VA to extend caregiver support to ‘legacy veterans'? Here's what we know
The VA is the second-largest federal department and employs about 470,000 people, including many veterans. The VA provides benefits to about 6.2 million veterans.
Also Read: Major changes to veterans benefits: Key updates and what they mean
About VA's new extension to caregiver support
In a statement, the VA said, 'The new rule will extend program eligibility for legacy participants, legacy applicants and their family caregivers for three years while VA continues the rulemaking process to refine the program. The extension will ensure that legacy participants and applicants can maintain their benefits and stability during this time.'
Legacy participants are veterans, service members, and their caregivers who were in the program as of September 30, 2020. Legacy applicants are those who applied before October 1, 2020, and were accepted on or after October 1, 2020.
The VA said this move will close gaps in support and help provide ongoing care for those already approved under older rules. The agency also said it will make reassessments easier and cut paperwork for caregivers. Veteran organizations welcomed the news.
The VA also said there would be a temporary increase in burial benefits for certain veterans and their families, thanks to the Dole Act. This law lets eligible veterans get their burial costs fully covered for a limited time, as per reports.
Also Read: Veterans Affairs Department reverses mass layoff plans; Here's what prompted the U-turn
Changes due to Trump's recent budget bill
Veterans will also see some changes because of President Donald Trump's recent budget bill. Veterans' programs have usually had strong support from both parties and have been getting more funding over time. The new budget adds $83 billion more than last year, mostly for medical care and benefits.
House Republicans have proposed a $453 billion budget for the VA for 2026. This bill keeps the main benefits for veterans, but it also includes changes that could affect how some services are given and paid for. New spending, from a big bill passed by the House in May, comes as the VA deals with possible staff cuts, which led to protests across the country.
The bill also includes new policies about reproductive health, guns, and vaccines, which could change how people use VA services.
VA Secretary Doug Collins said, "Legacy caregivers have helped shape VA's Caregiver Support Program for many years. This decision underscores VA's commitment to Veterans and caregivers across the nation and will help provide consistency and stability to nearly 15,000 legacy participants for years to come."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
10 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Tariff uncertainty continues: US team to visit India in mid-Aug, well after Aug 1 ‘hard deadline'
After Indian negotiators wrapped up another round of negotiations in Washington last week, a US team led by US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch is expected to visit India in mid-August to continue negotiations for a trade agreement, The Indian Express has learned. While India and the US have agreed on a wide range of tariff lines, the negotiations — which currently only involve market access for goods — are stuck over sensitive sectors such as agriculture and automobiles, which are key job creators in India. The new round of talks beyond the August 1 deadline comes amid growing suspense over whether India will face 26 per cent reciprocal tariffs starting August 1, as US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Sunday said that August 1 is a 'hard deadline' for countries to begin paying tariffs. 'That's a hard deadline, so on August 1, the new tariff rates will come in… Nothing stops countries from talking to us after August 1, but they're going to start paying the tariffs on August 1,' Lutnick said in a television interview on Sunday. Notably, President Donald Trump's deadline for implementation of reciprocal tariffs has shifted from April 1 to July 9, and now to August 1. While Trump has reiterated that a deal with India is close, India could face tariffs of up to 26 per cent if both countries fail to reach an agreement. Government officials have maintained that India is aiming to sign a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by the end of the year, which would provide market access in labour-intensive sectors and ensure a significant tariff differential compared to its Asian peers. Lutnick also said that smaller countries — including those in Latin America, the Caribbean, and many in Africa — would face a baseline tariff of 10 per cent. 'The bigger economies will either open themselves up or they'll pay a fair tariff to America,' he said. Trade experts have pointed out that, despite being presented as trade 'agreements', Trump's deals do not meet WTO standards for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Under WTO rules, FTAs require mutual tariff reductions on a substantial share of trade. 'Under the Trump model, only the partner country lowers its Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) tariffs, while the US makes no reciprocal cuts. Trump lacks Fast Track Trade Authority from Congress to reduce MFN tariffs. Instead, he's offering to roll back only the 'Liberation Day' tariffs imposed in April under emergency powers — tariffs that a US federal court has already ruled unlawful. The case is under appeal, but the legal basis remains fragile,' the think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said. For India, those April tariffs added a 26 per cent surcharge on top of normal US tariffs. Even if a deal is struck, Indian exports may still face a minimum 10 per cent additional levy, making it a pressured compromise, not a true partnership, GTRI said in a report.
