New York Veterans Might Receive School Tax Exemption

In December 2013 Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill that would allow school districts to implement a Veterans Tax Exemption for school taxes.

This exemption would be in addition to exemptions veterans are entitled to for county, city, town, and village taxes. The exemptions 15 percent reduction in assessed value for veterans who served during at time of war, another 10 percent for those who were in combat zones. and an additional reduction for service-connected disabilities.

It seems many school districts are taking their time to implement this exemption, and some have refused to allow this particular exemption to take effect; saying that this would shift the tax burden to non-veterans. One school district estimated that it would create an increase of $0.73 for non-veteran tax payers.


New York does have tax exemptions for veterans, the three exemptions are:
Alternative Veterans Exemption: Available only on residential property of a veteran who served during a designated time of war or who have received an Expeditionary Medal.

Cold War Veterans Exemption. Available only on residential property of a veteran who served during the Cold War.

Eligible Funds Exemption. Applies to property that a veteran or certain other designated person purchases. Such purchases must be made with pension, bonus, or insurance monies.

This school tax exemption would be another small way to say Thank You to our veterans, and should be granted.

---- Jerald Terwilliger  Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

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Maine House Enacts Veterans Tax Exemption Bill

The Maine House has approved a bill that will allow Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to take advantage of a property tax exemption that veterans of previous conflicts can receive now.

The vote was 144-0 and the bill now goes to the Maine Senate for final consideration.

Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio said "This unanimous vote did more than provide smart relief and assistance to Maine veterans." "It demonstrated that lawmakers are capable of coming together on issues that cross party lines and make the right choice for Maine."

The bill would clarify that veterans who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan are eligible to exempt $6,000 of property value from their property tax assessment.

The exemption would take effect when they reach 62 years of age or if they are ruled 100 percent service connected disabled. This is a benefit that veterans of most other conflicts already receive.

These veterans of Afghanistan or Iraq currently do qualify for the exemption because they served during a federally recognized war period. Often, though veterans or town assessors who search online to determine who is eligible mistakenly conclude that these veterans are not eligible because there is
currently no reference to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This bill clearly states that Maine's Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are eligible and formally recognizes their service under Maine law.

So veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan if your are rated 100 precent by the VA, or if/when you reach
62 contact your local town assessor to apply for this tax exemption.  $6,000 might make a difference in your total property tax.

---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Social Security Disability and VA Disability

Recent news from the Social Security Administration.
Beginning March 17, 2014 veterans with a VA disability rating of 100 percent permanent and total (P&T) may receive expedited processing of claims for Social Security Disability benefits.

Both the VA and Social Security pay benefits of disability. However, their programs and criteria for receiving benefits are very different.

According to the Social Security, a VA rating of 100 percent Permanent and Total does not guarantee that you will receive Social Security disability benefits.

The Social Security Administration says that to be approved for Social Security benefits you must meet Social Security's definition of "disability." It goes on to say we consider you disabled under Social Security rules if:
1. You cannot do the work you did before.
2. We decide that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medial condition(s); and
3. Your disability is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.

If you receive VA compensation, this will not affect your Social Security benefits.
If you are a veteran rated 100 percent P&T in order to receive expedited processing for Social Security Disability benefits you must apply to Social Security. This can be done in one of three ways.
1. Fill out your application on line Social Security Disability Application
2. Call the toll free number 1-800-772-1213 for the deaf or hard of hearing you can call at TTY 1-800-325-0778
3. Call or visit your local Social Security Office, location and phone number can be found in your telephone directory.

I urge every veteran to first of all apply for your Veterans Administration benefits. If you are/or become Permanent & Total apply as soon as possible for your Social Security Disability benefits. It will take some time before your are approved.

---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

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Veterans Using VA Health Care Meet Requirements For ACA (Obamacare)

Veterans who already have Veteran Affairs health care are covered under the new Affordable  Care Act requirements.

Any veterans who are already enrolled in VA health care are also not required to take any additional steps to meet ACA coverage standards. Enrolled veterans can also continue to use VA and other federal health care coverage such as Medicaid, Medicare, TRI-CARE, and private insurance.

However, non-enrollment in medical insurance for veterans and non-veterans alike can prove costly. Penalties applied to an individual’s taxes will begin being issued in 2014.

The penalty will be $95 or 1 percent of taxable income, whichever is greater, and those penalties will rise significantly in the next two years. For those veterans who aren’t insured, there is still time to get enrolled in VA health care.

Contact the nearest VA facility, or try your county/state Veterans Office. Help is also available through Veterans Service Organizations such as the American Legion, VFW, AMVETS. etc/

Veterans can also apply online by submitting the VA Form 1010EZ atVA 1010ez, or over the phone by dialing 1-877-222-VETS (8387) from Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Those veterans who apply and don’t qualify should apply again annually because the qualifications change every year.

---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996