TREA Washington Update for February 15, 2008

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TREA Washington Update for February 15, 2008

HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY

It was a wild week in Washington-but there is not a great deal of news on our issues. For the first time in living memory the Presidential primaries in Washington DC, the State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia were going to have an affect on who is nominated in both parties, so the focus was on the elections. Then we had a terrible ice storm on election night leading to traffic jams that lasted 9 hours and people missing voting. And then yesterday, for all you Romantic types, there was St. Valentine’s Day -- so it has been a confused but exciting week
1) A Snapshot Of A Day On The Hill
2) Hearings Held On Proposed VA Budget
3) The VA Is Asking For Volunteers
4) Economic Stimulus Package Includes Veterans’ Benefits
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1) A Snapshot Of A Day On The Hill-While the focus yesterday on the Hill was a Congressional Resolution to find White House Chief of Staff John Bolton and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify on the dismissal of several U.S Attorneys and the walk out by the House Republicans in protest of the House’s failure to take up the foreign Surveillance Bill other things were happening as well. 165 resolutions, bills and amendments were introduced in the House of Representatives and the Senate in one day! Many of them are of direct interest to Military retirees and their families and survivors. These included:
H.Con.Res 297 recognizing the 60th Anniversary of the racial integration of the United States Armed Forces ;
Bills of Interest: HR4169 to authorize a Braille tactile flag in Arlington National Cemetery, HR5441 : To amend title 10, United States Code,to extend the special survivor indemnity allowance to survivors of certain members of the Armed Forces who die on active duty. To improve VA health care: HR5448: To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the disability compensation evaluation procedure of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, to improve the diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. HR5454: To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a presumption of service connection of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis for purposes of the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. In reaction to the behavior of the City of Berkeley California’s City Counsel towards the Marine Corps’ Recruiting Office: HR5462: To amend title 10, United States Code, to deny Federal funds for any State or city, county, or other political subdivision of a State that prohibits or unduly restricts the establishment or operation of a military recruiting office and SAMDT.4067 to S1200: To rescind funds appropriated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, for the City of Berkeley, California, and any entities located in such city, and to provide that such funds shall be transferred to the Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps account of the Department of Defense for the purposes of recruiting.
HR5460: To amend the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 and title 18, United States Code, to include waterboarding in the definition of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment and in the definition of torture, and for other purposes; HR5465: To require the Department of Defense to implement a pain care initiative, and for other purposes. HR5438 To name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility in Tafuna, American Samoa, as the "Fuga Tolani Teleso Satele Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility"; S2639: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an assured adequate level of funding for veterans health care; S2640: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance and improve insurance, housing, labor and education, and other benefits for veterans, and for other purposes; S2644: A bill to clarify and improve information for members and former members of the Armed Forces on upgrades of discharge, to prohibit personality disorder discharges in cases of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, and for other purposes; S2654: A bill to provide for enhanced reimbursement of servicemembers and veterans for certain travel expenses. S2645 : A bill to require the Commandant of the Coast Guard, in consultation with the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, to conduct an evaluation and review of certain vessel discharges. .S2633: A bill to provide for the safe redeployment of United States troops from Iraq. S2634: A bill to require a report setting forth the global strategy of the United States to combat and defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates; S2652 : A bill to authorize the Secretary of Defense to make a grant to the National World War II Museum Foundation for facilities and programs of America's National World War II Museum.
Resolutions supporting and/or praising veterans and for other purposes: SRES439: A resolution expressing the strong support of the Senate for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to enter into a Membership Action Plan with Georgia and Ukraine. SRES444 : A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the strong alliance that has been forged between the United States and the Republic of Korea and congratulating Myung-Bak Lee on his election to the presidency of the Republic of Korea. H Res 963 supporting goals of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Passed 384-0;Resolution commending the people of Washington state for supporting the needs of their veterans Passed 383-0; H. Res. 986 recognizing the courage of the Vietnam War POWs and calling for a full accounting of the 1,729 members of the Armed Forces still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War; H.Res. 991 recognizing the sacrifice of the 69th Infantry Regiment in support of the War on Terror; H.Res 992 Honoring the sacrifices of all mothers in the Armed Forces who have deployed to theaters of combat
And all of this happened in a not very busy day on the Hill.
2) Hearings Held On Proposed VA Budget-This week both the House and the Senate held hearings on the Administration’s proposed VA Budget. In the Senate, Chairman Akaka (D-HI) stated that he was happy with VA Secretary Dr. James Peake’s statement that he was willing to look into raising the income level threshold to allow veterans to enroll in Category 7. Chairman Akaka was, however, displeased with proposed cuts in medical research, construction, grants for state homes and cemeteries and more. The present cut off point is a yearly income of $28,429 for a single veteran. Meanwhile on the House side the House VA Committee’s subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations had an oversight hearing on whether the VA’s Inspector General Office is sufficiently funded. The Subcommittee’s ranking member Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL) took the position that it is not. “America’s heroes need to know that the health care they receive at VA facilities remains top-notch and that it protects their health and welfare,” Brown-Waite said. “This does not mean cutting employees from the full time inspection staff. It means giving OIG the level of resources it needs to fulfill its mission. Fewer staff and fewer resources for the OIG fails our veterans and their families.” This reaction was in response to the FY 2009 budget request that would eliminate several positions in the IG office. Last year Congress added additional funds to an already increased Presidential budgetary request. Hopefully, we are looking for a similar move this year.
3) The VA Is Asking For Volunteers-The VA is hoping that more of us will be VA volunteers. Below please find the description of the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service. If you are interested please go to www.va.gov and check it out.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS)

• <LI class=MsoNormal>founded in 1946 to provide for our nation's veterans while they are cared for by VA health care facilities <LI class=MsoNormal>One of the largest centralized volunteer program in the Federal government <LI class=MsoNormal>Over 350 organizations support VAVS
• volunteers have provided over 676 million hours of service since 1946.

