The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, also known as the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package, was signed into federal law on March 11, 2021. This legislation provides a significant amount of money to support veterans, including the benefits outlined below.
TITLE VIII – COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
Sec. 8001 - Funding for Claims and Appeals Processing
- For fiscal year (FY) 2021 (October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021), an additional $272 million to remain available until the end of FY 2023
- For funding for VA claims and appeals processing
- Including Secretary/Assistant Secretary operations, information management, personnel management
- Including Board of Veterans Appeals support
- VA Pension / Aid & Attendance
- VA Compensation
- Including Appeals review support
- VA Pension / Aid & Attendance
- VA Compensation
- Including Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) support
- VA Pension / Aid & Attendance
- VA Compensation
- Housing loan programs
Sec. 8002 – Funding Availability for Medical Care and Health Needs
- For FY 2021, an additional $14.482 billion to remain available until the end of FY 2023
- For medical care, hospital, nursing home, home care
- Including benefits for homeless veterans, including housing assistance and mental health treatment and rehab
- Including Veterans Health Administration (VHA) support including medical facilities
- Up to $4 billion of this available for the Veterans Community Care Program
- Hospital care, medical services, extended care services through non-VA providers if VA can’t provide or it’s in best medical interest of the veteran