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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep.
Camille "Bud" George |
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Panel OKs 2 bills that would extend, expand Military Family Relief
HARRISBURG, June 3 – State Rep. Camille "Bud" George, D-74 of Clearfield County, said that the House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee today unanimously OK’d two bills to extend and expand the Military Family Relief Assistance Program.
"The economic downturn has put more military families in financial peril since the program was signed into law by Gov. Rendell in November 2005," Rep. George said. "I thank committee members for helping to see that this last-chance safety net is extended and bolstered."
The program, administered by the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, helps Pennsylvania military personnel and their families with grants of up to $2,500 annually to provide food, shelter and other necessities in times of hardship. The program expires in November 2010.
Rep. George’s House Bill 1533 would:
● Extend the program until June 30, 2016;
● Include state National Guard members in eligibility guidelines;
● Expand eligibility guidelines so military personnel could be eligible for grants up to one year after completion of active duty;
● Ease residency requirements so an eligible applicant need only be a Pennsylvania resident when he or she applies, and not necessarily when he or she entered the service.
Rep. George’s HB 1531 would enable Pennsylvanians to continue to dedicate a portion of their refunds on state Personal Income Tax returns to the program through the end of the 2015 tax year. No tax dollars support the program, and 2009 was the last year people could donate through a tax-deductible "check-off" on 2008 state income taxes unless it is extended.
Applications and more information are available on DMVA Web site, www.dmva.state.pa.us., or by calling the department toll free at (1) 866 292-7201.
Since 2005, the program has disbursed more than $100,000 to military personnel and their families showing immediate financial need stemming from military service.
Both bills now face consideration before the full House.
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CONTACT: Matthew Maciorkoski |