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1. How is a determination made that the disabled veteran is permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service and entitled to veterans’ benefits at the 100% rate?

The Veterans’ Administration defines a service connected disability as a disability related to an injury or disease that developed during, or was aggravated while on active duty or active duty for training (Summary of VA Benefits for Disabled Veterans). The Veterans Administration Schedule for Rating Disabilities is used to assess the medical conditions and illnesses incurred or aggravated during the veteran's military service and percentage rating from 0% to 100% is assigned based on the severity of the disability.

Individuals filing the affidavit for the exemption under criteria must provide a copy of the letter from the Veterans’ Administration indicating they have a 100% service connected disability and are entitled to receive benefits.

Note: The act does not require the disabled veteran to have already received the benefit, it only requires that they have been determined to be permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service and entitled to veterans’ benefits at the 100% rate.

2. What is assistance for specially adapted housing?

The Veterans’ Administration provides veterans with certain permanent and total service - connected disabilities financial assistance to purchase or construct an adapted home or modify an existing home to accommodate a disability. There are two grant programs:

• Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH)
• Special Housing Adaptation Grant (SHA)

This information is per the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans.

The State Tax Commission has determined that receipt of either grant would qualify an individual for the exemption under criteria b). Individuals filing the affidavit for the exemption under criteria b) must provide a copy of the certificate from the Veterans' Administration indicating they are receiving or have received pecuniary assistance due to disability for specially adapted housing.

3. What does individually unemployable mean?

Individual unemployability is part of the Veterans’ Administration disability compensation program. Under this program, veterans may receive compensation at the 100% rate even though their service connected disability is not rated at 100%. [Veteran’s Affairs Individual Unemployability Fact Sheet ] In order to be eligible, a veteran must prove they are unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of their service connected disability. In addition they must have one service connected disability rated at 60% or more or 2 or more service connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more with a combined rating of 70% or more. Individuals filing the affidavit for the exemption under criteria c) must provide a copy of the letter from the Veterans’ Administration indicating they are individually unemployable.

4. Is there an asset test and/or means test to determine eligibility?

No, there is no asset test and/or means test to determine eligibility. In order to be eligible, the disabled veteran must meet the requirements of
Public Act 161 of 2013 regardless of their income or the value of their home.