The Pennsylvania Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee: Championing Support for Veterans and Emergency Responders
The Pennsylvania Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness (VAEP) Committee plays a vital role in addressing the needs of veterans and emergency responders throughout the commonwealth. Active in both the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate, the committee focuses on critical issues such as benefits for commonwealth veterans, veterans homes, Pennsylvania National Guard, and ensuring robust support for first responders.
This year, the committee benefits from strong bipartisan leadership. In the House of Representatives, the majority chair is democrat Rep. Jared G. Solomon, and the republican chair is Rep. Mark M. Gillen. Over in the Senate, the committee is led by republican Sen. Doug Mastriano as Majority Chair, with democrat Sen. Katie Muth serving as the minority chair. Together, these leaders bring a wealth of experience and commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by Pennsylvania’s veteran and emergency services communities.
Additionally, the VAEP committee includes several veterans and Pennsylvania National Guard members, ensuring that firsthand experience guides its policymaking and priorities. The inclusion of lawmakers with military and emergency response backgrounds reflects a deep understanding of the needs of those who serve.
Through bipartisan collaboration, the VAEP committee works to advance initiatives that support Pennsylvania’s veterans, strengthen emergency preparedness, and ensure the wellbeing of those who dedicate their lives to serving others.
For more information on committee members, contact information, legislation being voted on, session schedules, and more, please visit: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/.
Important Updates on Veterans and Military Benefits: 2025 Compensation Rates and the Rudisill Decision
Veterans and their families have two major updates to look forward to in 2025. These changes reflect ongoing efforts to enhance benefits and support those who have served.
Compensation Rate Increase for 2025
Starting Jan. 1, 2025, VA disability compensation rates will increase by 2.5%, matching adjustments to Social Security benefits. This increase applies to disability benefits, clothing allowances, dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), and other VA assistance programs, ensuring greater financial support for veterans and their families.
Military Pay Raises for 2025
Military service members will see pay increases starting in 2025, with junior enlisted troops receiving the largest percentage boost in decades. President Joe Biden signed the 2025 pay raises into law on December 23, 2024. Check the 2025 Military Pay Charts
E-1 through E-4: Junior enlisted service members will receive a 14.5% raise, which includes an additional 10% on top of the standard raise for all military personnel. The increase, effective April 1, 2025, will result in yearly salaries ranging from $27,828 for E-1s to $44,107 for E-4s with at least six years of service, depending on rank.
Most other ranks: All other service members will receive a 4.5% pay raise starting Jan. 1, 2025. Senior officers in grades O-8 through O-10, whose pay is capped by law, will see slightly smaller increases.
These pay adjustments reflect a compromise that prioritizes financial support for younger troops, addressing long-standing challenges for junior enlisted personnel who have struggled with basic expenses.
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) will increase by 5.4% for 2025, marking the second consecutive year of significant growth. Rates are calculated based on geographic duty location, paygrade, dependency status, and local housing costs.
Service members can review the updated BAH tables, including special allowances such as BAH Transit and BAH Type II, on the Defense Department’s website.
Basic Allowance for Housing: Check your 2025 BAH Rates
Rudisill Decision: Expanded Education Benefits
In a landmark April 2024 ruling, the Supreme Court expanded education benefits for veterans with multiple periods of qualifying service. Veterans who served under both the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) and Post-9/11 GI Bill (PGIB) no longer need to waive MGIB benefits to access PGIB. Additionally, PGIB entitlement is no longer limited by remaining MGIB benefits, though the 48-month combined benefit cap still applies.
Veterans who last received an education claim decision after Aug. 15, 2018, will have their eligibility automatically reviewed. Those with decisions before that date must apply for additional benefits by completing VA Form 22-1995, and selecting “Rudisill review” on the application. To ensure benefits do not expire, veterans should apply only when ready to use them. The deadline for recalculating delimiting dates is Oct. 1, 2030.
For more information on eligibility, applications, or these updates, visit https://www.va.gov/. These changes highlight the VA’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of veterans and their families