Know your State Benefits!
Florida is an extremely friendly state in many respects, but especially in regulations that benefit Surviving Spouses.
If you own a home, you should qualify for the homestead exemption. If you are widowed, there is an additional exemption. Each additional exemption has eligibility requirements and requires that an application be filed at your County Property Appraiser’s Office. The deadline is March 1.
Also I recommend that each of you get a copy of “Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guide 2023” and read it. Surviving spouses, who have not remarried, are allowed to continue receiving their veterans benefits in many circumstances. A few examples are listed and quoted below:
Education Benefit
There are scholarship opportunities for spouses (and dependent children) of veterans who died from a service-connected disability. Visit www.floridafinancialaid.org or call Florida Department of Education 888-827-2004.
Property Tax Exemptions: The unremarried surviving spouse of a disabled ex-service member having a VA certified disability of 10 percent or greater is entitled to a $5,000 deduction on the assessment of her/his home.
Any real estate owned and used as a homestead by the surviving spouse of an Armed Forces member who died from Service-connected causes while on active duty is exempt from taxation, if the member was a permanent resident of Florida on January 1 of the year in which the member died.
If, upon the death of the veteran, the spouse holds the legal or beneficial title to the homestead and permanently resides there, the exemption from taxation carries over to the benefit of the veteran’s spouse until such time as he/she remarries, sells, or otherwise disposes of the property. If the surviving spouse sells the property, an exemption not to exceed the amount granted from the most recent ad valorem tax roll may be transferred to the new residence as long as it is used as the primary residence and the spouse does not remarry.
Any partially disabled veteran who is age 65 or older, any portion of whose disability was combat related, and who was honorably discharged, may be eligible for a discount from the amount of ad valorem tax on the homestead commensurate with the percentage of the veteran’s permanent service-connected disability. Apply at the County Appraiser’s office. The benefit carries over to the Surviving Spouse.
State Employment and Promotion Preference
The state and all political subdivisions of the state, shall give preference in employment and promotion to….
The unremarried widow or widower of a veteran who died of a service-connected disability.
