Governor Rell Signs Her Bill Expanding

Eligibility for State’s Military Family Relief Fund

Governor Also Signs Bill Dropping Burdensome Requirement for Annual Proof of Disability to Qualify for Disabled Veteran Property Tax Credit

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she has signed into law a bill she proposed that expands eligibility for assistance from the state’s Military Family Relief Fund to an eligible member of the Armed Forces who is not currently on active duty. The Governor also signed a bill that drops the requirement that disabled veterans provide yearly proof of disability to their local assessor to qualify for a property tax exemption.

            Governor Rell championed the legislation that expanded access to the Military Family Relief Fund.

            “All too often, the hardships that affect our veterans may appear – or continue – after they have left active duty,” Governor Rell said. “These can include post-traumatic stress disorder, recovery from wounds and other problems that create serious financial issues for military members and their families.

            “Under current law, only servicemen and women who are on active duty can call on the Military Family Relief Fund for assistance,” the Governor said. “We must ensure that all of the men and women who have given so valiantly in the service of our state and nation have access to the help they need.”

            The Military Family Relief Fund is a separate account within the General Fund that is used by the state Military Department to make grants to pay for essential personal or household needs if a family member’s military service has created a financial hardship for the family. Eligible family members are the military member’s spouse, child or parents living in Connecticut or other relatives living in the military member’s household. Essential goods and services include house repairs, uninsured medical services, transportation, clothing, school supplies and other needs.

            The legislation – House Bill 6394, An Act Concerning the Military Family Relief Fund – takes effect immediately.

            Under the new law concerning the property tax credit, a veteran will be able to submit the proper paperwork just once, unless the federal Veterans’ Administration modifies the veteran’s disability rating.

            “Veterans count on this tax break and – after all they have sacrificed for us – should not be burdened with undue red tape,” Governor Rell said. “This new law will make the process easier and more efficient for our veterans and will help reduce the workload for local assessors.”

            State law provides a basic $1,000 municipal property tax credit for qualified veterans.

            The Governor proposed Senate Bill 846 after the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs last year changed its computer system and notified the state’s 22,000 disabled veterans it would stop mailing out annual forms that verified their disability ratings. The change would have required veterans to request an annual copy from the VA.

            When notified of the computer change in September 2008, Governor Rell immediately wrote to then-VA Secretary James Peake and expressed her concerns, asking him to correct the issue. The federal agency agreed to mail the verification documents to Connecticut’s disabled veterans.

            “We certainly appreciated the prompt reaction from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,” the Governor said. “Now, however, Connecticut has a law on the books that will remove that bureaucratic hurdle for disabled veterans once and for all.”

            The legislation – Senate Bill 846, An Act Concerning the Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption – takes effect immediately.