Senator Vogel E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • Supporting Veteran-Owned Businesses
  • Veterans Invited to Our Breakfast Honoring Their Service
  • Helping Disabled Veterans Enjoy Outdoor Activities
  • Fort Indiantown Gap and Lickdale Veterans Outreach Center Tour
  • VA Offers Yearlong Community Care Authorizations
  • VA Awards $818 Million in Grants to Combat Veteran Homelessness
  • Submit Mileage-Only Travel Claims with the VA Mobile App
  • PA VetCon 2025 – October 22-25 in King of Prussia
  • Veterans Discount on NFL Sunday Ticket
  • Veteran Employment Programs
  • Need Help Finding Your DD-214 or Military Records?

Supporting Veteran-Owned Businesses

To promote veteran-owned businesses, the Senate passed Senate Bill 64 requiring the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to create a logo that can be used by Pennsylvania businesses with at least 51% veteran ownership to designate themselves as a veteran-owned business to the public. With Senate Bill 64, DMVA will also make a database available on its website of veteran-owned businesses that applied for and were approved to use the logo.

The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Veterans Invited to Our Breakfast Honoring Their Service

The Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) and I invite our local veterans to our Veterans Appreciation Breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 9 a.m, at the CCBC Dome, 1 Campus Drive in Monaca.

The breakfast is free for all veterans and active service members and a guest. RSVP by Oct. 30 is required due to limited seating. To register, attendees can call 724-480-3554 or email marketing@ccbc.edu.

Our veterans answered the call to serve and protect our nation, and while we will always be indebted to them, this event is a way we can honor their service, show gratitude to their sacrifices and thank them for keeping our country safe.

Helping Disabled Veterans Enjoy Outdoor Activities

Under legislation passed by the Senate last month, disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients will be exempt from most hunting license and permit fees when participating at events granted a Military Event License Exemption Permit by the Game Commission. With Senate Bill 533, individuals or entities can apply for the permit for events that are primarily for the rehabilitation or enjoyment of up to 10 participating disabled veterans and/or Purple Heart recipients and held on private property.

The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Fort Indiantown Gap and Lickdale Veterans Outreach Center Tour

Senators and staff from the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee toured Fort Indiantown Gap and Lickdale Veterans Outreach Center in August. Senators and staff were able to:

  • Visit the new Lickdale Veterans Outreach Center, which offers a one-stop shop for veteran services including housing and financial assistance to help track down DD-214’s. This is DMVA’s first Veterans Outreach Center in Pennsylvania.
  • Tour Fort Indiantown Gap and view the Pennsylvania National Guard installation.
  • Walk through the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy, which supports at-risk teenagers across the commonwealth and helps them to focus on school, emotional health and fitness in a structured environment.

VA Offers Yearlong Community Care Authorizations

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced it will extend the length of new VA community care authorizations to one year for 30 eligible standardized types of care, an increase from the previous reevaluation every 90 to 180 days. This will improve continuity of care and allow veterans to focus more on their health than frequent administrative requirements.

VA Awards $818 Million in Grants to Combat Veteran Homelessness

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that more than $818 million in grants have been given to 235 organizations across the country to help veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. More than $16 million has been given to organizations serving Pennsylvania’s veterans, including:

  • Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania, Inc.
  • YWCA of Greater Harrisburg
  • Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc.
  • Lawrence County Social Services, Inc.
  • Soldier On of Delaware, Inc.
  • Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Allentown
  • Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania, Inc.
  • Commission on Economic Opportunity of Luzerne County
  • The Veterans Multi-Service Center, Inc., which serves veterans in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, was granted almost $17 million.

These grants will help to fund local organizations as they assist veterans with access to housing and housing counseling, health care, financial planning services, childcare, legal assistance and transportation.

Submit Mileage-Only Travel Claims with the VA Mobile App

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) now allows eligible veterans to submit and track mileage-only travel claims directly from their smartphone using the VA Health and Benefits mobile app.

With more than 3 million downloads, the app now features a prompt that appears when a VA appointment may qualify for mileage reimbursement. Submitting a claim takes just a few taps – no paperwork required.

This update helps speed up processing and reduces the need for paper submissions. Veterans with a 30% or higher service-connected disability rating who travel in their own vehicle to VA medical appointments may be eligible.

To learn more or download the app, visit the VA Health and Benefits mobile page.

PA VetCon 2025 – October 22-25 in King of Prussia

PA VetCon 2025 seeks to amplify awareness, facilitate vital conversations and cultivate solutions for challenges confronting veterans and the Pennsylvania National Guard. It offers a dynamic mix of professional growth, networking, fun and inspiration for veterans interested in advancing their careers, building resilience or enjoying camaraderie. The conference will be held at the Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1160 1st Ave., King of Prussia, PA.

Veterans Discount on NFL Sunday Ticket

Veterans are eligible for a discount of almost 60% off for NFL Sunday Ticket through ID.me. NFL Sunday Ticket gives fans the ability to watch their favorite NFL team’s out-of-market Sunday games, enjoy unlimited streams at home, view key plays and watch up to four live games on one screen in multiview.

Veteran Employment Programs

Hiring Our Heroes,  Hire Heroes USA, Onward to Opportunity and VetJobs are engaged in a formal evaluation effort to measure the impact of their programs. Supported by research from The Veterans Metrics Initiative, their proven models for success feature:

  • Personalized coaching and mentorship – individual support in resume development, interview preparation and long-term career planning.
  • Industry-certified skill training – education in high-demand fields like IT, cybersecurity and project management leading to nationally recognized certifications.
  • Career connections and networking – direct links to employers, job boards and recruiter support that help veterans secure meaningful employment.

Veterans looking for career support can reach out to these programs for personalized support and proven pathways to success.

Need Help Finding Your DD-214 or Military Records?

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) can help veterans locate their DD Form 214 (DD-214) and other essential military documents. These records are crucial for verifying service and accessing the benefits they’ve earned – including retirement, employment opportunities and membership in veterans’ organizations.

If your DD-214 is missing or contains errors, the DMVA can assist with locating or correcting it to avoid delays in receiving your benefits.

How to Get Help:

  • Call: 1-800-547-2838 (toll-free)
  • Email: RA-REQ@pa.gov
  • Visit: Lickdale Veterans’ Outreach Center, 40 Fisher Ave., Jonestown
  • Visit: DMVA field offices at the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh VA Regional Offices

Learn More: Visit the Records Request Program website

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Please contact me to provide input on any state-related matter, or to receive help in dealing with a state agency.

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