Noteboom The Law Firm

Veterans’ Benefits Act of 2010 Passes Senate

October 4, 2010 - The Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees took a several last minute actions last week before they move into their 6-week November election break. One of those actions was passing the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010 compromise bill (HR 3219) by voice vote.

Among other things, the new veterans bill will improve:  

• employment;
• job protection;
• housing; and
• insurance.

The two main players responsible for the agreement are Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Committee and Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA), Chairman of the House Veterans' Panel. One of the more significant improvements the bill will give veterans is an increase in Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance, which provides $90,000 for mortgage payoff following the death of a veteran with a service-related disability. This bill increases the payout to $200,000. The bill also ups the amount of supplemental life insurance from $20,000 to $30,000.

Additionally, the bill provides for more federal work-study programs. This will not only help veterans find jobs, it will help legitimate veteran-owned businesses get the contracts set aside specifically for them. The bill will also establish pilot programs in certain states, provide grants for homeless veterans with children, improve burial benefits for veterans and their parents, and prevent fees for early termination of cell phone and lease contracts while soldiers are reassigned.

While not completely comprehensive, this bill does make some much needed improvements to veterans' lives. Hopefully these improvements will continue to happen.