Pittsburgh Pulse

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Pittsburgh Pulse


VAPHS Virtual Veterans Town Hall: March 21

Date and Time: Tuesday, March 21, 20203 | 10:00am

Location: WebEx Virtual Event

Event Detail: Get important VA updates and hear from VAPHS leadership and representatives from VBA Pittsburgh Regional Office and the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Our virtual town hall is part of our ongoing effort to hear from you and use your feedback to improve VA care.

To Join: Webex Event Link

Access code: 2760 965 2837

 Join by phone: 

  • 1-404-397-1596; access code: 2760 965 2837
  • Phone participants must press *3 to raise their hand to ask a question.

Veteran Town Hall: Erie VA Medical Center

Date and Time: Wednesday, March 22, 20203 | 2:30pm-3:30pm

In Person Location: Erie VA Medical Center | 135 East 38th St, Erie, PA 16504-1559 |2nd floor | Conference Room 2A-2C

To attend Virtually: Event Link

To attend by Phone (audio only): 872.701.0185 | Phone Conference ID: 205 438 624#

Event: Meet with John A. Gennaro, Executive Director- Erie VA Medical Center, and the executive leadership team as they share the latest Erie VAMC updates. In addition, the leadership team will be joined by Jenny Willett, Pittsburgh Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office Assistant Director. Q&A session to immediately following the updates.


Vietnam Era Veterans Recognition Day: March 29

Date and Time: Wednesday, March 29, 2023 | 9:00am- 1:00pm | Brief Ceremony at 10:00am

Location: 1st Summit Arena at Cambria County War Memorial Lobby | 326 Napoleon St, Johnstown, PA 15901

Event:Vietnam Era Veterans and Families are invited to stop by for brief recognition ceremony to thank Vietnam era Veterans their service and sacrifice. Morning pastries, coffee, and a light lunch will be offered. Enjoy the camaraderie and live music of that era. Subject matter experts from the Pittsburgh VBA Regional Office will be available to provide information regarding compensation and pension related benefits and assist with individual questions and concerns. If you have questions regarding this event, please contact Veteran Community Initiatives, Inc (VCI) at 814.255.0355.

Vietnam Era Veterans Recognition Event

VBA Outreach at Armstrong County VA Clinic

Date and Time: Wednesday, March 29, 2023 | 11:00am- 2:00pm

Location: Armstrong County VA Clinic, 11 Hilltop Plaza Kittaning, PA 16201

Event: A subject matter expert from the Pittsburgh VBA Regional Office will be available to provide information to Veterans regarding service-connected compensation and assist with individual questions and concerns.


Vietnam Veterans Day 50th Anniversary Event: March 29

Date & Time:  March 29, 2023

Location: Senator John Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

To Register, visit: Vietnam Veterans Day 50th Anniversary Event | March 29, 2023 - Veterans Breakfast Club

VBC Vietnam Veterans Day Event

VBA Claims Clinic at Westmoreland County VA Clinic

Date and Time: Friday, March 31, 2023 | 9:00am- 3:00pm

Location: Westmoreland County VA Clinic, 5274 Route 30, Suite 10, Greensburg, PA 15601

Event: A subject matter expert from the Pittsburgh VBA Regional Office will be available to provide information to Veterans regarding service-connected compensation and assist with individual questions and concerns.


Invisible No More

For more information, visit: Invisible No More


Veteran Town Hall and Resource Fair

Law Enforcement Career Fair: March 29

Law Enforcement Job Fair

G.I. Jobs Virtual Job Fair

When: Thursday, March 23, 2023 | 12-4 pm (ET) 

Cost: Free

Location: Virtual

Event Details: Don’t miss your opportunity to talk with dozens of recruiters from companies of all sizes at this online event! These recruiters know the value of hiring Veterans and they are looking for you to join their ranks.

Attending is easy:

  • Create your profile. Then upload your resume.
  • Learn about jobs that are available from attending companies. We’ll send you company information and links to explore available opportunities.
  • Sign into the event and talk or text with recruiters about positions you’re interested in.

Recruiters are looking at profiles ahead of the event. So sign up and complete your profile today!

Registration: GI Jobs Virtual Job Fair 3.23.23


Veterans Leadership Program (VLP) to Host Pittsburgh Veteran Career Fair

When: March 24 | 10:00am

Location: 2934 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Event Details: Meet with talent acquisition teams from the region's Veteran friendly employers.

