H3859 — An Act to streamline veterans benefits

Summary

An Act to streamline veterans benefits

Bill Text

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The bill amends the eligibility requirements for veterans' benefits and modifies the application process for these benefits.

• Chapter 115, Section 5

  Benefits shall be paid to a veteran or dependents by the Commonwealth; provided, that no benefits shall be paid to a veteran unless he has actually resided in the Commonwealth for 1 day preceding the date of his application for such benefits, nor shall any benefits be paid to any dependent of a veteran unless he has actually resided in the Commonwealth continuously for three years next preceding the date of his application for such benefits, nor unless the veteran of whom he is a dependent has actually resided within the commonwealth continuously for three years next preceding the date of such dependent’s application for such benefits. → Veterans’ benefits shall be paid to a veteran or dependents by the Commonwealth; provided, that no benefits shall be paid to a veteran unless he has actually resided in the Commonwealth for 1 day preceding the date of his application for such benefits, nor shall any benefits be paid to any dependent of a veteran unless he has actually resided in the Commonwealth continuously for three years next preceding the date of his application for such benefits, nor unless the veteran of whom he is a dependent has actually resided within the commonwealth continuously for three years next preceding the date of such dependent’s application for such benefits.

  This change clarifies that veterans and their dependents must meet specific residency requirements to be eligible for benefits.

• Chapter 115, Section 6

  The application for veterans benefits shall be made by the veteran or dependent at the City or Town Hall or in person to a designated officer of the Commonwealth. → The application for veterans benefits is a function of the Veterans Service Officer in the city or town or district where the veteran or his dependent resides. The Veterans Service Officer is required to certify to the Commonwealth for direct payment to the veteran or dependent receiving the benefit the following information: the names of recipients thereof, the amounts to be paid to or for each applicant, the reasons for granting him such benefits, dates of residence in the Commonwealth, the names of the veterans on account of whose services the benefits were granted, the names, if any, of the companies, regiments, stations, organizations or vessels in which they respectively served, or to which they were appointed, and in which they last served, and the relationship of each dependent to the veteran on the account.

  This amendment assigns the responsibility of processing applications for veterans' benefits to the Veterans Service Officer, detailing the information required for certification.

Sponsors

• Meghan K. Kilcoyne · Primary

Subjects