An act relating to excluding veterans’ disability benefits from income-based eligibility determinations for public assistance programs or benefits

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by V.L. Coffin and 13 co-sponsors

The bill excludes veterans’ disability compensation from income used to determine eligibility for means-tested public assistance programs in Vermont.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services

Overview

H 104 (2025-2026, Vermont) seeks to exclude veterans’ disability benefits from income-based eligibility determinations for public assistance programs or benefits. The bill aims to ensure that veterans’ disability compensation is not counted as income when determining eligibility for means-tested programs, thereby potentially expanding access to public assistance for eligible veterans.

Purpose and Intent

Remove veterans’ disability benefits from the income calculations used to determine eligibility for income-based public assistance programs or benefits.

Align eligibility rules with the recognition of veterans’ disability compensation as separation from work-related income and as a benefit designed to offset service-connected disabilities.

Reduce barriers to access for veterans who rely on disability benefits while seeking or receiving public assistance.

Key Provisions

Exclusion of veterans’ disability benefits from all income-based eligibility determinations for public assistance programs or benefits in Vermont.

Applies to means-tested programs where monthly or annual income is a criterion for eligibility. Specific programs affected are not listed in the summary, but the provision would generally impact programs that use income as a basis for eligibility (e.g., housing assistance, food assistance, cash aid, etc.) unless otherwise exempted.

The bill would modify how program administrators assess applicants and beneficiaries by ensuring veterans’ disability compensation is not counted.

The measure is structured to apply prospectively to individuals seeking benefits after the effective date and to ongoing cases in relation to new income calculations.

Affected Parties

Veterans who receive disability compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and who would otherwise face income-based eligibility determinations.

State and local public assistance program administrators who determine eligibility and administer means-tested benefits.

Vermont residents eligible for public assistance programs that use income to determine eligibility.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction and Referral: Read first time and referred to the House Committee on Human Services on January 28, 2025.

Status: As of the summary, no further action details are provided. Committee consideration would follow, including potential amendments, hearings, and votes before moving to the full House for consideration.

Effective Date: The exact effective date is not specified in the available information; typically, such provisions include an effective date after enactment, with possible transition provisions for ongoing cases.

Potential Impacts

Increases in eligibility for certain public assistance programs for veterans with disability benefits that were previously counted as income.

Reduced complexity in eligibility determinations for veteran households, potentially lowering administrative burdens for veteran applicants.

Possible financial impact on public programs if fewer veterans are disqualified due to income counting, which could influence program funding and budgeting considerations.

Clarification of policy alignment with veterans’ benefits and social safety net protections.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to a specific audience (general public, policymakers, veterans’ advocacy groups) or add a comparison with existing Vermont rules if you provide the current statutory language.