Billerica veterans director outlines tax abatements, HERO Act benefits for residents

BILLERICA -- January 21, 2025, Billerica Veterans Services Director Donnie Jarvis outlined property tax relief, new state legislation, and VA healthcare options for local veterans in a Town Hall Weekly episode released January 21. Jarvis, a seven-year Army veteran who previously worked for the state Executive Office of Veterans Services, told Town Manager Clancy Mayne that veterans with a VA disability rating between 10 and 90 percent qualify for an $800 annual property tax abatement in Billerica, while those rated 100 percent disabled qualify for $2,000, both applied across the third and fourth tax quarters. Jarvis described the HERO Act, signed by Governor Maura Healey in August 2024 and presented to roughly 100 local veterans in December, as "the most comprehensive state legislation that we've ever seen in Massachusetts," noting its expanded definition of veteran makes more residents newly eligible for benefits. On VA healthcare, Jarvis said veterans rated above 50 percent receive fully free care including prescriptions, and that enrolled veterans who call 911 have a 72-hour window to notify the VA for help with emergency room costs. The Veterans Services office can be reached at 978-671-0968.