Bill > H3143

This bill amends existing Massachusetts General Laws concerning veteran's benefits by changing the residency requirements for receiving these benefits and clarifying the role of Veteran's Service Officers. Specifically, it modifies Section 5 of Chapter 115 to require that a veteran must have resided in the Commonwealth for at least one day before applying for benefits, and any dependent of a veteran must have their veteran continuously reside in the Commonwealth for three years prior to the dependent's application. The bill also replaces Section 6 of Chapter 115, establishing that applications for veteran's benefits are handled by the local Veteran's Service Officer (VSO) in the city or town where the veteran or dependent lives. The VSO is then responsible for certifying specific information to the Commonwealth for direct payment, including recipient names, benefit amounts, reasons for granting benefits, dates of residency, and details about the veteran's service and the dependent's relationship to them.