New Bill To Help Families Secure Veterans/Survivor Benefits

If you have ever tried to get government benefits, such as veterans benefits, Social Security, workers’ compensation, or other types of money, you know how hard it is to get the benefits you need in a timely manner. The approval process can take forever due to mandatory waiting periods and backlogs.

However, government agencies tend to forget that benefit recipients are often in dire financial straits. They are often disabled and unable to work. They may have no savings, so these benefits are their only source of income. Therefore, government agencies should be acting quickly to ensure victims and their families have the money they need to survive.

That’s why Congress members and other lawmakers are taking action. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik recently introduced the Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act to help with this issue. Multiple Democrats and Republicans have co-sponsored and approved the bill so far. It will help secure accrued pension benefits for a veteran who is terminally ill or has  recently passed away.

The bill was created by Stefanik after working with Charles Peltz, whose father, Ernest, a World War II veteran, passed away after being approved for his pension benefit. However, the VA made an error and didn’t deposit the approved funds in the man’s bank account until a week after his death. The VA then took back these funds, leaving the Peltz family with no veterans benefits. They had to pay for all expenses out of pocket.

The bill was created to honor those veterans who risk their lives for their country, only for their families to face unnecessary hurdles when the veteran becomes seriously ill or dies. Family members should not have to worry about not getting the benefits they are entitled to receive all while mourning the loss of their loved one.

Details of the Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act

This bill would help American families looking to get accrued pension benefits for a sick or deceased veteran by doing the following:

• Expanding the timeline to include the month of death for when a family can receive the accrued veterans benefits
• Ensuring VA accrued pension benefits are released to the surviving family members retroactively
• Eliminating additional obstacles for a veteran’s child by changing code language from “surviving spouse” to “eligible survivor. “ Eligible survivors include spouses, children, and dependent parents. All would receive equal shares of the accrued pension benefits upon the veteran’s death.

Learn More About Veterans Benefits

Getting veterans benefits or other government money is never an easy task. There is always red tape involved, causing significant delays.

You want your veterans benefits as quickly as possible. Need help? The Law Office of Michael Lawrence Varon can guide you through the process. He is a White Plains veterans disability benefits lawyer who will work hard to get you the benefits you worked hard to earn. To schedule a free consultation today, fill out the online form or call 914-294-2145.

Source:

stefanik.house.gov/2022/3/stefanik-introduces-bill-to-help-families-secure-veteran-benefits-cut-through-va-red-tape