State / Territory Benefits - Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Department of Driver Services (DDS) Benefits
Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Facilities
Summary: Puerto Rico offers special benefits for its military service members and Veterans including income tax advantages, property tax exemptions, education and tuition assistance, as well as injury and death benefits. Eligibility for some benefits may depend on residency, military component and Veteran disability status.
Territory Benefit Highlights and Eligibility
Income Tax Advantage:
Veterans are entitled to a $500.00 tax deduction for life. (Income Tax Act, Act No. 91 of June 29, 1954)
Eligibility: All Veterans.
Property Tax Exemption Applicable to All Veterans: Veteran is exempt from up to five thousand (5,000) dollars for a period of ten (10) years of the appraised value of the dwelling that a Veteran builds or acquires in good faith for his or her residence. If the building has more than one dwelling, the appraised taxable value, for the purposes of the exemption, shall be the proportional part which corresponds to the dwelling occupied by a Veteran, of the total value of the building and the lot, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.
Eligibility: Veterans who apply must have their application for exemption granted by the office of the Secretary of the Treasury. The ten (10) year exemption shall commence on the fiscal year following that in which the Veteran builds or acquires his or her dwelling; if a Veteran should sell his house or dwelling, he or she shall be entitled to complete the ten (10) year period when he or she purchases or acquires another property for his or her dwelling.
Property Exemption Applicable to Injured Veterans: Every house built, acquired or remodeled or to be constructed, acquired or remodeled in the future by a disabled Veteran, and the lot where the same is located, which does not exceed five hundred (500) square meters in the urban zone, or one cuerda in the rural zone, shall be exempted from property taxes, provide that the same is the dwelling of the injured Veteran or his immediate family [act of congress 06-89, effective January 1, 1968.]
Eligibility: The tax exemption is granted to an injured Veteran and shall cease when the property is no longer used as his or her dwelling or that of his or her immediate family.
Property Exemption Applicable to Disabled Veterans: Any Veteran who receives disability compensation of fifty percent (50%) or more shall be entitled to a property tax exemption on the first fifty thousand (50,000) dollars of the appraised value of the property for taxable purposes.
Eligibility: Veterans with service-connected disability rating of 50% or more and appropriate documentation from the Veteran's Administration. House or lot may not exceed five hundred (500) square meters in the urban zone, or one cuerda in the rural zone, provided that the dwelling has been the residence of the Veteran or immediate family on January 1 of the year immediately preceding the taxable year for which exemption is. Veteran applying for property exemption must provide following materials:
(1) The original or a photocopy of discharge certificate from the branch of the Armed Forces of the United States where Veteran served. The Veteran shall not have to present the original or photocopy of his or her discharge certificate each year, provided he or she leaves a photocopy of these papers in the archives of the collector.
(2) Written certificate from an official of the Veterans' Administration attesting to the Veteran's degree of disability as of the 1st of January immediately preceding the taxable year for which he or she is requesting exemption.
(3) Sworn statement attesting that the property in question was being used as the residence of the Veteran or his immediate family on the 1st of January immediately preceding the taxable year for which he is requesting exemption.
Automobile Tax Exemption: The automobiles furnished to injured Veterans by, or with the help of the Veterans' Administration, are hereby exempted from the tax on vehicles. [Excise Tax Act of Puerto Rico, sections 4001 et seq. of Title 13.] The replacements of the automobile thus acquired shall also be entitled to this exemption, provided that the automobile to be replaced has been in the possession of the Veteran for his personal use for a period of not less than four (4) years. However, in those cases in which the automobile to be replaced has become unusable for fortuitous causes not attributable to its owner's negligence, the replacement shall be entitled to the exemption even though the 4 years have not expired.
Eligibility: Veterans must have certification that automobile was furnished with the assistance of Veteran's Administration.
War Surplus. The war surplus property acquired by a Veteran is hereby exempted from all types of taxes or duties, provided that the same is for personal use and it does not have a total value of more than five thousand (5,000) dollars.
Eligibility: All Veterans
The Puerto Rico National Guard Tuition Assistance Fund (FIGNA): Provides funding for Graduate Degree up to 18 credits, per academic year; maximum of $75.00 per credit, and a maximum of $1,350.00 per year, undergraduate or vocational courses, up to 18 credits, maximum of $50.00; or the cost per credit according to the educational institution, whichever is less; and a maximum of $900.00 per year and for M.D. up to a maximum of $1,000.00 annually for two years.
