View this email in a browser

In this Update:

• Upcoming Military Share Food Distributions
• Free Dental Care for Clearfield County Veterans
• Veterans Appreciation Breakfasts
• Vietnam War Traveling Wall
• Honoring Visually Impaired Veterans
• DMVA Accepting Applications for Grant Funding
• Increases Begin for Certain Veterans Affairs Benefits
• 2026 Veterans Benefits Guide Now Available
• Fall Outerwear Discounts
• Thank You Veterans

Upcoming Military Share Food Distributions

See the graphics below for information on upcoming food distributions for veterans and military families in State College and Johnstown!

Free Dental Care for Clearfield County Veterans

If you’re a veteran residing in Clearfield County and you don’t have dental insurance, you may be eligible for free dental care from the Free Medical Clinic of DuBois. Call 814-372-2200 to check your eligibility.

Veterans Appreciation Breakfasts

I was honored to host veterans from Cambria, Centre, and Clearfield counties for my annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfasts in Ebensburg and Clearfield.

Thank you to the veterans who joined us and thank you for your service to our nation.

Vietnam War Traveling Wall

I had the privilege of participating in the Vietnam War Traveling Wall ceremony at Moshannon Valley School District in Clearfield.

Honoring Visually Impaired Veterans

A Braille Flag monument honoring veterans with visual impairments will be installed at the Pennsylvania Capitol Building under a new law we passed.

The Braille Flag was created to honor the service of veterans who have been left with lifelong visual disabilities. Under Act 110 of 2026, the monument will be made of bronze and include the Pledge of Allegiance in Braille.

The display is sponsored by the Moose Lodge and the American Braille Flag Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to the placement of these flags throughout the country. Read more about Act 110 here.

DMVA Accepting Applications for Grant Funding

Non-profit organizations, veteran service organizations (VSOs) and county directors of veteran affairs can apply now for 2027-28 grant funding through the Veterans’ Trust Fund for programs and services benefiting Pennsylvania veterans.

Eligible non-profit VSOs and organizations with a mission of serving Pennsylvania veterans can request up to $40,000, with priority for projects addressing mental health and behavioral health, transportation or employment.

County directors of veterans affairs or the Pennsylvania Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs may be eligible for up to $15,000 for new, innovative programs, particularly those focusing on expanded services and direct programming.

Grant applications must be received no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18.

Interested applicants are encouraged to join a Microsoft Teams meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. where an overview of the grant guidelines, timeline and application process will be provided. There will be an opportunity for questions at the end of the meeting. Slides from the meeting will be made available upon request for those unable to attend.

Interested parties can email for more information.

Increases Begin for Certain Veterans Affairs Benefits

Recipients of benefits received through three programs administered by the VA will see increases from October 2026 through October 2027.

Full-time students using the Montgomery GI Bill or Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) for college degree programs and trade or vocational schools can receive the following as of Oct. 1:

• Montgomery GI Bill (3+ years of service): $2,601 (up from $2,518) per month.
• Montgomery GI Bill (2–3 years of service): $2,110 (up from $2,043) per month.
• DEA (Chapter 35): $1,621 (up from $1,574) per month.

Family members can receive the following in burial assistance for a veteran who dies on or after Oct. 1, 2026, due to a non-service-connected death:

• Burial allowance: $1,032 (up from $1,002).
• Plot: $1,032 (up from $1,002).

Veterans with certain service-connected disabilities preventing them from driving can receive up to the following toward the purchase of a vehicle with adaptive equipment beginning Oct. 1:

• Specially equipped vehicle: $27,908.90 (up from $27,074.90).

2026 Veterans Benefits Guide Now Available

The newest addition of the 2026 VA Federal Benefits Guide for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors and Caregivers is now available online.

The guide provides a comprehensive list of VA programs and benefits, including compensation, life insurance, pension and fiduciary services, education benefits, economic development and employment, home loan guaranty programs and housing assistance and mental health resources.                                                

Fall Outerwear Discounts

• Carhartt offers a 15% discount for active-duty and retired military when verified through IDme.
• Columbia Sportswear offers a 10% discount for active and retired military when verified through IDme.

Thank You Veterans

Thank you to the veterans in our communities for your service to our nation.