State file · PA
Veteran benefits in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania leaves military retirement income untaxed, exempts qualifying disabled veterans from property taxes on their home, and runs six state veterans homes. Here's the terrain, category by category.
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Financial benefits
Retirement income exemption
Income from commonly recognized retirement plans sponsored by qualifying Pennsylvania programs is exempt from state income tax, and military retirement income is not taxable when the member was discharged due to service, disability, or age.
Guard & Reserve federal duty pay
Military pay for Pennsylvania National Guard and Army Reserve members performing federally funded active-duty service outside Pennsylvania is exempt, and differential pay for service in combat or hazardous zones is excluded from state personal income tax.
Disabled Veterans' Real Estate Tax Exemption
Qualifying disabled veterans are exempt from property taxes on their principal dwelling. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for eligible survivors is tax-free.
Sales tax picture
Statewide sales tax is 6.0%, with local additions of up to 2.0%; the combined average is roughly 6.12%.
Recreation
Hunting, fishing & trapping licenses
Wartime veterans rated 100% disabled get free licenses, and those rated 60–90% pay reduced fees. Active-duty members home on leave can get a free fishing license and a reduced-fee hunting license.
Education programs
Operation Recognition
Awards high school diplomas to honorably discharged veterans of World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War.
Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program
Waives tuition, fees, and room and board at state schools for children of deceased Pennsylvania service members. A separate educational gratuity for children of disabled veterans pays up to $500 per term or semester for a maximum of four scholastic years.
National Guard Education Assistance Program (EAP)
Administered by PHEAA for Guard members who commit to six years of service.
Pennsylvania State Grant Program
Helps veterans finance post-secondary education without regard to the financial status of their family.
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
Removes barriers for military children in enrollment, placement, grading, graduation, and extracurricular participation.
Veteran housing
Pennsylvania State Veterans Homes
Six homes operate at Erie, Hollidaysburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, and Spring City. Eligibility generally requires active-duty service with deployment and an honorable discharge; spouses and surviving spouses may qualify if they meet age and residency requirements, and costs are based on income.
Employment & job training
State hiring preference
Honorably discharged veterans who served after August 2, 1990, as well as spouses of disabled veterans and surviving spouses, receive 10 additional points on state employment test scores.
Military leave & re-employment
State employees receive 15 days of paid military leave per year plus unpaid leave for additional duty, and are restored to their previous position or similar seniority after completing military duty. After three years of state employment, eligible employees may purchase active-duty credit toward state retirement.
USERRA protections
Federal law protects the civilian job rights and benefits of returning service members.
Burials & memorials
National cemeteries in Pennsylvania
Options include Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Bridgeville, Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Newtown, and Philadelphia National Cemetery, along with several historic soldiers' lots in Carlisle, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and York.
VA resources in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Regional Benefit Office
Serves eastern Pennsylvania for benefits claims and questions, and hosts the North Atlantic District office.
Official sitePittsburgh Regional Benefit Office
Serves western Pennsylvania for benefits claims and questions.
Official siteVA medical centers statewide
Pennsylvania's VA medical centers include the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia, the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona, and medical centers in Butler, Coatesville, Erie, Lebanon, and Wilkes-Barre, plus the Pittsburgh healthcare system.
Before you apply
- First-time applicants generally need a copy of their DD-214 or discharge paperwork — keep certified copies somewhere safe.
- Most programs require a discharge under other than dishonorable conditions; a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge may bar eligibility.
- “Active service” has a specific definition for many programs — training periods don’t always count. When in doubt, ask the agency directly.
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