Il - Illinois Veterans Benefits

[jason]

State of Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs

STATE OF ILLINOIS VETERANS' BENEFITS

BONUS PAYMENT

World War II. A bonus of $10 per month for domestic service and $15 per month for foreign service is payable to a veteran who was a resident of Illinois at time of entering service, served at least 60 days on active duty between September 16, 1940 and September 3, 1945, and received an honorable discharge. Survivors are entitled to a benefit of $1,000, if the veteran's death was service-connected and within the period specified.

Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf Conflict Bonus. A $100 bonus is payable for service during one of the following periods:

Korea - June 27, 1950 - July 27, 1953

Vietnam - January 1, 1961 - March 28, 1973

Vietnam Frequent Wind - April 29, 30, 1975

Persian Gulf - August 2, 1990 - November 30, 1995.

The claimant must also be in receipt of one of the following medals: Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Era or the Southwest Asia Service Medal; and have been a resident of Illinois for 12 months immediately prior to entering service and have received an Honorable Discharge. (Individuals currently on active duty who served in the Persian Gulf may apply prior to discharge by also including the "Armed Forces Certificate".)

You can download a copy of the bonus application in PDF format, print it out, fill it in, and mail it to us.

Vietnam Veteran Survivors Compensation-Survivors are entitled to a payment of $1,000 if veteran's death is service-connected or is the direct result of service-connected disabilities incurred in the period specified. A separate application is required.

POW Compensation. Persons on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States or employed by the United States Government on, or after, January 1, 1961, who were residents of Illinois 12 months prior to entry, and who were taken and held prisoner by hostile forces in Southwest Asia, are entitled to $50 for each month or portion thereof while being held captive.

Survivors' Compensation. A $1,000 bonus is payable to survivors of certain persons killed by terrorist acts or hostile activities during performance of military service in periods recognized as wartime by United States campaign or service medals. Residency of 1 year in Illinois prior to entering military service is required.

BURIAL BENEFITS

Cartage and Erection Fees. When the federal government has furnished a headstone or marker, the ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS shall pay up to the allowable reimbursement amount for the setting of such marker within Illinois. Currently, the maximum amount is $100.00 payable upon approval of the application.

Graves Registration. The ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS shall

maintain a card file Roll of Honor of all veterans buried in the State of Illinois. Every person, firm or corporation owning or controlling any cemetery or burial place in this State is required to keep a permanent record of the burial of each U.S. war veteran or memorial marker erected for this purpose.

Indigent Veterans. The county Veterans Assistance Commission shall provide burial for any honorably discharged indigent veteran, or their mothers, fathers, spouse or surviving spouse, or minor children without sufficient means to defray the funeral expenses. The expense of such burial shall not exceed the sum of $600. Emergency food, transportation, etc. are provided in certain cases. Please contact your local county Veterans Assistance Commission for more information.

EDUCATION

Educational Opportunities for Children (10-18 Yrs). Financial aid is provided annually to each child between the ages of 10 and 18 years of a veteran who died or became totally disabled as a result of service in the Armed Forces during World War I, or II, the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts or beginning February 1, 1955, until such individuals are no longer eligible for induction under the Universal Military Training and Service Act. The financial aid applies to a state educational institution of elementary grade, high school or vocational training school.

MIA/POW Scholarship.Dependents of a veteran who has been declared by the Department of Defense or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to be a prisoner of war; missing-in-action; to have died as the result of a service-connected disability; or be permanently disabled from service-connected causes with 100% disability; and, who was an Illinois resident or was an Illinois resident within six months of entering service may be eligible for the scholarship. Eligible dependents are entitled to full payment of tuition and certain fees to any state supported Illinois institution of higher learning consisting of the equivalent of four (4) calendar years of full-time enrollment including summer terms (i.e., 120 points).

State Approving Agency. Approves training for veterans in the areas of higher education, apprenticeship training, vocational training, and on the job training.

