OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma ranks first within the common quantity veterans obtain yearly in disability payments, stated Joe Kintsel, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs govt director.
Kintsel
The common annual quantity offered to particular person veterans in Oklahoma is $8,593 per 12 months, he stated.
“There are a lot of veterans that get quite a bit more,” Kintsel stated. “Some probably do just live on their disability. Others supplement the income they have. Probably in most cases, it supplements other income.”
The determine is predicated on the Annual Benefits Report for fiscal 12 months 2022 revealed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The determine is $450 per 12 months greater than the closest ranked state.
“We aren’t just barely ahead,” Kintsel stated. “We are ahead by quite a bit.”
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North Carolina, Texas, Alabama and Georgia spherical out the highest 5 on this class, in response to the state agency’s evaluation from the federal report.
Nearly 37% of Oklahoma’s veterans take part within the disability advantages program, simply behind Nebraska.
Oklahoma has 290,000 veterans, of which 104,000 have some degree of service-connected disability.
The agency estimates that greater than half of Oklahoma veterans who could also be eligible for compensation for accidents or medical situations from navy service haven’t but utilized.
Kintsel stated his agency aggressively works to make veterans conscious of the advantages which can be out there.
“Veterans can work and still get the payments,” Kintsel stated. “Some are so disabled they are not able to work. Most disabled veterans are able to still seek private employment and work.”
Those who want help with submitting a declare for a service-connected disability can name 405-523-4000 or go to oklahoma.gov/veterans.
Policymakers have labored to make Oklahoma a beautiful place for veterans.
Last session, lawmakers handed and Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 401 to remove the remaining earnings taxes on navy retirement advantages.
“That is huge,” Kintsel stated. “The states around us have done this.”
Removal of the earnings tax on navy retirement makes Oklahoma extra aggressive in attracting veterans to Oklahoma, Kintsel stated.
Veterans who served 20 years in any department of the navy can obtain retirement, Kintsel stated.
Many navy retirees go right into a second profession as soon as they depart the service, Kintsel stated.
They pay taxes on retirement earnings they earn within the non-public sector.
“They tend to be solid citizens and community leaders,” Kintsel stated.
Veterans who’re 100% service-connected disabled get a gross sales tax exemption for as much as $25,000 on purchases per 12 months in Oklahoma, lowered charge automobile tags for as much as two automobiles, waiver of excise tax on one motorcar buy each three years, and a waiver of advert valorem taxes on their major residence, Lane stated.
Veterans who’re rated 70% service-connected disabled or greater are eligible for free nursing care in any of Oklahoma’s seven state veterans properties, Lane stated.
Other advantages for disabled veterans embrace lowered charge looking and fishing licenses, free admission to state or federal parks and state museums, and burial in state or federal veterans cemeteries, Lane stated.
Dwight Birdwell, 74, additionally former Cherokee Nation Supreme Court justice, was honored July 5, 2022, by President Biden.
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