ANNVILLE, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) has helped veterans across the state secure over $1 billion in compensation and pension benefits for the second year in a row. The achievement reflects a growing effort to ensure veterans receive the support they have earned, particularly in light of recent legislative expansions.
Among the most impactful changes is the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which was signed into law two years ago. This landmark legislation expanded benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances, such as burn pits and Agent Orange, granting eligibility to thousands more in Pennsylvania.
“With the passing of the PACT law, reaching and signing up eligible veterans for their benefits has been a top priority,” said Keith Graham, executive director of Veterans Programs. “We are grateful to our community partners who have helped us to reach this milestone and ensure veterans and their families are appropriately compensated.”
Despite these advancements, the DMVA emphasizes that success in the claims process begins with proper documentation, particularly the DD-214 discharge form, which verifies military service. Without this essential document, the claims process can face significant delays. Veterans struggling to locate their paperwork are encouraged to contact the DMVA for assistance.
“Having their military paperwork readily available makes the claims process so much quicker and easier,” added Graham. Veterans can file their documents for free at their county courthouse or retain them in a secure place for future use.
Additionally, the DMVA is urging Pennsylvania’s nearly 700,000 veterans to initiate or revisit their benefits reviews, especially as new laws continue to provide enhanced support. For example, Act 27 exempts 100 percent of a disabled veteran’s benefit payment from being counted as income when determining eligibility for state programs like Veterans Temporary Assistance and the Military Family Relief Assistance program.
The DMVA offers free assistance through county directors of veterans affairs and accredited veteran service officers who guide veterans in navigating benefits applications, even for those who may have been denied previously. Veterans are encouraged to reach out by phone at 800-547-2838 or email RA-REQ@pa.gov.
To further streamline communication, the DMVA recommends registration with the DMVA Veterans Registry, a free online resource designed to keep veterans informed about state programs, benefits, and services.
Starting the year with proper documentation and a renewed focus on benefits eligibility ensures that Pennsylvania’s veterans are best positioned to access the compensation and resources they deserve. The DMVA remains committed to supporting those who served, ensuring no veteran is left behind.
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