Dear Neighbor,

Last week, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors held a public hearing at the Capitol in Harrisburg to explore health care provider policies from other states and countries that could help address workforce shortages and improve access to care in rural communities.

I thank all the testifiers who attended to provide these invaluable insights as we continuously work to strengthen rural health care across Pennsylvania.

You can click here to access the hearing testimony and recording.

Eligible Pennsylvania veterans and their families can take advantage of the Veterans Temporary Assistance (VTA) Program, which provides up to $1,600 per year for essential needs like rent, groceries, utility bills, and clothing during times of financial hardship.

Since its launch, the program – run by the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) – has awarded more than $7.4 million to more than 6,800 veterans and families across the state.

Eligible applicants include veterans with honorable or general discharges, those with service-connected disabilities, and surviving dependents of eligible veterans or service members who died in the line of duty.

To apply or learn more, visit www.dmva.pa.org or contact your local County Veterans Affairs office.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Department of Aging, Department of Banking and Securities, State Police, and Attorney General’s Office are warning residents – especially seniors – about a new inheritance scam involving someone posing as a state employee.

The scam uses fake emails that mimic commonwealth addresses to convince victims to send money in exchange for a fictious overseas inheritance. One reported case saw an older Pennsylvanian lose considerable money over nearly a year.

Officials urge residents to:

• Ignore unsolicited messages offering money or prizes.
• Verify suspicious emails (official state emails end in @pa.gov).
• Never share personal info or send money to unknown individuals.
• Report suspicious activity to state agencies or local law enforcement.

Report scams:

• Call 1-866-PAComplaint.
• Visit pa.gov/consumer.

Contact the Attorney General at 1-800-441-2555 or attorneygeneral.gov.

Whether you’re just starting out in the workforce, considering a career change, or seeking new skills, Pennsylvania’s PA CareerLink is here to help you land your next role at no cost.

PA CareerLink offers comprehensive job listings with thousands of openings across every industry in our region, one-on-one coaching that includes personalized resume reviews, interview preparation and career counseling, skills training and certifications through approved programs – from IT bootcamps to health care credentials – and a variety of workshops and job fairs, both in-person and virtual, where you can meet employers face-to-face.

Getting started is simple. Visit the PA CareerLink website, create a free account and upload your resume, then schedule an appointment at your nearest PA CareerLink center – virtual and in-office options are available.

PA CareerLink Luzerne County, 32 E. Union St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701

Hunger doesn’t take a vacation. SUN Bucks helps offset the cost of groceries during the summer months when school is not in session.

This federally run program offers $120 per eligible child on a prepaid EBT card. Students currently receiving SNAP are automatically enrolled. If you are not enrolled in SNAP, you may still be eligible! Check eligibility, program resources, and get an application now at dhs.pa.gov/SUNBucks.

Note: Benefits for Summer of 2025 will begin being issued to all eligible children in mid-July. Deadline to apply is Aug. 31st, 2025.

Summer EBT | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA) is here to assist veterans who have lost their DD Form 214 or other military documents. This crucial paperwork verifies your military service and is necessary to access benefits, retirement, employment opportunities, and veterans’ organizations.

If you need help locating your DD-214 or correcting it with DD-215, DMVA’s accredited veteran service officers are ready to support you. You can call toll-free at 1-800-547-2838, or email RA-REQ@pa.gov.

Over 2,300 veterans have received help from DMVA in the past year – don’t wait to get the documents you need!

For more information or to sign up for the DMVA Veterans Registry, visit www.register.dmva.pa.gov.

Let us continue to work together to build a stronger and safer America by searching for the TRUTH and finding the FACTS to guide our words, and our actions. Please, STAY STRONG and SAFE! Our democracy needs us to come together for the good of all.

Sincerely,

Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski

121st Legislative District