Noteboom The Law Firm

Veterans’ Spouses May Get Extended Benefits

August 12, 2010 - The Disabled Veterans' Surviving Spouses Home Loans Act is in front of Congress. Representative Virginia Foxx (R.-N.C.) introduced the bill and if passed, will qualify veterans' surviving spouses for Veterans' Affairs home loans. Rep. Foxx's intention in introducing the bill was to fix a perceived loophole in veterans' benefits.

Veterans and active-duty personnel traditionally use VA home loans to not only buy homes, but to repair homes. The loans can only be given to surviving spouses if the service member's death is directly connected to that service member's disability. Foxx believes, however, service-related disabilities can contribute to deaths despite doctors not naming them as the cause of the death.

This VA home loan is the only benefit surviving spouses of veterans who have died but not had their death attributed to their service-related disability cannot be awarded. More than a loophole, it seems like an injustice done to families of veterans. That a veteran's death is not directly caused by his or her disability is no reason why families should be cut out of the benefits that veteran is owed for his or her service.

Foxx is not the only one to see the injustice being done. The American Legion has lent their support to this bill, along with several other veteran groups. To date, there has been no considerable opposition as the bill has moved through the legislature.

Foxx's main concern right now is time. If the House does not hear the bill by September, it will not be passed this year. The sooner the bill is passed, the sooner veterans' spouses will be able to collect the benefits they are owed.