Veterans Protest Age Ceiling on Veteran Benefit Claims
The American Legion and Disabled American Veterans have taken a stance against proposals to put an age cap on compensation payments for veterans as well as several other cost control proposals. Representatives from these organization contacted lawmakers to protest these proposals. In particular, they are concerned about the danger to disabled veterans who would be unable to find work because of their disabilities.
Government Accountability Office (GAO) Disuscussions
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The Impact of Veteran Benefit Changes
The impact of this potential federal benefits change, would affect recipients depending on their level of disability. Currently, Federal benefits for military personnel focuses on the percentage level the individual receives, which goes off the level their injury or disability. Veterans who fall under 100 percent could see compensation changes.
Injured-unemployed federal benefit recipients receive 100 percent level, even if they have lower rated disabilities, if the disability prevents them from working. Individuals who qualify for additional benefits would have to have at least one service-related disability rated at least 60 percent or two or more disabilities rated at 70 percent. Additionally, these added benefits would only apply to federal benefit employees who could not maintain work.
Right now, individuals who qualify for these fed benefits, receive up an addition $22,000 per year. An age ceiling could significantly affect older veterans who rely on this income. Around 180,000 veterans who receive the injured-unemployed fed benefits are 65 or older. Many older veterans are now filing for benefits because age and military-related disabilities have left the without means to obtain employment.
More Veterans Receiving Assistance
In 2013, more than 400 Veterans over the age of 90 received the VA unemployment benefit. The VA says that the increasing age of individuals applying for and receiving, federal benefits is largely due to increased outreach efforts to veterans with disabilities. Additionally, post-traumatic stress disorder regulations were eased in 2009, which allowed more veterans to qualify for benefits and more diseases related to exposure to Agent Orange, were added to the list of qualifying coverage.
Those vocal against an age cap on the disability benefit for veterans also argue that while most Americans have the opportunity to build a retirement fund, this isn’t always the case for veterans. Especially veterans who have suffered from service-related disabilities.
Those who support the change claim that when older veterans receive benefits, it puts too much pressure on the program. The GAO director of income security audits proposed that alongside (or in place of) an age ceiling, an intent-to-work clause be added in. This would require qualifying veterans to prove they at least tried to find employment before applying for federal benefits.
Veterans can rest easy for now. Despite the heated discussion on the hill, proposed age ceilings are only in discussion right now and anyone current receiving benefits will be grandfathered into the old rules.
