CAS3
01-05-04, 11:48 AM
Filipino Veterans Gain New Benefits
WASHINGTON (Dec. 30, 2003) - The Department of Veterans Affairs is offering
new VA services for certain World War II Filipino veterans under two bills
signed into law by President Bush.
"We are pleased that Congress moved favorably on our legislative proposal to
help meet the medical and financial benefit needs of deserving Filipino
veterans residing in the United States -- veterans who fought beside our
troops in World War II as members of the Commonwealth Army and New
Philippine Scouts," Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi said.
VA estimates that as many as 9,000 Filipino veterans living in the United
States who are citizens or lawfully admitted for permanent residence may be
eligible for some of the expanded benefits.
Previously, both Commonwealth Army veterans and New Philippine Scouts were
eligible for treatment of service-connected disabilities in VA medical
facilities. The Veterans Health Care, Capital Asset, and Business
Improvement Act of 2003 removes the requirement that these veterans must
qualify for VA service-connected compensation as a condition of health care.
In addition to removing the compensation requirement, the law treats both
groups equally, expanding eligibility for certain health care benefits to
New Philippine Scouts. Under earlier regulations, Commonwealth Army
veterans but not New Philippine Scouts were eligible for treatment of
non-service-connected disabilities in the same manner as U.S. World War II
veterans if they receive certain VA compensation and reside legally in the
United States.
The health benefit changes are effective immediately. Affected Filipino
veterans not currently using VA health care may apply for enrollment in the
VA medical plan immediately by completing Form 10-10EZ online at
www.va.gov/1010ez.htm or by requesting a mailed form by calling VA at
1-877-222-8387.
Filipino veterans seeking care must include proof of legal residency with
their applications when submitted to the VA treating facility of their
choice. Examples of acceptable proof are available online at
www.va.gov/elig or from 1-877-222-8387.
The Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 will provide some Filipino World War II
veterans additional financial benefits that were requested by the
administration. It will double the VA disability compensation currently
paid to New Philippine Scouts if they live in the United States and are
either a citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
Previously these veterans were paid at half the disability rates normally
paid to U.S. veterans.
That law will improve benefits for the eligible survivors of both New
Philippine Scouts and veterans of the Commonwealth Army or organized
guerrilla units if the survivors are currently paid at the half rate and
meet the U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent alien criteria.
Those changes are effective immediately, but no action is required by the
affected Filipino veterans or dependents who are currently on the rolls at
the lower rates. VA will automatically adjust their payments.
New Philippine Scouts who lawfully reside in the United States are now
eligible for burial in a national cemetery and are eligible for the monetary
and headstone or marker burial benefits available to U.S. veterans if they
meet the residency requirements.
WASHINGTON (Dec. 30, 2003) - The Department of Veterans Affairs is offering
new VA services for certain World War II Filipino veterans under two bills
signed into law by President Bush.
"We are pleased that Congress moved favorably on our legislative proposal to
help meet the medical and financial benefit needs of deserving Filipino
veterans residing in the United States -- veterans who fought beside our
troops in World War II as members of the Commonwealth Army and New
Philippine Scouts," Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi said.
VA estimates that as many as 9,000 Filipino veterans living in the United
States who are citizens or lawfully admitted for permanent residence may be
eligible for some of the expanded benefits.
Previously, both Commonwealth Army veterans and New Philippine Scouts were
eligible for treatment of service-connected disabilities in VA medical
facilities. The Veterans Health Care, Capital Asset, and Business
Improvement Act of 2003 removes the requirement that these veterans must
qualify for VA service-connected compensation as a condition of health care.
In addition to removing the compensation requirement, the law treats both
groups equally, expanding eligibility for certain health care benefits to
New Philippine Scouts. Under earlier regulations, Commonwealth Army
veterans but not New Philippine Scouts were eligible for treatment of
non-service-connected disabilities in the same manner as U.S. World War II
veterans if they receive certain VA compensation and reside legally in the
United States.
The health benefit changes are effective immediately. Affected Filipino
veterans not currently using VA health care may apply for enrollment in the
VA medical plan immediately by completing Form 10-10EZ online at
www.va.gov/1010ez.htm or by requesting a mailed form by calling VA at
1-877-222-8387.
Filipino veterans seeking care must include proof of legal residency with
their applications when submitted to the VA treating facility of their
choice. Examples of acceptable proof are available online at
www.va.gov/elig or from 1-877-222-8387.
The Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 will provide some Filipino World War II
veterans additional financial benefits that were requested by the
administration. It will double the VA disability compensation currently
paid to New Philippine Scouts if they live in the United States and are
either a citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
Previously these veterans were paid at half the disability rates normally
paid to U.S. veterans.
That law will improve benefits for the eligible survivors of both New
Philippine Scouts and veterans of the Commonwealth Army or organized
guerrilla units if the survivors are currently paid at the half rate and
meet the U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent alien criteria.
Those changes are effective immediately, but no action is required by the
affected Filipino veterans or dependents who are currently on the rolls at
the lower rates. VA will automatically adjust their payments.
New Philippine Scouts who lawfully reside in the United States are now
eligible for burial in a national cemetery and are eligible for the monetary
and headstone or marker burial benefits available to U.S. veterans if they
meet the residency requirements.