Who qualifies for compensation?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says Filipino veterans who served before July 1, 1946, under the Philippine government (which was in the service of the United States Armed Forces Far East) are eligible for the one-time payments. Members of the Philippine Scouts and guerrilla forces recognized by the United States Army can also qualify. Veterans who were discharged dishonorably are not eligible.

U.S. citizens will receive a one-time payment of $15,000 while veterans who are not U.S. citizens will get a $9,000 lump sum. The money is not considered income for U.S. income tax purposes and will not affect any federal assistance a veteran may be receiving.

To apply, veterans should present two forms of identification such as a driver’s license or birth certificate, copies of any military discharge documents, their Philippines Veterans Affairs Office claim number, Philippines Veterans Affairs Pension bank account number and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs claim number. U.S. citizens should show their U.S. passport.

Claims from wives, widows and children of the veterans will not be accepted.
All claims must be received no later than Feb. 16, 2010. VA staff will release additional information about payments when it becomes available.

If an applicant dies before being paid, his widow can claim the benefit. But if a veteran dies before applying, his spouse is not eligible for the compensation.

Advocates are warning veterans in the Philippines about con artists who offer to file claims on the veteran’s behalf in exchange for a fee, said Eric Lachica, volunteer coordinator for the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans Inc.

For more information call the VA at 800-827-1000 or log onto www.va.gov, Lachica said. The Web site for the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans is filvets.tripod.com.

 

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