Jefferson County, Kentucky vs Orange County, Florida

CAPABLE (Community Aging in Place — Advancing Better Living for Elders) is a free program that helps older adults stay safe in their own homes. Over about four to five months, an occupational therapist and a registered nurse make 8 to 10 visits, and a handyperson provides minor home repairs, modifications, and assistive devices (such as grab bars, railings, or improved lighting) chosen around goals you set. It serves residents of Jefferson, Oldham, and Bullitt counties who are 60 or older, have a household income below 60% of the area median, have difficulty with everyday activities like bathing, dressing, grooming, or walking across a room, and would benefit from a minor home modification. You must be the homeowner or have the homeowner's permission to make changes. There is no cost to participate.

Kentucky operates five state veterans cemeteries — Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West, Central, North, North East, and South East. Burial services are free for the veteran: the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a headstone, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate all come at no cost. A spouse may also be buried for a $500 fee that is not owed until the time of death, and minor children and some unmarried adult dependent children may be eligible too. Any veteran whose discharge was not dishonorable can qualify, and Kentucky residency is not required. Filing the eligibility application ahead of time settles the paperwork before the family ever needs it.

The Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund helps Kentuckians who have a partial or total disability caused by an injury to the brain and who do not have other viable funding sources for the services they need. It is a payer of last resort — it covers services only when other benefits have been exhausted or don't cover them. There is no family income cap. Covered supports include case management, community residential services, structured day programs, psychological services, prevocational and supported-employment services, companion services, respite care, occupational therapy, and speech/language therapy. It does not cover institutionalization, hospitalization, medication, or legal/court costs. Benefits are capped at $15,000 per year and $60,000 over a lifetime (case management does not count toward the caps).

Estimated service value: $2,000–$15,000 a year

Florida gives veterans age 65 and older a discount on the property tax bill for their homestead when they have a permanent, combat-related, service-connected disability and were honorably discharged. The discount percentage equals the VA disability rating — a 70% rating means 70% off the ad valorem taxes on the home. This is one of the largest senior-specific veteran benefits in Florida. If the veteran dies, the discount carries over to a surviving spouse who keeps the home and does not remarry. Apply with the county property appraiser by March 1 using Form DR-501DV, the VA letter showing the percentage and the combat-related finding, proof of honorable discharge, and proof of age.

Estimated bill savings: $150–$3,000 a year

A Florida veteran with a service-connected, total and permanent disability pays NO property tax on the homestead — the home is fully exempt. The veteran must have been honorably discharged, and a letter from the VA certifying total and permanent disability is the proof. This is one of the largest dollar benefits available to Florida veterans. A surviving spouse who holds title, lives in the home, and does not remarry keeps the full exemption, and can transfer a fixed dollar amount to a new home after a sale. Apply once through the county property appraiser.

Estimated bill savings: $2,000–$5,000 a year

Florida exempts $5,000 of a disabled veteran's property value from taxation. It applies to an honorably discharged veteran who is a Florida resident and is disabled 10% or more from wartime service or by misfortune. The VA disability letter showing the rating counts as proof. An unremarried surviving spouse keeps the exemption. Apply once through the county property appraiser by March 1. This exemption stacks on top of the regular homestead exemption, and it is separate from the larger benefits for 100% disabled veterans and for combat-disabled veterans age 65 and older.

Estimated bill savings: $40–$50 a year

Florida homeowners with a homestead exemption can put off paying part of their property taxes when the bill is high compared with their income. If you are 65 or older, you can defer the part of your taxes and assessments that is more than 3% of your household income (5% if you are younger than 65). You can defer the whole bill if household income was under $10,000 last year, or if you are 65 or older and your income is under the limit for the senior additional homestead exemption. The taxes are not canceled. They become a lien on the home, earn interest (no more than 7%), and come due when the home is sold or is no longer your homestead; a surviving spouse who qualifies can keep the deferral. You must apply each year with your county Tax Collector by March 31 and keep fire and extended insurance on the home.