Watro-backed bill to increase pensions for disabled vets passes house
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg on March 21, 2023.
HARRISBURG – A bill introduced by a local state representative to increase pensions for disabled veterans has passed the state House.
Rep. Dane Watro (R-Schuylkill/Luzerne) introduced the bill to increase pension payments for veterans who are blind and for veterans who have lost limbs or are paralyzed due to their military service.
“It’s been 26 years since these pension payments made by our Commonwealth were adjusted, and it’s long past due we make this change to support our disabled veterans,” said Watro.
The bill would raise the pension amount from $150 to $200 for both the Blind Veterans Pension Program and the Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension Program offered through the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
“This $50 increase per month is the first step in right-sizing these programs for the deserving veterans who have served and sacrificed for our country,” Watro said. “I’d like to thank my colleagues, Rep. Dan Williams (D-Chester), Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) and Mark Gillen (R-Berks), for helping to get this bill through the House and to the Pennsylvania Senate. I hope the Senate acts quickly on this important legislation.”
The bill now moves to the State Senate for consideration.
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