To Qualify:

1. Be an Illinois resident who has served as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty or state active duty, Illinois National Guard, or U.S. Reserve Forces, and not dishonorably discharged.
2. Have at least a 50% service-connected disability certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
3. Own and occupy the property as the primary residence on January 1 of the assessment year.
4. Have a total EVA of less than $250,000 for the primary residence, excluding the EVA of property used for commercial purposes or rented for more than 6 months.

An unmarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran con continue to receive the DVSHE on his or her spouse’s homestead property or transfer the DVSHE to a new primary residence. To qualify, the surviving spouse must meet the following requirements.

1. Sell the disabled veteran’s previous homestead property before transferring the DVSHE to his or her new primary residences.

Note: The DVSHE can only be transferred one time.

2. Own and occupy the property as the primary residence and hold a legal or beneficial title of the property on January 1 of the assessment year.
3. Have a total EVA of less than $250,000 for the primary residence, excluding the EVA of property used for commercial purposes or rented for more than 6 months.

Note: Homestead property that is rented by a disabled veteran or surviving spouse  does not qualify for this exemption.

Documents Needed:

• A first-time applicant will need to provide a Department of Defense DD Form 214, certified. Or Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and a Disability Certification Letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs for the current assessment year.
• A surviving spouse applying for the first time for the DVSHE or transferring the DVSHE to a new residence will also need to provide the disabled veteran’s death certificate and proof of ownership.

Process: The documents must be filed with the DuPage County Supervisor of Assessments office 421 N. County Farm Road Wheaton, IL 60187.

Effect: The Disabled Veterans’ Standard Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-169) provides an annual reduction in the equalized assessed value (EVA) of the primary residence occupied by a disable veteran on January 1 of the assessment year. The amount of the exemption each year depends on the percentage of the veterans’ service-connected disability as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs. A veteran with at least a 75% service-connected disability will receive an annual $5,000 reduction in EAV, or a veteran with at least 50%, but less than 75% service-connected disability will receive an annual $2,500 reduction in EVA. 

Forms: Click here for Disabled Veterans’ Standard Homestead Application

Questions: Call the Supervisor of Assessments office at 630-407-5858