Suffolk lawmakers back property tax break for veterans, but NY is limiting those who qualify for now

Suffolk County lawmakers approved a property tax break this week for permanently disabled veterans, though the bill’s sponsor warned that eligibility requirements could sharply limit who qualifies.

Suffolk became the latest municipality to pass  legislation creating the exemption for veterans rated 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. *** Any objection to moving up the line found below that says the legislation now goes to Ed Romaine?/LS/let's leave it below. thanks./vg

While the legislature unanimously adopted the resolution at Tuesday’s general meeting in Riverhead, Legis. Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point) said problems remain with the state legislation that allows for the local exemption.

"Numerous veterans were excited to see this bill finally passed, but it is a punch in the gut to the community to find out all the other requirements are needed to qualify, which has limited those eligible to a minimal number of veterans in our community," he said in an email to Newsday.

Lennon, a Marine Corps reservist who was promoted last year to lieutenant colonel, estimated only a handful of veterans in the county may qualify.

State Sen. Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood), who co-sponsored the legislation in the State Senate, told Newsday the governor's office had pledged to amend the bill to expand the eligibility.

In one example, Lennon said the law required a veteran to be rated by the VA as individually unemployable — a designation known as Total Disability Individual Unemployability. But he said a veteran could be designated as TDIU without necessarily being rated 100% disabled.

Another qualification requires the veteran to be eligible for financial aid known as pecuniary assistance. Lennon said that designation could be difficult for veterans to qualify for "based on the high cost of living which severely lowers those eligible for this deduction."

The bill now goes to County Executive Edward P. Romaine to sign.

Lennon said he’s still happy to see the legislature pass the bill, and he is "looking forward to a corrected version from the State and Governor" that would ease the eligibility requirements for veterans to receive the tax break.

The governor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday on potential changes to the state law.

The county legislature held a public hearing Tuesday  before the vote, and no one spoke in favor or against. The exemption applies to a disabled veteran's primary residence.

State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. (D-Ozone Park) sponsored the Senate bill signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in December. An amendment signed by the governor in February mandates the exemption rather than giving municipalities discretion to opt in. The state bill takes effect in October to allow localities time to pass laws that activate the exemption, Martinez said. 

The Suffolk Legislature also adopted a local law to provide property tax breaks for the spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty. Multiple Long Island municipalities have passed a similar measure that also follows state legislation.

By Joe Werkmeister

joe.werkmeister@newsday.com

Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.

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