Nov. 09, 2021
HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives today approved legislation to increase
the monthly pension amount for both the blind and paralyzed/amputee veterans pension programs, announced Rep. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery).
House Bill 1220, as adopted, would increase the monthly pension amounts for the Blind Veterans Pension Program and the Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension Program from $150 to $250 per month. This would be the first increase in monthly payments since 1999.
“Frankly, the fact that 20 years have gone by without an increase to the monthly pensions for these disabled veterans is embarrassing,” said Pennycuick, a co-sponsor of the bill. “Simply put, we can and should be doing more for our veterans in this state.”
Pennycuick authored an amendment to the bill that was adopted to make sure such an oversight does not happen again. Her amendment would put in place a permanent mechanism to automatically increase the pension amount to keep pace with inflation. It also would raise the current pension amount from $150 to $250 per month, which is $50 greater than what the original bill proposed.
“This week we will be celebrating Veterans Day and I can think of no better way to honor our veterans than to pass legislation to support them – especially those who are dealing with disabilities,” said Pennycuick.
House Bill 1220 now goes to the state Senate for consideration.
Representative Tracy Pennycuick
147th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717-772-9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
reptracypennycuick.com