Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Thursday, May 08, 2008
Let disabled vets get Social Security
I’m 65 years old, having served in the U.S Army from 1962-66. I served during the Vietnam war, was stationed in Korea at the end of the “armed ceasefire” and in the Dominican Republic during the uprising in the Spring of ’65. I was decorated appropriately. Because of a serious accident in 1998 that left me in a coma, on dialysis and performing physical therapy, I was awarded a nonservice-connected disability.
Thus, I “survive” on $931 a month. Under VA rules, I cannot work or draw Social Security or it would be simply deducted from my VA Disability Pension. Because of the soaring gas and food prices, I have money the first two weeks of the month and nothing the remainder. I have to go to the Salvation Army and other agencies for handouts. Those on service-connected disability can work or draw Social Security to augment their income.
I beg you, members of Congress, to change the rules so those of us drawing non-service connected disability and at least get the Social Security due to us that we worked for all our lives in order to buy food, pay rent and incidentals.
I hope this longstanding policy of allowing only the VA money received each month be the total available to work with could be amended to at least draw our Social Security without it being deducted from our small monthly pension.
It wouldn’t come from VA coffers, thus not affecting its budget, but would give us some badly needed Social Security money, easing the tremendous burden we suffer each month trying to survive on $900. We served our county with honor, now show us your gratitude by giving us what we deserve.
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