Ruiz Announces Legislation to Expand Crucial Benefits to Veteran Caregivers

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) announced new legislation to provide long-overdue benefits to thousands of veteran caregivers across the country. The Support our Services to Veterans Caregivers Act, or the S.O.S. Veterans Caregivers Act, would extend VA benefits to caregivers of veterans who developed illnesses from their service – not just physical injuries – and ensure those veterans and their families get the support they need.

"Today, I am excited to introduce the S.O.S. Veterans Caregivers Act to expand access to benefits for our nation's veterans and their loved ones who care for them," said Dr. Ruiz. "Currently, only those who suffer physical injury and their caregivers can benefit from the caregivers' assistance program. This wrongfully excludes veterans who suffer from service-related illnesses and their caregivers from receiving VA benefits. My legislation will correct this wrong and expand benefits to thousands of caregivers. This bill is the result of listening to the veterans I serve and will help meet their needs. With the S.O.S. Veterans Caregivers Act, we will provide our veterans and their loved ones with much-needed support and improve their quality of life."

"The S.O.S. Veterans Caregivers Act is all about getting our local veterans the care they need," said Director of Riverside County Department of Veterans' Services Grant Gautsche. "With this legislation, we will make much-needed reforms to the veterans' caregiver program and help expand benefits for our heroes and their loved ones who care for them. I thank Congressman Ruiz for his strong leadership in introducing this legislation."

BACKGROUND

The S.O.S. Veterans Caregivers Act would expand caregiver assistance programs through the VA to include those who care for veterans suffering from service-related illnesses. Currently, only seriously injured veterans and their caregivers are eligible for caregiver assistance programs established under the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010—leaving out thousands of seriously ill veterans who should have been included to begin with.

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