New Legislation Increases Benefits Available to Many Florida Veterans
May 28, 2021
Tampa, FL (Law Firm Newswire) May 28, 2021 – The year 2021 brings in a host of new and expanded veterans benefit programs, as well as several noteworthy pieces of legislation
So far, 2021 appears to be a good year for those receiving veterans’ benefits, as recently there have been several new bills going into effect that will provide current and former service members with additional and expended benefits. Additionally, there are several pieces of legislation that, if passed, will further increase benefits to the nation’s veterans.
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 expands the covered conditions for veterans to qualify for benefits. The Act went into effect on January 1, 2021, and allows veterans who suffer from Parkinsonism, bladder cancer and hypothyroidism to be eligible for benefits. Previously, those suffering from these conditions were ineligible for benefits unless they qualified through another means. This marks the first time in a few years that conditions were added to the list of covered conditions.
Not only does the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 provide servicemembers with benefits, but family members of veterans who recently passed away can now apply for benefits. As Florida veterans’ benefits attorney, David W. Magann, explains, “whenever new conditions are added to the list of covered conditions, family members often fail to reapply for benefits if they have already been denied. However, when the new conditions are added, family members can—and should reapply—to get the benefits that their loved ones worked so hard to obtain.”
The Mission Act
The Mission Act extended benefits to certain service members who previously did not qualify because their service came before 9/11. The Mission Act provides reimbursement to family caregivers of veterans who receive 70% service-related. The Mission Act breaks down eligibility based on when a veteran served. Under Phase 1 of the Mission Act, caregivers of veterans who were seriously injured in the line of duty on or before May 7, 1975, will become eligible for this program. Phase 2 of the Mission Act, set to go into effect next year, will provide benefits to caregivers of veterans who were seriously injured in the line of duty between May 7, 1975, and September 10, 2001. Currently, post 9/11 service members already qualify for these benefits. The Mission Act provides reimbursement to family caregivers to veterans who receive 70 percent service-related disability to veterans serving in Vietnam and earlier.
The Ensuring Survivors Benefits During COVID-19 Act
The Ensuring Survivors Benefits during COVID-19 Act was introduced by Congressman Warren Davidson (R-OH). If passed, the Ensuring Survivors Benefits during COVID-19 Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to seek medical opinions when an elder veteran with service-related disabilities passes away due to COVID-19. The bill addresses the concern that a service member’s death may be wrongly attributed to COVID-19, in which case their surviving loved one would not qualify for survivor benefits.
These are just a few of the up-and-coming changes to veterans’ benefits in 2021. Anyone who has questions about their veterans’ benefits, or the benefits of a loved one who recently passed away, should reach out to an experienced veterans’ benefits attorney for immediate assistance.
Attorney David Magann is a Florida veterans’ benefits attorney with extensive experience helping veterans, current service members, and their families confront the legal issues they face when seeking benefits. As a Marine Corps Veteran, attorney Magann understands the unique issues many veterans deal with once they leave their respective service and overcome many of them himself. Attorney Magann handles social security disability, estate planning, veterans’ law and personal injury law out of his Brandon and Tampa offices. He can be reached at http://www.floridasocialsecurity.com/.
David W. Magann, P.A.
Main Office:
156 W. Robertson St.
Brandon, FL 33511
Call: (813) 657-9175
Tampa Office:
4012 Gunn Highway #165
Tampa, Florida 33618
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