© 2024 WSIU Public Broadcasting
WSIU Public Broadcasting
Member-Supported Public Media from Southern Illinois University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Enyart introduces Disabled Veterans Bill

A southern Illinois Congressman has introduced a bill to assist disabled veterans.

U.S. Representative Bill Enyart says the Veterans Backlog Reduction Act is designed to speed up the benefit claims process for injured veterans. He says there are over 900,000 disability claims waiting to be processed by the Veterans Administration - some of which were filed over a year ago.  Enyart says veterans deserve better.
 
Enyart's office has been able to assist Army and National Guard veteran Michael Boren of Energy in getting his claim processed after 19 months. Boren injured his back twice and says he was surprised to learn how poorly VA offices communicate with each other in different regions of the country. He says the delay has cost him job opportunities.

Enyart's bill would require disability claims be processed within 125 days or the veteran receives a provisional benefit payment until the VA's ruling.
 

As a news producer and news anchor on All Things Considered, Brad provides the listeners with a recap of the day's top local and state news as well as breaking news at any given time. Contact WSIU Radio at 618-453-6101 or email wsiunews@wsiu.org
As a WSIU donor, you don’t simply watch or listen to public media programs, you are a partner. By making a gift, you help WSIU produce, purchase, and broadcast programs you care about and enjoy – every day of the year.