The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers a Blind Veterans Pension program to help veterans who experience service-connected blindness.

The program provides eligible Pennsylvania veterans with a $150 per-month pension.

“Most veterans transition from service to civilian world with little or no health challenges, but this is not the case for every veteran,” Brig. Gen. (PA) Maureen Weigl, deputy adjutant general for Veterans Affairs said. “That is where programs like the Blind Veterans Pension play a huge role. Any veteran with service-connected blindness should apply for this benefit and begin receiving the monthly premium they deserve because of their service to our nation.”

Eligibility criteria to receive the pension includes a veteran who:

• Served in the military honorably;

• Was a resident of Pennsylvania upon entering the military; and

• Suffered a service-connected injury or incurred a disease that resulted in loss of vision.

Weigl points out that October is Blindness Awareness Month, the perfect time to remind veterans of their benefits and help as many eligible veterans apply as possible.

“The best place to start the application process is for veterans to contact their County Veterans Affairs Director in the county they reside,” Weigl said. “The county directors are accredited and can help veterans apply for their benefits, at no cost. Veterans never need to pay to apply for their benefits.”

To speed up the application process, veterans should have the following documentation when they apply:

• A copy of last military service DD-214;

• Proof of Pennsylvania residency upon entering the military; and

• A United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability claim number.

To learn more about the Blind Veterans Pension program, including eligibility, go to DMVA Blind Veterans Pension.

Learn more about the DMVA by visiting www.dmva.pa.gov or follow them at www.facebook.com/padmva or www.twitter.com/padmva.