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Veterans’ benefits in danger if shutdown continues

By Staff | Oct 12, 2013

If the government shutdown persists into late October, the VA will cut off disability, pensions, compensation and education payments to more than 5 million veterans on Nov. 1, according to Veterans Affairs Secretary Erik K. Shinseki, who spoke to House lawmakers on Wednesday.

Shinseki also spelled out a number of other concerns with a protracted government shutdown, including a steady reduction in processing claims.

The VA was making progress on the claims issue through overtime pay to personnel. With no funding mechanism in place, there is no money to pay personnel for overtime.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs was forced to furlough 7,000 employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration and another 2,754 IT personnel. The VA was able to keep these folks on the job briefly by using “carry over” funds from the previous fiscal year.

The Air Force Sergeants’ Association is endorsing HR 3225 by Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ) and S1564 by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). Both bills would allow the VA to pay veterans’ benefits and continue important programs during the government shutdown.

Mary Jo Cannarella

Nashua

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