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VETERANS' BENEFITS  
VETERANS' BENEFITS Scroll Down Further To See The Latest Benefits and News... VETERANS' BENEFITS WEBSITES Click On Any Links Below. Booklet will take a minute or so to download and view. Or Call The VA at (800) 827-1000 To Inquire About The 2008 Federal Benefits Booklet. LATEST BENEFIT NEWS Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake announced creation of a Veterans Employment Coordination Service to oversee the Department's program to recruit new veterans into the VA workforce, especially recently disabled combat veterans. On May 1st, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began contacting nearly 570,000 recent combat veterans to ensure they know about VA's medical services and other benefits. Background: The Persian Gulf Conflict was fought from August 1990 until August 1991 following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. On April 24, 2006, Governor Ed Rendell signed House Bill 1820 into law as Act 29 of 2006. Approval of this program was endorsed by the State Veterans’ Commission, the Pennsylvania War Veterans Council, the Pennsylvania National Guard Associations and many veterans’ organizations in the Commonwealth.
Ballot Question: On November 7, 2006, Pennsylvania voters gave overwhelming approval to a ballot question to fund this program. The bond issue will create a fund for the payment of compensation to members and former members of the Armed Forces who served in the Persian Gulf Conflict and were Pennsylvania residents at the time of such service. The $20 million estimated amount is based on the number of Pennsylvania veterans who performed active service in the Armed Forces in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations.
Who is Eligible: The following veterans may be eligible for benefits under this program:
The veteran must have served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations during the period from August 2, 1990 to August 31, 1991 and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal.
The veteran must have been a legal resident of Pennsylvania at the time of military service.
The veteran must have served under honorable conditions.
Amount of Compensation: Eligible Pennsylvania veterans of the Persian Gulf Conflict will receive $75 per month for each month (or major fraction) of active service in the Persian Gulf Conflict Theater up to a maximum of $525. Five thousand dollars ($5,000) will be paid on behalf of veterans who died in active service in the Persian Gulf Theater or as a result of service-connected wounds, diseases or injuries sustained during active service in the Persian Gulf Theater. In addition, $5,000 will be paid to Persian Gulf Conflict prisoners of war.
Applications: DMVA will begin to accept applications for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Benefit Program some time in the latter part of the first quarter of 2008. The deadline for submitting applications for this benefit is August 31, 2015.
Payments: DMVA expects to make the first “bonus” payments under this program sometime in 2008.
Next Steps:The implementation of the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Benefit program will involve a number of steps:
DMVA will prepare and publish administrative regulations to implement the program. Draft regulations were reviewed by the State Veterans’ Commission at their February 2007 meeting. It is expected the regulations will be published in spring or summer 2007.
DMVA will design the application forms and prepare publications to summarize the new program and their requirements.
DMVA will contract with a firm to receive and process the more than 30,000 applications, which are expected over a period of years. Download Flyer
Tax Rebate For Veterans Whether You Pay Taxes Or Not... To get tax rebate, you MUST file for 2007 even if you don't pay taxes!
Recipients of Social Security and veterans' benefits who don't normally file
tax returns must do so to be eligible for a rebate from the economic
stimulus package, the Internal Revenue Service said Friday.
The tax agency said it was introducing a special version of Form 1040A on
its Web site, www.irs.gov, with instructions to these groups on how to fill
out the form.
Qualifying income, which must be at least $3,000, includes Social Security
benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits, certain veterans' benefits
and earned income.
It said that for now, taxpayers in this group will have to file a paper copy
of Form 1040 or Form 1040A, although the IRS is working to update its
systems to accept electronic versions.
Those who have already filed but did not report their qualifying benefits
might have to file an amended return.
The stimulus payments -- $300 per person or $600 on joint returns -- will
not affect eligibility for federal benefits.
IRS - 2008-21, Feb. 15, 2008-WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service released
additional information today about the upcoming economic stimulus payments
in a specially designed section for taxpayers on IRS.gov.
The new information includes an extensive set of Frequently Asked Questions
about the stimulus payments, with a special emphasis on recipients of Social
Security and certain veterans' benefits. Millions of people in this group
who normally don't file a tax return will need to do so this year in order
to receive a stimulus payment.
For recipients of Social Security and certain veterans' benefits and
low-income workers who don't normally need to file, the IRS also released a
special version of a Form 1040A that highlights the simple, specific
sections of the return that can be filled out by people in these categories
to qualify for a stimulus payment.
"Most taxpayers just need to file a 2007 tax return in order to
automatically receive the stimulus payment," said Acting IRS Commissioner
Linda Stiff. "But we are especially concerned about recipients of Social
Security and veterans' benefits who may need to take special steps this year
to file a tax return in order to obtain a stimulus payment. IRS.gov will
help taxpayers get what they need."
In addition, the IRS emphasizes the stimulus payments will not count toward
or negatively impact any other income-based government benefits, such as
Social Security benefits, food stamps and other programs.
Most taxpayers will receive two notices from the IRS. The first general
notice from the IRS will explain the stimulus payment program. The second
notice will confirm the recipients' eligibility, the payment amount and the
approximate time table for the payment. Taxpayers will need to save this
notice to assist them when they prepare their 2008 tax return next year.
Veterans receiving either Social Security Disability, Veterans Disability or Spouses Receiving Veterans Indemnity Compensation who do not normally file and need assistance to receive your $300.00 or $600.00's.
The IRS will be releasing a 1040X for this purpose. It will not have any
adverse effect on any Federal Benefits you are not receiving. You
will just need to sign and mail it. You should not need to pay a tax
preparer to do this simple form. MISCELLANEOUS BENEFITS AND NEWS: Stimulus Package Tax Rebates
Recipients of VA disability compensation, pension and survivors benefits may qualify for economic stimulus payments this year from the federal government. More
Deal of the Week: Free Tax Filing for Veterans
Do Your Taxes The EASY Way -- For FREE. Use TurboTax OnlineSM Free Edition now. More
VA to Accept Military's PTSD Diagnosis
Veterans who are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while on active duty will now be recognized as having PTSD for VA purposes. More
Get College Credit for Military Experience
Many schools and colleges award military students credit towards a degree based on training, coursework, and occupational specialty. More
Buy a Used Car or Truck on Military.com Classifieds
There are thousands of cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats and more on the Military.com Classifieds -- all in your installation. More
Find Your ROTC Buddies
We've launched The Military.com ROTC Network where anyone in the ROTC community can find old friends and stay in touch with your unit. More
Featured Job: You're a US hero. Now be NY's Finest.
As the largest police department in America, the NYPD is widely recognized as the nation's leader in law enforcement technology. More
VA Committee Jobs Program Review
The House Veterans' Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee recently conducted a hearing to review two expiring programs at the VA. More
TurboTAP Offers Transition Assistance
TurboTAP is an easy to use, interactive web portal that provides life-long support to separating military servicemembers and their families. More
Agencies to Receive USERRA Notification
Federal departments or agencies will now be notified whenever an employee who is a veteran files a USERRA complaint against the department or agency. More
Widows Sue Over Survivor Benefit Plan
Three military widows have been given a green light to sue for the accumulated value of Survivor Benefit Plan payments that have been unlawfully withheld. More Keep Checking Back For Updated Benefit Information. Please Email Me Any Veterans' Benefits or Links Not Listed. Click HERE to search our website for specific people, names, events, links, sites, and benefits. Webmaster: Andrew Leibenguth
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