View this email in a browser

In this Update:

• Upcoming Military Share Food Distributions
• More Pennsylvanians With Disabilities Now Eligible for PA ABLE Savings Accounts
• Assisting Veterans with Financial Literacy
• Legislation in the Works

Upcoming Military Share Food Distributions

More Pennsylvanians Now Eligible for PA ABLE Savings Accounts

More Pennsylvanians – including veterans – are eligible to participate in the PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Savings Program in 2026.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, Pennsylvanians with a qualifying disability occurring prior to age 46 are eligible to open a PA ABLE account. Previously, eligibility required a person’s disability to have occurred before age 26.

PA ABLE accounts allow individuals with disabilities and their families to save up to $19,000 per year tax-free without impacting important benefits. For veterans, savings and investments in PA ABLE accounts do not impact VA benefits.

PA ABLE offers several saving options, including an interest-bearing checking account or investment options. Funds can be used for qualified expenses such as housing, health care, transportation and assistive technology. Contributions are deductible on state income taxes, and qualified withdrawals are exempt from state and federal income taxes.

Assisting Veterans with Financial Literacy

If your New Year’s resolution is to increase financial literacy, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers resources to help veterans manage their personal finances, including:

• Veterans Benefits Banking Program – Provides free financial counseling, access to free financial education through VetCents and encourages veterans to save through the Veteran Saves program.
• Money Management Tools – Assists in making more informed financial decisions.
• VA Resources for Financial Education – Includes information on mortgage delinquency assistance and help for homeless veterans.
• Fraud Prevention Toolkit – Information about scams, protecting identity and financial information, reporting fraud and getting help.

Legislation in the Works

Senate Bill 1020: Expanding Eligibility for Free and Reduced Disabled Veterans Hunting Licenses

Senate Bill 1020, which I cosponsored, would allow veterans with a 60-99% disability rating from active-duty service to purchase regular hunting or furtaking licenses at a reduced cost of $1.

Currently, free and reduced fee hunting licenses are only available to resident veterans whose disabilities were incurred during war or armed conflict. Senate Bill 1020 would expand eligibility to include veterans whose disabilities were incurred during other times of military service such as training exercises, non-combat military operations and peacetime service activities.

The bill is now in the House of Representatives, awaiting a vote by the Game and Fisheries Committee.

Senate Bill 146: Ensuring Access to Veterans Assistance Programs Across Pennsylvania

Legislation to improve the distribution of funding for veterans’ programs across the commonwealth is awaiting a vote in the House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 146, which was unanimously passed by the Senate in March, would increase assistance and support provided by statewide charitable organizations to veterans and their families in underserved regions of the commonwealth through the Veterans’ Trust Fund.

The Veterans’ Trust Fund provides grants to veterans’ service and non-profit organizations that assist veterans with issues including housing, financial matters, food, training, recovery assistance, transportation and health.

Senate Bill 146 also raises awareness about the programs and resources supported by the Veterans’ Trust Fund.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

2026 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorlangerholc.com | Privacy Policy