05/08/2026
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Begin forwarded message:
From: Veterans Benefits Administration
Date: May 8, 2026 at 8:03:03 AM EDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: Pittsburgh Pulse
A Publication by the Pittsburgh VBA Regional Office for Veterans and Stakeholders in the Pittsburgh Metro-Area
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Veterans Benefits Administration
Pittsburgh Pulse
MHAM
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, a thirty-one-day window dedicated to tearing down the walls of silence and building a culture where empathy is the default setting.
This year’s theme — More Good Days, Together — encourages us all to reflect on what a “good” day looks like, both for ourselves, and for our communities. Together, we can use that insight to connect people to the right support at the right time, and shape advocacy, education, and community engagement to make more good days possible for all. Help is available.
va crisis line
one source
VA News
Joint Commission accredits 176 VA programs in 2025
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that the Joint Commission, the nation’s most trusted quality and safety accrediting body for health care systems, accredited every VA program it examined in calendar year 2025.
The Joint Commission visited VA hospitals, behavioral health care and home care facilities, and ambulatory facilities last year. As a result of those visits, the standards body accredited all 176 VA programs that it assessed, a testament to VA’s commitment to providing safe and reliable care to the Veterans it serves.
Joint Commission accredits 176 VA programs
Military Share Food Distribution
VLP
Please help VLP spread the word about our upcoming May 2026 food distribution events in Pittsburgh and Central PA!
Pittsburgh Military Share - Monday, May 11th at 10AM - If you are interested in volunteering, please email Trevor at [email protected]
Johnstown Military Share - Friday, May 29th - line up begins at 11AM - If you are interested in volunteering, please email Kim at [email protected]
VFW Fish Rodeo
Veterans of Foreign Wars to host 17th Annual Fish Rodeo
When: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | 11 am-2 pm
Where: O'Hara Township Community Park | 330 Fox Chapel Road | Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Event Details: Morningside VFW Post #3945 will host the 17th Annual Fish Rodeo for hospitalized/confined Veterans in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Veterans enjoy a day of fishing, camaraderie, and barbeque.
PA CareerLink Thank you for Your Service Event
When: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | 10 am-1 pm
Cost: Free
Location: PA CareerLink Pittsburgh - Allegheny East Office
Details: Veterans, active‑duty service members, and their families are welcome to join us for a gathering dedicated to honoring your service and connecting you with meaningful resources, support, and community. The event will feature a welcome and recognition ceremony, a Veterans Career & Resource Fair with employers and service organizations, giveaways for participating veterans, free professional headshots, light refreshments, free parking, and additional resources and activities.
Reserve a spot: Thank you for Your Service
Erie VA 75th Anniversary Event and VA Resource Fair
When: Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 1 pm-4 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Erie VA Medical Center
Details: The Erie VA Medical Center invites you to join us as we celebrate 75 years of excellent service to our Veterans. There will be a ceremony at 1 p.m. followed by refreshments and a Veteran Resource Fair until 4 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference Rooms. Veterans who have never enrolled in VA healthcare are encouraged to bring their DD-214 and to speak with an eligibility representative on-site to see if you’re eligible for VA services.
Erie VA 75th Anniversary
Veteran Memorial Bike Tour
Veteran Memorial Bike Tour
Get ready to roll out and honor our heroes with a fun, in-person bike ride. Whether you're a casual rider or a seasoned pro, this tour is all about community, remembrance, and good vibes. Bring your bike, your friends, and your enthusiasm for a day filled with fresh air and great company. Don't miss out on this awesome way to pay tribute and get moving!
The PHV Annual Veteran Memorial Bike Tour takes place on the Saturday before Memorial Day. This scenic ride starts and finishes at Helicon Brewing and follows the Panhandle Trail. Along the route, riders will pass two Veteran memorials, with a planned stop at one memorial to replace the flags.
Participants may choose to ride the full distance, including a rest stop at the Burgettstown American Legion, or ride at their own pace by turning around at any point on the trail. After returning to Helicon Brewing, riders can enjoy refreshments and participate in door prize drawings.
When: Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 9 am -12 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Helicon Brewing | Oakdale, PA
Registration: Veteran Memorial Bike Tour
2026 MDR
Register TODAY!
Veteran Appreciation Event Butler VAMC
Women Veteran Lunch
Free Military Service Recognition Plaque
Together We Served (TWS) is offering free military service recognition plaques carefully created by military experts, with the highest quality graphics and accurate content to deliver the finest presentation of your military service in your choice of an 11" x 8 1/2" or 17" x 13 1/4" plaque you can print out and frame. Make a beautiful wall display for any Veteran or Family Member of a Veteran.
Claim your plaque here: https://www.togetherweserved.com/formalplaque
Zion NP
Free Entrance to National Parks for Current Military, Veterans, and Gold Star Families
The National Park Service, in partnership with Operation Live Well, would like to thank military personnel and their families for their service and invite them to enjoy their national parks.
Current US military and dependents, Gold Star Families, and US military veterans are eligible to receive free annual or lifetime passes which cover entrance or standard amenity (day-use) fees at national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and other federal recreational lands. These free passes are a way to thank US military members for their support of our country and to encourage them to explore recreational opportunities on their public lands and waters.
See how to get your pass: Free Entrance to National Parks
America's Vet Dog
Service Dogs for Veterans & First Responders
The service dog programs of America’s VetDogs were created to provide enhanced mobility and renewed independence to Veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities, allowing them to once again live with pride and self-reliance. America’s VetDogs specializes placing highly skilled service and guide dogs to individuals with physical injuries, PTSD, hearing and vision loss, and seizures.
Our mission is to help those who have served our country honorably live with dignity and independence. All services are provided at no cost — including transportation to and from our campus in Smithtown, New York, instruction, and more.
For more information, please visit: America's VetDogs
VA Mobile
The VA Health Chat app allows Veterans to connect with VA staff through text-based chat messaging within minutes. You can use this service to chat about non-life-threatening health issues, request VA prescription refills, schedule VA
appointments, and more.
VA Health Chat is available to Veterans in all 18 VISNs, including in U.S. territories. To use VA Health Chat, you must be enrolled in VA health care and have Login.gov or ID.me account credentials.
Restore 22
Restore 22 - More than a Coffee Shop
Restore 22 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a relaxing, informal environment for military veterans to connect with each other and with resources that can enhance their quality of life.
To find out more about what Restore 22 has to offer, how you can help, and to see local events, please visit their website Restore 22.
Whats Brewing
What's Brewing Events
What's Brewing is a casual Veteran coffee meetup, a chance to share stories, laughs, and resources. To learn more about these free events, scan the QR code or visit Veteran Advocare
Employment and Career Development
PCPG
Personalized Career Planning and Guidance Program (PCPG)
The Personalized Career Planning and Guidance Program is a benefit designed to support the unique needs and goals of Service members, Veterans, and eligible dependents. This program offers education and career guidance, planning, and resources that empower individuals to reach their educational or career goals. Learn more about this program and if you or your family could benefit.
GI Jobs
G.I. Jobs/Military Friendly Virtual Job Fair
When: Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 12 pm-4 pm (EDT)
Cost: Free
Event Details: Talk with dozens of recruiters from companies of all sizes at this online event! These recruiters know the value of hiring Veterans and military spouses, and they're looking for you to join their ranks.
Registration: Virtual Job Fair to edit this placeholder text.
Vetrepreneur
Vetrepreneur Franchise Coaching Information Sessions
When: Friday, May 22, 2026 | 12-1 pm (EDT)
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual
Details: Curious about becoming a franchise owner? This one-hour virtual session is designed for Veterans and military spouses ready to explore business ownership through franchising. Learn how our proven process helps you find the right franchise and confidently navigate the path to ownership. No experience needed.
Registration: Workshop
The Structured Path You Need to Achieve Business Ownership
When: Friday, June 10, 2026 | 3-4 pm (EDT)
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual
Details: The Vetrepreneur Franchise Academy is a free 10-step, 10-week class that turns Veterans and military spouses into business owners. Veteran franchising experts will lead you and your classmates through group and individual sessions to get you into franchise ownership. Applicants for the Academy are encouraged to attend the information session.
Registration: Workshop
Vera QR Code Pittsburgh RO
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:
call (412) 395-6160
email [email protected]
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. 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
VA Telebenefits
Telebenefits: VA is just a click away!
Veterans can meet with a Pittsburgh VA benefits representative via video conferencing at the Butler VA Medical Center and Johnstown VA Outpatient Clinic on select dates.
For more information, visit our website
PAServes: Transportation Assistance for Veterans
Do you need assistance getting to your scheduled examination(s) for your VA benefits? If so, PAServes Greater Pittsburgh may be able to help!
PAServes Greater Pittsburgh is the local branch of AmericaServes, the country’s first coordinated system of public, private, and non-profit organizations working together to serve Veterans, service members and their families.
Assistance with transportation is one of the many services provided by PAServes Greater Pittsburgh.
For more information, call 1-844-857-8387 or visit:
PAServes - Greater Pittsburgh
Disaster assistance and resources for Veterans
In the wake of natural disasters like tornados and flooding and earthquakes and fires and hurricanes, it’s important for Veterans and their families to know that VA is here to help. Find resources available to you on VA's Disaster Help website.
Beware of Claims Predators
Veterans have earned their benefits and as VA employees we need to help protect them from fraud scams targeting their personal information and benefits.
Read more on the signs of claims predators targeting Veterans and the steps Veterans can take to protect their benefits:
READ MORE HERE
If you suspect a representative acted unlawfully or unethically while assisting a Veteran in filing a VA benefits claim, file a report and learn more at VSAFE.gov or call 1-833-38V-SAFE (1-833-388-7233), a new government-wide website and call center designed to protect Veterans, service members and their families from fraud and scams.
VA Resource Navigator
In an effort to provide the highest quality of care, VA has developed a new tool, the VA Resource Navigator, to help Veterans easily find and use VA resources so they can make informed decisions about their long-term health. The VA Resource Navigator provides web links, phone numbers, QR codes and other useful information about VA. With the VA Resource Navigator, Veterans can also find answers to frequently asked questions about key VA benefits and services.
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.
Based on where you are in life, your VA benefits and services can support you in different ways. Keep your welcome kit handy so you can turn to it throughout your life—like when it’s time to go to school, get a job, buy a house, get health care, retire, or make plans for your care as you age.
VA Welcome Kit
View your VA Payment History
Find out how to view your VA payment history online. You can also change your direct deposit information or contact information. Review your information today
Change Your VA Direct Deposit Information
If you receive disability compensation, pension, or education benefits from VA, you can update your direct deposit information in your VA.gov profile. You’ll need your bank’s routing number and account number to make the updates.
Federal Benefits Handbook 2025
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!
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 VA Rep to Attend Event
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
If you know a Veteran who is in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 then press 1. VA responders are also available through online chat and text message (838255). For TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
Sent to [email protected] on behalf of US Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Benefits Administration · 810 Vermont Avenue, NW · Washington, DC 20420 · 1-800-827-1000
Welcome to the official website of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Discover, apply for, and manage your VA benefits and care.
