Veterans & Military · Surprise rank #65
Legally Blind Wartime Veteran in NY? A Separate State Cash Annuity May Be Available
New York's Blind Veteran Annuity Program pays a state annuity to qualifying legally blind wartime veterans and certain surviving un-remarried spouses.
Who
Qualifying legally blind wartime veterans who are New York residents and domiciliaries, and certain surviving un-remarried spouses.
What to do
Start here: Contact the New York State Department of Veterans' Services and submit the Blind Veteran Annuity application with service and medical documentation.
Eligibility: The veteran must meet New York's legal-blindness test and qualifying wartime service rules. Blindness does not have to be service-connected.
What you get
A recurring New York State cash annuity separate from federal VA disability compensation.
Benefit: A recurring state annuity; the current payment amount should be confirmed with NYS Veterans before publication of a dollar figure.
Possible value: Recurring cash benefit; amount is periodically adjusted.
Good to know
Important: This is not available simply because a veteran has any vision impairment. New York uses a legal-blindness standard and specific service requirements.
Availability: Active
Why people miss it: Veterans may look only to federal VA benefits and miss a separate New York cash benefit whose blindness does not need to be service-connected.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026