WALSH ANNOUNCES NEW SUPPORT FOR DISABLED VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

(Washington D.C.)- Congressman Jim Walsh today announced new legislation that will assist disabled veterans and their families.  President Bush recently signed the Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Act of 2006 into law after approval in the House and Senate.

"This legislation helps severely disabled veterans of the war on terror recover from their injuries and regain their independence," said Walsh.

The new law provides adaptive assistance grants to veterans residing temporarily in homes owned by a family member in amounts up to $14,000, helping servicemembers wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan who spend time in a family home before moving on to a home of their own. Previously the Department of Veteran's Affairs could not help adapt family homes unless the veteran had an ownership interest in the home.

Also under the new law, servicemembers who are rated totally disabled are permitted to receive post-separation Servicemember's Group Life Insurance (SGLI) free of charge for up to two years through 2011 that can be converted to low-cost Veterans' Group Life Insurance. This helps to ensure coverage for injured veterans who may not qualify for affordable commercial life insurance.

In addition, the legislation provides additional healthcare insurance protections to servicemembers who are called to active duty by expanding reinstatement of insurance provisions and limiting premium increases.

Walsh, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, is chairman of the panel's Military Quality of Life and Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee.

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