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Pennsylvania benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official Pennsylvania source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), Office of Veterans Affairs can help you apply for them at no cost.
16 benefits from official sources2 not yet finalizedLast verified
Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), Office of Veterans Affairs
How to read the labels:In effect confirmed on an official page. Not yet finalized announced or passed but not in force yet. Unverified — confirm with the agency we couldn't confirm it on an official page, so ask the agency.
Help from your state veterans office
DMVA Office of Veterans Affairs; County Directors of Veterans Affairs; accredited VSO registry
In effect
Most state benefits (RETX, VTA, pensions, Educational Gratuity) are applied for through your County Director of Veterans Affairs. DMVA keeps a searchable registry of accredited VSOs.
Disabled Veterans' Real Estate Tax Exemption (RETX): full exemption, need-based
In effect
Full real estate tax exemption on the primary residence for wartime veterans who are 100% P&T, TDIU, or have service-connected blindness, paraplegia or loss of two or more limbs. Surviving spouses also qualify. Financial need is presumed at income of $114,637 or less (level set January 1, 2025).
Who qualifies
PA resident; honorable or under-honorable discharge; wartime service; 100% permanent SC / TDIU / listed conditions; financial need.
Amount or details
100% exemption from real estate tax on the home; need presumed at ≤ $114,637 income.
How to apply
Through your County Director of Veterans Affairs. Questions: RA-RETX@pa.gov.
Note
DMVA page states the need level as of Jan 1, 2025; any 2026 adjustment not shown on the reviewed page.
Military retirement pay exempt; active-duty pay earned outside PA not taxable
In effect
Military retired or retainer pay (10 U.S.C. ch. 71) is exempt from PA personal income tax. Active-duty pay for service outside Pennsylvania is not taxable, but pay for service inside PA, including drills, generally is.
Who qualifies
Military retirees; PA-resident service members.
Amount or details
Retirement: 100% exempt.
How to apply
Leave it out on the PA-40 and attach your orders for out-of-state active duty.
“Retired or retainer pay of a member or former member of a uniform service calculated under Chapter 71 of Title 10, U.S. Code as amended is also exempt from PA PIT.”
Disabled Veteran and Severely Disabled Veteran plates (with disability parking)
In effect
PennDOT issues a Disabled Veteran plate to any veteran with a certified disability. The Severely Disabled Veteran plate and motorcycle decal go to veterans with a 100% service-connected rating. Severely DV plates allow parking in disability spaces and 60 extra minutes at meters.
Who qualifies
DV plate: disability certified by the VA or the service. Severely DV: 100% service-connected.
Amount or details
Disability parking and +60 minutes (Severely DV).
How to apply
Person With Disability Registration Plate Application to PennDOT BMV, 1101 S. Front St, Harrisburg.
“PennDOT will issue a special plate for a veteran with a 100% service-connected disability.”
Free registration and title for eligible veterans (MV-371DV)
In effect
No registration or title fees for one passenger vehicle or truck of 9,000 lbs or less owned by a veteran who lost a limb or eye or was partially paralyzed in service, a former POW, a Medal of Honor recipient, or a Purple Heart recipient. Plate fees still apply.
Who qualifies
Listed categories only.
Amount or details
Registration and title fees waived; plate fees still due.
“Pennsylvania has eliminated registration and title fees for one passenger vehicle or truck weighing 9,000 pounds or less owned by a military veteran who meets the following requirements”
Veterans with a DD214 or equivalent, including Reserve and Guard members, can add a Veterans Designation online for non-commercial licenses and IDs. For a CDL, add it at renewal or duplicate (DL-143CD or DL-80CD).
Who qualifies
DD214 or equivalent; discharge other than dishonorable.
Amount or details
Added online for non-CDL licenses.
How to apply
PennDOT online service or a paper form.
Note
Any associated cost (PennDOT historically required a Veterans' Trust Fund donation or duplicate fee) not confirmed on reviewed text.
