Regents
Awards for Children of Deceased & Disabled Veterans provide up to $450
per year to students whose parent(s) served in the US Armed Forces during specified times of national emergency.
Who is eligible?
Eligible students are those whose veteran parent(s) are NYS residents and who served in the US Armed forces during
one of the following periods of war or national emergency:
- WW
I between Apr 6, 1917 and Nov 11, 1918;
- WW II between Dec 7, 1941 and Dec 31, 1946;
- Korea between June 27, 1950 and Jan 31, 1955;
- Vietnam between Dec 22, 1961 and May 7, 1975;
- Persian
Gulf on or after Aug 2, 1990;
- Afghanistan on or after Sept 11, 2001
Or
students whose parent(s) was the recipient of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal or the Marine
Corps Expeditionary Medal for participation in operations in Lebanon, Grenada or Panama. And as a result of service, the veteran
either died, suffered a 40% or more disability, was classified as missing in action, or was a prisoner of war.
What is required to apply?
Must establish eligibility by applying to the Higher Education Services Corp 1-888-697-4372.
Veteran parent must be a NYS residentHave applied for the Tuition Assistance Program and Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA)
All applications must be completed by May 1st of the academic year for which an award is sought.
For Additional Information contact
Higher Education Services Corp (HESC) 1-888-697-4372.
The
Blind Annuity Program benefit is for legally blind NYS wartime veterans
or the surviving un-remarried spouse of the blind veteran. The program authorizes an annuity payment of up to $1,173.84 per
veteran.
Who is eligible for the Blind Annuity?
To be eligible, an applicant must meet the following requirements:Resident of New York State Veteran has been determined legally blind*
(20/200
vision in the better eye with best correction)
Or
20
Degree limitation of field of vision
AND
Served
on active duty (other than for training) for 90 days or more during any of the following:
- April 11, 1899 – July 4, 1902
- May
9, 1916 - April 4, 1917
- April 6, 1917 - Nov 11, 1918
- Dec 7, 1941 - Dec
31, 1946
- June 27, 1950 - Jan 31, 1955
- Feb 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975
- Aug
2, 1990 – End of conflict
Or
Received
the Armed Forces, Navy, or Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, for participation in:
- Lebanon –
June 1, 1983 – Dec 1, 1987
- Grenada – Oct 23, 1983 – Nov 21, 1983
- Panama – Dec 20, 1989 – Jan 31, 1990
How do you apply for the Blind Annuity?
Complete and submit the following forms to the NYS Division of Veterans’ Affairs:Evidence of Military Service Marriage and Death Certificate
(for un-remarried surviving spouse)
What documentation is required to prove eligibility?
Evidence of Military Service (DD 214/copy of a Certificate of Release or Discharge
from Active Duty) Marriage or death certificate if applicable.
For More Information
Call 1-888-838-7697 or 518-486-3602
Homes for Veterans Program offers fixed-rate mortgages with interest
rates 0.5% below the already low interest rates charged on SONYMA mortgages with closing cost assistance.
The Homes for Veterans Program features the following:
Veterans, and their
spouses or co-borrowers, need not be a first-time homebuyer.Interest
rates that are 0.50% lower than our standard interest rates (for loans with closing cost assistance).
Closing
cost assistance up to the greater of $3,000 or 3% of the requested loan amount. No points or origination fees.
Minimum
borrower cash contribution only 1% (the remaining 2% can come from a gift or other acceptable source).
Who is eligible for the mortgage program?
To be eligible, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
The
applicant must be a veteran who serve in the active military, naval, or air service who was discharged under conditions other
than dishonorable.
What documentation is required to prove eligibility?
In order to qualify for the Homes for Veterans Program, veteran must supply the
following documentation with their SONYMA mortgage application:
- DD214
– Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty;
- Military Veteran’s Eligibility
Affidavit (SONYMA Form 243) [Required only if veteran (or their spouse or co-borrower) is not a first-time homebuyer
How do you apply?
