April 2001 Newsletter, Disabled American Veterans, Department of New York

Disabled American Veterans Department of New York, 200 Atlantic Avenue, Lynbrook, New York 11563

NEWSLETTER
A PUBLICATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK
Volume 10, Number 4, April, 2001, PAGE 1 of 4

VA BENEFITS PACKAGE UNVEILED
Thomas F. Mazza, Department Commander

On February 28th, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) introduced his first major bill as chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, "The Veterans' Opportunities Act of 2001." A comprehensive package of burial, disability, and pension benefit improvements.

"This measure would make a number of needed improvements to VA benefits and services," Smith said on the House floor. "Veterans' benefits and services indeed are 'earned opportunities.' They are earned through selfless and often hazardous service to our nation, during war and peace alike. Doing right by America's sons and daughters who have worn the military uniform is firmly ingrained in our national values, our national pride, and our sense of moral responsibility."

Key provisions of the measure would:

Increase the burial and funeral allowance from $1,500 to $2,000 for veterans whose deaths are service-connected, and from $300 to $500 for veterans with non-service connected disabilities, and increase the burial plot allowance from $150 to $300;

Increase the assistance to severely disabled veterans for automobile and adaptive equipment from $8,000 to $9,000, and for specially adapted housing grants from $43,000 to $48,000;

Revise the net worth rules of VA's means-tested pension program to exclude the value of real property used for agriculture;

Expand the definition of "eligible dependent" for purposes of VA outreach services.

Extend to as early as nine months before discharge the time that VA, Department of Defense, and Department of Labor transition counseling is available to someone leaving military service. The period would be extended to as much as 18 months for those retiring after military careers.

Permit veterans to use VA education benefits for certificate programs offered by an institution of higher learning by way of independent study.

Smith said that he and Ranking Democrat Member Lane Evans (D-IL) would "fast track" the measure. He tied the burial and funeral provisions to VA's acknowledgement that the death rate among veterans will continue to increase, peaking around the year 2008. More than 1,500 veterans now die every day.

"The amount payable for these benefits has remained constant for many years in spite of inflation," Smith said. "The purchasing power associated with these provisions still is limited and I consider these provisions as a starting point for further improvements."

With respect to counseling service members, he said that the Defense Department expected to separate about 238,000 military personnel every year for the foreseeable future. He added that many servicemembers around the world expressed a desire for more than the present 90 days before separation allowed for transition counseling furnished by VA, DOD, and Department of Labor.

As always, we look forward to the fulfillment of promises made and speeches uttered.

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