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NEWS
AND UPDATES AT VLHT LAW OFFICE
February 4, 2010
Calling all Filipino War
Veterans – Commonwealth Army, Recognized Guerilla, New Philippine
Scouts.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
For Immediate Release
February xx, 2009
VA ANNOUNCES ONE-TIME LUMP-SUM PAYMENT TO FILIPINO WWII VETERANS
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced it
will be making one-time lump-sum payments to Filipino WWII veterans as a
result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed by
the President on February 17, 2009. The VA is working quickly to
implement this new law in a timely and efficient manner to ensure all
eligible veterans receive their rightful benefits as soon as possible.
The law established a $198-million fund to provide one-time payments of
$9000.00 to Filipino WWII veterans who are not United States citizens
and $15,000.00 to Filipino WWII Veterans who are United States citizens.
Receipt of this one-time payment will not affect other existing veterans
benefits.
Eligible persons include any person who served before July 1, 1946 in
the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of
the Philippines, while such forces were in the service of the Armed
Forces of the United States, including among such military forces,
members of the organized guerilla forces under commanders appointed,
designated, or subsequently recognized by the Commander in Chief,
Southwest Pacific Area, or other competent authority in the Army of the
United States. Also, person who served in the Philippine Scouts under
section 14 of the Armed Forces Voluntary Recruitment Act of 1945. In
addition, service members must have been discharged or released from
service under conditions other than dishonorable.
If an eligible person who has filed a claim for this benefits dies
before payment is made, the payment be made to the surviving spouse.
Otherwise, the benefit is not payable as a death benefit.
An application for the payment will be posted on the Internet
www.va.gov. Also, to receive an application by mail, United States
residents can call 1-800-827-1000, and Philippine residents can call
632-528-2500 (within Metro Manila) or from outside Manila at
1-800-1888-5252. In addition, an application can be requested via email
at https://iris.va.gov. The VA Regional Office in Manila will be
processing all claims for this benefit, therefore, United States
residents should mail the application to Department of Veterans Affairs,
Regional Office, PSC 501, FPO AP 96515-100. Also, United States
residents can mail the application to their local VA Regional Office and
it will be forwarded to Manila. Philippine residents can submit the
application in person at Department of Veterans Affairs Manila Regional
Office located at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines, at 1131 Roxas
Blvd. In addition, Philippine residents can submit the applications in
person to Department of Veterans Affairs representatives that will be at
venues throughout the Philippines. Information on the locations and
dates can be found on the US-Embassy website at
http://manila.usembassy.gov.
For assistance, please call or visit our office in Angeles City. |
