Senate Passes COLA Bill
Dec 5, 2012
Northville, MI (Law Firm Newswire) December 4, 2012 – The Senate finally passed the COLA bill, HR 4114, for disabled veterans.
The bill, designed to provide disabled veterans and their survivors, with a cost-of-living adjustment, passed through the Senate this November. The bill will allow for a 1.7 percent increase in checks for disabled vets and their survivors starting in January, 2013.
“Veterans advocates across the country are relieved the bill passed,” stated James Fausone, veterans’ disability lawyer. “Veterans are entitled to a cost-of-living increase, at the very least, especially in a difficult economy.”
The increase means $500 in additional benefits for vets and their families as of 2013. There are now almost 4 million vets and their survivors who will be receiving compensation benefits next year, which includes veterans’ disability compensation, while surviving spouses and children will get dependency and indemnity compensation. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, stated that veterans have earned a benefits boost and that caring for our vets should not fall victim to partisan issues.
The bill was cleared by Democrats, but was then held up by an unidentified Republican. The Senate subsequently recessed without passing the bill. The hold up triggered a warning from Veterans Affairs that the COLA bill had to pass by November 13 if it was to cover the December cost-of-living adjustment for January 1, 2013. After the November 13 deadline, the VA system would not have time to adjust the system to get payouts by the beginning of the new year. Meeting the deadline means that the payouts are currently on schedule.
According to the Disabled American Veterans National Commander, Larry A. Polzin, the compensation received by disabled veterans and their families from the Department of Veterans Affairs makes up a significant portion of household income.
James G. Fausone is a Veterans disability attorney and Veterans attorney with Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC. To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability attorney or Veterans attorney call 1.800.693.4800 or visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com.
Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC
41700 West Six Mile Road, Suite 101
Northville, MI 48168
Toll Free Phone: 800.693.4800
