WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The Disabled Veterans National Foundation (www.dvnf.org), a non-profit veterans service organization that focuses on helping men and women who serve and return home wounded or sick after defending our safety and our freedom, is still hopeful for a deal to be made to end the government shutdown. At the same time, the organization is offering the perspective of real veterans concerned with benefit payment delays.
The government shutdown, ongoing for nearly two and a half weeks, has raised a great deal of alarm amongst veterans across the country. DVNF's main concern is the severe financial problems a benefit payment delay could cause some disadvantaged and disabled veterans who do not have the means to recover from a monetary setback.
"It is a shame that we, the Veterans, the very ones who stepped up and said 'I'm willing to die for this country' are the ones that have to shoulder this [burden]" said one veteran to DVNF. Another echoed this concern, stating, "I am very concerned! I have been unable to work for over 20 years and my medical pensions are my only source of income due to 100% disability! This situation could cost me my car plus several other conditions."
Another veteran offered a similar stark reality to the situation. She said, "I am a 100% service-connected disabled Veteran. If [my family] doesn't receive our November payment, this could hurt our family financially. We served our debt to the government; they need to do the same for us."
As of Wednesday, it appears that lawmakers are making a good bit of progress on a potential deal to end the shutdown, but any such deal would likely only go until February.
"This shutdown has been unsettling for many people, but mainly veterans who are in the unfortunate situation of having to rely on the federal funds because of a disability acquired from their service," said DVNF Executive Director, Joseph VanFonda (SgtMaj, Ret). "We are hopeful that negative impacts from this shutdown will be kept to a minimum, but will keep concerned veterans informed of what they should expect."
Veterans have reached out to DVNF to convey these concerns. DVNF remains committed to informing and assisting veterans through the difficult time of uncertainty involved with this government shutdown.
For more, go to www.dvnf.org.
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Doug Walker
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