House unanimously passes bill to increase monthly pension amounts for some of Pennsylvania’s veterans

HARRISBURG, Nov. 10 – State Rep. Nick Pisciottano, D-Allegheny, announced the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has unanimously passed H.B. 1220, legislation to increase the monthly pension amounts for the Blind and the Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension programs.

“Our veterans deserve our continued support and after more than 20 years, it is time to increase these monthly pension payments,” said Pisciottano, who co-authored this bill with state Rep. Jim Gregory, R-Blair.

House Bill 1220 would increase the monthly pension payments from $150 to $250 a month and that number would automatically increase with inflation.

These two veterans’ pension programs have not seen any increases since 1999.

“These veterans served and sacrificed so much for our country and they deserve whatever additional support we can give them now,” Pisciottano said.

During the 2019-20 fiscal year, the Blind Veterans Pension Program helped 102 veterans here in Pennsylvania and the Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension Program served 2,008 veterans.

House Bill 1220 has passed the House and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

EDITORS/ASSIGNMENT DESKS: Video of Rep. Pisciottano’s remarks on the House floor are available here.