New York Consolidated Laws, Veterans’ Services Law - VES § 22. Evidence of entitlement

1. The evidence of such service, blindness, residence and domicile, or of such marriage, widowhood, residence and domicile in each case shall be furnished in the manner and form prescribed by the commissioner of veterans' services who shall examine the same.

2. Upon being satisfied that such service was performed, that other facts and statements in the application of such veteran or widow or widower are true and that the said veteran has been classified by the New York state commission for the visually handicapped as a blind person, where such veteran is not receiving or not entitled to receive a benefit from any existing retirement system to which the state is a contributor, unless such veteran shall have become disabled by reason of loss of sight, while engaged in employment entitling him or her to receive a benefit from any existing retirement system to which the state is a contributor, and as a result of such disability has retired from such employment and is receiving or is entitled to receive a benefit from such retirement system the commissioner of veterans' services shall certify to the state comptroller the name and address of such veteran or widow or widower.

3. Thereafter the department of taxation and finance, through the division of finance, on the audit and warrant of the comptroller, shall pay such veteran or widow or widower such sum as is authorized by the provisions of this article in monthly installments for so long as such veteran or widow or widower shall meet the requirements of this article.