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If you know a Veteran, please forward this issue to him or her as it provides important updates, resources, and information. In this Update:
PA Senate Passes Bill Waiving Fee for Veterans License Plate Replacement
Veterans who proudly display their service through military license plates would receive free replacements when the plates wear out, under legislation passed by the Senate. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) waives replacement plate fees for standard and personalized vehicle plates that are no longer legible from a reasonable distance, but charges Veterans to replace military registration plates. Senate Bill 915 would require PennDOT to automatically reissue military registration plates to eliminate this hurdle for our Veterans. If a military registration plate becomes illegible before the automatic reissuance, the replacement fee would be waived. The measure is now before the House of Representatives for consideration. VA Expands Health Care Eligibility to Millions of Veterans
All Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan or any other combat zone after 9/11, years earlier than called for by the federal PACT Act, will now be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. Additionally, Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States will also be eligible to enroll. This expansion of VA health care eliminates the phased-in approach called for by the PACT Act, meaning that millions of Veterans are becoming eligible for VA health care up to eight years earlier than written into law. The VA encourages all eligible Veterans to visit the Pact Act website or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more and apply for VA health care. Veterans can apply for VA health care by visiting their nearest VA medical center or clinic; online; by calling the VA’s toll-free hotline at 877-222-8387, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. eastern time; by mailing their completed Application for Heath Care Benefits (VA Form 10-10EZ) to Health Eligibility Center, 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30329. Hero Care Network
Through the Hero Care Network, the Red Cross connects service members, Veterans and their families to free and confidential assistance any day, anytime. This includes emergency communication messages, financial assistance, critical community services and more. As part of the Hero Care Network, the Red Cross works with military aid societies to connect eligible military, retired military, Veterans and their families with financial assistance in times of hardship. The Red Cross also partners with Veteran organizations to assist Veteran benefits and financial assistance in communities around the U.S. To access these services through the Hero Care Network, visit redcross.org/saf, download the Hero Care app by texting GETHEROCARE to 90999, or call a Hero Care specialist at 877-272-7337. Important Information for G.I. Bill Beneficiaries
Some students receive benefit payments to two banking accounts, but the VA needs all students to consolidate their payments into one direct deposit account to help protect from fraud and to ensure the VA pays Veterans on time, every time, without error. If you’re a G.I. Bill beneficiary who also receives other benefits, you need to ensure you have a single bank account selected for direct deposit by April 20. If you received a notification via text message or email, please take action by April 20. If you do not receive a notification, you are not impacted. According to the VA, the easiest way to make this change is to log on to the “Change Your VA Direct Deposit Information” webpage. When you get to the pay information, there will be a box for the bank account information of your education benefits, and a box for the bank account information for the other benefits you receive. You should update the bank account information to use the same account for all benefits. Get more information about this matter here. DMVA Urges Veterans to Apply for Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension
In recognition of National Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month this April, the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is encouraging eligible Veterans to apply for the state’s Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension program. Pennsylvania Veterans who qualify for the pension stand to receive $150 per month, providing crucial support for those who have served our nation. Currently, over 2,300 Veterans across the Commonwealth are enrolled in this program, benefiting from its assistance. To be eligible for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
To apply for the Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension program, Pennsylvania Veterans are encouraged to contact their County Directors of Veterans Affairs in the county where they reside. Further information about the DMVA Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension Program can be found here. What are Vet Centers?
VA Vet centers provide free and confidential readjustment counseling for war-zone Veterans and their families, from World War II to the current Global War on Terror. Vet centers are small, non-medical, counseling centers conveniently located in our region. They’re staffed by highly trained counselors and team members dedicated to seeing you through the challenges that come with managing life during and after the military. Whether you come in for one-on-one counseling or to participate in a group session, at Vet centers you can form social connections, try new things and build a support system with people who understand you and want to help you succeed. Who is Eligible to Receive Services at Vet Centers?Vet center services are available to Veterans at no cost, regardless of discharge character, and without the need to be enrolled in VA health care or having a service-connected disability. If you are a Veteran or service member, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, you can access Vet center services if you:
Contacting Your Local Vet CenterEven if you are unsure if you meet the criteria to receive services from a Vet center, please contact a center. Center services are also available to family members when their participation would support the growth and goals of the Veteran or active-duty service member. If you consider them family, so does your local center. Bereavement services are also available to family members of Veterans who were receiving Vet center services at the time of the Veteran’s death, and to the families of service members who died while serving on active duty. Vet center locations in Pennsylvania are:
For more information, please visit www.Vetcenter.va.gov. |
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