• Pennsylvania takes care of its veteranspremi?¡§re guerre image by Jean-Jacques Cordier from Fotolia.com
  
  The commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a wide array of benefits available for its military veterans, their spouses and dependent children. Criteria for eligibility in these programs include Pennsylvania residency (at the time of military service and currently for some benefits) and honorable discharge from the military.
  
  

Housing Benefits

• Veterans and their spouses who are Pennsylvania residents may apply for housing at state veterans' homes in Philadelphia, Holidaysburg, Scranton/Wilkesbarre, Erie, and Spring City, Pennsylvania. Applicants must have served either in the United States Armed Forces or the Pennsylvania military and received an honorable discharge. Applications are considered on a first come first served basis.
  
  

Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans' Bonus Program

• This program was approved by Pennsylvania voters in the general election in 2006. It provides financial support for veterans of Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Those eligible for this program must have served in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations during August 2, 1990 until August 31, 1991 under honorable conditions, was a legal resident of Pennsylvania at the time of service and have been awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal. Eligible veterans receive $75 per month for each month of active service in the Persian Gulf Conflict Theater up to a maximum of $525.
  
  An amount of $5000 will be paid on behalf of veterans who died in active service or as a result of service-connected injuries suffered during active service in the Persian Gulf Theater. Persian Gulf conflict prisoners of war also can receive a $5000 payment. The deadline for submitting applications for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans' Bonus Program is August 31, 2015.
  
  

Emergency Assistance for Pennsylvania veterans

• The Veterans Emergency Assistance program provides temporary emergency assistance for food, shelter, fuel, and clothing to Pennsylvania veterans, their widows and dependents for up to three months in a 12 month period. To be eligible, a veteran must have been honorably discharged and have served in active duty during wartime, peacetime hostile fire, or a terrorist attack. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs determines eligibility for this assistance.
  
  

Real Estate Tax Exemption

• Pennsylvania veterans who have a 100 percent service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may be exempt from the payment of all real estate taxes under the Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Exemption program. Requirements include an honorable discharge from the military, ownership of a home and demonstrated financial need. After the death of the qualified veteran, this benefit may be passed on to an unmarried surviving spouse if financial need can be demonstrated.
  
  

Blind Veterans Pension

• Veterans who suffered an injury or incurred a disease which resulted in loss of vision or less than normal vision may be eligible for a $150 per month pension through the Pennsylvania Blind Veterans Pension program. Eligible veterans must have been Pennsylvania residents when they entered the United States military or an affiliated women's organization and must have received an honorable discharge.
  
  

Paralyzed Veterans Pension

• Veterans who suffered an injury or disease resulting in the loss or loss of use of two or more extremities such as arms, hands, legs or feet may qualify for a $150 per month pension may be eligible for a $150 per month Paralyzed Veterans Pension. Eligible veterans must have been Pennsylvania residents when they entered the United States military, be current Pennsylvania residents, and must have received an honorable discharge from the military.
  
  

Educational Gratuity

• Children of honorably discharged veterans with total and permanent disability ratings, or those with parents who have died of war service-connected disabilities or died in service during a period of war or armed conflict can receive tuition grants of up to $500 per semester, for a maximum of four years. Eligible children must be between the ages of 16 and 23, have lived in Pennsylvania at least five years prior to application, and must attend a Pennsylvania college or university.