Contact the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) at 1-800-382-HOME (4663).
For More Information,
Call 1-888-838-7697 or 518-474-6784
Gold Star Parent Annuity authorizes an annuity payment of up to $500
per Gold Star parent of a deceased veteran.
Who is eligible for the Gold Star Parent Annuity?
To be eligible,
an applicant must meet the following requirements:
The
applicant must be a Gold Star Parent (as defined in 10 USC 1126)The
applicant must be a resident of New York StateThe
applicant must verify that their income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. This verification is based upon
the submittal of a copy of their latest calendar year Federal Tax return, or an affirmation that certifies that they are not
required to file a federal income tax return.
What documentation is required to document evidence of military service of the deceased?
DD Form 1300 (Report
of Casualty) or a copy of the telegram from the Department of Defense advising the parent of his or her loss, shall be submitted
with the application.
What is the Income limit to qualify for the Annuity?
In order to qualify for the Annuity Program, the applicant’s income
must be at or below 200% the federal poverty level. For 2009: Household Maximum Income Allowed for eligibility is $21,660
for one person, $29,140 for two, for each addition person, add $7,480.
What documents must be submitted to prove income eligibility?
Submit a copy of the current year’s Federal Tax Return. If not required
to file an income tax return the past year, a completed affirmation form to certify that income eligibility.
How do you apply for the Gold Star Parent’s Annuity? What forms must be completed?
All
forms and supporting documentation with the exception of the direct deposit form are to be submitted to the NYS Division of
Veterans’ Affairs Evidence of
Military Service of the Deceased VeteranCopy
of the previous year’s Federal Tax Return, or a fully executed affirmationDirect Deposit FormProof
of NYS Residency
Are there deadlines for submitting an application, and when will payment be approved?
Applications
may be sent at anytime; payments will be authorized and disbursed in semi-annual installments (March and September)
Is there a recertification process?
Yes. Applicants approved for the Gold Star Parent Annuity payments are required to verify their eligibility on a
yearly basis.
Does incarceration affect a gold star parent’s eligibility to receive the annuity?
Yes: No entitlement shall be paid to or
for a gold star parent who is incarcerated. Pursuant to a misdemeanor or felony conviction for any part of the period beginning
sixty-one days after his or her imprisonment begins and ending with his or her release.
For More Information,
Call 1-888-838-7697 or 518-474-6784
NYS Veterans' Property Tax Exemption provides a partial exemption
on real property taxes to veterans’ of defined periods of war, veterans who received expeditionary medals or certain
family members, as allowed by law.There
are three levels of benefits, depending on whether the veteran served in combat and/or was disabled. Exemptions are also subject
to dollar limitations, pursuant to state and local law.
Section 458 of the Real Property Tax Law provides
a partial exemption on property owned by a veteran that has been purchased with pension, bonus, or insurance monies –
referred to as “eligible funds”
Section 458-a of the Real Property Tax Law is
available only for residential property of veterans who served during wartime or received an expeditionary medal – referred
to as “alternative veterans’ exemption”
Section 458-b of the Real
Property Tax Law is available only for residential property of veterans who served during the Cold War period – referred
to as “Cold War exemption”
Who is eligible for the Property Tax Exemption?
To be eligible, an applicant
must be one of the following:
- A qualified veteran
- The
spouse of a qualified veteran (un-remarried surviving spouse)
What documentation is required to prove eligibility?
A copy of a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active
DutyCopy of deed to home (title must
be veterans’ or spouses name)
How do you apply?
An Application for Veterans Exemption from Real Property
Taxation (Form RP-458) must be filed with the local assessor. Application
Form Evidence of Military
Service (DD214/copy of a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
Are there deadlines for submitting applications?
Applications
must be filed on or before taxable status date. Check with your assessor for exact date. The Exemption and Abatement Application
for Owners must be received by March 15th for benefits beginning on July 1st of that same year.
For Additional Information:
1-888-838-7697