Veterans' Grant. The Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program pays tuition and certain fees at all Illinois state-supported colleges, universities and community colleges for Illinois residents. An individual must:

· be an honorably discharged veteran; and

· reside in Illinois six months before entering the service; and

· have at least one full year of active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces which includes veterans who were assigned to active duty in a foreign country in a time of hostilities in that country, regardless of length of service; and

· return to Illinois within six months of discharge from the service.

Applications and additional information are available from field offices of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, college financial aid offices or the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, 1755 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, 60015, telephone 847/948-8550 or 800/899-ISAC, web site address www.collegezone.com.

Illinois National Guard Scholarship. Any enlisted person or Lieutenant or Captain with at least one (1) year service in the Illinois Army/Air National Guard may participate. Available for eight (8) semesters or twelve (12) quarters of full-time or part-time undergraduate study or graduate study at any Illinois state-controlled university or community college. Recipient is entitled to payment of tuition and certain fees. Applications and information on the scholarship may be obtained from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, 1755 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, Illinois, 60015, telephone 847/948-8550 or 800/899-ISAC, web site address www.collegezone.com.

Children of Veterans Scholarship Each county in the state shall be entitled, annually, to one honorary scholarship at the University of Illinois, for the benefit of children of veterans of WWI, WWII, Korean War, the Vietnam Conflict and any time on or after August 2, 1990 and until those persons in service are no longer eligible for the Southwest Asia Service Medal. Preference is given to the children of deceased and disabled veterans. Such children shall be entitled to receive, without charge for tuition, instruction in any or all departments of the University for a term of at least four (4) consecutive years. Details may be obtained from the University's Financial Aid Office.

EMPLOYMENT

State Government/Employment Preference. Preference is given in Central Management Services entrance examinations to honorably discharged veterans who served in times of hostilities and peacetime. Contact the Veterans Outreach Program for more information at (217)524-1313 or (800)643-8138.

Jobs for Vets.The Department of Employment Security/Illinois Job Service provides a trained "Veterans Representative" to help you get the training and job you need. An electronic statewide job search information system is available at different locations throughout the State of Illinois. Contact your local Employment Security office for more information.

The Department of Human Services provides services for veterans with mental/physical disabilities that assist them in returning to gainful employment.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs have a number of Small Business Administration loan and Job Training Programs.

REAL ESTATE

Tax Exemption. This exemption is allowed on the assessed value of real property for which federal funds have been used for the purchase or construction of specially adapted housing for as long as the veteran, or the spouse, or unmarried surviving spouse resides on the property.

Specially Adapted Housing. Assistance is provided for service-connected disabled veterans for the purpose of acquiring or remodeling suitable dwelling units with special fixtures or moveable facilities made necessary by the veteran's permanent and total service-connected disabilities.

Tax Exemption for Mobile Home. This exemption applies to the tax imposed by the Mobile Home Local Services Tax Act when that property is owned and used exclusively by a disabled veteran, spouse or unmarried surviving spouse as a home. The veteran must have received authorization of the Specially Adapted Housing Grant by the USDVA, whether benefit was used or not. Applicant must be a permanent resident of the State of Illinois on January 1 of the tax year for which the exemption is being claimed. Disabled veterans that now live in a mobile home and never received the Specially Adapted Housing Grant are not eligible. Please contact your local service office for more information.

VETERANS' HOMES AT ANNA, LASALLE, MANTENO AND QUINCY

Quality nursing and health care services are provided for Illinois Veterans with military service of one (1) day or more during WW I, WW II, the Korean or Vietnam conflicts, or during any period of time now, or in the future, recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a period of war. The veteran must have either been an Illinois resident upon entering the service, or have resided in the State of Illinois for one (1) year preceding application for admittance into a Veterans' Home. Peacetime veterans with one (1) year of HONORABLE military service may also be eligible. OTHER QUALIFYING CONDITIONS, AS REQUIRED, MUST BE MET. A spouse, or surviving spouse, may also qualify for admittance to the Quincy Veterans' Home.

Since each of the Veterans' Homes specialize in a variety of health care and social services, each Home provides a special brochure describing the human services available.

You may receive any one or all of the Veterans' Home brochures from any of the Veterans Service Offices listed in this brochure or from the Department of Veterans' Affairs Central Office.

