  The American Veteran's On-Line News Magazine Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage VA NEWS FLASH from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 08-01-2008 |
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The American Veteran's On-Line News Magazine Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage VA NEWS FLASH from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 08-01-2008 |
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ESTIMATED AT JUST 2.8% -- Senate passes COLA bill but Congressional Budget Office makes projection of very small increase
For those who may not be familiar with the acronym BOHICA, it's what the artillery used to paint on their shells... (Bend Over Here It Comes Again). The good news is that the Senate passed S. 2617 (a "gimme" every year) that guarantees vets a cost-of-living allowance (COLA) increase in their VA disability checks in 2009. The bad news is that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that increase to be just 2.8%. A 100% disabled vet now getting $2,527 a month can expect an extra $70 a month...not quite a tank of gas. Thanks, Uncle Sugar! (NOTE: Since the CBO estimate, indicators used to determine the COLA have been climbing, therefore the increase may be larger than stated. However, some of the latest indicators have been trending downward...so, it's "wait and see.") Information comes from a Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) press release. Akaka is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Akaka press release here... Press release below:
------------------------- DEMOCRATIC PRESS RELEASEJuly 31, 2008 SENATE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES COLA INCREASE FOR DISABLED VETERANS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following statement regarding the Senate's passage of S. 2617, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2008, last night by unanimous consent. "I commend my colleagues for passing the
Veterans'
S. 2617, introduced by Senator Akaka, will adjust veterans' compensation rates to keep pace with inflation, effective December 1, 2008. According to recent data provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, this increase will go to 2.8 million veterans and over 300,000 surviving spouses receiving dependency and indemnity compensation. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for their consideration. While this year's cost-of-living increase has yet to be determined, the Congressional Budget Office has projected a 2.8 percent increase. Last year's increase was 2.3 percent. -------------------------
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