County Benefits

Allegheny County provides burial benefits, veterans’ preference in employment, and real estate tax exemptions for disabled veterans.

Other Pennsylvania counties also provide burial benefits through the Pennsylvania State Association of County Directors of Veterans' Affairs (PSACDVA).

PSACDVA Burial Benefits(PDF, 203KB)

Burial Allowance

  • $100.00 payable towards the funeral expense of an honorably discharged Wartime Veteran.
    • The veteran must be a legal resident of Allegheny County at the time of death.
  • The widowed spouse of an honorably discharged wartime veteran is entitled to a $100.00 burial benefit, provided the widow(er) was an Allegheny County resident.
  • Application Forms

Burial Plots

  • Free burial plots for indigent veterans of Wartime Service are available at Restland Memorial Park, 990 Patton Street, Monroeville, PA 15146, Phone: 412-823-4888.
    • There are no cemetery costs involved for eligible veterans.
    • Burial plots are not available for veterans' widows.
    • Arrangements for burial permit must be made by the funeral director, who certifies that sufficient funds are not available with which to bury the veteran.
    • Burial permits are obtained at the Department of Veterans' Services.
  • Veterans, their spouse and severely disabled children are entitled to be buried at The National Cemetery of The Alleghenies.
    • Arrangements are made through the funeral director.

Flags and Emblem Markers (Flag Holders)

Allegheny County provides flags and emblem markers for Memorial Day observances. The flags and emblem markers are to be used for the decoration of deceased veterans' graves.

Headstones and Installation Allowances

  • Allegheny County will pay up to $100.00 for the foundation and installation of the free Federal headstone or grave marker.
    • The difference, if any, is the responsibility of the applicant.
    • The $100.00 allowance is payable for Wartime Veterans only.
    • The $100.00 allowance is not payable commercially purchased materials.
  • A free Federal government headstone or grave marker is available for the unmarked grave of a deceased veteran.
  • This benefit is also available for peacetime veterans and former service personnel whose remains were uncovered.

Real Estate Tax Exemption

Veterans that are rated 100% Service-connected disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may be eligible for a Property Tax Exemption.

Emergency Assistance

In the event of an emergency situation, disabled veterans may be able to receive temporary aid for food, clothing, and shelter, on a temporary basis. Eligibility is based on household income; applicants cannot be a dishonorably discharged veteran.

The spouse of a recently deceased veteran may be eligible due to the loss of any income, pension, or Social Security the veteran may have been receiving. Copies of Marriage License and Death Certificate must accompany the application.

Apply for the Emergency Transition Assistance Fund Application

Recording Military Discharges

Discharged service persons are encouraged to Record a DD-214 Discharge with the Allegheny County Department of Real Estate, County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Room 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. This service is provided free of charge to all veterans. The discharge will be permanently recorded and certified copies can be obtained at any time by calling 412-350-4299.

Veterans Preference

Allegheny County, as well as many local companies, include a veteran's preference for employment opportunities.

Review Allegheny County Job Opportunities and the Veterans Employment Information.

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