THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY FAIRCHILD, ADOLPH, BAKER, BARRAR, BEAR, BEYER, BOYD, BRENNAN, CIVERA, CLYMER, COHEN, CONKLIN, DENLINGER, EACHUS, EVERETT, FLECK, FRANKEL, GEIST, GEORGE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRELL, GROVE, GRUCELA, HARKINS, HARRIS, HELM, HESS, KIRKLAND, KORTZ, McGEEHAN, McILVAINE SMITH, MICCARELLI, MILLER, MOUL, O'NEILL, PAYNE, PHILLIPS, PICKETT, RAPP, REICHLEY, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, SOLOBAY, STERN, VULAKOVICH, WANSACZ, YUDICHAK, ROCK, CAUSER, MICOZZIE AND MURT, FEBRUARY 4, 2009

AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MARCH 17, 2009   

AN ACT

Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An

act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public

welfare laws of the Commonwealth," providing for veterans.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  The act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known

as the Public Welfare Code, is amended by adding a section to

read:

Section 215.  Veterans.--(a)  The department shall make a

good faith effort to determine whether an applicant for cash, or 

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medical or energy assistance is a veteran. While in the process

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of making its determination, the department shall dispense

benefits to the applicant, if otherwise eligible.

(b)  As a condition of eligibility to receive cash, or 

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medical or energy assistance, unless there is good cause not to

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do so, an applicant who is a veteran shall be required to

contact a veteran service officer accredited and recognized by

the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department

of Military and Veterans Affairs or the county director of

veterans affairs in which the applicant resides in order to

determine the applicant's eligibility for veteran's benefits or

to file a veteran claims packet. The department shall develop a

standard form to be used by a veteran service officer to verify

the applicant's eligibility for veteran benefits.

(c)  An applicant who is a veteran shall provide proof of

compliance with this section and the department shall, to the

greatest extent possible, require the applicant to provide

information on the final determination of eligibility for

veteran benefits and the type of benefits the veteran is

entitled to receive.

(d)  As used in this section, the following words and phrases

shall have the following meanings:

"Assistance" means money, services and payment for medical

coverage or energy assistance for needy persons who are

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residents of this Commonwealth, are in need of assistance and

meet all conditions of eligibility.

"Veteran claims packet" means an application requesting a

determination or entitlement or evidencing a belief in

entitlement to a benefit as provided for in 38 CFR (relating to

pensions, bonuses, and veterans' relief) or 51 Pa.C.S. (relating

to military affairs).

Section 2.  This act shall take effect immediately.