Resources providing a variety of General Information for Veterans in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Legal Assistance for Military Personnel Available in Pennsylvania
Summary of programs providing legal assistance to military personnel, veterans and their families in Pennsylvania from Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Benefit Fact Sheets
This is a listing of Veterans Benefits Administration Fact Sheets from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs on numerous issues which are of interest to veterans, servicepersons (including Reserve and National Guard members), and their dependents and survivors.
Correcting Military Service Records
Information on the process to correct military records that contain inaccurate information.
Free legal services for Veterans, service members
This article from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs outlines some options for obtaining legal assistance available to veterans and service members.
DoD Safe Helpline
DoD Safe Helpline is the sole secure, confidential, and anonymous crisis support service specially designed for members of the Department of Defense community affected by sexual assault.
New to VA - Welcome to the Department of Veterans Affairs
Introduction to the wide range of benefits available through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs including, Disability, Education and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Home Loan Guaranty, Dependent and Survivor Benefits, Medical Treatment, Life Insurance and Burial Benefits.
Veterans Benefits Administration
Information on benefits and services administered by the Veterans Benefits Administration for veterans, their dependents and survivors, including, but not limited to: Compensation; Education & Training; Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment; Home Loans; Life Insurance; Pension; Transition, Employment, and Economic Impact.
Guide to Mortgages and Other Loans for Military and Veterans
Informational brochure on the most common consumer issues, including home ownership issues, impacting veteran and military communities. [PDF]
Pension Poaching - Know the Signs
Informational brochure outlining how to identify dishonest financial planners and advisors who target veterans and their families, offering assistance with filing paperwork or claiming they can help veterans qualify for supplemental benefits. [PDF]
Interactive Forms from Stateside Legal
Stateside Legal, a website providing legal help for military members, veterans and their families, has partnered with several organizations to bring free interactive legal forms to individuals with military connections. The interactive forms are available free of charge to all persons. The system is easy to use and provides several sample forms and letters in a number of legal areas.
Stateside Legal
Stateside Legal is a national resource for members of the military, veterans, their families and advocates. It goal is to help you access benefits, find free legal help, and better understand your legal issues. This site indexes the best legal information available in one easy-to-use website that includes interactive forms, videos, and legal analysis.
Veterans Legal Help Navigator
This online tool from Stateside Legal helps veterans' caseworkers and advocates across the country find the right fit legal help for veterans. The Navigator will ask a series of questions about the veteran's income, household size, location and legal issue. Using this information, it will provide the right fit legal help for the veteran. The Navigator will also suggest resources to learn about the veteran’s legal issue and self-help materials for the veteran.
Are You a Veteran Needing Help With a Legal Question? - ABA Free Legal Answers
Information from the American Bar Association Military and Veterans Legal Center about Federal ABA Free Legal Answers, a website where you can submit your questions about civil legal issues pertaining to veterans, including VA benefits, discharge upgrades, and similar veterans’ legal issues, and receive answers from pro bono lawyers.
Veterans Benefits Applications
Online applications for various veterans benefits were previously available through the VONAPP (Veterans On Line Applications) website. That website has been retired and is no longer available, but links to online applications are still available here.
Benefits.gov
Benefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government whose mission is to increase citizen access to benefit information, while reducing the expense and difficulty of interacting with the government. It is a free, online confidential tool that helps you find government benefits you may be eligible to receive.
How to apply for VA health care
Information on how to apply for VA health care benefits as a Veteran or service member.
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
New to VA - Welcome to the Department of Veterans Affairs
Introduction to the wide range of benefits available through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs including, Disability, Education and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Home Loan Guaranty, Dependent and Survivor Benefits, Medical Treatment, Life Insurance and Burial Benefits.
Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Website of the PA Department of Military and Veteran’s Affairs.
Veterans Benefits Administration
Information on benefits and services administered by the Veterans Benefits Administration for veterans, their dependents and survivors, including, but not limited to: Compensation; Education & Training; Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment; Home Loans; Life Insurance; Pension; Transition, Employment, and Economic Impact.
Transition Assistance Program
Information on the Transition Assistance Program from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information, resources, and tools to service members and their loved ones to help prepare for the move from military to civilian life. Service members begin TAP one year prior to separation, or two years prior to retiring.
Transition Guide for Education and Civilian Employment
Informational brochure from the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office offering information to military personnel transitioning to college, a job training program, or a civilian career.
Burial Benefits
Information from the Department of Veterans' Affairs National Cemetary Administration's web site about who is eligible for burial in a VA National Cemetery.
Disability Compensation
Information from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs on Disability Compensation, which is a tax free monetary benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. Compensation may also be paid for post-service disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related to circumstances of military service, even though they may arise after service.
Headstones, Markers and Medallions
Information from the Department of Veterans' Affairs National Cemetary Administration's web site about who is eligible for Headstones, Markers and Medallions based on military service.
Pension
Information from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs about Pension Benefits, including who is eligible and how to apply.
Survivors Benefits Plan (Department of Defense)
Information from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, which provides payment services of the U.S. Department of Defense, about the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) available to a beneficiary of a deceased military retiree.
Citizenship for Military Personnel & Family Members
If you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and are interested in becoming a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship under special provisions provided for in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Learn how from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
DoD Safe Helpline
DoD Safe Helpline is the sole secure, confidential, and anonymous crisis support service specially designed for members of the Department of Defense community affected by sexual assault.
Free legal services for Veterans, service members
This article from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs outlines some options for obtaining legal assistance available to veterans and service members.
PA ABLE Savings Program for Disability-Related Expenses
A PA ABLE account gives individuals with qualified disabilities (Eligible Individuals), and their families and friends, a tax-free way to save for disability-related expenses, while maintaining government benefits. Federal and state law authorized the creation of PA ABLE accounts.
Filing Your Appeal at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
Information from the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program about filing an appeal from the denial of a VA claim from the Board of Veterans Appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. You can get the Notice of Appeal on the Court's web site at http://www.uscourts.cavc.gov.
The Board of Veterans Appeals
The Board of Veterans' Appeals (also known as "BVA" or "the Board") is a part of the VA, located in Washington, D.C. Members of the Board review benefit claims determinations made by local VA offices and issue decision on appeals. This is a gateway to information about the Board of Veterans' Appeals and the appeals process.
VA decision reviews and appeals
Information on the Veterans Affairs appeals process and the three decision review options (Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board Appeal) that are available.
Your Appeal for Veterans Benefits to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
Information on filing an appeal of a decision of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program provides free attorneys to veterans and their qualifying family members who have an appeal pending at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court). If an appellant has filed an appeal with the Court and has been unable to obtain his or her own attorney he or she can request assistance from the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program.
VA Welcome Kit
Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, this VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.
Transition Assistance Program
Information on the Transition Assistance Program from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information, resources, and tools to service members and their loved ones to help prepare for the move from military to civilian life. Service members begin TAP one year prior to separation, or two years prior to retiring.
Organizations Offering Assistance to Veterans
Essential List of Organizations Helping Military Families in Need--This is a compilation of organizations from Veterans United for Truth that provide help with disability claims, discharge disputes, VA guidance and legal conflicts. Some provide job training, continued education and connections to employers. Others offer medical care, psychological treatment, crisis counseling and emotional healing. [PDF]