February 24, 2009 – The President of the United States signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on February 17, 2009, authorizing the release of a one-time, lump-sum payment to eligible World War II (WWII) Philippine veterans. These payments are to be made through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from a $198 million appropriation established for this purpose. Applying for this benefit will not affect other existing Veterans benefits.
Q: Who is eligible for the new benefit, a one-time payment authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009?
* Persons who served before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, while such forces were in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States;
* Members of the organized guerrilla forces under commanders appointed, designated, or subsequently recognized by the Commander in Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, or other competent authority in the Army of the United States;
* Persons who served in the Philippine Scouts under Section 14 of the Armed Forces Voluntary Recruitment Act of 1945.
* To be eligible for the new benefit, service members in each of the three categories above must have been discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable.
Q: How do I apply for this benefit?
* The United Stated Department of Veterans Affairs is now accepting claims. Claims can only be accepted from Filipino WWII veterans. We encourage all Filipino WWII veterans to apply in person. If a veteran is unable to appear in person, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Manila Regional Office will arrange to obtain the application in an appropriate manner. Claims from spouses, widows and children of Filipino WWII veterans cannot be accepted.
Q: Where do I apply for this benefit?
* Filipino WW II veterans can inquire about or submit a claim at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Manila Regional Office located at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs will also have representatives available to accept claims at the Philippines Veterans Affairs Office and the Philippine’s Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City beginning February 19, 2009 through February 27, 2009. Additionally, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs will have representatives at following venues throughout the Philippines on the dates indicated:
Location / Province
Address
Dates
Times
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Central Office
Camp Gen. Aguinaldo
Quezon City
02/19/09 – 02/27/09
0800-1700
Veterans Memorial Medical Center
North Ave., Quezon City
02/19/09-02/27/09
0800-1700
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office San Fernando, La Union
National Highway cor. Diversion Rd. Pagdaraoan, San Fernando City, La Union
02/24/09-02/26/09
0800-1700
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Baguio City, Benguet
USAFIPNL Camp Henry T. Allen, Baguio City, Benguet
02/24/09-02/27/09
0800-1700
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Iloilo City, Iloilo
Old Provincial Capitol Bldg., Iloilo City, Iloilo
02/24/09-02/26/09
0800-1700
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Cebu City, Cebu
CENTCOM, Camp Lapu-Lapu Lahug, Cebu City, Cebu
02/24/09-02/26/09
0800-1700
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Tacloban City, Leyte
126 Gomez St. Tacloban City, Leyte
02/24/09-02/26/09
0800-1700
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur
SOUTHCOM Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur
02/24/09-02/26/09
0800-1700
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Davao City, Davao del Sur
Door 4, Gutierrez Compound, Abad Santos Ave., Davao City, Davao del Sur
02/24/09-02/26/09
0800-1700
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Batangas City, Batangas
Provincial Capitol, Batangas City, Batangas
02/24/09-02/26/09
0800-1700
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Tuguegarao, Cagayan
1-A Callangan Bldg., Bonifacio St. Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
02/24/09-02/26/09
0800-1700
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office San Fernando, Pampanga
Cleofer’s Bldg., Gen. Hizon Extension, San Fernando City, Pampanga
02/24/09-02/26/09
0800-1700
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Legazpi City, Albay
ANST Bldg., Washington Drive, Legazpi City, Albay
02/24/09-02/26/09
0800-1700
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental
Camp Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental
02/24/09-02/26/09
0800-1700
Q: How long do I have to file a claim?
* The United States Department of Veterans Affairs must receive all claims no later than February 16, 2010, which is one year from the date of enactment of the legislation, which is February 17, 2009.
Q: How much will I receive?
* Eligible veterans who are not United States citizens will receive a one-time payment of $9,000.
* Eligible veterans who are United States citizens will receive a one-time payment of $15,000.
Q: I am a U.S. citizen, but reside in the Philippines. Will that affect the amount of my payment?
* No. The amount of the payment you are eligible to receive is determined by your citizenship, not by your residence.
Q: My late husband was a veteran who served during WWII. May I receive this benefit as his widow?
* Once an eligible veteran files a claim before February 17, 2010, a surviving spouse can claim the benefit if the veteran passes away before the benefit is paid.
Q: My husband was a U.S. citizen who filed a claim for this benefit but died before receiving payment. I am not a U.S. citizen. Will I receive the $15,000 he was eligible to receive?
* Yes. The amount of the payment is determined by the citizenship of the eligible veteran, not by the citizenship of the surviving spouse.
Q: Is this benefit considered as income for U.S. income tax purposes?
* No. The benefit is not considered income for U.S. income tax purposes.
* No. This is an additional benefit for those eligible and qualified WWII veterans. It will not change or affect benefits an individual may be receiving under any other Federal or federally assisted program.
Q: May I apply for or continue to receive other U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits?
* Yes. This is an additional benefit for those eligible and qualified Filipino WWII veterans.
Q: What information or evidence do I need to submit with my application?
* Filipino WW II veterans wishing to submit a claim for this benefit should be prepared to present the following items to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (if applicable):
* Two forms of identification such as a driver’s license, birth certificate, Senior Citizen ID, Bureau of Post ID, Voter ID Card;
* Copies of any military discharge documents showing service in one of the three qualifying types of service; “Go to qualify types of service”
* Your Philippines Veterans Affairs Office claim number;
* Your Philippines Veterans Affairs Pension bank account number;
* Your U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs claim number; and
* U.S. citizens should bring your U.S. passport.
Q: When will I receive the payment?
* The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is working actively to implement this new public law to ensure all eligible veterans receive their rightful benefits as soon as possible. Claims are now being accepted, and information regarding the actual release of payments will be provided as it becomes available.