PERMITS

Camping & Admission Fees. This benefit provides for the exemption of camping and admission fees for certain disabled persons and former prisoners of war who are Illinois residents and wish to camp in parks under the control of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Documentation is required.

Hunting and Fishing Privileges. Fishing and hunting licenses are not required for disabled veterans who are Illinois residents and receiving 10% or greater service-connected compensation, or total disability pension benefits. To acquire a permit, contact your local Veterans Service office.

State Fair. Honorably discharged veterans of all ages and their families shall be admitted FREE, when they properly identify themselves, on Veterans' Day at the fair. Veterans Day includes a day-long program of drum corps, drill teams, and color guard competition. Admission is FREE to people 60 and older on Senior Day.

Necessary Documents to File Claims. Certificate of Discharge DD 214, death certificate, marriage license, insurance policies and in some cases medical documentation.

Pasted from <http://www.state.il.us/agency/dva/vetben.htm>

[SSGMike.Ivy]

New Tax Exemption in Illinois

Week of November 26, 2007

Local tax assessors in Illinois are getting ready for what could be an onslaught of applications filed by Illinois veterans seeking a tax break in the weeks ahead. Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed a bill into law last month that provides homestead tax exemptions for disabled veterans and for veterans returning home this year from active duty. All applicants must be Illinois residents who have served as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty or state active duty, Illinois National Guard or U.S. Reserve Forces and honorably discharged. For more information, contact your local Illinois tax assessor's office. For more information on benefits for Illinois veterans, visit the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs website.

[Justme1949]

SSGMike, Can you tell me if this tax break applies for all disabled vets,or just those currently in the military coming back?

Thank you!

[SSGMike.Ivy]

SSGMike, Can you tell me if this tax break applies for all disabled vets,or just those currently in the military coming back?

Thank you!

State benefits are for all Veterans and your deducation usually is based on [a] that you are a Veteran b] served in a combat zone [c] are combat wounded [d] are a disabled Veteran.

You have to read the state benefits and tax information provided by your state. Usually the states have the forms on the website for you to fill and submit.

[RockyA1911]

This is it!

More Illinois veterans and disabled persons will be eligible for property tax relief as a result of legislation that was passed into law on October 17, 2007. Public Act 95-0644 creates three new homestead exemptions for Illinois’ disabled citizens and qualifying veterans. The legislation also expands current homestead exemptions to provide property tax relief for qualifying Illinois’ homeowners and senior citizens.

Three new homestead exemptions will take effect for the 2007 tax year (property taxes paid in 2008).

The new Returning Veterans’ Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-167)provides a one-time $5,000 reduction in a property’s equalized assessed value (EAV) to qualifying veterans who return from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. To receive this exemption, the veteran must file an application upon their return home.

The new Disabled Persons’ Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-168)

provides a $2,000 reduction in a property’s EAV to a qualifying property owned by a disabled person. A disabled person must file an annual application by the county’s due date to continue to receive this exemption.

The new Disabled Veterans’ Standard Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS

200/15-169) provides a reduction in a property’s EAV to a qualifying property owned by a veteran with a service-connected disability certified by the U. S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs. A $2,500 homestead exemption is available to a veteran with a service-connected disability of at least 50% but less than 75% or a $5,000 homestead exemption is available to a veteran with a serviceconnected disability of at least 75%. A disabled veteran must file an annual application by the county’s due date to continue to receive this exemption.

The current Disabled Veterans’ Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-165)

that provides up to a $70,000 reduction in assessed value for federally-approved specially adapted housing will continue to be available through the local Affairs Office.

A disabled person’s or disabled veteran’s property can receive only one of the following exemptions each year: Disabled Veterans’ Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-165), Disabled Persons’ Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/ 15-168) or the Disabled Veterans’ Standard Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-169).

The increase in the current homestead exemptions will provide additional

property tax relief for some Illinois homeowners and senior citizens.

The maximum reduction on a property’s EAV for the current General

Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-175) on owner-occupied residences

will increase from $5,000 to $5,500 for the 2008 tax year (property taxes paid in 2009), and increase again to $6,000 for the 2009 tax year (property taxes paid 2010).

