Amendment #743 to H4100

Veterans’ Benefits Reimbursement

Representatives Walsh of Framingham, Schmid of Westport, DiNatale of Fitchburg, Bastien of Gardner and Smola of Palmer moves that the bill be amended in section 2, in item 1410-0400 by striking out all the wording and the figure “43,988,726” and inserting in place thereof the following wording and figure:-

“For reimbursements to cities and towns for payments to certain veterans, un-remarried surviving spouses or other eligible dependents, including gold star parents, under section 6 of chapter 115 of the General Laws; provided, that notwithstanding section 6 of chapter 115 of the General Laws or any general or special law to the contrary, that the commonwealth shall upon the approval of the secretary of veterans’ services reimburse cities and towns within which homeless shelters, transitional housing facilities, the Soldiers’ Home in Massachusetts or the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke are situated for 100 per cent of veterans’ benefits paid to eligible recipients residing in such shelters, housing facilities or soldiers’ homes; provided further, that funds may be expended from this item for payment of fuel allowance benefits provided to recipients; provided further, that applicants who apply for veterans' benefits in order to pay for services available under chapter 118E of the General Laws shall also apply for medical assistance under said chapter 118E to minimize cost to the commonwealth and its municipalities; provided further, that veterans' agents or directors of veterans’ services districts shall complete applications authorized by the executive office under said chapter 118E for veterans, un-remarried surviving spouses or other eligible dependents, including gold star parents, who apply for medical assistance under said chapter 115; provided further, that veterans' agents or directors of veterans’ services districts shall file the application for veterans, un-remarried surviving spouse or other eligible dependents, including gold star parents, for assistance under said chapter 118E; provided further, that the executive office shall act on all chapter 118E applications and advise applicants and veterans' agents or directors of veterans’ services districts of applicants’ eligibility for said chapter 118E healthcare; provided further, that veterans' agents or directors of veterans’ services districts shall advise applicants of the right to assistance for medical benefits under said chapter 115 pending approval of an application for assistance under said chapter 118E by the executive office; provided further, that the secretary of veterans’ services may supplement healthcare under said chapter 118E with healthcare coverage under said chapter 115 if he determines that supplemental coverage is necessary to afford any veteran, un-remarried surviving spouse or other eligible dependents, including gold star parents, sufficient relief and support; provided further, that payments to or on behalf of veterans, un-remarried surviving spouses or other eligible dependents, including gold star parents, under said chapter 115 shall not be considered income for the purposes of determining eligibility under said chapter 118E; provided further, that annuities awarded pursuant to sections 6A, 6B and 6C of said chapter 115 shall be considered countable income under said chapter 118E; provided further, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, that the secretary of veterans’ services shall continue a training program for veterans’ agents or directors of veterans’ services districts; provided further, that the department of veterans’ services shall provide such training in several locations across the commonwealth; provided further, that training will be provided annually and on an as needed basis to veterans service organizations, military service organizations or non-profit legal services organizations whose clientele include veterans, un-remarried surviving spouses or other eligible dependents, including gold star parents, to make such organizations aware of the provisions of said chapter 115 and other benefits to which veterans, un-remarried surviving spouses or other eligible dependents, including gold star parents, may be entitled; and provided further, notwithstanding section 9 of chapter 115 of the General Laws or any general or special law to the contrary, that the commonwealth shall upon the approval of the secretary of veterans’ services reimburse cities and towns for 100 per cent of the cost of United States flags that such cities and towns cause to be placed on graves containing the remains of deceased veterans in cemeteries situated within such cities and towns for Memorial Day $45,889,480”