Quarterly Veterans Update
Dear Neighbor,
Over the last few months, I have continued to work with members of both parties to deliver results for the veterans of California’s 49th Congressional District. I introduced new bipartisan legislation to expand veterans’ access to good credit to pursue a VA home loan, and I helped pass crucial legislation in the House of Representatives that will help veterans start their own businesses, protect veterans’ GI Bill benefits during national emergencies, and allow military families to get out of contracts under certain circumstances.
Please keep reading for some more updates on that work and the progress we’re making to deliver the benefits you deserve, as well as other details on upcoming meetings and events for veterans.
As always, I want to hear from you about your priorities and the challenges you face. I encourage you to reach out to my office to share your thoughts, concerns, or questions regarding military and veteran affairs. You can find other contact information by visiting mikelevin.house.gov.
Hiring
Green and Gold Congressional Fellowship Program – Oceanside/Dana Point District Office
Rep. Levin is hiring a veteran to join his District Office team through the Wounded Warrior
Fellowship Program. The fellowship is a two-year program that allows for newly transitioned
servicemembers to network with their military and veteran community and work with federal
agencies. Please send this job posting to your organization members and any veterans you think
may be interested in applying. We plan to begin the hiring process as soon as possible. Eligibility criteria, salary, and detailed responsibilities can be reviewed here. Any further questions you may have can be directed to kasey.condon@mail.house.gov. The application is available here.
Recent Events
Rep. Levin hosts President Biden at Viasat
On November 4, 2022, Rep. Levin hosted President Biden at Viasat Inc. Viasat is a
communications company based in Carlsbad and provides broadband services and secure
networking systems covering military and commercial markets. During their visit, President
Biden and Rep. Levin learned about Viasat’s work, their commitment to hiring our nation’s
veterans, and how the CHIPS and Science Act will help manufacture and lower costs of vital
technological goods in the United States.
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Rep. Levin Honors Maj. Gen. Peggy C. Combs, USA, Ret. as Constituent of the Month
On October 31, 2022, Rep. Levin announced that retired Army Maj. Gen. Peggy C. Combs,
President of the Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad, is the October Constituent of the Month. Maj. Gen. Combs, USA, Ret. became the 16th President and the first woman to head the 112-year-old Army and Navy Academy. The Academy, located in Carlsbad, is a college preparatory boarding school serving boys in grades 7 through 12.
Rep. Levin speaks at North County Veterans Stand Down
On October 28, 2022, Rep. Levin spoke at the 6th Annual North County Veterans Stand Down. The North County Veteran Stand Down is an annual four-day event in Vista that helps homeless and needy veterans receive much needed services. These services include overnight accommodations, hot meals, clothing, and a variety of physical and mental health support.
Rep. Levin leads bipartisan Congressional Field Hearing on veteran hunger
On July 11, 2022, Rep. Levin led a bipartisan Congressional field hearing in Oceanside on
Monday focused on ending hunger among veterans, particularly in response to the effects the
COVID-19 pandemic had on food insecurity for veterans and their families. House Committee
on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA) and Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Ranking Member Barry Moore (R-AL) also participated in the hearing. The witnesses included VA San Diego Healthcare System Nutrition and Food Services Chief Mr. Daniel Santibáñez, VA National Food Security Program Coordinator Dr. Christine Going, San Diego Hunger Coalition President and CEO Ms. Anahid Brakke, and others. Video of the
hearing is available here.
Legislative Update
Building Credit Access for Veterans Act
On August 30, 2022, Rep. Levin and Rep. William Timmons (R-SC) introduced the bipartisan
Building Credit Access for Veterans Act to help expand veterans’ access to good credit to pursue a VA home loan. The bill would create a pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assess the feasibility of using alternative credit scoring models to help veterans and servicemembers obtain a VA home loan.
Student Veteran Emergency Relief Act
On September 14, 2022, the House of Representatives passed three bipartisan bills introduced by Rep. Levin. The Student Veteran Emergency Relief Act, which was amended to include Rep.
Levin’s Emergency Relief for Servicemembers Act and his Veteran Eligibility for Necessities To
Undertake Rewarding Entrepreneurship (VENTURE) Act, will help veterans start their own
businesses, protect veterans’ GI Bill benefits during national emergencies, and allow military
families to get out of contracts under certain circumstances.
Supporting Families of the Fallen Act
On October 17, 2022, the President signed into law Rep. Levin’s Supporting Families of the
Fallen Act. The bill, which was introduced with Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), will increase the maximum coverage amount available under life insurance programs for military families. It is the 19th bipartisan bill for veterans and servicemembers that Rep. Levin has led and had signed into law.
