The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) reminds veterans to apply for or review their veterans' benefits for the new year. The department will offer free assistance to veterans who wish to review or update their benefits.

Recently passed laws, such as the federal Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 that expanded health care and disability benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances, along with Act 27 of 2024, which excluded veterans' disability-related payments from income in need-based state benefits, have changed eligibility for thousands of veterans across the commonwealth.

Safeguarding military paperwork, especially the DD Form 214 or earlier discharge documents, which are used to verify military service, is an important first step in securing benefits. Having this paperwork is essential when a veteran or survivor wants to start a benefits review.

The easiest way to manage military documents is to make sure they are filed in a safe place immediately upon leaving the military. Veterans often find that filing their documents for free with their county recorder of deeds is an easy way to secure them until needed, which can often be decades into the future. Anyone needing help in locating their military documentation can call DMVA toll-free at 800-547-2838 or email RA-REQ@pa.gov.

For more information, visit http://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmva.