What Local/State Services and Benefits are available to eligible veterans?

Answer

LOCAL/STATE SERVICES/BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO ELIGIBLE VETERANS:

DIRECT FINANCIAL AID ΓÇô Chapter 115 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth provides a system of financial benefits for veterans, their families, and in some cases their survivors, who are in need and who meet the appropriate criteria. This aid is dispensed by the VeteransΓÇÖ Services Office from Town funds and is reimbursed by the Commonwealth at a rate of 75%. This aid is paid by check directly to the recipient and must be repaid if circumstances permit.

HOSPITAL/MEDICAL/FUEL ΓÇô Eligible veterans and their families can have their hospital, medical and fuel bill paid by the Town with a 75% reimbursement from the Commonwealth.

BURIAL ΓÇô All deceased veterans receive a casket flag and an aluminum grave marker. Honor guards are also available. Financial aid is available for indigent veteransΓÇÖ burial, if there is no family or no other source of funds to pay for burial. Some of these funds are reimbursed to the Town from the Commonwealth.

PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS ΓÇô Eligible veterans, spouses, and parents must:

• Be legal residents of Massachusetts.
• Be occupying the property as his/her domicile on July 1 in the year of application.
• Have lived in Massachusetts for at least six (6) months prior to entering the service (spouses exempted) or
• Have lived in Massachusetts for five consecutive years immediately prior to filing for property tax abatement.

Please contact the Sudbury Assessors Office for further eligibility and to apply. Please note that an application must be submitted each year to the assessor’s office to obtain the exemption. It is not automatic.