Eligibility: To participate in the State Tuition Assistance program, citizen-Soldiers must be on active drill status or AGR, pay $1.50 monthly, and have no spouse or dependent using it at the moment they request the assistance. The State Tuition Assistance provides the spouse for Graduate Degree up to 18 credits, a maximum of $75.00 per credit , +a maximum of $1,350.00 per semester. The State Tuition Assistance provides funding for the spouses and/or dependents for Undergraduate or Vocational courses up to a maximum of 18 credits, a maximum of $50.00 per credit, and a maximum of $900.00 per semester, or the cost per credit.
Educational Leave Without Pay: Veterans can continue their studies in or outside of Puerto Rico, and shall be entitled to request leave without pay, for the reasonable period of time required for the studies and while they are taking courses. Veterans will be reinstated in the position or office they held at the time they left in order to study, or in another position or office of the same category, salary and rank.
Eligibility: Any Veteran who is an official or employee of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, its agencies and instrumentalities, public or quasi-public corporations, and of the municipal governments.
Tuition Assistance: Any Veteran university student who has exhausted or will soon exhaust his right to study under the legislation approved by the Congress of the United States of America, without having completed his bachelor's degree or other post-graduate studies s/he has already initiated, for which s/he may qualify and wish to pursue, because those studies extend for a longer period of time than authorized by federal legislation, is entitled to free tuition in the University of Puerto Rico and its Regional Colleges, and preference, in equal conditions, as to assistance, grants and other benefits granted to university students, The Veterans who are university students in recognized universities outside of the territory of the United States and Puerto Rico enjoy the same benefits as if they were studying in any university in Puerto Rico.
Eligibility: Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and Air National Guard members on State Active Duty.
Education Admission Preference: Merchant Marine School is established in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Veterans who meet the admission requirements shall be given preference for admission.
Employment Preference: The government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, its agencies and instrumentalities, public or quasi-public corporations, municipalities, and all private, natural or juridical persons who operate businesses in Puerto Rico, shall be under the obligation to:
(a) Give preference to a Veteran, under equal academic and technical conditions or experience, when filling any position, employment or employment opportunity.
(b) Reinstate a Veteran in the same position or work he was performing at the time he was called into the Armed Forces, if the Veteran formally requests it within six (6) months following his discharge, and the same position or office he held still exists, or in another of the same category.
(c) Add five (5) points or five (5) percent whichever is greater, to the grade obtained by a Veteran in any exam or test required to qualify for a job or a promotion. The Veterans who have a service-connected disability shall be given an additional five (5) points or five (5) percent whichever is greater.
(d) Offer competitive tests to any Veteran who, due to being in the active service, has not been able to take the competitive tests, and who requests them within ninety (90) days after his honorable discharge; and if he passes said tests, the Veteran's name is to be included in the corresponding list or register.
(e) Any Veteran who enters or reenters the service of the Commonwealth, and becomes a participant of any of the government systems or retirement funds, is entitled to be credited all the time in active service in the Armed Forces towards retirement.
Eligibility: Veteran of the Armed Forces with honorable discharge.
Employment Assistance: Commonwealth employees receive 30 days paid military leave per year. An annuity is provided to any Guard member from 55-60 (if retired).
Eligibility: National Guard member, or retired Guard member from 55-60.
Division of Driver Services
Special Vehicle License Plates: None in Puerto Rico
Injured Veterans License Fees: The automobiles furnished to injured Veterans by, or with the help of the Veteran's Administration, shall be exempted from the license fees. [Sections 301 et seq of Title 9.] The Department of Transportation and Public Works shall provide every injured Veteran with a license plate with a symbol which identifies the Veteran's automobile as that of an injured Veteran. If the owner of an automobile that has been exempted from license fees pursuant to this provision, sells, transfers or in any way alienates it, the acquirer shall be obligated to pay the corresponding fees, counting from the fiscal year in which the exemption to said automobile was granted.
Eligibility: Veteran must have disability certification from Veteran's Administration.
Health and Insurance Benefits
Injury/Death Benefits: The Institutional Trust of the PRNG provides free funeral; $3,000 for individual Guard members or retired up to age 60.
Eligibility: National Guard members or retired up to age 60
Group Insurance: The Institutional Trust of the PRNG provides free life insurance; $5,000 for individual.