New Indian Express
13 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
UK calls for 50-day drive to arm Ukraine
LONDON: The UK government on Monday called for a 50-day drive to arm Ukraine to take advantage of a recent ultimatum put to Russia by US President Donald Trump. Earlier this month, Trump gave Russian President Vladimir Putin 50 days to strike a peace deal with Kyiv in the three-year war or face sanctions. UK Defence Secretary John Healey told a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) that Kyiv's backers stand at a moment of "maximum opportunity". "As members of this UDCG, we need to step up, in turn, a 50-day drive to arm Ukraine on the battlefield and to help push Putin to the negotiating table," Healey told the virtual meeting of 52 nations. Trump also pledged to supply Kyiv with new military aid, sponsored by NATO allies, as its cities suffer ever-increasing Russian aerial attacks since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Healey, chairing the meeting alongside German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, said the UK "backs this policy". "We will play our full part in its success," he added.
News18
18 minutes ago
- News18
Monsoon Session Opener Sees Govt Vs Opposition On Op Sindoor, Repeated Adjournments Follow
Last Updated: The Parliament Monsoon Session got off to a stormy start on Monday as the Lok Sabha witnessed a government vs Opposition showdown over Operation Sindoor. The Monsoon Session of Parliament got off to a stormy start on Monday, as lawmakers from the Opposition benches created ruckus in the Lok Sabha, demanding a discussion on Operation Sindoor, despite assurance from the treasury benches to hold a comprehensive discussion on the subject. While the Rajya Sabha recorded routine debate and discussions and was adjourned at around 4.30 pm, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day soon after reassembling for the fourth time at 4 pm. As soon as the House reconvened at 4 pm after the third adjournment, Dilip Saikia, who was in the Chair, urged the MPs to let the House function to allow a bill on readjustment of Goa Assembly seats to be taken up. However, the Opposition continued to raise slogans, demanding discussion on Operation Sindoor. The House had earlier met at 2 pm after the second adjournment, when the Chair appealed to the Opposition to let the House function; however, the proceedings were adjourned till 4 pm due to continuous ruckus. Earlier in the day, Speaker Om Birla assured the Opposition MPs that the government wants to hold a comprehensive discussion on the topics raised by the Opposition and therefore they should take part in the Question Hour and Zero Hour at 11 am and 12 pm respectively. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also stood up in the House to assure the MPs that the government is ready to hold a long discussion on all issues that the Speaker gives a nod to. 'The government is ready to discuss any topic the opposition wants. Whatever time they need to discuss, the government is ready to answer all questions," Singh said in Lok Sabha. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also appealed to the Opposition to put forth their demand during a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), which was scheduled at 2.30 pm in the day. 'The government is ready to reply to all the issues that the Speaker agrees to at the BAC meeting. But to raise slogans and not let the House function on the first day of the Monsoon session is unacceptable," Rijiju said in the House. As the Opposition MPs carried on with their protest in the Well of the House, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who was in the Chair at that moment, urged them to take their seats with an assurance that the Speaker would allow them to raise all matters that they intended to discuss. Pal also appealed to Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the lower house, to let Zero Hour function. 'I appeal to the leader of Opposition, I appeal to Rahul Gandhi to let the House take up Zero Hour. People of the country are watching the proceedings and seeing that the government is ready to discuss all issues, but the opposition does not want the House to function," he said. The Opposition members insisted soon after the obituary references at 11 am to take up a discussion on Operation Sindoor. Birla said that he was ready to allow the MPs to raise all issues, including Operation Sindoor, after the end of the Question Hour. 'I will allow you to raise all issues after Question Hour. The House will function according to rules and regulations. I cannot allow sloganeering and raising of placards," he said. 'Honourable members, this is Question Hour. We must try to maintain high parliamentary standards. We must try to fulfil the hopes and expectations of the people who have elected us and debate and discuss important issues of the country. Go outside the House for sloganeering. You want a discussion on Operation Sindoor, I will allow it after Question Hour. The government is ready to reply to all issues," he said. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