For more information and to register, visit: 

Pittsburgh Veteran Career Fair - Veterans Leadership Program


Vetrepreneur Franchise Workshop

When: Thursday, April 6, 2023 | 12-1 pm (ET) 

Cost: Free

Location: Virtual

Event Details: Hear from veterans who own franchises and get the inside track on how they became their own boss. Attend the Franchising Bootcamp to learn the basics and benefits of franchising. If you like what you learn, schedule a 10-minute chat with a franchise coach to determine if franchising is right for you.

Registration: Vetrepreneur Franchise Workshop


G.I. Jobs Get Hired Workshop 

When: Thursday, April 13, 2023 | 12-1 pm (ET) 

Cost: Free

Location: Virtual

Event Details: This special Get Hired Workshop features three guest panelists from the US Department of Veterans Affairs who will share their insight on the VA hiring process, federal resumes, and more. Bring your questions!

Registration: G.I. Jobs Get Hired Workshop


Vetrepreneur Franchise Workshop

When: Thursday, April 20, 2023 | 12-1 pm (ET) 

Cost: Free

Location: Virtual

Event Details: Hear from veterans who own franchises and get the inside track on how they became their own boss. Attend the Franchising Bootcamp to learn the basics and benefits of franchising. If you like what you learn, schedule a 10-minute chat with a franchise coach to determine if franchising is right for you.

Registration: Vetrepreneur Franchise Workshop


 VLP Military Share Food Distribution

Veterans Leadership Program (VLP) Military Share Food Distributions start at 12pm (noon) for both locations.  If you are interesting in volunteering or want more information, please contact VLP at 844-VLP-VETS or info@vlpwpa.org.

VLP Military Food Share 2023

PADMVA Vans Available to Help Veterans Apply for Benefits

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA) have Mobile Veterans Outreach Vans ready to help Veterans apply for benefits across the Commonwealth.

The outreach vans are now available to be booked for community events, to help Veterans obtain information and begin their benefit claim paperwork. The outreach program is free to participants and is run by Veteran Service Officers.

For more information, visit: Mobile Veterans Outreach Vans


How to file a claim

The PACT Act and Your VA Benefits

The PACT Act is a historic new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans who were exposed to toxic fumes and other hazards while fighting for our country. 

Family members or dependents of deceased Veterans may qualify for various VA benefits.

The VA is committed to ensuring all Veterans and their family members receive the benefits and care they have earned.

Next steps for Veterans and dependents:

  • Apply now for PACT Act benefits by filing a claim
  • If you have not yet enrolled in VA for health care, learn how to apply.

Scan the QR code above to learn more about how to file a claim. 

Learn more: visit The PACT Act or call 1-800-MyVA411.


VERA

Pittsburgh VBA Regional Office Operating Status

The Pittsburgh VBA RO is open for services 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday. To schedule an appointment for in person or virtual services:

Veterans and stakeholders may now also utilize the new, online Visitor Engagement Reporting Application (VERA) self-service portal to schedule virtual or in-person appointments with your VA Regional Office.  You can use the camera on your smartphone to capture the QR code above to schedule an appointment.  

Veterans can continue to get information about benefits or file a claim by visiting www.va.gov.  Veterans are also encouraged to continue with their appointed Veterans Service Officers.

To learn more about opportunities to meet with a VA representative in a community near you, visit our website for the full listing of upcoming and recurring outreach opportunities: 

Pittsburgh VA Regional Office Home (va.gov)


Upcoming Virtual Events

 There are a number of VA virtual outreach events being held nationwide. Visit the link below to view the full list of virtual offerings:

Outreach & Events | Outreach Events | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)


Help Us Serve You!

If you are interested in having a VA representative from the Pittsburgh RO attend an upcoming virtual event, participate in a virtual speaking engagement, or provide a benefits briefing to your team, please let us know! 

Request a VA Representative Attend a Virtual Event


VA Welcome Kit

Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.

Federal Benefits

VA Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, & Survivors contains a wealth of information about the broad range of benefits and services available, including pertinent phone numbers, websites, basic eligibility requirements, and more! 

The Veterans Benefits Guide  highlights VA benefits and services available for transitioning Service members and their families.

Veterans Benefits Guide

988

If you’re a Veteran having thoughts of suicide or concerned about one, reach 24/7 crisis support through the new Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) number: Dial 988, then Press 1.


The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized VA activities, the Department does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the Department. Please let us know about existing external links which you believe are inappropriate.