June 26, 2009                                                                                                                                  

 

Legislature Passes Plan to Increase Access to Veterans Assistance Grant Program

Kreitlow bill to help low-income vets goes to Governor for his signature

MADISON – Legislation that would make it easier for low income veterans to access the Veterans’ Assistance Grant program moved one step closer to becoming law this week.  Both the State Senate and the State Assembly passed SB-39, legislation authored by State Senator Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls) and Rep. Nick Milroy (D-Superior). 

Senator Kreitlow introduced the legislation after the Clark County Veterans Service Office told him about a number of low-income veterans who were being denied funding through this program because they wanted to keep a small life insurance policy to help their families cover the cost of their funeral and burial.

“This program was set up to help low income veterans who have run out of options and have nowhere else to go for assistance in paying for medical needs,” said Kreitlow.  “This bill simply allows a low income veteran to use this program as it was intended and do so without being forced to cash out their life insurance policy.” 

The Veterans’ Assistance Grant Program offers a one time grant of up to $7500 to help low income veterans pay for medical needs such as hearing aids or dentures.  SB 39 would change the eligibility requirement for applicants to the program by allowing an applicant to have up to $50,000 in life insurance not count against the asset limit of $1,000 that is used to determine eligibility.  The current law requires that applicants count the cash value of any life insurance policy towards this limit. 

“Now that the bill has been passed by both houses with broad, bi-partisan support, I fully expect Governor Doyle to sign into law soon,” added Kreitlow.  “I look forward to seeing these changes help veterans both in my area and around the state.”