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SB-1198 Department of Veterans Affairs: publicity of benefit programs for homeless veterans.(2011-2012)

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SB1198:v96#DOCUMENT

Senate Bill No. 1198
CHAPTER 408

An act to add Section 711 to the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans.

[ Approved by Governor  September 20, 2012. Filed with Secretary of State  September 20, 2012. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 1198, Calderon. Department of Veterans Affairs: publicity of benefit programs for homeless veterans.
Existing law establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs within state government and sets forth its powers and duties, including, but not limited to, administration of veterans benefits programs.
This bill would require the department to publicize information pertaining to benefits that are available to qualified homeless veterans, including, but not limited to, the veterans pension programs administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing voucher program, and CalFresh. This bill would require the department to publicize this information using printed material, its Internet Web site, or other forms of media, as specified.
The bill would also require the information to state that veterans may receive assistance from a county veterans service office in applying for any benefits that they may be qualified to receive.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 711 is added to the Military and Veterans Code, to read:

711.
 (a) The department shall publicize information pertaining to benefit programs that are available to qualified homeless veterans, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1) The veterans pension programs administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (38 U.S.C. Sec. 1501 et seq.), especially the eligibility for those veterans who are 65 years of age or older or are permanently and totally disabled.
(2) The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing voucher program (Public Law 110-161), and any programs that assist homeless veterans in securing rental housing with that information including, to the extent possible, the information that veterans not eligible for loans under the Veterans’ Farm and Home Purchase Act of 1974, and subsequent acts, may be eligible for housing assistance under the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing voucher program.
(3) CalFresh (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code).
(b) The department shall publicize this information using any of the following methods:
(1) Printed material, including, but not limited to, flyers and posters, with the information that can be provided to county veterans service offices, homeless shelters, Veterans Affairs hospitals, and other public and private entities that come into contact with homeless veterans.
(2) On the department’s Internet Web site.
(3) Any other method that the department determines would publicize and create awareness to homeless veterans about the benefit programs available to them.
(c) The information shall also state that veterans may receive assistance from a county veterans service office in applying for any benefits that they may be qualified to receive.