ANNVILLE, PA — With a new year underway and major laws reshaping eligibility, Pennsylvania officials are urging veterans to make reviewing their benefits a top priority, warning that thousands may be missing assistance they have already earned through military service.
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs said changes in health, finances, and federal and state law can significantly affect a veteran’s eligibility for benefits, making an annual review especially important. The department is encouraging veterans to meet with an accredited veterans service officer to assess their current benefits and identify potential new ones.
“While the new year is looked at as a fresh start for many, it is also the ideal time for veterans to meet with an accredited veteran service officer to review their circumstances and ensure they are receiving the maximum benefits earned through their service and sacrifice,” said Keith Graham, executive director of veterans programs and services.
Graham pointed to recent legislative changes as examples of why a review can be critical. The federal Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 expanded U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care and disability benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. In Pennsylvania, Act 27 of 2024 excluded veterans’ disability-related payments from income calculations for need-based state benefits, potentially opening doors for additional assistance.
“Veterans should not hesitate to seek help applying for or reviewing their benefits, and they should never pay for this service,” Graham said, noting that more than 200 accredited veterans service officers across the Commonwealth provide free assistance through DMVA, county offices, and veterans service organizations.
Officials stressed that safeguarding military paperwork is a crucial first step in securing benefits. Key documents, especially the DD Form 214 or earlier discharge papers, are required to verify service and begin a benefits review. DMVA recommends veterans store these documents in a secure location, such as filing them for free with a county recorder of deeds, where they can be accessed decades later if needed.
Veterans who need help locating military documentation can call DMVA toll-free at 800-547-2838 or email RA-REQ@pa.gov.
Beyond individual reviews, DMVA is also encouraging Pennsylvania’s nearly 700,000 veterans — the seventh-largest veteran population in the nation — to enroll in the PA Veterans Registry. The free online tool delivers timely information about benefits, programs, events, and services available to veterans and their families statewide. Registration is available at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmva/pennsylvania-veterans/pennsylvania_veterans-registry.
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