What a Government Shutdown Means for Veterans

[AsahinaKimi]

We have heard from a number of veterans concerned about the impact of a possible government shutdown. The following information is based on the latest guidance from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We will update as new information becomes available.

If Congress can’t find a deal by Monday, the government will shut down, leaving just enough resources to cover the essential services of the government. While veterans may be more protected than other constituencies, a government shut down does not bode well for top priorities within the veterans’ community.

What’s Protected:

One thing is protected - VA healthcare. In 2011, the veterans’ community banded together to call on Congress to fund the VA one year in advance. This allows the VA healthcare to plan ahead and ensures that VA healthcare is funded for an additional year beyond the government shut down. This is invaluable to veterans, and why IAVA supports the HR. 813 to extend advanced funding to the whole VA.

What’s Probably Protected:

But beyond VA healthcare, it is less clear how veterans will be impacted by a government shut down. Based on the past, we expect that VA benefits will continue to go out to those who have been awarded benefits. For instance, if you are a veteran with a 50% disability benefit, we expect for you to continue to get your disability benefits under a government shut down. If you have a VA pension, we expect these benefits to continue to be paid. The GI Bill is the one exception: there has not been a government shut down since the Post-9/11 GI Bill was passed and so we do not know if checks will go out on time.

more..http://iava.org/blog/what-government-shutdown-means-veterans

[pinboy3niner]

1. VA: Extended shutdown could stop disability pay

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023756411

[AsahinaKimi]

2. I work as a volunteer at one of the VA hosptials..

and one of the vets I work with, is 100% disabled. He told me he gets his checks once a month. He has no family any longer. I would imagine if the Republicans drag this out, he might not get his November check. He lives check to check, so this will put undue stress on him. Hopefully the jerks who wanted this government to be shut down will capitulate and allow the government to be funded.

I have heard though right wingers say that Disabled Veterans are leaching money off the government and should find a way to support themselves. Can you believe it? @$$#0(#$!

[madrchsod]

3. my bother in law was a vet who went to the madison wis. va hospital

i`ve been in and out of hospitals and rehab center the last few years but it was nothing compared to the va hospital my brother in law went to. .my brother in law and his childhood buddy both had the same cancer and were in the same unit during nam. they received excellent care at madison for their advanced stage cancer they never once complained about the doctors and nurses.
i drove my brother in law several times to madison. what really struck me was the men , women,husbands and wives who were there to take care of themselves and loved ones. they had a difference about them from the folks i saw in my hospitals. i still have`t figured out what it is and maybe i never will.

i applaud you for giving your time to help the men who fought for this country and like my brother in law fought in vietnam and the va for health care. i`m pretty sure my brother in law and his buddy would have liked you.