Back in March of 2023, I published a video titled “The Government is Trying to Reduce Your VA Benefits.” At the time, I got a lot of flak from keyboard warriors who accused me of fear-mongering and spreading clickbait. They said these VA budget cuts would never happen. Well, here we go again.
On December 12, 2024, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) proposed cutting veterans’ disability compensation by 30% at age 67. These proposed VA budget cuts have sparked strong opposition for several reasons, and we need to spread the word. Call your Congressperson, write them, do whatever it takes to tell them: “Hands off my VA benefits!”
Why The Proposed VA Budget Cuts Are Wrong
First and foremost, veterans were promised benefits. You were told, “Sign up, fight for your country, and we will take care of you if you’re hurt or disabled.” Now, the government is trying to backtrack on that promise with the proposed VA budget cuts. That is unacceptable. You sacrificed for your country, and now they want to cut your benefits in old age? That is a violation of trust and an erosion of the commitment made to veterans.
Ronald Reagan famously said, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” If this proposal goes through, those words will ring truer than ever. If someone from the government tells you to trust them, you’d better run in the opposite direction!
Financial Hardship for Aging Veterans
VA budget cuts for Veterans older than 67 will cause tremendous financial hardship. Disabled veterans already face higher costs than the average person. Medical equipment, specialized care, and other necessities make daily life more expensive. Many disabled veterans rely solely on their disability benefits to survive, as their service-related injuries prevent them from working.
Let me ask you a simple question: Do healthcare costs go down as you age? Of course not! They go up. So why would the CBO propose VA budget cuts for older veterans that need them the most? Healthcare costs are rising faster than inflation, and slashing benefits will only lead to financial instability and stress for disabled veterans.
Compensation vs. Social Security
The CBO is making a flawed comparison between disability compensation and Social Security retirement benefits. Social Security is based on wages earned, while VA compensation is an award given to those injured in service. The two are completely different.
The CBO argues that at age 67, veterans should transition to Social Security, just like other retirees. But that logic doesn’t hold up. VA benefits aren’t just another paycheck—they are compensation for service-related injuries. Shifting veterans to Social Security means pushing them into a system that is already facing financial difficulties. Social Security is expected to run out of surplus funds by 2034. So, why would we shift veterans into a system that might not be able to support them?
The Ripple Effect on Support Systems
If these VA budget cuts go through, they will create a domino effect. Veterans who lose 30% of their compensation will turn to Social Security. Then, when Social Security faces cuts, those same veterans will be forced to rely on Medicaid, food assistance, and other government aid programs. Instead of fixing a problem, the CBO is just kicking the can down the road and burdening already strained systems.
Mental Health and Suicide Risk
Another overlooked consequence of these VA budget cuts is the impact on mental health. Many disabled veterans suffer from PTSD, depression, and other service-related mental health conditions. Financial stress from benefit cuts will only exacerbate these issues, leading to higher suicide rates and mental health crises.
Does the CBO really want to increase hardship for veterans who are already struggling? The answer is clear—this proposal is dangerous and unjust.
Disproportionate Impact on Low-Income Veterans
Low-income and disabled veterans will suffer the most from these VA budget cuts. Unlike wealthier individuals with retirement savings or private pensions, many disabled veterans rely entirely on their VA compensation. Reducing these benefits would force them into poverty and unnecessary hardship.
The Veterans Community Must Take Action
Veterans have done so much for this country, and many continue to serve their communities through volunteering, mentoring, and advocacy. Cutting benefits would not only hurt individuals but also weaken the entire veteran support network. Organizations like Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars are already fighting back, but lawmakers need to hear from you.
This is not a Republican vs. Democrat issue. It’s about standing together as a veterans’ community. When you were in the military, you didn’t care about political parties—you cared about the soldier next to you. Now, we need to stand up for each other again and fight these proposed cuts.
Where the Money Should Come From
Instead of cutting veterans’ benefits, why not address government waste? In 2023, the VA reported $3.2 billion in improper payments, including overpayments, underpayments, and payments lacking documentation. That money alone could cover benefits instead of slashing them.
Other areas of waste include:
- Fraudulent Claims: Veterans lost almost $300 million to scams in 2022.
- Billing Fraud by Non-VA Providers: Nearly $40 million in fraudulent medical billing.
- Education Fraud: Over $105 million was paid to fraudulent educational institutions.
- Foreign Medical Provider Fraud: The VA lost $67 million in false claims from overseas providers.
Instead of taking money from disabled veterans, let’s go after fraudsters and tighten financial oversight!
Final Thoughts
The VA has a budget of nearly $370 billion for 2024, yet they want to cut disability compensation while allowing billions of dollars to be wasted? That’s unacceptable.
We need to make sure VA compensation remains mandatory funding so the VA can’t manipulate budgets at the expense of disabled veterans. Over 9.1 million veterans rely on VA healthcare, and 7 million veterans and their families depend on disability benefits. Cutting benefits is not an option.
So, what can you do? Call your representatives. Write letters. Spread the word. Tell them loud and clear: “Hands off my VA benefits!”
We fought for this country, and now we must fight for each other. Let’s make sure our voices are heard and stop this proposal before it becomes reality.
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