The Blind Annuity Program benefit is for legally blind New York State wartime veterans or the surviving un-remarried spouse of the blind veteran. The program authorizes an annual annuity payment of $1,395.36 ($116.28 monthly) per veteran/surviving spouse.
Eligibility
To be eligible, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Resident of New York State Veteran has been determined legally blind (20/200 vision in the better eye with best correction)
- 20 Degree limitation of field of vision
You must also have served on active duty (other than for training) for 90 days or more during any of the following:
- April 11, 1899 to July 4, 1902
- May 9, 1916 to April 4, 1917
- April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918
- December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946
- June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955
- February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975
- August 2, 1990 to End of conflict
Alternatively, eligible individuals may have received the Armed Forces, Navy, or Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, for participation in:
- Lebanon - June 1, 1983 to December 1, 1987
- Grenada - October 23, 1983 to November 21, 1983
- Panama - December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990