The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Commission." The State Veterans' Commission established under section 1702 (relating to State Veterans' Commission).

"Eligible veteran." A person who served in the armed forces of the United States, including a reserve component or the National Guard, or a women's organization officially connected therewith, who:

(1) was discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable after a period of active duty, other than active duty for training, as evidenced by a DD-Form 214, NGB-22 or other official documentation;

(2) died in service or was killed in action; or

(3) suffered a service-connected disability as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

"Emergency." A sudden or unexpected loss of income due to sickness, disability, unemployment or other cause beyond the control of the applicant for emergency assistance.

"Necessities of living." Water, food, shelter, clothing, health care, personal vehicle, essential furnishings, utilities, transportation, communication and laundry services to the extent not provided by other government programs.

"Need for temporary assistance." Financial circumstances resulting in insufficient funds to pay for necessities of living for a veteran and family members of the veteran or surviving dependents when any of the following occur:

(1) The veteran or surviving dependents are temporarily unable to obtain or maintain the necessities of living without undue hardship.

(2) The need is caused by a loss of income, assets or support due to sickness, disability, unemployment, natural or manmade disaster or other cause beyond the control of, and not as a result of misconduct by, the applicant.

(3) The need is caused by an increase in costs of obtaining or maintaining necessities of living beyond the control of, and not as a result of misconduct by, the applicant.

"Program." The Veterans' Temporary Assistance Program under this chapter.

"Surviving dependents." The following are considered surviving dependents of a deceased eligible veteran:

(1) The unmarried surviving spouse of the deceased eligible veteran.

(2) If there is no unmarried spouse of a deceased eligible veteran, the unmarried minor children, children who, before attaining the age of 18, became permanently incapable of self-support, and children who are less than 23 years of age and are pursuing a full-time course of instruction at an approved educational institution, provided they were, on the death of the eligible veteran, dependent on the eligible veteran for more than 50% of the cost of their support.

(3) If the eligible veteran is not survived by a spouse or dependent children, the surviving parents of the eligible veteran, provided that, on the date of the eligible veteran's death, they were dependent on the veteran for more than 50% of the cost of their support.

(Oct. 4, 2016, P.L.882, No.109, eff. imd.)