STATE BENEFITS                                                                                                        Pennsylvania Veterans Service Officer Support The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs works with its partners to ensure advocacy for all Pennsylvania veterans.                                                                   The Veteran Service Officer support system consists of United States Department of Veterans Affairs Accredited Representatives hosted by Veteran Service Organizations, County and State government. Most representatives are recognized by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary for preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims under laws administered by the USDVA.                                    Seeking benefits from the USDVA without proper representation can be difficult to say the least. Understanding the complex rules, laws and evidence requirements can be very technical and confusing. We strongly recommend that no veteran attempt to navigate this system without proper representation and assistance of an accredited representative or organization.                                       Veteran Service Officers serve as the veterans’ assigned representative at no cost to the veteran. They help identify what evidence is required in the claim process. They monitor the process of the claim through the adjudication process and intercede on the veteran’s behalf if problems arise. They review decisions made by the USDVA to ensure veterans receive the full benefits for which entitled.                                              County Veteran Service Officers All 67 counties in Pennsylvania are authorized a County Director of Veteran Affairs (CDVA) by county code. Most are accredited by the USDVA and either by the state service organization or a veteran service organization, or both. Most are active members of the Pennsylvania Association of County Directors of Veteran Affairs and many are also members of the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers. CDVA provide advocacy to veterans, service members and veteran families to assist them in any veteran program or benefit.                                          Chartered Veteran Service Organizations Many Veteran Service Organizations in Pennsylvania provide Veteran Service Officer Representatives who prepare, present and prosecute claims for benefits upon behalf of veterans and family members with the USDVA. You do not normally have to be a member of the specific organization to receive service from them. To contact an Accredited Representative click on the link below:                                                                                             State Service Officers Pennsylvania operates its own Veteran Service Organization with three field offices. State Veteran Service Officers provide representation of claims submitted by CDVA service officers as well as individual veteran representation. The state service officer program works in harmony with the USDVA Regional Offices, Veteran Service Organizations and all veteran advocates assisting veterans to obtain all county, state and federal benefits. Burial & Memorial Benefits                                               Burial Allowance County burial allowances are provided to veterans and spouses of deceased veterans as indicated in the County Code. The allowance is provided whether or not the person died in the county or was buried in the county. Application for the burial allowance must be made within one year after the date of his or her death                                                           Government / Private Headstone County headstone allowances are provided for qualified veterans as indicated in the County Code. The one-time expense shall be borne by the county in which the veteran had legal residence at the time of death, whether or not the veteran died in the county or was buried in the county. There is no time limit to apply for this benefit                                                                   Grave Marker A county grave marker is provided to deceased veterans as indicated in the County Code. The initial grave marker is provided free of charge by the county in which the deceased service person had legal residence at the time of death, whether or not the veteran died in the county or was buried in the county. The county in which the veteran is buried may replace future replacements or deteriorated or missing markers                                                                     Disability Benefits  VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment State Blind Veterans Pension State Paralyzed Veterans Pension State Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption Program Application for Disabled Veteran, Severely Disabled Veteran, Registration Plate or Severely Disabled Veteran Motorcycle Plate Decal Person With Disability Parking Placard Application Free Resident Disabled Veteran Licenses (hunting, furtaker and lifetime) Resident Disabled Lifetime Hunting License Application Free Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans Fishing License Information for Disabled Veterans Free National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Legislation on Free POW Resident Fishing Licenses VA Specially Adapted Housing Program VA Adapted Housing Application GSA Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business  Job Accomodation Network                                                                                                       Education Benefits                                 GI Bill Information Educational Gratuity Program Defense Activity For Non-Traditional Educaton Support (DANTES) Montgomery GI Bill Information Fiancial Aid for Veterans and National Guard Members Special Grants to Children of Soldiers Declared POW/MIA Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program Scholarships For Military Children State Grants and Other Financial Aid For Veterans Troops to Teachers Program PA Division of Veterans/Military Education Operation Recognition                                                                                                                           Employment Benefits                                       GSA Disabled Small Business SBA Office of Veterans Business Development Veterans Business Outreach Center Veterans Preference in Federal Civil Service Military.com Employment Page National Guard Technician Retirement Benefits U.S. Office of Personnel Management Veterans Preference TurboTAP TA Online Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Information Veterans' Employment & Training Service (VETS) Veterans' Preference on Classified Service Employment Lists PA State Civil Service Act PA State Civil Service Rules Veterans Employment Representatives State Retirement Purchasing Credit for Active Duty Military Service Time Health Benefits                                     Agent Orange Army Behavioral Health CHAMPVA Pharmacy Benefits VA Clinical Practice Guidelines Deployed Medical Research LINK Gulf War Illness VA Health Benefits Eligibility US Army Hooah for Health Persian Gulf Illness TRICARE Military Health System DOD TRICARE Policy for Active Reserves VA Environmental Agents Service VA Health Care Information VA Health Services Research & Development                                                                                         Housing Benefits                         VA Home Loan Guarantee Program Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Loans Veterans Get Boost from New PA Housing Finance Agency Home Loan Rules (Press Release) Maximum Purchase Price and Income Limits Participating Lenders                                                                                    Persian Gulf Bonus                             On April 24, 2006, Governor Edward Rendell signed House Bill 1820 into law as Act 29 of 2006. This Bill establishes the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Benefit Act. On November 7, 2006, Pennsylvania voters gave overwhelming approval to a ballot question to fund the program. The bond issue created a fund for the payment of compensation to, or on behalf of, eligible current and former members of the United States Armed Forces, a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces, or the Pennsylvania National Guard.                                                Deadline: The deadline for submitting applications for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Benefit Program is August 31, 2015.                           Veterans Emergency Assistance                         Purpose: Provides financial aid in an emergency and on a temporary basis (not to exceed three months in a 12-month period) to veterans and their beneficiaries who reside in Pennsylvania for the necessities of life (food, dairy, shelter, fuel and clothing).                                      Veteran's eligibility criteria:  An honorably discharged veteran. Served during established war service dates as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. **The following decorations can also be used to establish wartime service: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or Navy Expeditionary MedalMust be a Pennsylvania resident.Unexpected loss of income within 180 days of application through no fault of the individual.May not be on Public Assistance.Must have a financial need. Upon the recent death of a veteran, their spouse or orphaned children are eligible provided the veteran would have qualified prior to his/her death. Sign-Up for our FREE Veteran Newsletters and FREE Veteran Alerts. Full name:  * required Email address:  * required Comments: I agree to receive FREE veteran newsletters and alerts. Yes No     [ Benefits By State ]