Dauphin News

Legislation allowing more disabled veterans to receive property tax relief was approved by the Senate today, according to Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-46). Senate Bill 194 would exclude U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Aid and Attendance benefits as income when calculating eligibility for Pennsylvania’s 100% Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption.

Federal Aid and Attendance benefits provide monthly payments to disabled veterans who are housebound or need help with daily activities. The benefits cover items such as care services, medication management, and property renovations to accommodate the disability. Without the exclusion, some disabled veterans are prevented from qualifying for property tax reductions. Senate Bill 194 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“Passing this bill is an important step toward supporting the men and women who defended our great nation who now live with a serious disability, but I would like to see even more veterans benefit,” Bartolotta said. “To that end, I sponsored legislation to further expand property tax relief for disabled veterans.”

Currently, an honorably discharged disabled veteran must be 100% disabled and have a financial need to receive a 100% exemption from property taxes. Bartolotta’s Senate Bill 177 would extend the exemption to the unmarried surviving spouse upon the death of an eligible veteran, provided that the State Veterans’ Commission determines such person is in need of the exemption. It would also expand the number of covered veterans and ease the calculations of income.

“Extending property tax exemptions to more disabled veterans and spouses of military members killed in action is an acknowledgement that their sacrifices on behalf of our nation are respected and appreciated,” Bartolotta said.

The bill is currently before the Senate State Government Committee for consideration.

CONTACT: Katrina Hanna, 717-787-1463