“Qualified applicants for a Veterans Designation on their Driver's License or Identification Card include those who have received a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty/DD214 or equivalent”
Educational Gratuity Program (up to $500 per term)
In effect
Payments to schools for children of wartime veterans who are 100% P&T service-connected, or who died in service. Up to $500 per term or semester, with financial need required. Children of POW/MIA service members can also apply for a PHEAA grant.
Who qualifies
Child of an eligible veteran; PA residency for five years before applying; must attend an approved PA school (age limits per DMVA, not itemized here).
Amount or details
≤ $500 per term or semester, paid to the school.
How to apply
Through your County Director of Veterans Affairs. Email RA-EG@pa.gov.
Veterans' Preference: 10 exam points and mandatory appointment preference
In effect
Eligible veterans get 10 points added to civil service exam scores, and a mandatory appointment preference within the Rule of Three. Surviving spouses and spouses of disabled veterans (P&T) are also covered (51 Pa.C.S. § 7101-7111).
“The VTA provides temporary financial assistance of up to $1,600 in a 12-month period”
Blind Veterans Pension and Amputee/Paralyzed Veterans Pension ($150/month each)
In effect
$150 a month for veterans who were PA residents when they entered service and have service-connected loss of vision, or loss or loss of use of two or more limbs (40%+ each).
Who qualifies
PA resident at entry; honorable discharge; qualifying condition.
“Through this program, eligible veterans receive a monthly pension of $150.”
Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP)
In effect
Emergency grants for service members and their families, including Guard and Reserve members for 3 years after 30+ days of active duty, and medically discharged members for 4 years after discharge. Decisions can come in as little as 48 hours.
Who qualifies
See the MFRAP guidelines.
Amount or details
Grant; amount depends on need.
How to apply
Mail to DMVA BVP-MFRAP, 40 Fisher Ave, Jonestown PA 17038, or fax 717-861-9084.
DV hunting/furtaker licenses free (100%/limb loss); reduced $2.97 for 60-99%
In effect
Game Commission: resident DV hunting and furtaker licenses are free for wartime disabled veterans with limb loss or loss of use, or a 100% rating. A DV lifetime license is also available. Veterans rated 60-99% pay $2.97 for reduced DV hunting or furtaker licenses. Fish & Boat: free fishing for the same 100%/limb/blindness group; a reduced-fee fishing license for 60-99%.
Who qualifies
PA resident; disability incurred during a war or armed conflict (hunting).
Amount or details
Hunting/furtaker: free, or $2.97 (60-99%). Fishing: free, or reduced.
How to apply
Hunting: county treasurer or Game Commission office. Fishing: PFBC or county treasurer.
“PA resident disabled veterans with disability ratings between 60% and 99% as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and is a resident of this Commonwealth may get a reduced-fee resident fishing license”
Delaware Valley (Philadelphia), Gino J. Merli (Scranton), Hollidaysburg (the largest), Soldiers' and Sailors' Home (Erie, opened 1886), Southeastern (Spring City) and Southwestern (Pittsburgh).
Who qualifies
Veteran, spouse or surviving spouse; discharged under honorable conditions; PA resident or PA home of record.
Amount or details
Bureau of Veterans Homes: 1-800-547-2838; RA-MVVA-HOMES@pa.gov.
“An eligible veteran is defined as an individual who has served in the Armed Forces of the United States or the Pennsylvania Military Forces and was discharged under honorable conditions.”
Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home Cemetery, Erie (residents only)
In effect
Pennsylvania's only VA grant-funded state veterans cemetery is at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Erie, and it is open only to residents of the home. Other PA veterans use the national cemeteries (Indiantown Gap, Washington Crossing, National Cemetery of the Alleghenies).
Not final yet: Last action: Referred to Senate State Government, March 30, 2026. Not adopted.
A joint resolution to amend the PA Constitution so that all 100%-disabled veterans qualify for the real estate tax exemption, whether or not they served in wartime, and to guarantee the exemption for surviving spouses. It passed the House 193-6 on March 24, 2026, and was referred to Senate State Government on March 30, 2026.
Amount or details
Would need passage in two consecutive sessions plus voter approval.
This state page was last reviewed against official sources on November 1, 2026. Our watcher re-checks those pages automatically and flags any item whose quoted wording disappears.