VA wrongly tells veterans they’re dead, cuts off benefits

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VA wrongly tells veterans they’re dead, cuts off benefits

November 5th, 2015

Awake Goy

That’s why the Pinellas County, Florida, resident was alarmed when his VA check didn’t show up in his bank account Monday. He called the Department of Veterans Affairs office to find out why, and their response was stunning: The benefits had been suspended because he was dead.

“Well, I’m not,” Rieker retorted. “I woke up this morning and I’m feeling rather chipper, in fact.”

As it turns out, Rieker is one of six Tampa Bay area residents who were getting veterans benefits, but then were declared dead — despite being very much alive.

U.S. Rep. David Jolly, who represents a section of Florida’s Gulf Coast near Tampa, said he’s handled a total of five such cases in the past 18 months, and a neighboring congressman in the Tampa Bay area received a similar call as well.

“It’s a very serious matter,” said Jolly. “How many cases are there nationwide?”

Jolly is calling on VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald to investigate the scope of the problem.

VA wrongly tells veterans they’re dead, cuts off benefits

November 5th, 2015

Awake Goy

That’s why the Pinellas County, Florida, resident was alarmed when his VA check didn’t show up in his bank account Monday. He called the Department of Veterans Affairs office to find out why, and their response was stunning: The benefits had been suspended because he was dead.

“Well, I’m not,” Rieker retorted. “I woke up this morning and I’m feeling rather chipper, in fact.”

As it turns out, Rieker is one of six Tampa Bay area residents who were getting veterans benefits, but then were declared dead — despite being very much alive.

U.S. Rep. David Jolly, who represents a section of Florida’s Gulf Coast near Tampa, said he’s handled a total of five such cases in the past 18 months, and a neighboring congressman in the Tampa Bay area received a similar call as well.

“It’s a very serious matter,” said Jolly. “How many cases are there nationwide?”

Jolly is calling on VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald to investigate the scope of the problem.