An Act to increase the annuity for disabled veterans and their families

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Marc Lombardo

Raises Massachusetts state annuity for disabled veterans from $2,000 to $5,000 for veterans and their families.

Overview

HD 266 is a proposed bill in the Massachusetts General Court that would raise the state annuity provided to disabled veterans and their families. The bill amends Chapter 115, Section 6B of the General Laws to increase the annuity amount from $2,000 to $5,000. The bill is introduced in the 194th General Court (2025-2026) and was filed on January 7, 2025 as House Docket No. 266 by Representative Marc T. Lombardo.

What the bill would do

Primary change: Replace the existing annuity amount of $2,000 with an increased amount of $5,000 for disabled veterans and their families.

Legal reference: The amendment targets Section 6B of Chapter 115 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition. Specifically, the bill would strike the figure “$2,000” in three locations (lines 19, 28, and 35) and insert “$5,000” in each instance.

Scope: The change directly affects the state-defined annuity awarded under the Massachusetts veteran benefits program to disabled veterans and, by extension, their families.

Who would be affected

Beneficiaries: Massachusetts residents who qualify for the state annuity for disabled veterans and their families. This includes current recipients and any future eligible recipients under the program’s criteria.

Program impact: The increase would modify the benefit amount awarded to eligible individuals under the state program, potentially improving financial support for disabled veterans and dependents.

Financial and fiscal considerations

The bill does not specify a funding source or appropriation within the text provided.

Raising the annuity from $2,000 to $5,000 would increase the Commonwealth’s ongoing financial obligations under the veteran benefits program. The total cost would depend on the number of eligible recipients and any applicable eligibility rules.

Policymakers would need to consider annual/long-term budgetary impacts and whether corresponding appropriations or account adjustments are necessary.

Status and timeline

Filed: January 7, 2025 (House Docket No. 266) in the 194th General Court (2025-2026).

The bill is listed as a proposed measure; no final legislative status (passage, veto, or law) is provided in the available excerpt.

Related or prior-introduced matter exists from the 2023-2024 session (House No. 3523), indicating ongoing interest in increasing the annuity.

Context and notes

The proposal represents a straightforward formula change—raising a fixed dollar amount for the state annuity to disabled veterans and their families.

If enacted, the increase would take effect as specified in the enacted statute, with implementation likely contingent on appropriation and administrative steps by the veterans’ benefits program.

Bill