AN ACT

 

1Amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania
2Consolidated Statutes, providing for the exclusion of
3veterans' benefit payments from income for Commonwealth
4programs.

5The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6hereby enacts as follows:

7Section 1. Title 51 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
8Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:

9CHAPTER 97

10VETERANS' BENEFIT PAYMENT EXCLUSION

11Sec.

129701. Definitions.

139702. Exclusion.

14§ 9701. Definitions.

15The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
16shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
17context clearly indicates otherwise:

1"Commonwealth program." A program administered by the
2Commonwealth that requires, as a condition for eligibility, the
3inclusion of an individual's income.

4"Veteran." An individual who served in the United States
5Armed Forces, including a reserve component or National Guard,
6and who was discharged from that service under conditions other
7than dishonorable.

8"Veterans' benefit payment." A service-connected
9compensation or payment which is earned by an individual as a
10result of the individual's status as a veteran.

11§ 9702. Exclusion.

<-12(a) General rule.--Only 50% of a veterans' benefit payment
13may be included as income for any Commonwealth program.

<-14(b) Extension to spouses.--The exclusion under this section
15shall apply to an unmarried surviving spouse upon the death of a
16veteran for any compensation or payment the unmarried surviving
17spouse is entitled to receive.

18Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.