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In this Update:

• Join Me Tuesday Evening for a Veterans Telephone Town Hall
• DMVA Grant Application Webinar this Thursday for Programs Benefiting Veterans
• Penn State Welcomes Veterans to Military Appreciation Events This Week
• Kingdom Kidz to Honor Veterans with Special Performances Nov. 20-22
• Honoring Visually Impaired Veterans with a Capitol Monument
• Increases Begin for Certain Veterans Affairs Benefits
• 2026 Veterans Benefits Guide Now Available
• Fall Outerwear Discounts

Join Me Tuesday Evening for a Veterans Telephone Town Hall

On Tuesday, November 10, at 6 p.m., I will host a special Veterans Telephone Town Hall featuring American Legion Department Service Officer Bill McGovern.

Bill regularly assists veterans and their families through my Shamokin Dam district office, helping them navigate disability compensation, pensions, health care benefits and other available services.

During the Telephone Town Hall, we’ll discuss veterans’ benefits, available resources and issues affecting those who have served. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions directly from their phones.

With Veterans Day approaching, this is an opportunity to share information and connect veterans and their families with services that may be helpful to them.

Veterans, family members and residents interested in learning more are encouraged to participate.

Sign up to receive a call for the November 10 Veterans Telephone Town Hall on SenatorCulver.com.

DMVA Grant Application Webinar this Thursday for Programs Benefiting Veterans

Non-profit organizations, veteran service organizations (VSOs) and county directors of veteran affairs can apply now for 2027-28 grant funding through the Veterans’ Trust Fund for programs and services benefiting Pennsylvania veterans.

Eligible non-profit VSOs and organizations with a mission of serving Pennsylvania veterans can request up to $40,000, with priority for projects addressing mental health and behavioral health, transportation or employment.

County directors of veterans affairs or the Pennsylvania Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs may be eligible for up to $15,000 for new, innovative programs, particularly those focusing on expanded services and direct programming.

Interested applicants are encouraged to join a Microsoft Teams meeting this Thursday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. where an overview of the grant guidelines, timeline and application process will be provided. There will be an opportunity for questions at the end of the meeting. Slides from the meeting will be made available upon request for those unable to attend.

Grant applications must be received no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18.

Interested parties can email for more information.

Penn State Welcomes Veterans to Military Appreciation Events This Week

Penn State University is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its annual Military Appreciation Week, Nov. 7 -14. Veterans, service members and military families are invited to attend several events and be recognized for their service.

Veterans and service members can attend the Men’s Basketball Military Appreciation Game against Mercyhurst at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12 at the Bryce Jordan Center.

On Saturday, Nov. 14, veterans and service members are invited to the Military Appreciation Football Game against Minnesota at Beaver Stadium. The game time is TBA but will be either 7pm or 7:30pm and tickets are required. Military families can also attend the Military Appreciation Tailgate three hours before kickoff at the Bryce Jordan Center, with food, family-friendly activities and special guests. Football game tickets are not required.

Additionally, Penn State Men’s Hockey will host its annual Military Appreciation Game against Princeton at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27 at Pegula Ice Arena. Veterans and service members are also recognized during every men’s hockey game through the team’s Ice Hockey Community Hero program. Selected honorees receive two tickets to an upcoming game and are recognized for their service.

Kingdom Kidz to Honor Veterans with Special Performances Nov. 20-22

Kingdom Kidz in Watsontown will recognize our nation’s veterans with a special series of free performances celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

The Veterans Salute will feature patriotic songs, historical characters, educational presentations and a military tribute honoring those who have served. Each veteran in attendance will receive a commemorative challenge coin, and one veteran at each performance will receive a special prize.

Performances will take place at the Julie M. Holmes Creative Arts Center, 11 E. Third St., Watsontown, on Friday, November 20, at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, November 21 and 22, at 2:30 p.m.

The program is free and open to all ages, with donations accepted. The facility includes an accessible entrance and restroom, and lift transportation is available for individuals with mobility needs.

I encourage veterans and families throughout our region to consider attending this special tribute.

For more information, call 570-838-3133 or visit the Kingdom Kidz website at HisKingdomKidz.org.

Honoring Visually Impaired Veterans with a Capitol Monument

A Braille Flag monument honoring veterans with visual impairments will be installed at the Pennsylvania Capitol Building under a new law we passed.

The Braille Flag was created to honor the service of veterans who have been left with lifelong visual disabilities. Under Act 110 of 2026, the monument will be made of bronze and include the Pledge of Allegiance in Braille.

The display is sponsored by the Moose Lodge and the American Braille Flag Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to the placement of these flags throughout the country. Read more about Act 110 here.

Increases Begin for Certain Veterans Affairs Benefits

Recipients of benefits received through three programs administered by the VA will see increases from October 2026 through October 2027.

Full-time students using the Montgomery GI Bill or Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) for college degree programs and trade or vocational schools can receive the following as of Oct. 1:

• Montgomery GI Bill (3+ years of service): $2,601 (up from $2,518) per month.
• Montgomery GI Bill (2–3 years of service): $2,110 (up from $2,043) per month.
• DEA (Chapter 35): $1,621 (up from $1,574) per month.

Family members can receive the following in burial assistance for a veteran who dies on or after Oct. 1, 2026, due to a non-service-connected death:

• Burial allowance: $1,032 (up from $1,002).
• Plot: $1,032 (up from $1,002).

Veterans with certain service-connected disabilities preventing them from driving can receive up to the following toward the purchase of a vehicle with adaptive equipment beginning Oct. 1:

• Specially equipped vehicle: $27,908.90 (up from $27,074.90).

2026 Veterans Benefits Guide Now Available

The newest addition of the 2026 VA Federal Benefits Guide for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors and Caregivers is now available online.

The guide provides a comprehensive list of VA programs and benefits, including compensation, life insurance, pension and fiduciary services, education benefits, economic development and employment, home loan guaranty programs and housing assistance and mental health resources.                                                

Fall Outerwear Discounts

As temperatures drop, veterans and military members may be eligible for discounts on jackets, coats and other cold-weather clothing through participating retailers.

• Carhartt: Active-duty military members and veterans can receive 15% off eligible purchases. View military discount details on Carhartt’s website.
• Columbia Sportswear: Military members and veterans are eligible for a standard 10% discount, with a special 20% Veterans Day offer available through November 11. View current military discounts on Columbia Sportswear’s website.

Both retailers use ID.me to verify eligibility. Discount terms and exclusions may apply.