Grassley has been working to find a solution to the problem facing Iowa veterans who have made little or no money in a given year but remain ineligible for veterans pensions or health care because they own farmland and equipment that exceeds the asset limits under current law. Although there are no estimates of the number of these land-rich, cash-poor veterans in Iowa. County government caseworkers report that they deal with many such cases.
"My goal for the meeting is to determine whether there are administrative steps that can be taken by the VA, or whether legislation is required to correct this problem," Grassley said. "Those who have fought for our freedoms deserve fair access to the benefits provided."
County veterans service officers, Department of Veterans Affairs regional pension and health benefit adjudication officials and VA Central Office pension and health benefits staff are scheduled to participate in Grassley's meeting.
Note to reporters: Grassley, along with Brian Bales, Executive Director of the Iowa Office of Veterans Affairs, Larry Sundall, Emmet County Veterans Service Officer, and a representative of the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs will address the issue and respond to reporters' questions near the conclusion of the meeting. This media availability will be held on Wednesday, April 19, from 1:30-2:00 p.m., in Room 108 at the Quality Inn, 4995 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines.