NEW REPORTS: Social Security Supports More Than One in Three Veterans in PA and VA

WASHINGTON – This week, the Campaign for a Family  Friendly Economy (CFFE) and the National Partnership for Women and  Families (NPWF) released reports detailing how Social Security impacts  and improves the lives of veterans and their families in Pennsylvania  and Virginia.

The reports find that Social Security – a promise made to nearly 1.3  million former service members in both states – currently benefits more  than 55% of veterans in Pennsylvania and more than 37% in Virginia. In  both states, Social Security supports a majority of disabled, low-income  and rural veterans.

Social Security is an earned benefit that is part of the contract our  government made with those who served. Under the Trump administration,  cuts to Social Security’s staffing, local offices and even funding are  threatening to break that contract.

“Republicans have already targeted critical programs that military  families rely on, and we cannot let Social Security be next,” said Sondra Goldschein, executive director of the Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy. “As the cost of living continues to rise, Social Security is essential  for veterans as they navigate higher grocery costs, expensive child care  and mounting housing bills. Our nation’s heroes have sacrificed too  much for our country. We cannot turn our backs on them now or ever.”

“Our veterans put their lives on the line for this country, and they  deserve their government to honor the promise of Social Security,” said Jocelyn Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families.  “No one – especially veterans, all of whom have given so much to our  country – should have to live in fear or experience anxiety because the  benefit that they earned and depend on to be able to support themselves  is at risk of being stolen from them by this administration.”

In Virginia, one month of Social Security benefits pay for:

• 3 months of groceries

• 1 monthly mortgage payment

• 5 weeks of rent

• Nearly one year of out-of-pocket medical expenses

In Pennsylvania, one month of Social Security benefits can cover:

• 3 months of groceries

• 1 monthly mortgage payment

• 6 weeks of rent

• Nearly one year of out-of-pocket medical expenses

Read the full Pennsylvania report HERE and the Virginia report HERE.

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The Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy is fighting for a future where all people can afford to care for  themselves and their loved ones. We do this by building political power  to pass policies that lower costs for families, like paid family and  medical leave, quality, affordable child care and elder care.

The National Partnership for Women & Families is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy group dedicated to promoting  fairness in the workplace, reproductive health and rights, access to  quality, affordable health care, and policies that help all people meet  the dual demands of work and family. More information is available at NationalPartnership.org.