Urge Congress to Oppose Reduction in VA’s Disability Benefits for Disabled Veterans
The Issue
This plea originates from the personal experiences of not just me but also a large network of people who are disabled veterans. We served our country, suffered physical and emotional pain, only to face the potential of having our earned benefits curtailed. It is unconscionable that Congress is considering proposals to include VA’s Disability Payments in Taxable Income, introduce means-testing for VA’s Disability Compensation eligibility, that will reduce VA’s Disability Benefits for those of us older than the Full Retirement Age for Social Security and attempting to end VA’s Individual Unemployability Payments to disabled veterans at the Full Retirement Age for Social Security.
This is not just a personal concern but a national issue. Approximately about 4.3 million veterans are receiving disability benefits (National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, 2021). Means-testing can turn an earned benefit into a needs-based handout. Stopping unemployability payments at full retirement age puts those who can’t work due to their service-connected disabilities at a considerable risk. Getting older should not mean less income for disabled veterans. These benefits were earned through service and sacrifice and taxing them lessens their value and adds another burden on those already struggling.
We call upon our representatives in Congress to work against these regressive proposals. We must ensure that our disabled veterans receive the support they deserve and need, without threat or compromise. Let us emphasize the virtue of honoring a nation's gratitude towards its heroes. Stand with us and implore our congressman to vote against these harmful proposals. Sign the petition now.
If these decisions will negatively impact you or someone you know, follow this link https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative to find who your local representative is and call or email them to tell them how these decisions will adversely impact you and the people you know.
For additional references please see the links below.
https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/58654
https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/60915
https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/60916
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The Issue
This plea originates from the personal experiences of not just me but also a large network of people who are disabled veterans. We served our country, suffered physical and emotional pain, only to face the potential of having our earned benefits curtailed. It is unconscionable that Congress is considering proposals to include VA’s Disability Payments in Taxable Income, introduce means-testing for VA’s Disability Compensation eligibility, that will reduce VA’s Disability Benefits for those of us older than the Full Retirement Age for Social Security and attempting to end VA’s Individual Unemployability Payments to disabled veterans at the Full Retirement Age for Social Security.
This is not just a personal concern but a national issue. Approximately about 4.3 million veterans are receiving disability benefits (National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, 2021). Means-testing can turn an earned benefit into a needs-based handout. Stopping unemployability payments at full retirement age puts those who can’t work due to their service-connected disabilities at a considerable risk. Getting older should not mean less income for disabled veterans. These benefits were earned through service and sacrifice and taxing them lessens their value and adds another burden on those already struggling.
We call upon our representatives in Congress to work against these regressive proposals. We must ensure that our disabled veterans receive the support they deserve and need, without threat or compromise. Let us emphasize the virtue of honoring a nation's gratitude towards its heroes. Stand with us and implore our congressman to vote against these harmful proposals. Sign the petition now.
If these decisions will negatively impact you or someone you know, follow this link https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative to find who your local representative is and call or email them to tell them how these decisions will adversely impact you and the people you know.
For additional references please see the links below.
https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/58654
https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/60915
https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/60916
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Petition created on February 28, 2025