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Pa. veterans who suffer from blindness have access to pension

Patriot-News - 10/14/2020

The Pa. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) sent out a release Tuesday reminding veterans who suffer from service-connected blindness to apply for the blind veterans pension. The program provides eligible Pennsylvania veterans with a $150 per month pension, the release said.

“October is Blindness Awareness Month, a key time to remind everyone that the DMVA offers a blind veterans pension,” Maj. Gen. (ret.) Eric Weller, deputy adjutant general of Veterans Affairs, said in the release. “Veterans often pay an incredible price – like service-connected blindness – while serving our country and protecting our freedoms. They deserve this benefit and should apply to start receiving their monthly premium.”

Eligibility criteria to receive the pension includes a veteran who:

Served in the military honorably.

Was a resident of Pennsylvania upon entering the military.

Suffered a service-connected injury or incurred a disease that resulted in loss of vision.

DMVA continues to process payments for those enrolled in the blind veterans pension program during the COVID-19 pandemic, Weller said in the release.

To ease the application process, veterans should have the following documentation when they apply:

A copy of last military service DD-214

Proof of Pennsylvania residency upon entering the military

A United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability claim number

To apply, veterans should contact the County Veterans Affairs Director in the county they reside.

To learn more about the pension program, including eligibility, go to DMVA blind veterans pension.

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