WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s decision to reverse the Individual Unemployment (IU) termination for Social Security (SS) recipients in the budget proposal:

 

“When soldiers return from serving our nation, they deserve quality care and the benefits they were promised. We must honor our pledge to support our soldiers, especially those who return wounded. I’m pleased to see the Trump Administration reverse their initial stance on IU benefits, which would have stripped disabled veterans from receiving critical assistance they were guaranteed and need in order to live independently. In the future, I hope the Administration gives greater consideration to how potential changes to veterans and military benefits will affect their well-being. We owe our service men and women more than we can ever repay them for their sacrifices. A part of our commitment to them is ensuring they have the resources and care they need to return back to civilian life.”

 

 

Individual Unemployment (IU) provides veterans who are not rated at 100 percent disabled to receive the 100 percent disability pay rate who suffered such egregious injuries that they are considered unemployable or not able to obtain gainful employment. President Trump’s budget blueprint proposed to halt the IU payments to veterans who are unable to retain a job once they reach retirement age. Rather than IU payments, they would become eligible for Social Security benefits. As of 2013, there were over 325,000 veterans using IU, and that number climbed to 338,800 by time the budget was proposed.

 

The Administration’s decision failed to consider disabled veterans retirement options. Non-IU recipients are able to save for retirement over a life time of employment; whereas a disabled veteran is on a fixed income making saving nearly impossible. Veterans have been budgeting for retirement under the promise their IU payment would continue. Abruptly removing the benefit would adversely impact veterans’ standard of living.

 

At a Senate Veteran’s Affairs hearing June 14, Secretary Shulkin rescinded the Administration’s proposal to cut IU benefits for the elderly. Shulkin stated, “as I began to listen to veterans and their concerns… It became clear that this would be hurting some veterans and would be a takeaway from veterans who can’t afford to have those benefits taken away.