Bergman Introduces Legislation to Expand Burial Benefit for Veterans
Washington,
March 22, 2022
Today, Rep. Jack Bergman (MI-01) and Rep. Colin Allred (TX-32) introduced “Gerald’s Law”, H.R. 7176, to close a loophole that denies certain terminally ill Veterans their VA burial allowance if they do not pass away at a VA facility.
The idea for this legislation was brought to Rep. Bergman by Denise Formolo, the Veterans Service Officer for Dickinson County, after a constituent Veteran named Gerald “Jerry” Elliott and his surviving family were subject to this terrible situation. Under current law, the “Non-Service Connected Burial and Plot” benefit from the VA covers burial and funeral expenses up to nearly $800 for the surviving family of a Veteran – only if they are hospitalized at the VA at their time of death. Forcing a Veteran to give up their benefit if they wish to pass away in the comfort of their own home and surrounded by loved ones is wrongful. Bergman’s bill would expand eligibility for the VA benefit, applying the burial allowance to terminally ill Veterans that were discharged from receiving care at a VA hospital or nursing home to pass comfortably at home under hospice care. Rep. Jack Bergman stated, “Veterans who have sacrificed for our Nation should not have to sacrifice their surviving family’s burial benefit for choosing to pass away in the comfort of their own homes. This happened to Gerald but is inexcusable and should never happen again.” Dickinson County Veteran Service Officer, Denise Formolo stated, "While working with veterans I've had to explain the different qualifications for VA death benefits. One aspect of this is explaining the financial benefits of staying at the VA versus going home and being surrounded by loved ones as they pass. Knowing a veteran can make the choice to go home and be surrounded by family and friends and that the family will receive the full burial amount allowable by the VA is a great comfort to them. "A veteran’s decision to pass away in their home or a VA facility shouldn’t dictate their burial and funeral expense benefits. Our veterans served our nation and even in their death, our nation needs to serve them," said With Honor CEO and Co-Founder Rye Barcott. "We’re proud to join Representative Bergman in supporting Gerald’s law and our veteran community. We anticipate the support of the bipartisan For Country Caucus of veterans we work alongside.” |