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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:
Supporting Veteran-Owned Businesses
To promote Veteran-owned businesses, the Senate passed Senate Bill 64 requiring the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to create a logo that can be used by Pennsylvania businesses with at least 51% Veteran ownership to designate themselves as a Veteran-owned business to the public. With Senate Bill 64, DMVA will also make a database available on its website of Veteran-owned businesses that applied for and were approved to use the logo. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Helping Disabled Veterans Enjoy Outdoor Activities
Under legislation passed by the Senate last month, disabled Veterans and Purple Heart recipients will be exempt from most hunting license and permit fees when participating at events granted a Military Event License Exemption Permit by the Game Commission. With Senate Bill 533, individuals or entities can apply for the permit for events that are primarily for the rehabilitation or enjoyment of up to 10 participating disabled Veterans and/or Purple Heart recipients and held on private property. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Fort Indiantown Gap and Lickdale Veterans Outreach Center Tour
Senators and staff from the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee toured Fort Indiantown Gap and Lickdale Veterans Outreach Center in August. Senators and staff were able to:
VA Offers Yearlong Community Care Authorizations
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced it will extend the length of new VA community care authorizations to one year for 30 eligible standardized types of care, an increase from the previous reevaluation every 90 to 180 days. This will improve continuity of care and allow Veterans to focus more on their health than frequent administrative requirements. VA Awards $818 Million in Grants to Combat Veteran Homelessness
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that more than $818 million in grants have been given to 235 organizations across the country to help Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. More than $16 million has been given to organizations serving Pennsylvania’s Veterans, including:
These grants will help to fund local organizations as they assist Veterans with access to housing and housing counseling, health care, financial planning services, childcare, legal assistance and transportation. Submit Mileage-Only Travel Claims with the VA Mobile App
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) now allows eligible Veterans to submit and track mileage-only travel claims directly from their smartphone using the VA Health and Benefits mobile app. With more than 3 million downloads, the app now features a prompt that appears when a VA appointment may qualify for mileage reimbursement. Submitting a claim takes just a few taps – no paperwork required. This update helps speed up processing and reduces the need for paper submissions. Veterans with a 30% or higher service-connected disability rating who travel in their own vehicle to VA medical appointments may be eligible. To learn more or download the app, visit the VA Health and Benefits mobile page. PA VetCon 2025 – October 22-25 in King of Prussia
PA VetCon 2025 seeks to amplify awareness, facilitate vital conversations and cultivate solutions for challenges confronting Veterans and the Pennsylvania National Guard. It offers a dynamic mix of professional growth, networking, fun and inspiration for Veterans interested in advancing their careers, building resilience or enjoying camaraderie. The conference will be held at the Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1160 1st Ave., King of Prussia, PA. Veterans Discount on NFL Sunday Ticket
Veterans are eligible for a discount of almost 60% off for NFL Sunday Ticket through ID.me. NFL Sunday Ticket gives fans the ability to watch their favorite NFL team’s out-of-market Sunday games, enjoy unlimited streams at home, view key plays and watch up to four live games on one screen in multiview. Veteran Employment Programs
Hiring Our Heroes, Hire Heroes USA, Onward to Opportunity and VetJobs are engaged in a formal evaluation effort to measure the impact of their programs. Supported by research from The Veterans Metrics Initiative, their proven models for success feature:
Veterans looking for career support can reach out to these programs for personalized support and proven pathways to success. Need Help Finding Your DD-214 or Military Records?
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) can help Veterans locate their DD Form 214 (DD-214) and other essential military documents. These records are crucial for verifying service and accessing the benefits they’ve earned – including retirement, employment opportunities and membership in Veterans’ organizations. If your DD-214 is missing or contains errors, the DMVA can assist with locating or correcting it to avoid delays in receiving your benefits. How to Get Help:
Learn More: Visit the Records Request Program website Veterans Job Listing
Every week, the Pennsylvania Nation Guard Association updates its free job board with good openings for National Guard members, Veterans and their families across Pennsylvania and in nearby states. The board features nearly 10,000 employment and internship postings. 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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