ANNVILLE, PA — The Shapiro Administration has delivered one of the strongest years on record for Pennsylvania veterans, helping secure nearly $1.4 billion in compensation and pension benefits over the past 12 months and marking a dramatic 23 percent increase from last year.
Supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, accredited veteran service officers assisted an average of 192,000 veterans each month, answering more than 1,100 requests for help and pushing total benefits secured since Governor Josh Shapiro took office to more than $3 billion.
“Surpassing last year’s $1.1 billion demonstrates our team’s dauntless efforts when it comes to working with veterans, verifying eligibility and connecting them to the benefits they need and deserve,” said Brian Natali, director of the Bureau of Veterans Outreach and Reintegration. He credited county veterans offices, service organizations, and frontline officers for meeting “the ever-growing demand for our services.”
The past year brought nearly 10,000 new compensation and pension recipients, more than 7,000 veterans enrolled in the real estate tax exemption program, and roughly 600 families supported through the Veterans Temporary Assistance Program.
The agency’s outreach efforts have surged as well. In 2024, staff conducted about 432 outreach events, and Natali said they are on track to exceed that figure this fiscal year.
One major driver of increased claims activity is the federal PACT Act, enacted in 2022 to expand benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic hazards. Natali said DMVA has made these claims a top priority, pushing them rapidly to the federal VA to minimize delays.
DMVA leaders also highlighted the impact of PA VETConnect, a statewide network linking veterans to more than 7,000 resources in the communities where they live. Nearly 700,000 veterans reside in Pennsylvania, and the program’s outreach team works across the Commonwealth to connect them with services ranging from housing assistance to mental health support.
In 2025, DMVA expanded its footprint with the opening of the Lickdale Veterans’ Outreach Center in Lebanon County, offering a convenient in-person location for veterans and families seeking help with claims and benefits. Officials say the center has seen steady and significant foot traffic since opening in June.
Pennsylvanians seeking support can visit dmva.pa.gov or meet with service officers at the Lickdale Veterans’ Outreach Center, located at 40 Fisher Ave. in Jonestown.
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