VA Implementing CARES Act Provisions

Northville, MI (Law Firm Newswire) May 5, 2020 – As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on across the country, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun implementing provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act that were designed to protect veterans and support VA healthcare providers and staff members. The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27 and provided $2.2 trillion in economic aid.

The CARES Act includes billions of dollars in aid specifically to keep veterans safe throughout the coronavirus crisis. The VA is already using this money to purchase supplies for both patients and care providers, including personal protective equipment like masks, beds, ventilators, COVID-19 test kits, covering increased payroll and overtime expenditures for staff, hiring new staff, increasing services offered to homeless veterans and strengthening telehealth services in anticipation of a significant rise in use.

“As the largest healthcare system in the United States, the VA has a huge responsibility and need during times of widescale health crisis,” said James G. Fausone, lead attorney at Legal Help for Veterans in Northville, Michigan. “The quick passage of the CARES Act will help Americans everywhere, and especially veterans, survive these difficult times.”

Other CARES Act provisions specifically helpful to veterans:

* Waiving minimum occupancy requirements for federal benefits eligibility in support of social distancing recommendations.
* Increasing per-veteran daily aid allowances for VA run homeless facilities and state veteran’s homes.
* Relaxing admission rules at state veteran’s homes and allowing spouses of veterans and Gold Star parents in.
* Requiring home loan servicers to comply with all applicable CARES Act provisions, giving borrowers (many veterans) the right to request temporary forbearance and protecting them from
foreclosure, eviction and negative marks on credit reports.
* Creating free or subsidized telehealth mental health program services for veterans.
* Providing technology equipment for veterans in the HUD-VA Supportive Housing program (HUD-VASH) so they can access telehealth services.

Legal Help for Veterans is a veteran-owned and operated law firm that exclusively handles VA disability claims. Visit them at https://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/

Learn more at http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC 41700 West Six Mile Road, Suite 101 Northville, MI 48168 Toll Free Phone: 800.693.4800