By Paul Sordillo

Hull Veterans Service Officer

This month, I want to discuss VA health care, Death Indemnity Compensation (DIC), the state annuity and tax abatement.

Why VA health care? I’ve had several elderly veterans come into my office seeking benefits from the VA, primarily from VA hospitals, such as hearing aids. For hearing aids and numerous other services through the VA, you must have VA health care. If you have a disability rating of 50% you are automatically enrolled and already have access. If not, you must apply. You can still see your current doctor and keep your current health care insurance and have VA health care.

If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, you may be able to get a tax-free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC). Detailed information in regard to eligibility can be found here.

Veteran annuity benefit is a Commonwealth of Massachusetts benefit for disabled veterans. It is a financial benefit given to 100% disabled veterans, parents of deceased veterans, and unmarried spouses of deceased veterans living in Massachusetts. For more information, click here to view eligibility criteria and application guidelines. You also can email vetsannuity@mass.gov or call 617-210-5480 if you have any questions or concerns about your benefits.

Abatement! For the surviving spouses, after application to the VA for DIC (as talked about above) and approved, and the documentation from the Veterans Affairs stating the veteran passed due to a service connection, and you currently own a home, you could be eligible for 100% abatement for your real estate taxes. See the veterans service office and the town assessors office for more details.

Other Helpful Links:

Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents Survivors and Caregivers

VA Survivor Benefits Pamphlet October 2024

Call or visit the veterans office (appointments recommended, but not necessary) for more details of the subject matter in this article, or any benefit question. Paul Sordillo, Hull’s Veterans Service Officer, can be reached at 781-925-0305 or psordillo@town.hull.ma.us.

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By Paul Sordillo

Hull Veterans Service Officer

This is the first in a series of monthly columns by Hull Veterans Service Officer Paul Sordillo that will highlight information and benefits of interest to local veterans and their families.

My name is Paul Sordillo, and I am your Veterans Service Officer. I retired from the Coast Guard after 29 years and have been the Hull Veteran Officer since April of 2018. I am also a resident.

Many people believe I am a representative of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but I’m not. I am a town employee responsible for administrating state benefits commonly known as Chapter 115. I do assist and help veterans and surviving spouses with applying for Veterans Affairs benefits from the federal government. I also plan and coordinate Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies.

Towns in the Massachusetts Bay Colony started providing assistance to needy veterans in their communities following the French and Indian War (1754-1763). The Commonwealth of Massachusetts started providing assistance after the Revolutionary War. Not until the start of the Civil War did the state formalize the assistance, establishing Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 115 and the Department of Veterans Services. The Department of Veterans Services was established as an executive office on March 1, 2023 and is now known as the Executive Office of Veterans Services.

Let’s talk Chapter 115. This benefit is for veterans and the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran (if the spouse was married to the veteran at the time of his or her death, he or she is considered an eligible dependent). Children and parents might also qualify to receive benefits.

There are strict eligibility requirements, as Chapter 115 is means-tested with income and asset limits. The following amounts are good until June 30, 2025: the maximum monthly income allowed for an individual is $2,510, and for a couple, it is $3,407. Additional family members would change these amounts. However, applicants whose income is slightly above allowable limits may be eligible for medical benefits at a “spend down” adjustment amount. Asset limits are $8,400 for and individual and $16,600 for a couple. Note that even if your income is higher than the specified amounts, you still may qualify for reimbursements of medical expenses. Get in touch with the veterans office by phone at 781-925-0305, or email psordillo@town.hull.ma.us, for more information or visit mass.gov/veteran-benefits

I will continue with more articles in regards to available benefits, both federal and state.

To contact Paul Sordillo, Hull’s Veterans Service Officer, for more information about the topics discussed in this column, or other benefits available to local veterans, call 781-925-0305 or email psordillo@town.hull.ma.us.

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed and support our work with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

From the Veterans Office

Getting to know the benefits of Veterans Administration health care, state annuity, and property tax abatement

From the Veterans Office: New column to highlight benefits available to Hull veterans and families

The Hull Times

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