March 17, 2023

Honoring a Wisconsin Veterans Family and Supporting Our Veterans

Friend, 

Helping our veterans and their families is a top priority of mine. I had a veterans family reach out to me with a problem that needs to be fixed. 

A veteran's daughter from Franklin reached out to me when the VA demanded the family pay back survivor benefits for the entire month after her mother had passed. Ann's father, Richard, was a World War II Army veteran who died from cancer. Ann's mother had applied for the benefits just two months before passing, on July 31st, 2021. The VA sent Ann a letter requesting she pay back the entire month of July's survivor benefit, as her mother had not made it until August 1st. The last thing the VA should be doing is forcing a family to pay back funds already spent. This unfair law needs to be changed. 

Bryan Steil Discussing New Legislation

Currently, federal law requires a veteran’s family to pay back the entire month's benefit. I have introduced legislation to fix this unfair law at the VA and I'm committed to getting it across the finish line this Congress. At an already difficult time, a veteran’s family should not have to worry about receiving notice from the VA to pay back their survivor benefits. 

Ann's mother had passed at the end of the month, therefore rent, utilities, and groceries for the weeks she was alive had already been paid, and the VA was requesting the entire month's benefit that she was alive be returned.

I announced this legislation was introduced in Greendale this week. Ann, the constituent from Franklin who reached out to my office, and veterans from Southeast Wisconsin came together for a press conference to announce this important legislation. This bipartisan bill is a commonsense fix to an unfair law. 

Rep. Steil and Ann looking at a photo of her parents

My bipartisan bill will ensure veterans families are not forced to pay back their earned benefit after a surviving spouse's death. I've been sharing Ann's story with my colleagues in Congress and I am continuing to work to increase support for this legislation. I'm committed to working to get this across the finish line. 

I hear from veterans across Wisconsin who are having difficulty working with the VA to receive the benefits and care they have earned. My goal is to ensure the VA is supporting veterans and providing the resources that are deserved, without a hassle. If you are a veteran, or you know a veteran who is having difficulty working with the VA, contact me. Give my office a call or send us an email, we're here to help. As always, I feel welcome to share your concerns or an opinion with me. 

On Wisconsin,

Bryan Steil
Member of Congress

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