Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik reintroduced the bipartisan Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act with Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) to improve the process of issuing pension benefits payments administered by the VA.
This bill improves the process of issuing pension benefits payments administered by the VA that are impacted by the death of the beneficiary. It would ensure that veterans receive their accrued pension benefit in the event of a month of death-claim, or if payment for the month of the death has been issued.
“I am proud to take action to cut through the bureaucratic red tape that has frustrated and demoralized so many of our beloved veteran families including the Peltz family. We must take care of our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much to care for and protect our nation. My legislation honors World War II veteran Mr. Ernest Peltz and takes one step forward to improve the agency’s effectiveness,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.
“Our nation’s veterans made countless sacrifices for our safety. We have an obligation to ensure they and their families receive quality benefits after serving. I’m proud to support Rep. Stefanik’s Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act to improve the process of pension payments by the Department of Veterans Affairs and ensure veterans and their families are always able to access their accrued pension benefits,” said Congressman Ro Khanna.
“In the midst of the loss of my father, my family was forced to deal with added stress due to the VA’s error. We brought our concerns to Congresswoman Stefanik and she was a tireless advocate for our family as we navigated the federal bureaucracy of the VA. Her advocacy is represented in this bill which is an honor to my father’s legacy and that of countless other veterans. In the future, veteran families will not encounter the hurdles we were forced to overcome while mourning the loss of a loved one,” said Charles Peltz, son of World War II veteran Ernest Peltz.
“The VFW supports the Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act to ensure VA benefits are paid out for the entire month when a veteran passes away. This proposal would help surviving family members deal with the financial hardships that come with a veteran’s passing and provide assistance in a time of need. The VFW thanks Congresswoman Stefanik for championing this issue,” said Nancy Springer, Associate Director, VFW National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
Stefanik originally introduced this bill two Congresses ago after working with Charles Peltz, whose father, World War II veteran Mr. Ernest Peltz, passed away after being approved for his accrued pension benefit. However, due to a VA processing error, the VA did not deposit the approved funds in Mr. Peltz’s bank account until after his passing. The VA then removed these funds from Mr. Peltz’s account, even though he was alive when his benefit was approved, leaving his family to deal with all expenses related to his care.
Read the full text of the bill here.
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