Amendment ID: S2817-30

Amendment 30

Equal Access to a Common Application for Low-Income Veterans

Mr. DiDomenico moves that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section ___ the following sections:-

"SECTION ___. Section 18AA of Chapter 6A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the words “chapters 117A and 118,” the following words:- “veterans services benefits under Chapter 115 of the General Laws,”

SECTION ___. Section 4 of Chapter 115 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after words “transmit the same to the secretary” the following text:-

Veterans’ agents shall accept applications for veterans’ benefits submitted through a common application portal for state-administered needs-based benefits and services and, upon receipt of such an application, shall treat the application as if it were filed directly with the veterans’ agent. The date of application for veterans benefits through the common application portal shall be considered the date of application for purposes of payment of veterans’ benefits under this chapter."