Pennsylvanians filing their 2022 personal state income taxes can help Pennsylvania's military personnel, veterans, and their families by donating any amount of their refund to the state's Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP) or Veterans' Trust Fund (VTF). Both programs are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, which provides resources and assistance to veterans, military members, and their families in the commonwealth.

Pennsylvanians interested in donating should refer to the 2022 Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax (PA-40) Instruction Booklet, which includes full instructions on how to donate.

The MFRAP helps Pennsylvania service members and their families by providing financial assistance to those with a direct and immediate financial need as a result of circumstances beyond their control. MFRAP grants can provide help to service members for everything from replacing the roof on a home to help paying bills.

Members of the armed forces who are residents of Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for assistance while they are serving on active duty for 30 or more consecutive days with the Army, Army Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Space Force, or Pennsylvania Army or Air National Guard. All members of the armed forces who were discharged for medical reasons are also eligible to apply for assistance up to four years after a medical discharge.

Reserve component service members, including Pennsylvania National Guard members, and their families may be eligible for a grant for a period of up to three years after release from a qualifying active-duty tour. The program also applies to certain family members of eligible service members. Applicants must show that they have a direct and immediate financial need as a result of circumstances beyond their control.

Since the MFRAP began in 2006, individuals have donated a total of more than $2.17 million through private donations or when filing their Pennsylvania personal income tax returns. In addition to donating when filing taxes, people may contribute at http://www.donate.dmva.pa.gov; this website also includes information about donating by mail. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent authorized by federal law. To learn more about the MFRAP, visit http://www.mfrap.pa.gov.

The VTF provides funding to assist and support Pennsylvania veterans and their families. The VTF issues grants to statewide charitable organizations that assist veterans, veterans service organizations, and county directors of veterans affairs. The fund can assist veterans in need of shelter and with the necessities of living.

Since the VTF grant program began in 2013, a total of $5.33 million has been awarded to organizations across Pennsylvania. The VTF is funded by Pennsylvanians who voluntarily donate when applying for or renewing driver's licenses, photo IDs or motor vehicle registrations; purchasing Honoring Our Veterans standard and motorcycle license plates; or purchasing Honoring our Women Veterans standard license plates. Additionally, private donations can be made at http://www.donate.dmva.pa.gov; mailing information is also available on this site. To learn more about the VTF, visit http://www.vtf.pa.gov.

For more information about the DMVA, visit http://www.dmva.pa.gov or http://www.facebook.com/padmva.