This is not the official budget document.

Budget Summary FY2009

14100400 - Veterans' Benefits and Annuities to Disabled Veterans
Data Current as of:  6/22/2009





Account Description FY2009
GAA
FY2009  
Total  
Spending
  
1410-0400 Veterans' Benefits and Annuities to Disabled Veterans
For reimbursing cities and towns for money paid for veterans' benefits and for payments to certain veterans under section 6 of chapter 115 of the General Laws; provided, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, 100 per cent of the amounts of veterans' benefits paid by cities and towns to residents of a soldiers' home shall be paid by the commonwealth to the several cities and towns; provided further, that pursuant to section 9 of said chapter 115, the department shall reimburse cities and towns for the cost of United States flags placed on the graves of veterans on Memorial Day; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the secretary of veterans' services shall continue a training program for veterans' agents and directors of veterans' services in cities and towns; provided further, that the department of veterans' services shall provide such training in several locations across the commonwealth including, but not limited to, providing training programs at the Massachusetts Veterans' Service Officers Association statewide training conferences; provided further, that the purpose of the training program shall be to maximize federal assistance available for veterans and to assure that the agents and directors receive uniform instruction on providing veterans and dependents with advice relative to procurement of state, federal and local benefits to which they are entitled, including employment, education, health care, retirement and other veterans' benefits; provided further, that the subject matter of the training program shall include benefits available under said chapter 115 and alternative resources, including those which are partially or wholly subsidized by the federal government, such as Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability benefits, as well as federal pension and compensation entitlements; provided further, that the secretary shall promulgate regulations for the training program; provided further, that upon successful participation by the veterans' agents or directors of veterans' services in the training program, the costs of the training program incurred by the several cities and towns shall be reimbursed by the commonwealth on or before November 10 following the fiscal year in which the costs were paid; provided further, that any person applying for veterans' benefits 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 of the commonwealth and its municipalities; provided further, that veterans' agents shall complete applications authorized by the executive office under said chapter 118E for any veteran, widow and dependent applying for medical assistance under said chapter 115; provided further, that the veterans' agent shall file the application for the veteran or dependent for assistance under said chapter 118E; provided further, that the executive office shall act on all said chapter 118E applications and advise the applicant and the veterans' agent of the applicant's eligibility for said chapter 118E healthcare; provided further, that the veterans' agent shall advise the applicant of the right to assistance for medical benefits under said chapter 115 pending approval of the application for assistance under said chapter 118E by the executive office; provided further, that the secretary may supplement healthcare pursuant to said chapter 118E with healthcare coverage under said chapter 115 if he determines that supplemental coverage is necessary to afford the veteran or dependent sufficient relief and support; provided further, that payments to or on behalf of a veteran or dependent pursuant to said chapter 115 shall not be considered income for the purposes of determining eligibility under said chapter 118E; and provided further, that benefits awarded pursuant to section 6B of said chapter 115 shall be considered countable income
20,904,223 22,889,000  

 
 
HISTORICAL SPENDING CATEGORIES ($000)
column definitions
SPENDING CATEGORY
FY2005
Expended

FY2006
Expended

FY2007
Expended

FY2008
Expended

FY2009
GAA
FY2009
Budget
Reductions
Public Assistance 12,195 12,805 15,458 18,348 20,904 0
TOTAL 12,195 12,805 15,458 18,348 20,904 0

 

FY2009 Spending Category Chart

Pie Chart: Public Assistance=100%