November 21, 2003

Questions Raised About Eligible Funds Cap

The good news is that the Nassau County Assessor has sent a letter to thousands of veterans explaining how to increase their veterans real property tax exemption. The bad news is that many thousands of those veterans can do nothing to raise their exemption and many widows and older veterans are upset about the process.

Last year's reassement has caused changes in the old Eligible Funds Exemption program. While no veteran has lost any savings because of the changes some veterans can actually take advantage of the elimination of the $5,000 cap on eligible funds. Since World War II to about 1982 a veteran could get a tax break not because of service in war or combat but based on how much money he received from the government after his service. These eligible funds determined the size of his tax exemption on his assessment.

While the letter from the Assessor is accurate many veterans cannot add to their exemption. If a veteran applied his mustering out pay and perhaps his 52/20 money but did not maintain his Veterans Group Life Insurance and received no disability pay then he probably has no new eligible funds to apply now. A veteran who reached the cap of $5,000 but whose house was assessed under the old system at $5,000 or less can not now increase his /her exemption because he/she is already tax free on the 7 local taxes affected by the tax exemption. To realize an increased tax exemption on your 2005 local and county taxes unfortunately you must act quickly. If you have documents to prove that you received funds from the Department of Veterans Affairs since the last time you increased your exemption then take those documents, plus a satisfaction of mortgage letter from your bank, and/ or receipts for home improvements (not repairs) along with the application you received from the Assessor to his office at 240 Old Country Road in Mineola. If you cannot prove that you received more additional funds then call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 and ask for a benefit letter for tax purposes and hope that you receive the letter before December 31, 2003 the last day that you can apply for an increase for the 2005 tax year. Call me at 516-572-8452 if you have questions.

The Department of the Navy is moving ahead with its plans to eliminate base housing in Mitchel Field and Mitchel Manor by 2005. According to a Navy spokesman at a Town Hall Meeting in the Navy Gym in Mitchel Field on November 6, 2003 officers and enlisted personnel are encouraged to start looking for housing on the local economy. The fate of the Navy exchange (PX), Commissary, and clinic is uncertain since the Navy now says that there are no plans to sell these properties. Senators Clinton, Schumer, and Congresspersons McCarthy, King, Israel and Bishop have all sent letters to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld demanding that the Navy reconsider closing Mitchel Field and Mitchel Manor and that the Commissary, Exchange and Clinic be maintained for our active duty families and our 8,000 retirees in Nassau County.

The Long Island Air Force Association is presenting a Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony on December 7, 2003 hosted by Republic Airport and the American Air Power Museum at 10:15 AM. WWII and other vintage aircraft will depart the ceremony to drop 62 roses over the Statue of Liberty to commemorate the exact time Pearl Harbor was attacked 62 years ago.

AMVETS Post 88 will conduct a service at 1:00PM at Long Island National Cemetery, Well wood Ave, and Farmingdale also on December 7th. Participants of this event are welcome back to their Post at 692 Broadway, Massapequa for refreshments.

Also on Sunday December 7th the Calfapietra family is inviting all to attend a "Remember Pearl Harbor" Memorial Mass at Corpus Christi Church, Willis and Garfield Avenues. Mineola, NY

Remember to fly the flag at half-staff on December 7th.

The VA has announced that more evidence has come in to support a link between service in the '91 Gulf War and amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gerhigs disease. The study found that veterans deployed to the Gulf War area were twice as likely to develop the disease then those deployed elsewhere. Air Force personnel were 2.7 times more likely to develop ALS than non-deployed Air Force personnel. For information about the VA's ALS Registry call toll free 1-877-342-5257.

23,000 former POWs are receiving compensation from the VA. 9 out of 10 former POWs are WWII veterans and the government does not have addresses for about 11,000 of them. The VA believes that many of the veterans are eligible for compensation due to the increasing number of diseases associated with captivity. Former POWs also have a special eligibility at the VA Medical Centers including free dental treatment for any POW held over 90 days.

New York State has enacted a law authorizing an expenditure of up to $6,000 to the family of a New York State resident who was killed while in receipt of special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger. The money must be spent on funeral expenses not covered by Federal burial benefits.