51 Pa.C.S. Ch. 85

51 Pa.C.S. § 8501 Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Commission." The State Veterans' Commission established under section 1702 (relating to State Veterans' Commission). "Eligible veteran." A person who served in the armed forces of the United States, including a reserve component or the National Guard, or a women's organization officially connected therewith, who: (1) was discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable after a period of active duty, other than active duty for training, as evidenced by a DD-Form 214, NGB-22 or other official documentation; (2) died in service or was killed in action; or (3) suffered a service-connected disability as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. "Emergency." A sudden or unexpected loss of income due to sickness, disability, unemployment or other cause beyond the control of the applicant for emergency assistance. "Necessities of living." Water, food, shelter, clothing, health care, personal vehicle, essential furnishings, utilities, transportation, communication and laundry services to the extent not provided by other government programs. "Need for temporary assistance." Financial circumstances resulting in insufficient funds to pay for necessities of living for a veteran and family members of the veteran or surviving dependents when any of the following occur: (1) The veteran or surviving dependents are temporarily unable to obtain or maintain the necessities of living without undue hardship. (2) The need is caused by a loss of income, assets or support due to sickness, disability, unemployment, natural or manmade disaster or other cause beyond the control of, and not as a result of misconduct by, the applicant. (3) The need is caused by an increase in costs of obtaining or maintaining necessities of living beyond the control of, and not as a result of misconduct by, the applicant. "Program." The Veterans' Temporary Assistance Program under this chapter. "Surviving dependents." The following are considered surviving dependents of a deceased eligible veteran: (1) The unmarried surviving spouse of the deceased eligible veteran. (2) If there is no unmarried spouse of a deceased eligible veteran, the unmarried minor children, children who, before attaining the age of 18, became permanently incapable of self-support, and children who are less than 23 years of age and are pursuing a full-time course of instruction at an approved educational institution, provided they were, on the death of the eligible veteran, dependent on the eligible veteran for more than 50% of the cost of their support. (3) If the eligible veteran is not survived by a spouse or dependent children, the surviving parents of the eligible veteran, provided that, on the date of the eligible veteran's death, they were dependent on the veteran for more than 50% of the cost of their support. (Oct. 4, 2016, P.L.882, No.109, eff. imd.)

51 Pa.C.S. § 8502 Purpose.

The purpose of the program is to provide temporary financial assistance to eligible veterans, their unmarried surviving spouses and surviving dependents when they face a financial emergency and need assistance to provide themselves with the necessities of living. (Oct. 4, 2016, P.L.882, No.109, eff. imd.)

51 Pa.C.S. § 8503 Eligibility.

In order to qualify for the program, applicants must demonstrate that: (1) They are eligible veterans or eligible surviving dependents of eligible veterans. (2) They are permanent residents of this Commonwealth who do not maintain residence in any other state for any purpose. (3) They are not receiving sufficient monetary assistance from any Federal or State agency based on the need for temporary assistance described in the application. The receipt of food stamp assistance does not disqualify an applicant from eligibility for temporary assistance. (4) Other funds or resources are not available to address the need for temporary assistance by providing documentation acceptable to the department. (5) An immediate need for temporary assistance in order to provide themselves and their families with the necessities of living. The assistance must be essential for the applicant to obtain and maintain the necessities of living. Assistance for the relief of an inconvenience is deemed nonessential. (Oct. 4, 2016, P.L.882, No.109, eff. imd.)

51 Pa.C.S. § 8504 Amounts of assistance.

(a) Maximum amount.--In no event shall veterans' temporary assistance payments exceed the established maximum assistance or the documented amount of need, whichever is less. (b) Standards.--Subject to the limitation set forth in subsection (a), the department shall determine uniform and equitable standards for the amounts of veterans' temporary assistance. The department shall report periodically to the commission on the administration and status of the program. (c) Restrictions.--No person shall be eligible to receive veterans' temporary assistance for more than the established maximum assistance in any 12-month period. (d) Method; adjustments.--No payments shall be made in the form of relief orders. The department may adjust the amounts of assistance paid under the program so that total payments do not exceed the amount of available funds. (Oct. 4, 2016, P.L.882, No.109, eff. imd.)

51 Pa.C.S. § 8505 Appeals.

Any person aggrieved by a decision denying payment of veterans' temporary assistance may appeal to the Adjutant General under provisions of 1 Pa. Code § 35.20 (relating to appeals from actions of the staff). (Oct. 4, 2016, P.L.882, No.109, eff. imd.)