PA Veterans Bill Gives Families of Vets New Opportunity

Pennsylvania Passes Bill Giving Free College to Nat’l Guard Families

Posted by Berry Law Firm on July 6, 2019 in VA News

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed the PA GI Bill into law last week, granting free or reduced college to the spouses and children of Pennsylvania National Guard Members. The law, first of its kind in the country, moves to pay back the men and women who’ve given their time and body for the Guard.

The bill does come with a small catch though. Five years of higher education benefits for spouses and children can be earned through a commitment of six additional years of service by the Guard member. Nonetheless, the PA GI Bill is expected to benefit up to 8,000 family members of the 20,000 enlisted Guardsmen currently enlisted.

“In most cases, our family members do not wear a military uniform, but they serve and sacrifice right alongside our Guardsmen,” said Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “We thank the governor and the legislature for leading the nation in recognizing the critical support role our Pennsylvania Guard families have in securing our safety and security.”

The bill is expected to have consequences past educational benefits for its members. It is anticipated to become a new recruiting factor in addition to increasing the Guard’s retention rate.

The PA GI Bill is a small but significant step towards ensuring out Veteran community is compensated justly and taken care of.

If you or a loved one needs help with a Veterans Disability claim, contact our experienced attorneys today to get started on your claim.

Berry Law Firm

Established in 1965 by Vietnam War veteran and attorney John Stevens Berry Sr., Berry Law Firm is a team of veterans dedicated to defending, safeguarding, and fighting to protect the rights of veterans. Over the decades, thousands of veterans from across the country and all branches of the military have trusted our firm with their cases and, more importantly, their futures.