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Filvets' claims for WWII benefits reach 31,876


RACE AGAINST TIME. Filipino war veterans have settled for a one-time, big-time benefit package from the US for their contributions during the Second World War. AP file photo
CHICAGO – The number of claimants for the lump sum benefits granted to Filipino World War II veterans under The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has now exceeded the original 18,000 benchmark. Out of the 31,876 claimants, 8,990 applications have been processed through the first four-and-a-half months since processing began, according to statistics released by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA). Of the processed claims, 3,138 were approved for veterans with US citizenship, 3,414 were approved for non-US citizens, and 2,438 applications were disapproved. There are 22,886 pending claims. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Filipino WWII veterans who are now US citizens are entitled to a benefit of US$15,000. Non-US citizens are entitled to $9,000. This information was posted in a mass e-mail by R. Sonny S. Sampayan, a retired US serviceman, quoting Ronald Sagudan, program analyst of the USDVA’s Center for Minority Veterans. Sagudan, along with retired Gen. Tony Taguba, chair of the advisory Committee on Minority Veterans of the USDVA, and Lyn Johnson of the New York City MVPC, has reached out to the Filipino community to help find every veteran, who may be qualified for VA benefits before the February 2010 deadline. As of August 19, Jim Benson of the media relations office of the USDVA told this reporter that as far as he knew, no claims have been denied claimants who died after filing the claims. According to the USDVA, in addition to the 31,876 claims it has received, the Manila Regional Office has received more than 4,400 duplicate or incomplete applications.
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The USDVA said it has been conducting numerous successful outreach programs to inform veterans and their families about this benefit. Claimants have until February 16, 2010 to file their claims. USDVA is unable to predict the volume of additional claims and is unable to predict a future processing completion date. The Manila RO has established a dedicated team of employees who solely process FVEC claims. To date, over $77 million has been awarded to eligible Filipino veterans. A budget of $198 million has been allocated for these benefits under the new law. The Philippines is home to the only USDVA regional office located outside the United States or its territories. There are two options available to claimants who do not agree with a USDVA decision. The first option is to provide VA with evidence that may lead VA to change the decision. The notification letter will clearly identify any potential missing evidence the claimant should provide in order to substantiate their claim. The second option is to file a notice of disagreement (NOD), in writing, explaining the reasons for disagreement. The time frame to file a notice of disagreement is one year from the date of the notification letter explaining the reasons and basis USDVA used to make their decision. USDVA encloses a VA Form 4107, "Your Rights to Appeal Our Decision," with Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC) Fund notification letters to help explain appeal rights to claimants. Once an appeal is received, the claimant will be provided hearing options to include a video hearing or a face-to face hearing at the nearest regional office. Due to Privacy Act provisions the list of applicants and claimants are not subject to public disclosure. - GMANews.TV
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