benefits

Eligible veterans may be entitled to burial in a VA national cemetery, government-furnished headstone or marker, a burial flag, and military honors.

BURIALS & MEMORIALS

New York State Benefits

Veterans Property Tax Exemption

New York offers partial property tax exemptions for eligible veterans, including wartime service, combat service, and service-connected disability.

NY DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION

Military Service Credit (NYS Retirement System)

Eligible public employees may purchase credit for active-duty military service to count toward their NYS retirement benefits.

SERVICE CREDIT

Veterans Tuition Awards

Provides tuition assistance for eligible veterans attending approved colleges and vocational schools in New York State.

VETERANS TUITION

Gold Star Parent Annuity

Provides an annuity to parents of service members who died in service or from service-connected causes.

ANNUITY PROGRAM

Veterans Blind Annuity

Monthly financial benefit available to legally blind wartime veterans and their unremarried surviving spouses, administered by NYS.

BLIND ANNUITY PROGRAM

Veterans Emergency Housing Fund

A financial resource for New York State’s Veterans who are confronting emergency housing needs and lacking the funds to cover these immediate costs.

EMERGENCY HOUSING

Disabled Veterans Employment Program

Through the NYS Department of Labor, disabled veterans receive individualized employment services, job matching, resume help, and career counseling.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SERVICES

Local Benefits – Greene County & Area

Children of Veterans Scholarship Fund

This local fund provides scholarship assistance to eligible children of veterans residing in Greene County. Funding levels and application periods vary annually. Contact our office for current application info.

Community-Based Veteran Resources

We maintain a regularly updated list of food assistance programs, housing referrals, and nonprofit resources available to veterans and families in need. Call or visit our office for a current resource list.