US Embassy reminds Pinoy WWII veterans of Feb. 16 deadline
The US Embassy in the Manila is reminding Filipino World War II (WWII) veterans that applications to avail themselves of the one-time benefit from the 2009 Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation provision of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 should be submitted by February 16.
In a statement, the US Embassy said that the applications should be received by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) by February 16, 2010.
The one-time payments to Filipino veterans of WWII were made available after US President Barack Obama signed ARRA last February 2009 to recognize the services of the qualified Filipino veterans.
Since it was signed, claims from eligible Filipino veterans for the one-time payment of $9,000 for non-US citizens and $15,000 for Filipino veterans who are now US citizens, have been processed by US authorities.
The US Embassy statement said that as of December 29, 2009, 11,300 applications from eligible Filipino WWII veterans or their widows have been approved. A total of nearly P6.4 billion has also been paid to approved claims, according to the US Embassy.
It said that about half of the nearly P6.4 billion have been paid out so far to Filipino WWII veterans with American citizenship, and the other half to non-US citizen Filipino WW II veterans.
Meanwhile the US Embassy reminded applicants of the process of application, which it said is “free and simple, and there is no need to pay anyone to assist in completing the form.”
It said the application form can be mailed to the US Embassy. However, it said the application should be received by USDVA by the February 16, 2010 deadline. Simply mailing the application by the deadline is not sufficient, said the US Embassy.
Applications can also be submitted in person to the USDVA office at the US Embassy.
The US Embassy advised Filipino WWII veterans to call USDVA at (632) 528-2500 or toll free outside Metro Manila at 1-800-1888-5252 for more information. It said that no appointments are necessary to file an initial application for this new benefit.
Veterans who have already applied for this benefit will receive an acknowledgement receipt from USDVA, said the US Embassy. It also said that there is no need to submit multiple applications, nor any need to obtain additional military service information unless requested by USDVA.
The US Embassy also clarified that there is no “master list” of eligible veterans for the one-time benefit. It said that each claim is unique and decided on its own merits. All Filipino veterans who feel they may be eligible are encouraged to apply immediately, said the US Embassy statement.
Meanwhile the US Embassy also announced that a final outreach activity will be conducted in Davao City on February 11 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ramon Magsaysay Park, Leon Garcia St..
For further instructions on filing application for the one-time benefit, the US Embassy encouraged interested persons to go to its Web site – http://manila.usembassy.gov. – via www.abs-cbnnews.com
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