Helping Disabled and Aging Veterans to Live a Better Life Fatima Nabavian, Coordinator of Community Accessibility and Related Programs, spoke to the council at its 17 July 2024 meeting in Hellertown about the assistive technology services LVCIL can provide to disabled citizens, among them our veterans — both those significantly Read more…
The surge of new VA benefits have made veterans, servicemembers and their families targets for bad actors, more and more. The result has been recent federal, intragovernmental efforts to provide better knowledge and tools to avoid fraud and scams because these bad actors who have become increasingly sophisticated. The most Read more…
As a result of a partnership between the VA and Prudential Financial, the Office of Outreach, Transition and Economic Development (OTED) is offering to military veterans, transitioning servicemembers, and their family members and caregivers, the opportunity to participate in a Wellness Wednesday Financial Educational series. The series addresses identified, financial Read more…
In Partnership with Prudential Financial As a result of a partnership between the VA and Prudential Financial, the Office of Outreach, Transition and Economic Development (OTED) is offering to military veterans, transitioning servicemembers, and their family members and caregivers, the opportunity to participate in a Wellness Wednesday Financial Educational series. Read more…
From the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs: ALERT REGARDING HARRIS JEWELRY Harris Jewelry was well-known in military towns due to salespersons attracting servicemembers with teddy bears dressed in military uniforms, and also for sale of items like the Mom’s Medal of Honor. Due to a court settlement Read more…
The VA announced this week its commitment to extend debt relief to veterans impacted by natural disasters. The department recognizes veterans and their beneficiaries are negatively impacted by the wildfires and hurricanes prompting the offering of financial-debt relief. This includes the suspension of debt-collection actions for up to 90 days Read more…
Gov. Wolf, Treasurer Torsella Announce Property Tax/Rent Rebates Arriving Early to Help Seniors, Others During COVID-19 Pandemic Governor Tom Wolf and Treasurer Joe Torsella today announced that many older homeowners, renters and people with disabilities will receive early rebates through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. It is something worthwhile for Read more…
Although originally created to address a Pennsylvania Guard “Family” need, the program has application to veterans and their families as well. In fact, the Pennsylvania’s Department of Banking and Securities is offering the event to both groups. Click here to go directly to the registration site. After attending, give us your feedback. Perhaps an event can be arranged in the Lehigh Valley in the future, if we hear good words about it. (more…)
Source: Information for Veterans As of 18 July, the Internal Revenue Service has launched a new site titled “Information for Veterans.” “The page is designed to provide timely, federal tax-related information to veterans about tax credits and benefits, free tax preparation, financial education, and asset-building opportunities available to veterans,” according Read more…
Editor’s Note: Kerry Smith, a Staff Attorney for Community Legal Services of Philadelphia was the speaker at our March Council Meeting. Ms. Smith, at that time, explained the harm of such lending legislation and how other states which have passed such wish they could turn back the clock. She urged the Council to stand up for our veterans and oppose any such legislation.
The Pennsylvania Council of Chapters, Military Officers Association of America, strongly opposes Senate Bill 975, the Micro Loan Program, recently introduced on May 31, 2013 to legalize payday lending in Pennsylvania at 300% interest on a two-week loan. We agree with them. The bill, which will result in such usury despite possible good intentions, has surprisingly made it out of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee by a narrow 8 to 6 voting margin and is now on the floor of the Senate for a vote in a few more days. 
Since the possibility exists for our legislators to fail to take — or are not given — the time to completely read the bills they vote upon on a Senate or House floor (let alone reflect upon their possible unintended consequences), your timely action could make the difference in their decision-making. (more…)