Veterans (Veteran Benefits)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2935: An Act incentivizing veterans to reside in the Commonwealth

This bill changes a residency requirement for veterans seeking state benefits. It reduces the required continuous residency period from 5 years to 1 year. This directly affects veterans who want to qualify for specific Commonwealth benefits, making it easier for them to become eligible. The key provision is the amendment to the General Laws, shortening the qualifying time frame for veterans to access these benefits.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransReduces residency requirement from 5 to 1 year, easing access to state benefits for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3204: An Act relative to veteran disability benefits

This bill increases annual disability payments for certain veterans from $2,000 to $5,000. It directly affects veterans certified by the VA as having service-connected PTSD, Persian Gulf illness, or Camp Lejeune water-related injuries at 80% disability. The law requires the state to pay $5,000 yearly in two installments (August 1 and February 1) starting from the application date. This change amends existing law to raise the payment amount for these specific veteran groups.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases funding for veterans with service-connected PTSD (mental health condition), directly supporting mental health services via disability payments.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases disability payments from $2,000 to $5,000 for specific veterans, directly expanding benefits as required by law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3191: An Act relative to retirement benefits for veterans

This bill allows veterans who retired before July 24, 1996, from state or local retirement systems to count their military service toward retirement benefits. Veterans may receive credit for up to four years of active military service (or National Guard/Reserve service at a 5:1 ratio - five years of guard/reserve service equals one year of active duty), but this credit cannot exceed 80% of their retirement benefit. Local retirement systems must approve the change via vote, though state systems like teachers' and employees' plans automatically adopt it. The bill specifically excludes service already counted under prior provisions.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands veterans' retirement benefits by allowing military service credit toward state/local retirement systems, directly advancing their financial security.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1791: An Act creating equal access to a common application for low-income veterans

SD 1791 creates equal access to a common application for low-income veterans in Massachusetts. It amends an existing law to include "veterans services benefits under Chapter 115" alongside other benefits like housing and healthcare. The key mechanism is adding veterans' benefits to the current single application system, allowing eligible veterans to apply for multiple benefits through one form. This directly affects low-income veterans seeking services covered under Chapter 115 of Massachusetts law. The bill streamlines access to existing benefits without creating new programs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines access to housing benefits under Chapter 115 for low-income veterans via single application, advancing housing access for a vulnerable group.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAdds veterans benefits to single application system, improving access to existing Chapter 115 services for low-income veterans without restricting or defunding benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3336: An Act relative to low-income housing eligibility for disabled veterans

This bill changes how income is calculated for disabled veterans seeking public housing. It directs housing authorities to exclude veterans' U.S. disability benefits (from 38 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq.) when determining eligibility for low-income housing programs. As a result, disabled veterans receiving these federal benefits will have a lower calculated income, making them more likely to qualify for housing assistance they might otherwise be denied. The policy directly affects disabled veterans applying for publicly assisted housing in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill excludes disability benefits from income calculation for disabled veterans, lowering their eligibility threshold for low-income housing. This directly increases access to affordable housing for a vulnerable group, advancing housing assistance...95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExcludes veterans' disability benefits from income calculation, increasing housing eligibility for disabled veterans under low-income programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3416: An Act relative to COLA adjustments for veteran benefits

This bill (HD 3416) requires that all veteran benefits paid under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, Section 5, be adjusted annually to match the state's average cost-of-living increase. It directly affects veterans receiving benefits under this section by ensuring their payments rise each year with inflation. The key mechanism is an automatic annual adjustment tied to the Commonwealth's official cost-of-living measure. This change updates existing benefit payments without creating new programs or eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAutomatically adjusts veteran benefits annually to match state COLA, preventing benefit erosion and strengthening existing payments without new programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3537: An Act fraudulent representation of an accredited veterans service officer, accredited agent or attorney

This bill prohibits unaccredited individuals or organizations from falsely representing themselves as veterans service officers, agents, or attorneys to assist veterans with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit claims. It specifically bans charging fees for claim preparation, "consulting services," or soliciting applicants for VA benefits, and prohibits referring clients to unaccredited providers for compensation. Violations carry a $500 fine per offense, with proceeds funding veterans' outreach centers and homeless shelters. The law directly affects veterans seeking VA benefits and unaccredited representatives exploiting their vulnerability.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransPrevents fraud against veterans seeking VA benefits by banning unaccredited representation and fees, protecting access to legitimate services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3566: An Act relative to veterans benefits

HD 3566 ensures that increases in state veterans' benefits are not counted as income when determining eligibility for public housing or other public assistance programs. It directly affects veterans receiving state veterans benefits who also apply for public housing, food assistance, or similar support. The bill amends state law to exclude any increase in veterans' benefits from income calculations used by public assistance programs. This prevents veterans from losing access to essential support due to higher veterans' benefits, maintaining their eligibility without requiring them to reduce their veterans' aid.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExcludes veterans' benefit increases from income calculations, preventing loss of public housing eligibility and strengthening access to housing support.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly excludes veterans' benefit increases from income calculations for public assistance, preventing loss of housing/food aid and strengthening access to support systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2207: An Act relative to COLA adjustments for veteran benefits

This bill (SD 2207) requires annual cost-of-living adjustments for veterans' benefits under Chapter 59 of Massachusetts General Laws. It directly affects veterans receiving benefits specified in Section 5 of that chapter by tying their payments to the Commonwealth's average cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) each year. The key provision replaces previous adjustment methods with an automatic, annual update based on the state's calculated COLA, ensuring benefits keep pace with local inflation. This change applies specifically to veterans' benefits funded under the referenced section, without altering eligibility or benefit amounts otherwise.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires automatic annual COLA adjustments to prevent benefit erosion from inflation, directly strengthening veteran financial stability under Chapter 59.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3961: An Act amending the definition of veteran

This bill amends Massachusetts law to expand the definition of "veteran" by adding specific federal service branches. It directly affects members of the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps, the United States Public Health Service, and the United States Space Force who previously may not have qualified as veterans under state law. The key provision adds these entities to the existing list of qualifying services in M.G.L. ch. 4, s. 7, clause 43(b). This change ensures these service members receive the same state-level veteran benefits and recognition as other military personnel.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands Massachusetts veteran definition to include NOAA Corps, Public Health Service, and Space Force members, extending state benefits eligibility to previously excluded groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits

Track