County Benefits

Burial Benefit Forms

Burial Allowance

• $100 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 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.

Headstones and Installation

Allegheny County will pay up to $100 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 allowance is payable for Wartime Veterans only.
• The $100 allowance is not payable on 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.

Flag and Emblem Markers

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.

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.

Application

Emergency Transition Assistance Fund Application(PDF, 1MB)

Once the application is complete and all supporting documents are ready, please submit the completed application.

By Mail:
Allegheny County Veteran Services
One Smithfield Street
Pittsburgh PA 15222

By Email:
DHSVTAVeterans@alleghenycounty.us

If you need help to apply for emergency assistance, contact Allegheny County Veterans' Services at 412-621-4357 to schedule an appointment.

Some disabled veterans are eligible for property tax exemptions. You must meet these general qualifications:

• The veteran must be a 100% service-connected disabled veteran.
• The veteran must have served during a period of war as determined by the Department of Veteran Affairs.
• The disabled veteran must also demonstrate the financial need for tax exemption.
• Upon the death of a qualified veteran, the tax exemption may pass to the widowed spouse, if financial need can be demonstrated. 

Application with Instructions

Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption Program(PDF, 791KB)

Once the application is complete and all supporting documents are ready, please submit the completed application.

By Mail:
Allegheny County Veteran Services
One Smithfield Street
Pittsburgh PA 15222

By Email:
DHSRETXVeterans@alleghenycounty.us

If you need help to apply for a veteran's exemption, contact Allegheny County Veterans' Services at 412-621-4357 to schedule an appointment.

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.

• Obtaining DD-214 Discharge Papers

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.