April 25, 2013
Rep. Takano Veterans Legislation Moves Forward in Congress
Washington DC – Earlier today, two pieces of legislation introduced by Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) received unanimous votes of approval by the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
The VetSuccess Enhancement Act (H.R. 844) increases disabled veterans’ access to critical vocational and educational services by extending the eligibility period for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Vocational Rehabilitation & Education (VR&E) VetSuccess program.
Currently, disabled veterans are eligible for the VetSuccess program for up to 12 years after their date of separation from active military service, or the date they were first notified by VA of a service-connected disability rating. The VetSuccess Enhancement Act would extend this eligibility period to 17 years, offering as many as 220,000 more veterans access to these important services.
The Work-Study for Student Veterans Act (H.R. 1453) extends the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Student Work-Study Allowance Program, which is set to expire on June 30th. Through this program, qualifying veteran students in college degree programs or vocational or professional programs are paid to work on campus, at VA facilities, or at other veteran-centered organizations to assist transitioning veterans and help them navigate the complex VA system.
The VetSuccess Enhancement Act and the Work-Study for Student Veterans Act will now move to the full committee for consideration.
Upon their passage, Rep. Takano released a statement saying, “Today, the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity passed several important pieces of legislation that I believe will go far in assisting our nation’s veterans as they transition back into civilian life. I am proud to say that two bills that I authored were among those that passed.
“The VetSuccess Enhancement Act will expand access for disabled veterans to critical vocational rehabilitation and education services, and the Work-Study for Student Veterans Act will extend the VA’s work-study program, which pays student veterans to help transitioning veterans navigate the complex benefits and claims system.
“I look forward to further discussing, and voting on, these bills in the full committee.”
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