It seems that problems keep on piling up for the VA to resolve. Now, there is a possibility that Veteran benefit checks could be delayed, and the worst part is that there might not be enough funding to fix the problem. When lawmakers return to Capitol Hill, they will face the issue of creating a critical deadline to ensure that VA benefits payments are available for Vets. This decision should come in three weeks. This budget extension will keep the federal government’s operations until fall to avoid a partial government shutdown.
Now, Department of Veterans Affairs officials warned that if the shortfall is not addressed by September 20th, millions of dollars in Veterans’ benefits might be affected. This is a massive disaster for families relying on that support. Based on the data, administrators need around the $2.9 billion approved budget for fiscal 2024 operations. This is almost $12 billion more for fiscal 2025 due to the spike in payouts months prior.
Impact of Delayed VA Benefits Payments
Leaders have warned that if this issue is not addressed, everything will be at risk, including compensation, readjustment VA benefits payments, and pension benefits. For the previous two months, officials have been working with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to resolve the issue, but they have not arrived at a solution. However, congressional Republicans blamed the VA leaders for inadequate control and planning, which they pointed out led to a fiscal crisis for Veterans.
It was expected that the budget concerns would be one of their multiple complaints. This was alongside the accusations of insufficient oversight and poor communication. According to committee Chairman Mike Bost, the issue of the Veteran benefit checks has been the most significant budget shortfall in department history.
He even added that the department’s chief financial officers had made many wrong decisions regarding budgeting. They have not used the projections and estimates, so there is a current budget and VA benefits payments issue.
VA Officials Responding to Backlash
Despite the criticisms, VA officials are working to avoid a shutdown and ensure that Vets receive their support. They explained that the issue is not mismanagement, but the historically high benefits payout level.
Over the first ten months of FY 2024, employees approved around $1.1 million in disability compensation benefits to Veterans and survivors. Plus, there were around 413,000 new enrollees in VA health care services in just 12 months.
In a statement, the VA press secretary, Terrence Hayes, mentioned that the PACT Act significantly impacts Veterans, providing more benefits and care. The VA will continue to push to ensure that people receive the benefits they need.
To help resolve the issue, a group of bipartisan lawmakers introduced legislation to handle the funding shortfall. Members of the House Appropriations Committee disclosed their funding fix plan. This includes an almost $3 billion budget for the VA. However, there is a need to supervise and review how the issue occurred to prevent this from happening again. Other advocates worry that the political fight may overshadow the real issue, which is the VA benefits payments problem.
In an open letter, the American Legion officials encouraged its members to petition Congress for a solution to protect the benefits. On the day of the hearing, lawmakers will start discussing methods for creating a federal budget extension past October 1. If not addressed soon, it will create issues for the processing of Veteran benefit checks.
Finally, as the deadline is near, Veterans must be more vigilant. These coming weeks are critical in deciding whether the VA can ensure the required budget to provide essential VA benefits payments.
Related reads:
- Your VA Benefits Payment for 2024-25 Is Facing a Lack of Funding
- Veterans Benefits – The Ultimate Guide for Benefits, Applying, and More