SACRAMENTO—Governor Jerry Brown today signed AB 188, authored by Assemblymember Marty Block, D-San Diego. AB 188 will continue to make available a disabled veterans’ property tax exemption to the unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran, who had a 100% disability rating from the United States Department of Veterans Administration, upon entering a nursing home or other assisted living facility.
In 2003, legislation was enacted to ensure that a disabled veteran who must leave his or her home to enter an assisted living facility (and thus is unable to occupy their home as their principal place of residence) would continue to receive the exemption, provided the home is not rented or leased out to a third party. Inadvertently, the legislation failed to extend these provisions to another group of persons eligible for the exemption: unmarried surviving spouses who enter assisted living facilities.
“AB 188 corrects an error that currently prevents unmarried surviving spouses of disabled veterans who move to assisted living facilities for health reasons from qualifying for a property tax exemption afforded to their spouse,” said Assemblymember Block.
“Our veterans sacrificed so much to protect our country. Military spouses unquestionably share in that sacrifice and AB 188 recognizes their important role and sacrifice,” said Assemblymember Block.
AB 188 allows unmarried surviving spouses of disabled veterans to continue to receive the disabled veterans’ property tax exemption on their home should they need to enter an assisted living facility. It will also consolidate the provisions relating to the effective date when property becomes eligible for the disabled veterans’ exemption, clarify that the exemption terminates for an unmarried surviving spouse when she or he remarries, and make several technical conforming changes.
The exemption will also be available to surviving spouses of persons killed in active duty should they need to enter an assisted living facility as well. Currently, the exemption is up to $175,592 for those with household incomes below $51,669 and applies to the principal place of residence.
Last year, Assemblymember Block authored legislation, now signed into law, which makes it easier for disabled veterans to receive a special property tax exemption available to them by extending the time frame for filing a claim.
Assemblymember Marty Block proudly represents the cities and communities of Bonita, Chula Vista, Lemon Grove, San Diego, and Spring Valley.
Contact: Courtney Miller (916) 202-0003