Call for Lower State Taxes on Military Pensions
On October 18, 2022, Rep. Levin wrote a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom calling
for lower state taxes on military pensions. California is the only state, as Rep. Levin wrote to
Governor Newsom, that fully taxes both military retirement pay and Survivor Benefit Plan
payments.
House Passes Two Bipartisan Bills from Rep. Mike Levin to Support Veterans
On November 29, 2022, the House of Representatives passed two bipartisan bills Rep. Levin
introduced to bolster support to veterans. The Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach
(CVSO) Act authorizes federal funding to hire more county veterans service officers, who are
often the best resource on the ground to assist veterans in securing the benefits they have earned. The Mark O’Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act helps veterans replace clothing that is routinely damaged by prosthetics, orthopedic devices, or skin medicines they need as a result of active-duty injuries. Both pieces of legislation are endorsed by numerous local and national Veteran Service Organizations.
Upcoming Events
Virtual Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act Symposium: Honoring Our Promise
On December 16, the VA will host a virtual symposium that will feature information on the
PACT Act, as well as other benefits and services available to Service members, Veterans, their
families, caregivers, survivors, and advocates. This informative and educational symposium will
include an overview of the PACT Act, a presentation on how to apply for benefits, and presentations on VA disability, survivor benefits, Vet Centers, and measures aimed at preventing fraud. The symposium is open to everyone, particularly Veterans, family members, and caregivers, as well as those who regularly interact with the Veteran community.
DETAILS
Date: December 16, 2022
Time: 1:00-4:00pm (EST)
Quick Join: Click Here to Join
Link to Join:
https://veteransaffairs.webex.com/veteransaffairs/j.php?MTID=md8c3ba24222d04df1030dd33a6
352519
Phone: 1-404-397-1596, Access Code: 2763 374 0710
District Veteran Service Organization (VSO) Meeting
On Monday, December 19, 2022, at Rep. Levin’s Oceanside District Office, at 3:00pm – 3:45pm PT, this meeting will be an opportunity for all district VSOs to express their legislative and local priorities as well as any potential concerns to Rep. Levin. Please RSVP by emailing Keon Maluia at keon.maluia@mail.house.gov.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Updates
PACT Act Week of Action
Between December 10 and December 17, the VA is hosting a nationwide a PACT Act Week of
Action to inform Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors about the PACT Act and
encourage them to apply for the toxic exposure-related health care and benefits they have earned. More than 80 VA facilities across the country are participating with the goal of spreading awareness about the new health care and benefits available to Veterans and survivors. More information can be found here.
Veterans Crisis Line Phone Number
Effective July 16, Veterans have the option to Dial 988 then Press 1 to connect with caring,
qualified responders for 24/7 crisis support. In response to the National Suicide Hotline
Designation Act designating the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, VA has made it more user
friendly to access the Veterans Crisis Line.
VA Opens Health Care Eligibility Under PACT Act
On October 1, VA expanded health care eligibility for certain Gulf War and post-9/11 veterans
under the PACT Act. This expansion will increase health care eligibility for hundreds of thousands of toxic-exposed Veterans. Additionally, VA has already expanded health care
eligibility for certain Veterans of the Vietnam War. Veterans can go to VA.gov/PACT to apply for health care or learn more about what the PACT Act means for them and their families.
VA Closes Gap in Benefits for LGBTQ+ Veterans and Their Survivors
On October 13, VA announced it is closing a gap in benefits for certain survivors of LGBTQ+ veterans who were unable to wed until the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision, and therefore were not married to their deceased veteran spouses long enough to qualify. Eligible survivors can apply for these benefits here, and more information about this announcement can be found here.
VA Begins Offering Toxic Exposure Screenings
As of November 8, all veterans enrolled in VA health care are eligible for toxic exposure screenings under the PACT Act. Veterans who report concerns about toxic exposures will be connected to information about clinical resources and benefits. Veterans can ask about receiving the screening at their next VA primary care provider appointment. If a veteran is not assigned to a primary care team or wishes to be screened sooner than their next appointment, they may contact their local facility and ask to be screened by the Toxic Exposure Screening Navigator.
Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP)
VRRAP, which Rep. Levin helped establish, continues to offer certain unemployed veterans with up to 12 months of tuition, fees, and housing to train for high-demand jobs. This program will stop accepting new enrollments on December 11, 2022, so eligible veterans are encouraged to apply – and begin classes if approved – as soon as possible. Veterans may visit the VA’s education and training web page to determine eligibility and apply.