[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 27, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      ON INTRODUCING THE VETERANS PENSIONS PROTECTION ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                  in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 27, 2010

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Veterans Pensions Protection Act of 2010, which will protect veterans 
from losing their pension benefits because they received payments to 
cover expenses incurred after an accident, theft, loss or casualty 
loss.
  When assessing a veteran's eligibility for a pension, the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, VA, considers a variety of sources of revenue to 
determine a veteran's annual income. If such income exceeds the income 
limit set by the VA, the veteran does not qualify for a pension or 
loses their benefits. Currently, the VA considers any reimbursement 
that compensates a veteran for his/or her expenses due to accidents, 
theft or loss as income. Only reimbursements of expenses related to 
casualty loss are currently exempted from determination of income.
  Under current law, if a veteran is seriously injured in an accident 
or the victim of a theft and receives insurance compensation to cover 
his/or her medical expenses, the cost of replacement of the stolen 
items, or for pain and suffering, he/or she will likely lose their 
pension. This means that the law effectively punishes veterans when 
they suffer from such an accident or theft.
  Such a tragedy happened to one of my constituents, a Navy veteran 
with muscular dystrophy who was hit by a truck when crossing the street 
in his wheelchair. His pension was abruptly cut off after he received 
an insurance settlement payment to cover medical expenses for himself 
and his service dog, and material expenses to replace his wheelchair. 
As a result, he could not cover his daily expenses and mortgage 
payments and almost lost his home. This is unacceptable!
  The Veterans Pensions Protection Act will amend the U.S. Code to 
exempt the reimbursement of expenses related to accidents, theft, loss 
or casualty loss from being included into the determination of a 
veteran's income. This will guarantee the continuity of our veterans' 
pensions and that no veteran will have their benefits unfairly and 
abruptly depreciated or cancelled.
  Madam Speaker, we must ensure that pensions are issued to veterans 
who legitimately meet the income criteria and rely on such benefits to 
survive. We must enact regulations that help veterans live better 
lives, not hurt them. No veterans should be unable to pay their medical 
bills, unable to get the care they need, or in a situation where they 
could lose their home. After serving our country so valiantly, our 
veterans deserve no less than the very best benefits.

                          ____________________