The bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create rules that give priority processing to disability compensation claims for certain veterans when a major disaster occurs. Eligible groups include veterans facing extreme financial hardship, homelessness, terminal illness, participants in the VA's Fully Developed Claim program, and veterans who live in areas where the President has declared a major disaster. For veterans in declared disaster areas, the Secretary must allow flexible evidence requirements and flexible filing deadlines. The Secretary must post a permanent notice on the VA website within 60 days listing the eligibility categories and changes.
If you are a veteran who lives in a President-declared major disaster area, your compensation claim could be handled faster. You may be allowed to submit different kinds of evidence or have extra time to file. The VA will write regulations that explain the specifics.
No publicly available information.
Congress found there was no process to prioritize claims after major disasters and that priority processing will help veterans begin rebuilding their lives. The bill adds disaster-related priority categories and special rules to address evidence and filing problems after disasters.
No publicly available information.