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If you know a veteran, please forward this issue to them (you can sign up for my mission reports here). There are some important updates, resources and information they can use. In this Update:
Supporting PA Veterans and Their Families
Pennsylvania owes a debt of gratitude to all the brave men and women who have defended our freedom, as well as the citizens who continue to protect our nation and its interests across the globe. Senate Republicans passed bills this legislative session to support our veterans and their families that were all signed into law. One new law expands access to benefits for disabled veterans. Another provides additional community outreach services to help ensure that all veterans are aware of the resources available to them. Because mental health often impacts veterans, we also passed a law that would allow them to fish for free in therapeutic recreation events and programs. The relocation associated with being a military family can present a challenge for children in school. To help with that, we passed laws to provide educational support for children of National Guard and Reserves members and ensure students receive in-state tuition when their military parent is re-assigned out-of-state. Read more about legislation to honor our veterans. New Military License Plates to Honor PA Veterans
Pennsylvania now offers six new license plates to honor military veterans. Three of the plates recognize service members who received medals or honors for individual achievements or deployments. They include the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Registration Plate, the Operation Inherent Resolve Veterans Plate and the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Registration Plate. For $26, the plates – which bear a graphic of the medal awarded – can be used on cars or trucks. The other three new plate designs recognize female veterans. Two are available for motorcycles and the third is for cars and trucks. They include the Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate and the Women Veteran Registration Plate both for $26 and the Honoring Our Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate for $41. VA Lowers Certain Life Insurance Premiums
Starting in the spring of 2025, premiums will be decreased for those insured under by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI), Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI), as well as those who enroll in those programs in the future. Approximately 450,000 VGLI members will see their premium rates discounted between 2% to 17%, depending on the veteran’s age, with an average discount of 11%. Life insurance premiums for approximately 870,000 spouses covered under FSGLI will decrease between 11% and 22%, depending on the spouse’s age, with an average discount of 13%. And approximately 2 million active duty, Reserve and National Guard members insured under SGLI will see their premium rates discounted one cent from $0.06 to $0.05 per $1,000 of coverage, lowering the cost for the maximum $500,000 in life insurance coverage from $30 to $25 per month. All those eligible for this update will automatically receive the discounted rates without any action on their parts. The VA encourages all eligible veterans to sign up for life insurance today by visiting our websites for SGLI, FSGLI, VGLI, and the VA’s other life insurance options. Combating Loneliness, Social Isolation as a Caregiver
Caregivers for veterans can find themselves so focused on the needs of the veteran that they end up feeling alone, overwhelmed or disconnected from others. According to the VA, this is a common experience. However, the VA notes the good news is there are many ways to connect and thrive in the role of caregiver. The VA advises caregivers to:
Every VA facility has a CSP team that provides valuable information about resources to help caregivers stay informed and supported as they support Veterans. More information can be found on CSP’s website and by contacting local CSP teams. What are Vet Centers?
I’ve been asked this question by several of my fellow vets and feel it’s important to provide an answer to those who haven’t reached out yet. VA Vet Centers provide free and confidential readjustment counseling for War-Zone Veterans and their families, World War II to the current Global War on Terror. Vet Centers are small, non-medical, counseling centers conveniently located in our region. They’re staffed by highly trained counselors and team members dedicated to seeing you through the challenges that come with managing life during and after the military. Our region is served by the DuBois Vet Center, which is one of 12 Vet Centers in Pennsylvania and over 300 across the country. Whether you come in for one-on-one counseling or to participate in a group session, at Vet Centers you can form social connections, try new things, and build a support system with people who understand you and want to help you succeed. The Dubois Vet Center’ website is designed to provide veterans, family members, and community partners the ability to see what services the center offers, as well as the center’s Community Access Points with a picture of the entrance so first time visitors have a frame of reference to help guide them in. From my time in the State House through my current position, I’ve had a strong relationship with the Dubois Vet Center. They have helped me help many of my fellow vets. Two Recreational Therapy Groups Available at the Dubois Vet Center As part of a national competition, the DuBois Vet Center was approved for initial funding for two recreational therapy groups. One of the groups is an introduction to fly tying for fly fishing, with one of the center’s counselors being an avid fly tyer and fisherman. The other group is a no sew blanket group, which the center hopes will generate interest from women veterans, but the group is open to anyone who would like to join. The groups will be held at the Vet Center with approximately 4 cohorts to run quarterly with 6 vets in each cohort. The center says it hopes to grow these groups and potentially be able to have them at the center’s Community Access Points (CAPs) in McKean, Centre and Blair counties, with the possibility of adding more recreational therapy groups in the future. The center noted the initial funding will help them launch the groups, but they will be actively trying to obtain additional funding they can expand on them. Who is eligible to receive services at Vet Centers? Vet Center services are available to Veterans at no cost, regardless of discharge character, and without the need to be enrolled in VA health care or having a service-connected disability. If you are a Veteran or service member, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, you can access Vet Center services if you:
Contacting your local Vet Center Even if you are unsure if you meet the criteria to receive services from a Vet Center, please contact a center. From personal experience I can tell you that, if the center can’t help you, they’ll find someone who will. Center services are also available to family members when their participation would support the growth and goals of the Veteran or active-duty service member. If you consider them family, so does your local center. Bereavement services are also available to family members of Veterans who were receiving Vet Center services at the time of the Veteran’s death, and to the families of service members who died while serving on active duty. The DuBois Vet Center, located at 100 Meadow Lane, Suite 8, DuBois, PA 15801, can be contacted at 814-372-2095 or toll free 24/7 at 1-877-WAR-VETS (927-8387). The DuBois Vet Center recently announced counseling and referral services are now being provided at the State College American Legion Post 245, in addition to the many services they offer at their locations in DuBois, Altoona, Bradford, Penn State-DuBois, Smethport and their mobile Vet Center. The Williamsport Vet Center, located at 49 East Fourth Street, Suite 104, Williamsport, PA 17701, can be contacted at 570-327-5281. The center offers a range of services, from talk therapy to recreational activities, working with veterans to identify their goals and making a plan to meet them. Like the DuBois center, the counseling services provided are confidential; no information about you or the services you receive is shared with anyone without your permission – except in a life-threatening situation. In addition to its main location in Williamsport, the Williamsport Vet Center operates satellite locations in Lock Haven, Sunbury and Wellsboro. The other Vet Center locations in Pennsylvania are:
For more information, please visit www.vetcenter.va.gov
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