News Release
For Immediate Release
September 28, 2000
 

Greenleaf Veterans Bill Moves Forward

HARRISBURG -- A measure sponsored by Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf to make the state's Paralyzed Veteran's Pension available to more military service veterans has been approved unanimously by the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.

Senate Bill 1453 removes the current requirement that an eligible veteran must live in the commonwealth to collect the $150 per month pension. All that would be required is that the paralyzed veteran listed Pennsylvania residency at the time of enlistment. Qualifying injuries include the loss or loss of use of two or more extremities.

The measure also removes language in the current law that bases eligibility on the occurrence of the injury during an established war or armed conflict. Under the change proposed by Greenleaf, a paralyzed veteran would be eligible for the pension if the injury occurred during the performance of duty connected with any military service.

Greenleaf said the changes in SB 1453 bring the pension program qualifications in line with those of the state's Blind Veteran's Pension program.

The measure is supported by the State Department of Military Affairs, the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association, the War Veterans Council, and the State Veterans Commission.