The reduction on a property’s EAV for the current Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-170) on properties of residents that are 65 years ofage or older will increase from $3,500 to $4,000 for the 2008 tax year (property taxes paid in 2009).

The current Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (35

ILCS 200/15-172) maximum household income levels for eligibility to freeze a property’s EAV will increase from $50,000 to $55,000.

For information on these homestead exemptions, please contact your chief

county assessment office or local assessment office.

Edited December 6, 2007 by RockyA1911

[putintime]

Sorry I posted this in another section, but it belongs here;

A newbie mistake :P First, I want to thank grunt1949 for introducing me to this site.

Second, The information below is in paragraphs, because I cut

and paste from a different veteran site, to give you all the updated

information that I have.

Effective 17 October 2007 Illinois General Assembly & Governor signed Public Act 95-0644.

This is good news for almost all returning soldiers for armed conflict areas, disabled veterans,

and a step in the right direction for future Illinois veterans. Mostly deals homestead exemptions

and property tax. Hope this info helps those uninformed.

The form is PTAX-342, An application for Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead

Exemption (DVSHE) form has been generated from the Illinois Department of Revenue

(IDOR). It is correct on the proper property tax exemption, although all over the form mentions

Estimated Assessed Value (EAV) reduction. It is funny that no where in Public Act

95-0644, 35 ILCS 200/15-169 (new) does it mention EAV until they write about limit value

of exemption (which is $250,000 EAV) on total resident property worth. All other sections

in this Illinois Public Act 95-0644 that was passed 17 October 2007, write about EAV and are

very specific on the intent in the 8 different sections concerning "Homestead Exemptions".

35 ILCS 200/15-165

35 ILCS 200/15-167

35 ILCS 200/15-168

35 ILCS 200/15-170

35 ILCS 200/15-172

35 ILCS 200/15-175

35 ILCS 200/15-177

35 ILCS 200/15-176

To be told this is just an "oversight" sounds goofy to me. How many lawyers picked through

this before it became a law? I have personally faxed and mailed letters to all the co-sponsors

of HR0664 that generated this Public Act 95-0644, and have only recieved 1 call saying that it

was being looked into. Also letters & faxes have been sent to the Illinois Governor, Asst Gov,

Illinois Director of Veteran Affairs (IDVA), Mayor of Chicago, and the IDOR for clarity on this

law for disabled veterans. Please help us out, Call your Chief County Assessor Officer (CCAO) and ask them to quote the law of Public Act 95-0644, Section 35 ILCS 200/ 15-169 (new) as it reads, and not what they "assume". Remember power is in numbers!!! Here is some quick numbers for you: This will make a difference of $2500 / $5000 yearly off your property tax, compared to

$200 to $500 a year, which is what our property taxes in Illinois have annually gone up historically for the last 10 years. Illinois has always been way behind to other states when properly

compensating the severally disabled veterans that are on limited income because of their disabilities. There is a time limitation for each county in Illinois when using the form PTAX-342 and it must be submitted in order to get this benefit for this year 2008 (2007 assessed year). Read the fine print on the back of the form concerning documentation that is needed, it can be misleading.

Just call the Chief County Assessor Officer (CCAO) and ask them what the Public Act 95-0644

Section 35 ILCS 200/ 15-169 (new) reads. As stated earlier many letters and faxes have been

sent to many people, and I called the LaSalle County Assessors office today to find out the deadline to sent the form PTAX-342 to get credit for this year (last year property taxes 2007) Ours is 28 February 2008. Call Ms. Taylor at (708) 202-2715 to get an updated disability certification letter for this tax year. Your DD214 needs to be certified by the recorders office. Get your PTAX-342 form in ASAP they (County assessors office) mentioned that there is a "loophole" that they are trying to rectify. Personally, I know the "loophole" they are talking about is the wording in section 35 ILCS 200/15-169 (new) of Public Act 95-0644. Let them know that you are aware of it, and contact all Illinois veterans to contact their state representatives & senators to keep the pressure on keeping this bill as is.

Sorry to ramble, just want to help fellow Illinois veterans.

Take Care,