The brave men and women who selflessly risked their lives to protect our country—whether they did so in World War II, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or any time in between—deserve all the help and support we can provide them and their families. That’s why New York State wants veterans to know about all the benefits and services available to them.

Providing property tax breaks

For those municipalities that offer it, the New York State Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption provides a partial exemption on real property taxes to wartime veterans, veterans who received expeditionary medals or the spouses of qualified veterans.

Qualified individuals must present the following as proof of eligibility:

• Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty AND

• Copy of deed to home (title must be in veteran’s or spouse’s name)

An Application for Veterans Exemption from Real Property Taxation (form RP-458) must be filed with your local assessor. Check the government section of your phone book to find your local assessor’s contact information.

Taking care of veterans and their families

To help the thousands of New Yorkers who have disrupted their lives to serve, the state continues to support military families by:

• Restricting foreclosure actions

• Awarding $500 annual annuity payments to Gold Star parents of deceased veterans

• Granting scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies

• Providing burial allowances of up to $6,000

For more information or to see if you’re eligible for any of the benefits listed, call toll-free 1-888-VETS-NYS (1-888-838-7697) or visit www.orps.state.ny.us.

Important Web sites

Counseling locations:
www.veterans.state.ny.us/counselor_location.html

Vocational Rehabilitation:
www.veterans.state.ny.us/voc_rehab.html

Protection for members of active duty:
www.veterans.state.ny.us/protections.html

Taking care of veterans’ families:
www.veterans.state.ny.us/military_service_recognition_scholorship.html
www.veterans.state.ny.us/gold_star_parent.html

Operation Recognition:
www.veterans.state.ny.us/operation_recognition.html

Veterans tuition assistance:
www.veterans.state.ny.us/veterans_tuition_award.html

Low-interest mortgage program for veterans

The Subcommittee on Women Veterans wants you to know about the state’s Homes for Veterans Program, which offers fixed-rate, low-interest mortgages to veterans and their spouses through the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA). Under the program:

• Fixed interest rates are 0.5 percent lower than conventional interest rates

• Veterans and their spouses or co-borrowers do not have to be first-time homebuyers and there are no points or origination fees

• Closing cost assistance is available up to the greater of $3,000 or 3 percent of the requested loan amount

• The borrower’s cash contribution is only 1 percent, and the remaining 2 percent can come from a gift or other acceptable source

For more information, visit www.nyhomes.org or call 1-800-382-HOME(4663).