Aug. 08, 2024
New Law Supports Disabled Veterans
Veterans are the lifeblood of our American heritage. Without their service and sacrifice, many of the freedoms we enjoy might not exist.
But an unfortunate reality is that some of our heroes returned from service with irreversible conditions.
Recognizing the sacrifice of disabled veterans, a new law will exempt 100% of their benefit payments from income calculations for any Commonwealth programs or benefits.
Act 27 of 2024, which goes into effect Aug. 16, ensures veterans who receive disability compensation will not have those payments counted against them when applying to programs such as the Real Estate Tax Exemption, Education Gratuity Program, Veterans Temporary Assistance Program and Military Family Relief Assistance Program.
The purpose of this new law is to make certain veterans or their survivors aren’t unintentionally penalized or blocked from receiving a benefit because of their disability. For example, the Educational Gratuity Program provides financial assistance to children of honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities and served during periods of war, or children of veterans who have died in service during a period of war or armed conflict.
Previously, applicants seeking the educational assistance had monthly benefit checks intended to help veterans and their survivors count as income. This was counterproductive and, in some cases, ended with someone not being eligible for the benefit all together.
Grant and benefit programs in Pennsylvania are administered by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. However, there are a variety of ways for veterans to learn about and apply for assistance. To help, my staff and I arranged to bring professionals who specialize in veteran benefits to my district offices.
Known as Veterans Service Officers (VSOs), these dedicated individuals have been trained and accredited by veterans organizations and have a thorough knowledge of all of the programs available to those who served and their families.
Three times each month, a VSO visits one of my offices. Times for all three sessions are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but you can also call to arrange an appointment.
On the first and third Wednesday of each month, a VSO from the Veterans of Foreign Wars is available. For the first Wednesday, this occurs at my New Kensington office,
356 Freeport St., Suite 100. To schedule, call the New Kensington office at 724-472-4102. Appointments on the third Wednesday occur at my Washington Township/Export office,
105 Pfeffer Road, Suite 5. To schedule, call the Washington Township/Export office at 724-387-9113.
Currently, on the second Wednesday, a VSO from the Westmoreland County Department of Veterans Affairs is available at the New Kensington office. Appointments for that day can be made by calling the New Kensington office at 724-472-4102. Beginning in September, services that day will be split between both offices. Availability in the New Kensington office will be from 9 a.m. to noon and then at the Washington Township/Export office from 12:30-3:30 p.m.
On a related note, all veterans, please mark your calendars to attend my annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfast! The event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Lamplighter Restaurant,
6566 William Penn Highway in Delmont, 8:30-10:30 a.m. It is open to veterans and a guest who reside in the 55th District. Maj. Gen Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general, and Rear Adm. John Meier are our guest speakers. Be sure to register by calling the New Kensington office at 724-472-4102 or the Washington Township/Export office at 724-387-9113.
Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.
Call Before You Dig – Every Aug. 11 marks National 811 Day – a day dedicated to reminding residents, contractors and utility workers of the importance of calling 8-1-1 before digging to help ensure the safety of excavation projects across the state.
Every time an underground utility line is hit, there is a risk to the contractors or homeowners who are doing the digging; to utility workers and emergency responders who are mobilized to deal with the damage; and to bystanders who live, work or travel near the locations of the incidents.
State law requires contractors and residents to contact PA One Call at least three business days prior to excavation – triggering alerts to all utilities within an intended digging area and prompting utilities to mark where their facilities are located. Pennsylvanians can dial 8-1-1 to connect with the One Call system, while out-of-state residents or businesses can call 1-800-242-1776. Learn more at www.PA1call.com.
Pennsylvanians with Disabilities are ‘ABLE’ to Save with PA ABLE - This Wednesday, Aug. 14, is the first-ever National ABLE Savings Day! Our state’s PA ABLE program, like other ABLE programs across the country, gives individuals with disabilities a way to save money for the future without impacting important benefits like Medical Assistance (Medicaid) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Pennsylvanians with a qualifying disability can start saving with PA ABLE today. There are seven savings and investment options to choose from. PA ABLE account owners, family and friends can contribute up to $18,000 annually to a PA ABLE account. The savings can be used to pay for a wide variety of disability-related expenses including rent, groceries, health care, vehicle adaptations, assistive technology and more.
To celebrate ABLE Savings Day, PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity, PA ABLE experts at the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, and ABLE experts from around the country are hosting free webinars to help everyone understand what ABLE programs are and how they can start saving.
Upcoming webinars include:
• Monday, Aug. 12, at 2 p.m.: ABLE Accounts 101.
• Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m.: Learn About PA ABLE.
• Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 2 p.m.: How Can Employers Promote ABLE as an Accessibility Tool?
• Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 2 p.m.: I Have an ABLE Account, Now What?
For more information about PA ABLE, visit
PAABLE.gov or call 855-529-ABLE (2253).
Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper