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In this Update:
Next Veteran Service Officer Day is March 17
My office is continuing to host Veteran Service Officer Days every month to help veterans who have questions or need help applying for benefits they have earned through their service. The next event will take place on Tuesday, March 17 at my Strasburg district office. Community residents can schedule an appointment by calling my office at 717-397-1309. Veterans Temporary Assistance Program
The Pennsylvania Department of Veterans Affairs (DMVA) administers the Veterans Temporary Assistance (VTA) Program which provides temporary financial assistance up to $1,600 for necessities including food, shelter, fuel and clothing within a 12-month period to eligible veterans and their beneficiaries who reside in Pennsylvania. To be eligible, veterans must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, been honorably discharged after a period of active duty other than active duty for training, died in service or suffered a service-connected disability as certified by the U.S. Veterans’ Administration. The DMVA website lists the financial circumstances that qualify veterans for help via the VTA program. Veterans interested in applying for a VTA grant should contact the County Director of Veterans Affairs within the county they reside. Free and Reduced Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans
In June, a bill I strongly supported to remove the requirement that a disability be the result of a war or armed conflict for a disabled veteran to obtain a free or reduced cost fishing license was signed into law as Act 21 of 2025. Under the new law, veterans with a 100% service-connected disability can obtain a free lifetime fishing license and those with a service-connected disability rating between 60% and 99% can obtain a resident fishing license for $1. For more information on free and reduced cost disabled veteran fishing licenses, check out the Fish and Boat Commission’s website. VA Increases In-Home and Community-Based Services Expenditure Cap
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced an increase in the expenditure cap for in-home and community-based services for veterans with certain complex medical conditions, including spinal cord injuries, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and other complex medical conditions at 100% of the cost of similar care in a VA Community Living Center. The previous rate of coverage was 65%. These changes come from the federal Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. This will significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible veterans for in-home and community-based services including home health aides, home respite, community adult day health care, Veteran Directed Care and skilled home health. The increased cap will allow eligible veterans to continue to reside in their home and receive care at a lower out-of-pocket cost. Veteran Directed Care gives veterans access to personal care services and help with daily living activities. For more information and to see if you’re eligible for Veteran Directed Care, check here on the VA’s website. National Vietnam War Veterans Day
National Vietnam War Veterans Day will be observed on March 29 to honor the millions of Americans who served and the thousands who did not return home. This day marks when the last U.S. combat troops withdrew from South Vietnam in 1973. Veterans Town Hall
The Erie VA Medical Center will be hosting a Veteran Town Hall for veterans, caregivers and family members to meet with the executive leadership team and receive the latest updates on the Erie VA Medical Center. There will be a Q&A session immediately following the updates.
Spring Refresh Discounts
Veterans can take advantage of discounts to help refresh your home for spring. Whether it’s new patio furniture, a paint update or cleaning supplies, there are discounts for all your spring refresh and cleaning needs!
Veterans Fitness & Wellness Program
Veterans with spinal cord injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and their caregivers can sign up for free, virtual classes through Paralyzed Veterans of America designed to improve strength, endurance and hand-eye coordination for veterans with mobility issues. The classes are available to veterans of all levels and abilities and are intended to improve stress management, cardiovascular health, mental health and more. Information about the program and how to register is available here.
If you have a question about the information in this e-newsletter or other state related matters that you would like a response to, please click HERE to submit your inquiry through my website. This will help to ensure that we are able to respond to your question in a timely fashion due to the high volume of emails and the ever growing amount of computer generated spam mail we receive daily. |
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