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Pennsylvania State Senate
04/28/2024 06:20 PM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20230&cosponId=38927
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: December 21, 2022 03:03 PM
From: Senator Marty Flynn
To: All Senate members
Subject: Real Estate Tax Exemption for Deceased Veterans' Spouses
 
In the near future, I plan to reintroduce legislation (previously Senate Bill 1022) allowing a surviving spouse of a deceased veteran to receive real estate tax exemption in cases in which the veteran passes away during the disability claim process before being deemed 100% disabled – as long as the evaluation is ultimately completed with validation of the claim. Additionally, the legislation would extend real estate tax exemption eligibility to surviving spouses of veterans killed in the line of duty or in the course of active service duty.

Under current law, individuals who are injured in active-duty military service and no longer able to perform their duties are subject to an evaluation period by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to determine whether they are 100% permanently disabled. This determination impacts eligibility for a variety of programs and services to support veterans and their families. In Pennsylvania, we provide real estate tax exemptions to veterans and their spouses if they meet the following criteria: honorably discharged, 100% disabled, and demonstrating a financial need.

Unfortunately, if a veteran were to die before the evaluation period is complete – regardless of the outcome of the evaluation – there is no provision to allow the veteran’s spouse to apply and qualify for the real estate tax exemption. My legislation would allow the spouse to apply for and receive the tax exemption if the veteran dies prior to being deemed 100% permanently disabled, as long as that outcome is ultimately reached and all other eligibility requirements are met.

Veterans are among our most important constituencies. It is our duty to ensure that they and their loved ones receive every benefit to which they are rightfully entitled. Please help me fight for benefits for those who fought for our freedom.