Eligibility: National Guard members or retired up to 60 years old
Workers Compensation: State Active Duty National Guard members receive workers' compensation.
Eligibility: National Guard member.
Miscellaneous Benefits
Rights Related to the Acquisition of Properties: Preference shall be given to Veterans in any distribution, sale, cession, donation or lease of property of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, its agencies or instrumentalities and municipalities, including the housing projects under the Department of housing.
Eligibility: Honorably discharged Veterans.
Rights Related to Medical-Hospital Services: It shall be the obligation of the municipalities and of the Commonwealth government to furnish, without any cost whatsoever, through all of their health facilities, the medical attention, treatment, hospitalization and necessary medications, with prior medical prescription and an evaluation of their financial situation based on the criteria of the Federal Medical Assistance Program Title 19 of the Federal Social Security Act to Veterans and their dependents. Veterans with prepaid medical insurance including Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) and Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) will be exempt from the corresponding payment of the deductible.
Eligibility: Veterans, their spouses, and children up to eighteen (18) years of age, and who are university students with valid student identification. Physically or mentally disabled children of Veterans shall receive the benefits without any age limit. The medical rights will be extended to children of Veterans who died on the field of battle, up to the age of eighteen (18) years, university students up to the age of twenty-five (25) years, and to physically or mentally disabled children without any age limit.
Certificate Issued by Government Dependencies. Veteran will receive free certificates from the officers or dependencies of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and of the Municipal Governments, such as courts, registries, bureaus and others of the same or similar nature, when certificates are needed by the Veteran, Veteran's widow or dependents for official uses and to claim any right.
Eligibility: The Puerto Rico Veterans' Affairs Bureau shall regulate the manner in which the exemption shall be claimed.
Wounded Warrior Benefits: The period of time military personnel served on active duty as members of the armed forces of the United States in combat activities during a period designated by the President plus the next 180 days thereafter are disregarded in determining whether any filing requirement has been performed within the time limit prescribed for filing. For individuals who are hospitalized as a result of an injury or confined as a prisoner-of-war, the period of service in the combat zone, plus the period of confinement and the next 180 days thereafter shall be disregarded in determining whether any filing requirement has been performed within the time limit prescribed for filing.
Property Exemption Applicable to Injured Veterans: Every house built, acquired or remodeled or to be constructed, acquired or remodeled in the future by a disabled Veteran, and the lot where the same is located, which does not exceed five hundred (500) square meters in the urban zone, or one cuerda in the rural zone, shall be exempted from property taxes, provide that the same is the dwelling of the injured Veteran or his immediate family [act of congress 06-89, effective January 1, 1968.]
Eligibility: The tax exemption is granted to an injured Veteran and shall cease when the property is no longer used as his or her dwelling or that of his or her immediate family.
Property Exemption Applicable to Disabled Veterans: Any Veteran who receives disability compensation of fifty percent (50%) or more shall be entitled to a property tax exemption on the first fifty thousand (50,000) dollars of the appraised value of the property for taxable purposes.
Eligibility: Veterans with service-connected disability rating of 50% or more and appropriate documentation from the Veteran's Administration. House or lot may not exceed five hundred (500) square meters in the urban zone, or one cuerda in the rural zone, provided that the dwelling has been the residence of the Veteran or immediate family on January 1 of the year immediately preceding the taxable year for which exemption is. Veteran applying for property exemption must provide following materials:
(1) The original or a photocopy of discharge certificate from the branch of the Armed Forces of the United States where Veteran served. The Veteran shall not have to present the original or photocopy of his or her discharge certificate each year, provided he or she leaves a photocopy of these papers in the archives of the collector.
(2) Written certificate from an official of the Veterans' Administration attesting to the Veteran's degree of disability as of the 1st of January immediately preceding the taxable year for which he or she is requesting exemption.
(3) Sworn statement attesting that the property in question was being used as the residence of the Veteran or his immediate family on the 1st of January immediately preceding the taxable year for which he is requesting exemption.
Injured Veterans License Fees: The automobiles furnished to injured Veterans by, or with the help of the Veteran's Administration, shall be exempted from the license fees. [Sections 301 et seq of Title 9.] The Department of Transportation and Public Works shall provide every injured Veteran with a license plate with a symbol which identifies the Veteran's automobile as that of an injured Veteran. If the owner of an automobile that has been exempted from license fees pursuant to this provision, sells, transfers or in any way alienates it, the acquirer shall be obligated to pay the corresponding fees, counting from the fiscal year in which the exemption to said automobile was granted.
