Letter from the Executive Director of Veterans Programs and Services
“Together We Serve” is more than a title for us, it’s a commitment to providing the best possible customer experience and outcomes for Pennsylvania’s more than 700,000 veterans. The dedicated team of professionals at the Bureau of Programs, Initiatives, Reintegration and Outreach (PIRO) is available to assist in supporting your needs as a veteran, family member, or caretaker.
Headquartered at Fort Indiantown Gap, the PIRO has outreach centers in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Additionally, regional teams have been established throughout the commonwealth to travel and support veterans. Coupled with the county offices of veteran affairs and veteran service organizations, like the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans, we ensure that professionally trained and accredited veteran service officers (VSOs) are located throughout the commonwealth to support your needs, free of charge.
The Office of Veteran Affairs (OVA) has many exciting initiatives working to increase outreach and access to Pennsylvanian veterans. We are planning and establishing new physical outreach centers while developing increased digital capability to rapidly provide information and access is being developed.
For more information, please call us at 1-800-547-2838 or visit our website at https://www.dmva.pa.gov/Veterans. While on our website, we highly encourage you to sign up for the Pennsylvania Veteran Registry and explore all the fantastic benefits available!
Raising Awareness About Fraud
Pension poaching and fraud are serious issues targeting veterans, especially those receiving benefits like VA pensions. Scammers often assist in applying for benefits or restructuring assets, charging veterans for otherwise free services through accredited veteran service officers (VSOs).
The DMVA is actively working to inform veterans about these fraudulent schemes and encourages using accredited VSOs for any benefit-related help. These officers provide free assistance and ensure veterans don’t fall prey to illegal charges for services they are entitled to at no cost.
An initiative called VSAFE (Veteran Scam and Fraud Evasion) was launched by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) to combat these fraud schemes. The program provides veterans with resources to identify and report fraud through a centralized website and a 24/7 helpline.
Veterans, service members, and their families can access educational tools about various scams, including identity theft and pension poaching, and report suspicious activities. VSAFE helps streamline fraud reporting and ensures veterans receive the protection they deserve without having to navigate multiple agencies.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office also plays a crucial role in protecting veterans from fraud. Veterans who believe pension poachers or other scam attempts have targeted them can report their experiences to the Military and Veterans Affairs section of the Attorney General's Office. This office works closely with the DMVA and other law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute fraudulent activities targeting veterans.
Veterans should be particularly cautious about scams related to the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which has increased fraud as new benefits become available. VSAFE specifically addresses these emerging threats, offering a "no wrong door" approach through its hotline and online reporting system. Veterans are urged to double-check any assistance offers with official channels before sharing personal information or making financial commitments.
For veterans in Pennsylvania, staying informed and using trusted resources through the USDVA, the PA DMVA, and the PA Attorney General’s Office is the key to avoiding and reporting scams.