Community Assistance

• <LI class=MsoNormal>assist veteran patients by augmenting staff with end of life care programs, foster care, community-based volunteer programs, hospital wards, nursing homes, and
• veteran outreach centers

Contributions

• <LI class=MsoNormal>annual contributions over $50 million in gifts and donations <LI class=MsoNormal>volunteers contributed a more than 13 million hours of service to veterans in FY2005
• VAVS volunteers are a priceless asset to America's veterans and to VA

How do I sign up to be a VAVS Volunteer? You have two convenient ways:
1) Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs facility nearest you. Ask for Voluntary Service. Tell their staff of your interest in becoming a VAVS Volunteer. The staff will take care of everything else including your interview, orientation, and assignment! Locate the VA facility is nearest you.
2) Or Volunteer NOW! Ffill out and submit the form. Someone from your local VAVS office will contact you with additional information.

4) Economic Stimulus Package Includes Veterans’ Benefits-This week President Bush signed an economic stimulus package that will make payments to most Americans. The payments will range from $300 to $600 for and individual and $600-$1200 for a couple. However to qualify for these payments one needs to have earned $3,000 last year in qualifying income. Usually such income would not include some VA payments. However a provision in this year’s bill will count the veterans payments toward qualification. Below please find an explanation and guidance issued by the IRS
Stimulus Payments: Instructions for Low-Income Workers and Recipients of Social Security and Certain Veterans’ Benefits
FS-2008-16, February 2008
Some low-income workers and recipients of Social Security, certain veterans’ benefits and certain Railroad Retirement benefits may qualify for economic stimulus payments this year from the federal government.
In most cases, payments will range from $300 to $600 for individuals and $600 to $1200 for joint filers. Taxpayers may receive $300 for each qualifying child.
Most taxpayers do not need to take any extra steps to receive the payment beginning in early May.
But there are some exceptions.
Individuals who might not otherwise be required to file a 2007 tax return will need to file a return this year to receive the stimulus payment. The return must show at least $3,000 in qualifying income.
In other words, low-income workers who had at least $3,000 in earned income in 2007 but do not otherwise earn enough to be required to file a federal tax return need to file a return in order to get the stimulus payment. Likewise, Social Security recipients, veterans and retired railroad workers who might not otherwise need to file a tax return must do so to receive the economic stimulus payment.
Certain Benefits Count toward Qualifying Income
Normally, certain Social Security, Railroad Retirement benefits and certain veterans’ payments are not subject to income tax. However, the economic stimulus law passed in February contains a special provision allowing Social Security recipients and recipients of certain veterans’ benefits and certain Railroad Retirement benefits to count those benefits toward the qualifying income requirement of $3,000 and thereby qualify for the stimulus payment.
This means a taxpayer who had, for example, $500 in earned income and $2,500 in any combination of the benefits described above can count those benefit payments toward his or her qualifying income to reach the $3,000 earned income requirement, even though the individual would not otherwise owe taxes on such income.
For purposes of meeting the qualifying income requirement, the following benefits need to be reported in any combination on Line 20a of Form 1040 or Line 14a of the Form 1040A.
Social Security benefits reported on the 2007 Form 1099-SSA, which people would have received in January 2008. People who do not have a Form 1099 may estimate their annual Social Security benefit by taking their monthly benefit, multiplying it by the number of months during the year they received the benefits, and entering the number on Line 20a of Form 1040 or Line 14a of the Form 1040A. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not count as qualifying income for the stimulus payment.
Railroad Retirement benefits reported on the 2007 Form 1099-RRB, which recipients would have received in January 2008.
The sum of veterans’ disability compensation, pension or survivors’ benefits received from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2007. People are allowed to estimate their annual benefit by taking their monthly annual veterans’ benefit, multiplying it by the number of months during the year they received benefits, and entering the number on Line 20a of Form 1040 or Line 14a of the Form 1040A.
People should note that Line 20a of Form 1040 and Line 14a of the Form 1040A are designated for Social Security. To qualify for the economic stimulus payments, these lines should also be used to include any qualifying Railroad Retirement or veterans’ benefits.
For Those Who Have Already Filed
Some recipients of the benefits described above may have filed a 2007 tax return reporting at least $3,000 in qualifying income. They do not need to do anything else. They will begin receiving their stimulus payments in early May.
Others may need to amend a previously filed tax return to include benefits to reach the $3,000 qualifying income level. Adding these benefits on an amended tax return will not increase an individual’s tax liability but will establish eligibility for the stimulus payment. Taxpayers can use IRS Form 1040X to amend a tax return in order to
qualify for the stimulus payment.
Free Tax Help Available
Individuals who need to file a return this year to receive a stimulus payment may be able to take advantage of thousands of free tax preparation sites nationwide for low-income and elderly taxpayers.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides help to low-and moderate-income taxpayers. Call 1-800-906-9887 to locate the nearest VITA site.
The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program provides free tax help to people age 60 and older. As part of the IRS-sponsored TCE Program, AARP offers the Tax-Aide counseling program at more than 7,000 sites nationwide during the filing season. To find an AARP Tax Aide site call 1-888-227-7669 or visit the AARP Web site.
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