Eligibility: Veteran must have disability certification from Veteran's Administration.
The Puerto Rico National Guard Tuition Assistance Fund (FIGNA): Provides funding for Graduate Degree up to 18 credits, per academic year; maximum of $75.00 per credit, and a maximum of $1,350.00 per year, undergraduate or vocational courses, up to 18 credits, maximum of $50.00; or the cost per credit according to the educational institution, whichever is less; and a maximum of $900.00 per year and for M.D. up to a maximum of $1,000.00 annually for two years.
Eligibility: To participate in the State Tuition Assistance program, citizen-Soldiers must be on active drill status or AGR, pay $1.50 monthly, and have no spouse or dependent using it at the moment they request the assistance. The State Tuition Assistance provides the spouse for Graduate Degree up to 18 credits, a maximum of $75.00 per credit , +a maximum of $1,350.00 per semester. The State Tuition Assistance provides funding for the spouses and/or dependents for Undergraduate or Vocational courses up to a maximum of 18 credits, a maximum of $50.00 per credit, and a maximum of $900.00 per semester, or the cost per credit.
Tuition Assistance: Any Veteran university student who has exhausted or will soon exhaust his right to study under the legislation approved by the Congress of the United States of America, without having completed his bachelor's degree or other post-graduate studies s/he has already initiated, for which s/he may qualify and wish to pursue, because those studies extend for a longer period of time than authorized by federal legislation, is entitled to free tuition in the University of Puerto Rico and its Regional Colleges, and preference, in equal conditions, as to assistance, grants and other benefits granted to university students, The Veterans who are university students in recognized universities outside of the territory of the United States and Puerto Rico enjoy the same benefits as if they were studying in any university in Puerto Rico.
Eligibility: Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and Air National Guard members on State Active Duty.
Rights Related to Medical-Hospital Services: It shall be the obligation of the municipalities and of the Commonwealth government to furnish, without any cost whatsoever, through all of their health facilities, the medical attention, treatment, hospitalization and necessary medications, with prior medical prescription and an evaluation of their financial situation based on the criteria of the Federal Medical Assistance Program Title 19 of the Federal Social Security Act to Veterans and their dependents. Veterans with prepaid medical insurance including Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) and Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) will be exempt from the corresponding payment of the deductible.
Eligibility: Veterans, their spouses, and children up to eighteen (18) years of age, and who are university students with valid student identification. Physically or mentally disabled children of Veterans shall receive the benefits without any age limit. The medical rights will be extended to children of Veterans who died on the field of battle, up to the age of eighteen (18) years, university students up to the age of twenty-five (25) years, and to physically or mentally disabled children without any age limit.
The Puerto Rico National Guard Tuition Assistance Fund (FIGNA): Provides funding for Graduate Degree up to 18 credits, per academic year; maximum of $75.00 per credit, and a maximum of $1,350.00 per year, undergraduate or vocational courses, up to 18 credits, maximum of $50.00; or the cost per credit according to the educational institution, whichever is less; and a maximum of $900.00 per year and for M.D. up to a maximum of $1,000.00 annually for two years.
Eligibility: To participate in the State Tuition Assistance program, citizen-Soldiers must be on active drill status or AGR, pay $1.50 monthly, and have no spouse or dependent using it at the moment they request the assistance. The State Tuition Assistance provides the spouse for Graduate Degree up to 18 credits, a maximum of $75.00 per credit , +a maximum of $1,350.00 per semester. The State Tuition Assistance provides funding for the spouses and/or dependents for Undergraduate or Vocational courses up to a maximum of 18 credits, a maximum of $50.00 per credit, and a maximum of $900.00 per semester, or the cost per credit.
Tuition Assistance: Any Veteran university student who has exhausted or will soon exhaust his right to study under the legislation approved by the Congress of the United States of America, without having completed his bachelor's degree or other post-graduate studies s/he has already initiated, for which s/he may qualify and wish to pursue, because those studies extend for a longer period of time than authorized by federal legislation, is entitled to free tuition in the University of Puerto Rico and its Regional Colleges, and preference, in equal conditions, as to assistance, grants and other benefits granted to university students, The Veterans who are university students in recognized universities outside of the territory of the United States and Puerto Rico enjoy the same benefits as if they were studying in any university in Puerto Rico.
