In 1897, after numerous newspapers declared him dead, a very much alive Mark Twain famously told the New York Journal that "Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated." That is a sentiment too many veterans can share. For the last year, accounts of veterans erroneously declared deceased by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have been a solemn reminder that, once thought dead, these former servicemembers lose their veterans benefits.
Thankfully, the incidence of false declarations should soon cease. According to The Associated Press, the VA is altering its procedures to avoid such costly embarrassments in the future. Representative David Jolly told the AP that the VA stopped extending benefits to 115 veterans between July 2014 and April 2015 based on preemptive deceased status.
In Florida, News 13 reported, more than six living veterans were thought dead in just the past year. One such veteran, Mike Rieker, saw the VA cut off his military benefits after a veteran with the same name died in Arizona. When calling the VA got Rieker nowhere, he sought out Representative Jolly's assistance. In short order, he had Rieker's benefits restored.
"I think they're (the VA) like everybody else with budget cuts, they're under staffed," Rieker told the news station. "I think it's great that they're taking a look at this and making a change. It could be devastating for some people to lose those benefits. There's people who rely on them for their sole source of income."
On Dec. 10, the VA reached out to Jolly, telling him that from now on, agency procedure will require that a letter be sent to the veteran's address requesting that the family provide confirmation of the veteran's death. If no reply is made – whether from the family or the veteran incorrectly declared dead – then payments and benefits will cease.