Which VARO handles Pennsylvania VA claims?

Pennsylvania is split between two VAROs based on county. The Philadelphia VARO (5000 Wissahickon Ave) handles eastern PA counties; the Pittsburgh VARO (1000 Liberty Ave) handles western PA counties. The split is roughly along the Allegheny Mountains.

Does Pennsylvania have a property tax exemption for disabled veterans?

Yes. Under Pennsylvania law (3 P.S. §8501 et seq., the Disabled Veterans' Real Estate Tax Exemption), veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled (or 100% TDIU) plus blind/paraplegic or double-amputee veterans receive a FULL exemption from real estate tax on the principal residence. Income-based eligibility threshold applies for some categories. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA).

Is there an education benefit for dependents of disabled veterans in PA?

Yes — the Pennsylvania Veterans Affairs Educational Gratuity provides up to $500/term ($1,000/year) toward tuition for children of veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled or KIA. The amount is modest but in addition to federal Ch. 35 DEA benefits.

What are PA State Veterans Homes?

Pennsylvania operates six State Veterans Homes via the DMVA: Erie, Hollidaysburg, Pittsburgh, Scranton, Spring City, and Philadelphia. Skilled nursing and dementia care; cost income-based with subsidies for service-connected veterans.

Pennsylvania · Philadelphia + Pittsburgh VAROs · ~750K veterans

Pennsylvania VA Disability Claims Guide

Q: Are VA disability benefits taxable in Pennsylvania?

No. Federal VA disability compensation is excluded from Pennsylvania state income tax. Military retirement pay is also exempt from PA state income tax.

By Shirley Chia · Last updated 2026-05-22 · VAROs: Philadelphia (east) + Pittsburgh (west) · PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

TL;DR. Pennsylvania has ~750,000 veterans and is one of only a handful of states split between two VAROs — Philadelphia (east) and Pittsburgh (west), divided roughly along the Allegheny Mountains. PA offers a full real estate tax exemption for veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled (plus blind, paraplegic, double-amputee categories). VA disability + military retirement are both exempt from PA state income tax. The Educational Gratuity provides modest tuition support for dependents of 100% disabled veterans. Six State Veterans Homes statewide.

The Pennsylvania veteran population

Pennsylvania is home to approximately 750,000 veterans, with concentrations around historical military installations and major cities. Carlisle Barracks (Army War College), the broader Susquehanna Valley defense industry, Pittsburgh-area DoD/contractor base, and the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard legacy community drive the geography. The Coatesville VA Medical Center is one of the largest VA medical facilities in the country.

The two PA VAROs

Philadelphia VARO (Eastern PA)

Address: 5000 Wissahickon Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Phone: 1-800-827-1000
Jurisdiction: Eastern Pennsylvania counties

Pittsburgh VARO (Western PA)

Address: 1000 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 1-800-827-1000
Jurisdiction: Western Pennsylvania counties

Your VARO assignment depends on your county of residence. Either VARO accepts initial claims, but processing routes to the geographically-assigned office.

Filing a VA disability claim in Pennsylvania

Online via VA.gov. Form 21-526EZ.
Through PA DMVA. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has Veterans Service Officers in every county. Find your nearest at dmva.pa.gov.
County Directors of Veterans Affairs. Each PA county has a Director of Veterans Affairs.
National VSO chapters.

Pennsylvania state benefits

Disabled Veterans' Real Estate Tax Exemption

The PA Disabled Veterans' Real Estate Tax Exemption (3 P.S. §8501 et seq.) is one of the most generous in the country: FULL exemption from real estate tax on the principal residence for qualifying veterans. Eligibility categories:

Veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled OR receiving 100% TDIU.
Veterans rated less than 100% but blind, paraplegic, or double amputee.

Some eligibility categories include an income threshold; check current limits with the State Veterans Commission. Application through the county Director of Veterans Affairs.

State income tax exemption

VA disability compensation is fully exempt from Pennsylvania state income tax. Military retirement pay is also exempt.

Veterans Affairs Educational Gratuity

The PA Veterans Affairs Educational Gratuity provides up to $500 per semester ($1,000/year) toward tuition at PA-approved schools for children of veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled OR who died from service-connected causes. The benefit is modest but stacks with federal Chapter 35 DEA.

State Veterans Homes

PA operates six State Veterans Homes under DMVA: Erie, Hollidaysburg (Hollidaysburg Veterans Home), Pittsburgh (Southwestern), Scranton (Gino J. Merli), Spring City (Southeastern), and Philadelphia (Delaware Valley). All offer skilled nursing care.

Hiring preferences

PA Commonwealth hiring includes veterans' preference under Pennsylvania Veterans' Preference Act. Disabled veterans receive enhanced preference.

Accredited representation in Pennsylvania

County Directors of Veterans Affairs. Free accredited representation in every PA county.
VSO national organizations.
Accredited attorneys via VA OGC directory.

Crisis and emergency resources

Veterans Crisis Line: 988, press 1; or text 838255.
PA DMVA main: 717-861-8500.

Use the calculator

Federal compensation is identical nationwide. Use the VA Combined Rating Calculator. PA benefits supplement; VA disability + military retirement are both exempt from PA state income tax.

Calculate your federal compensation →

Sources cited in this article

VetDisabilityCalc is an independent reference site. We are not VA-accredited and we do not prepare or present VA claims.