（Boston Orange編譯）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今（4）日宣佈，州政府將在2026年度撥付5,840萬美元的免稅津貼給超過2.33萬名合格退伍軍人及家屬，總金額與受惠人數雙雙創下該計畫史上新高。
每名符合資格的100%因公致殘退伍軍人、金星家庭（陣亡軍人親屬）及喪偶配偶，可獲得2,500美元的年度免稅津貼。今年受惠人數比去年成長10%，為歷年最大增幅。
款項已開始透過直接匯款發放，紙本支票預計本週稍後寄出。現有領取者無須重新申請，新申請或需更新資料者，則須在2027年6月30日前向麻州退伍軍人服務部（EOVS）提出並獲核准。
麻州得以擴大退伍軍人福利，基於早前通過的「英雄（HERO）法案」，不只把津貼額度提高到2,500美元，還放寬規定，允許喪偶配偶再婚後繼續領取。
奚莉州長上任後成立麻州首個退伍軍人服務執行辦公室，並簽署麻州史上最大規模的退伍軍人福利法案。州政府也正在雀喜市（Chelsea）和霍利奧克市（Holyoke）興建全新的退伍軍人之家，預計今年秋季啟用，同時持續推動解決退伍軍人無家可歸問題。
麻州副州長Kim Driscoll、退伍軍人服務部部長戈拉尼克（Eric Goralnick），以及麻州議會退伍軍人聯合委員會主席的眾議員麥岡納格（Joseph W. McGonagle, Jr.）和參議員維利斯（John C. Velis）都肯定、支持這政策。金星妻子協會與麻州退伍軍人服務官協會等團體也公開支持此舉。
Governor Healey Delivers Record $58.4 Million in Annual Benefits to Massachusetts Veterans and Military Families
More than 23,000 disabled veterans, Gold Star families and surviving spouses to receive the state’s annual $2,500 tax-free payment
BOSTON– Governor Maura Healey today announced that a record number of Massachusetts veterans and military family members will receive the state's annual veteran annuity payment this year following historic investments in veterans' benefits.
More than 23,300 eligible disabled veterans, Gold Star parents and spouses, and surviving spouses will receive the annual $2,500 tax-free benefit, totaling $58.4 million in payments. The number of recipients increased by 10 percent last year, representing the largest ever year-over year increase in the program’s history.
“From day one, we committed to making Massachusetts the best state in the nation for veterans and military families,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We're proud that a record number of veterans, Gold Star families and surviving spouses will receive this year's annuity payment. This increase builds on the HERO Act and the work our Executive Office of Veterans Services is doing to modernize services and expand programs for veterans and their families.”
"This record investment reflects our commitment to standing by veterans and military families long after their service ends," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "We're proud to deliver this benefit to more recipients than ever before while continuing to strengthen the programs and services they rely on."
The annual veteran annuity is a $2,500 tax-free benefit available to eligible 100 percent service-connected disabled veterans, Gold Star parents and spouses, and surviving spouses who live in Massachusetts.
The annuity increase was made possible by Governor Healey's signing of the HERO Act, the largest expansion of veterans' benefits in Massachusetts history. The law increased the annual benefit to $2,500 and further statutory changes expanded eligibility so surviving spouses of deceased servicemembers can continue receiving the benefit after remarriage.
Payments have begun arriving to recipients through direct deposit, with paper checks to be mailed later this week.
“Although we can never fully repay a Veteran or Gold Star family member who has made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation, the annual annuity is one way in which the Commonwealth can begin to show our gratitude each year,” said Veterans Services Secretary Eric Goralnick. “I’m proud that more Veterans and Military Families than ever will receive this benefit in 2026 thanks to the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s leadership to ensure Massachusetts offers the best home in the county for former servicemembers and their loved ones.”
Governor Healey has made supporting veterans and military families a top priority. Since taking office, she has created the state's first Executive Office of Veterans Services, signed the HERO Act, the largest expansion of veterans' benefits in Massachusetts history, advanced the opening of two new state-of-the-art veterans' homes in Chelsea and Holyoke this fall, and continued leading efforts to end veteran homelessness.
To learn more about the state annuity payment and how to apply, visit mass.gov/eovs/annuity. New applications or updates for existing annuity benefits must be received and approved by the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) by June 30, 2027. Existing annuitants do not need to reapply.
Together, these investments are expanding access to benefits, improving care and housing, and ensuring veterans and military families receive the support they deserve.
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