Rep. Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks) recently introduced House Bill 2648, which is designed to repair flaws in the Military Affairs Code.  Currently disabled veterans are prevented from participating in the Real Estate Tax Exemption Program due to the receipt of a lump-sum payment from entities such as the U.S. Veterans Administration (VA) and the Social Security Administration.

“My legislation is directed at correcting a serious flaw that prevents certain disabled veterans from receiving the benefits they’ve earned.” said Quinn. “Our veterans deserve only the best, and this bill will address this problem.”

Many times, veterans apply for VA benefits they have earned, such as a monthly pension, but may wait a year or more for the VA to make an official determination of eligibility - resulting in a lump sum receipt of disability income - consequently giving them a one-time increase in annual income being applied only to that current year and disqualifying them from the program. 

House Bill 2648 will repair the current law to make sure that lump sum payments have no bearing on the final determination of need, except for the portion that pertains to the current application period on a pro-rated basis.

“This proposal has bipartisan support from the Democratic and Republican chairs of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee,” said Quinn. “I am hopeful that we will get swift approval for this bill from the committee and that it will get a favorable vote on the House floor.”

For details on the current Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption Program, contact the Bucks County Veterans Affairs Office at 215-345-3885.  Applicants should note that only those veterans who are 100% disabled from war time service related injuries are eligible.

Rep. Marguerite Quinn
143rd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(215) 489-2126
(717) 772-1413

Contact:  Raymond Smith

rsmith@pahousegop.com

(717) 705-1834

Member Site:  RepQuinn.net

Caucus Site:  PAHouseGOP.com