Eligibility: Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and Air National Guard members on State Active Duty.
Injury/Death Benefits: The Institutional Trust of the PRNG provides free funeral; $3,000 for individual Guard members or retired up to age 60.
Eligibility: National Guard members or retired up to age 60
Group Insurance: The Institutional Trust of the PRNG provides free life insurance; $5,000 for individual.
Eligibility: National Guard members or retired up to 60 years old
Workers Compensation: State Active Duty National Guard members receive workers' compensation.
Eligibility: National Guard member.
Tuition Assistance: Any Veteran university student who has exhausted or will soon exhaust his right to study under the legislation approved by the Congress of the United States of America, without having completed his bachelor's degree or other post-graduate studies s/he has already initiated, for which s/he may qualify and wish to pursue, because those studies extend for a longer period of time than authorized by federal legislation, is entitled to free tuition in the University of Puerto Rico and its Regional Colleges, and preference, in equal conditions, as to assistance, grants and other benefits granted to university students, The Veterans who are university students in recognized universities outside of the territory of the United States and Puerto Rico enjoy the same benefits as if they were studying in any university in Puerto Rico.
Eligibility: Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and Air National Guard members on State Active Duty.
Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Facilities in Puerto Rico:
VA Medical Centers:
San Juan: VA Caribbean Healthcare System:
The San Juan VA Medical Center consists of the main medical center located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with satellites clinics located in Ponce, southern part of the Island, and Mayagüez, the western coast. There are Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in St. Thomas and in St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands), Arecibo (northwest Puerto Rico), and Guayama (southeast Puerto Rico). The medical center includes multi-disciplinary ambulatory facilities, 348 authorized hospital beds, 12 blind rehabilitation beds and 120 nursing home beds.
Special Programs:
The San Juan VA Medical Center has various specialized services that are unique in Puerto Rico. The facilities comprise programs such as: Open Heart Surgery, Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Injury, Nursing Home, Hospital Based Care, Day Treatment Center, Alcohol and Drug Dependence Treatment, a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder program, Pulmonary Function and an Immunology Evaluation Clinic for HIV positive patients, among others. This facility serves also as a Cancer Center. Compensation and pension examinations are performed at the SJVAMC. There is a Counseling program and Veteran Readjustment Counseling Centers located in San Juan, Arecibo, Ponce and in both, St. Thomas and St. Croix of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=714& dnum=ALL& map=1
Outpatient Clinics
Mayaguez: Mayaguez OPC
Ponce: Ponce OPC
Community Based Outpatient Clinics
Arecibo: Arecibo CBOC
Arecibo: Arecibo Vet Center
Guayama: Guayama CBOC
Regional Office
Hato Rey: San Juan Regional Office
National Cemetery
Bayamon: Puerto Rico National Cemetery
http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=714& dnum=ALL& map=1
http://www.1800goguard.com/benefits/state.php
http://www.figna.gobierno.pr/Default.htm
http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/common-wealth-of-puerto-rico-veteran-benefits
http://www.gobierno.pr/OPV/inicio
Helpful Links
Health Benefits
http://www.tricare.mil
http://www.triwest.com
http://www.trdp.org
http://www.va.gov
https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx
If you do not have a Password for accessing myPay, you can obtain one by clicking on the "Forgot or Need a Password?" Link on the myPay website at the web address shown above to receive a temporary Password. If you have any questions concerning myPay, please call toll free at 1-888-DFAS411 or 1-888-332-7411, Commercial 216-522-5096, or DSN 580-5096, 7:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Option 5 is for myPay questions. If you have any questions regarding the information on your 1099R, please call 1-800-321-1080.
https://www.tsp.gov/index.shtml
Survivor Benefits Plan
http://militarypay.defense.gov/survivor/sbp/index.html
Vacation and Space-A Information
http://www.afvclub.com
http://www.rockymountainblue.com
Space A Hotline - 402-294-7111
Personnel Information
http://www.armyg1.army.mil/rso
http://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil
Miscellaneous
www.military.com
www.militaryhandbooks.com
Job and Education
http://www.dol.gov/vets/goldcard.html
http://www.nationalguard.com/benefits/bonuses
The Institutional Trust of the PRNG provides free funeral; $3,000 for individual Guard members or retired up to age 60.Document Review Date: 25 June 2012