For reimbursements to cities and towns for money expended for veterans' benefits and for payments to certain veterans under
section 6 of chapter 115 of the General Laws and for the payment of annuities to certain disabled veterans; provided, that annuity payments made under this item shall be made under sections 6A, 6B and 6C of said
chapter 115; provided further, 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, homeless shelter or transitional housing facility shall be paid by the commonwealth to said cities and towns; provided further, that under
section 9 of said chapter 115, the executive office of veterans' services 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 executive office shall continue a training program for veterans' agents and directors of veterans' services in cities and towns; provided further, that the executive office shall provide such training in several locations across the commonwealth; provided further, that such training shall be provided annually and on an as--needed basis to veterans' service organizations to provide information and education regarding the benefits available under said
chapter 115 and all other benefits to which a veteran or a veteran's dependents may be entitled; 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 costs to the commonwealth and its municipalities; provided further, that veterans' agents shall complete applications authorized by the executive office for the spouse or dependent applying for medical assistance under said
chapter 115; provided further, that the veterans' agent shall file the application for the veteran, surviving spouse or dependent for assistance under said
chapter 118E; provided further, that the executive office of health and human services shall act on all
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 of health and human services; provided further, that the secretary of veterans' services may supplement health care under said
chapter 118E with health care coverage under said
chapter 115 if the secretary determines that supplemental coverage is necessary to provide the veteran, surviving spouse or dependent with sufficient relief and support; provided further, that payments to, or on behalf of, a veteran, surviving spouse or dependent under said
chapter 115 shall not be considered income for determining eligibility under said
chapter 118E; and provided further, that benefits awarded under said
section 6B of said chapter 115 shall be considered countable income
