Washington, DC - Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, was overjoyed while attending today’s White House signing ceremony at the White House at which President Biden signed H.R. 82, the “Social Security Fairness Act,” into law.

“Today, this 40-year injustice has ended. No longer will our hardworking public servants have money stolen out of their Social Security benefits every month,” said Yoes. “The Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset have finally come to an end.”

Under previous law, the WEP reduced the Social Security benefit earned by public employees who worked other jobs where they paid Social Security taxes long enough to qualify for the benefits. The GPO reduced or, in most cases, eliminated the benefit received by surviving spouses if they also received a survivor’s benefit from a public pension.

“I want to thank President Biden for his support for this legislation,” Yoes said. “Getting H.R. 82 to his desk was a monumental achievement, and all of us should be so proud of what we have accomplished here today. The fruits of our labor will be felt for generations to come.”

“We also have President-elect Trump to thank today,” Yoes said.  “Without his strong and timely endorsement of the bill, I do not think we would have had enough votes to pass the Senate.”

National President Yoes noted that the law’s effective date is for the “months after December 2023.”  He also cautioned that it will also take some time for the Social Security Administration to implement the changes.

“I am so very thankful for our members who answered our call to action by writing and calling their Representatives and Senators to help get this bill through Congress and to the President,” Yoes said. “We did it!”

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Founded in 1915, the Fraternal Order of Police is the largest law enforcement organization in the United States, with more than 377,000 members. With national offices in Nashville, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., the FOP is committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those who serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation. Please visit fop.net for more information.

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    Launched in 2022, the VRT (Veterans Response Team) integrates specialized training for  law enforcement officers and first responders (who are themselves Veterans) with the highest priority connections to the mental health crisis responders, Veterans service organizations and Veterans Treatment Court. Working alongside the first responders are partners from Coatesville VA, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Montgomery County Offices of Veterans Affairs, Mental Health, and Senior Services, the Norristown Vet Center, the Department of Public Safety, Mobile Crisis, and many more.

When a VRT officer encounters a Veteran in crisis or in need in their community, they establish a connection through their shared experience of military service.  If the Veteran or their family needs a social service response, the VRT officer is able to tap into a direct network of contacts who can provide guidance, referrals, and direct assistance.  In total, the MontCo VRT includes 88 first responders from 24 local law enforcement agencies and has served over 100 local Veterans in need.

Anyone can make a referral to the VRT by calling the Montgomery County Office of Veterans Affairs at 445-942-1979.  If the situation is urgent, please call Mobile Crisis at 1-855-634-4673 (available 24/7).  If there is a life threatening situation, call 911 and identify the person in crisis as a Veteran.

All First responders interested in joining, or anyone else interested in learning more about supporting the efforts of the VRT, please reach out to Anna Trout at anna.trout@montgomerycountypa.gov.

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