As recently reported, President Barack Obama signed a bill on Tuesday which would increase the disability benefits received by veterans as well as survivors of war casualties.
Apparently, said effort is to match the benefits received by the disabled veterans into the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) paid to Social Security recipients and military retirees.
Incidentally, about 4 million veterans and their families are set to benefit from the increase. Also, it is expected to involve other benefits such as disability compensation and benefits for surviving spouses and children, according to the bill’s sponsor, Sen. John Tester (D-Montana).
Through his statement, Tester explained his side that he understands how the veterans fought hard for the country, which is why they deserve some increase in their benefits.
Accordingly, disabled veterans and dependents will eye an increase of $500.00 a year or a 1.7 percent increase per year. Incidentally, although the increase took effect last December 1, it is expected to be visible with January payments.
Unfortunately, veterans’ disability and survivor benefits is far different from social security and military retirement payments since the latter are automatically raised each year while the former still must be approved by the Congress each year.
At present, officials are seeking ways on how to eliminate the need for the yearly approval and instead switch to an automatic annual raise.
Generally, disability benefits, also known as Title II benefits, are given to individuals who are unable to work due to a disabling condition. Therefore, homecoming veterans who incurred injuries that led to disability from the previous wars are absolutely entitled for the benefits, as well as the survivors of the less-fortunate veterans who did not survive the war, noted by a Los Angeles long term disability lawyer.
