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In this Update:
Veterans Leadership Program’s Tax Clinic Open Beginning Jan. 29Beginning January 29, IRS-certified volunteers will be available to provide tax assistance to households earning up to $70,000 per year. The Tax Clinics will be open every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through April 15 at 2934 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. Make an appointment today by calling 211. 2025 Year in Review: Serving Veterans
As a veteran, ensuring our nation’s heroes receive the care they deserve is a cause near and dear to my heart. This year, in addition to celebrating milestone birthdays for the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy, I worked on legislation to improve pension benefits for certain disabled veterans, modernize how veterans’ nonprofits raise money by allowing them to accept electronic payments, urge Congress to address the critical mental health needs of veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, support opportunities for Pennsylvania’s disabled veterans to participate in hunting and outdoor sports, and much more. I was also proud to host a hearing in Pittsburgh to examine legislative solutions for connecting veterans with physical and mental health care and meaningful employment. To continue my work supporting local veterans, I accepted a reappointment to the Advisory Council for the Southwestern Veterans’ Center; and to help shape the future of our nation’s military, I accepted an opportunity to serve on Sen. Dave McCormick’s U.S. Service Academy Nominations Advisory Board. Learn more about my work to serve veterans in 2025 here. Reminder: Eligible Pennsylvania Veterans Can Apply for Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension
Certain eligible veterans may qualify for a monthly pension of $150 per month through the state’s Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension program. To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:
To apply, Pennsylvania veterans should contact their County Directors of Veterans Affairs in their county of residence. More information about the DMVA Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension Program can be found here. I have introduced legislation alongside my colleague Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) to increase the monthly pension amounts for the Blind Veterans Pension Program and the Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension Program to $180 per month for both programs. The bill passed the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee on April 1, 2025, and is awaiting consideration by the full Senate. It is past time for the legislature to take action and put more money back in the pockets of our heroes! Expanding Eligibility for Free and Reduced Disabled Veterans Hunting Licenses
Legislation passed unanimously by the Senate in November would make Pennsylvania veterans with a 100% service-connected disability eligible for a free regular hunting or furtaking license, regardless of whether their disability occurred during war or armed conflict. Senate Bill 1020, sponsored by Sen. Chris Gebhard, would allow veterans with a 60-99% disability rating from active-duty service to purchase regular hunting or furtaking licenses at a reduced cost of $1. Currently, free and reduced fee hunting licenses are only available to resident veterans whose disabilities were incurred during war or armed conflict. Senate Bill 1020 would expand eligibility to include veterans whose disabilities were incurred during other times of military service such as training exercises, non-combat military operations, and peacetime service activities. The bill is now in the House of Representatives, awaiting a vote by the Game and Fisheries Committee. Ensuring Access to Veterans Assistance Programs Across Pennsylvania
Legislation to improve the distribution of funding for veterans’ programs across the commonwealth is awaiting a vote in the House of Representatives. Senate Bill 146, introduced by Sen. Lisa Baker and unanimously passed by the Senate in March, would increase assistance and support provided by statewide charitable organizations to veterans and their families in underserved regions of the commonwealth through the Veterans’ Trust Fund. The Veterans’ Trust Fund provides grants to veterans’ service and non-profit organizations that assist veterans with issues including housing, financial matters, food, training, recovery assistance, transportation, and health. Senate Bill 146 also raises awareness about the programs and resources supported by the Veterans’ Trust Fund. More Disabled Pennsylvanians Now Eligible for PA ABLE Savings Accounts
More Pennsylvanians – including veterans – are eligible to participate in the PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Savings Program in 2026. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, Pennsylvanians with a qualifying disability occurring prior to age 46 are eligible to open a PA ABLE account. Previously, eligibility required the disability to occur before age 26. PA ABLE accounts allow individuals with disabilities and their families to save up to $19,000 per year tax-free without impacting important benefits. For veterans, savings and investments in PA ABLE accounts do not impact VA benefits. PA ABLE offers several saving options, including an interest-bearing checking account or investment options. Funds can be used for qualified expenses such as housing, health care, transportation, and assistive technology. Contributions are deductible on state income taxes, and qualified withdrawals are exempt from state and federal income taxes. PA ABLE is administered by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department. Treasurer Stacy Garrity, herself a veteran, said, “This significant expansion of eligibility to save with PA ABLE will usher in an era of greater financial independence and security for more of our friends and family members living with disabilities.” Assisting Veterans with Financial Literacy
If your New Year’s resolution is to increase financial literacy, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers resources to help veterans manage their personal finances, including:
YMCA Veterans Pathway Program
Ready to get healthier in 2026? YMCAs across the commonwealth offer veterans and their families a FREE 12-week program designed to nurture health, wellness, and connection. The Veterans Pathway Program includes:
The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh offers veteran programs. More information is available here.
I’m proud to represent you in Harrisburg. Please contact me if my team can assist you with any state-level issues or services, including PennDOT, PA Department of Revenue, PA Department of Aging, PA State Treasury, etc. I’m always happy to hear from constituents, but if you need assistance or have concerns regarding a federal issue, you may want to contact your U.S. Senators and/or your member in the U.S. House of Representatives. Thank you. For anyone who hasn’t already signed up to receive my e-newsletters, you can get on the mailing list here. |
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