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• Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) and Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) Programs [October 1, 2018]

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  "The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program provides cash benefits to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers; firefighters; employees of emergency management agencies; and members of emergency medical services agencies who are killed orpermanently and totally disabled as the result of personal injuries sustained in the line of duty. The Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) program, a component of the PSOB program, provides higher-education assistance to the children and spouses of public safety officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2018-10-01
• Respirable Crystalline Silica in the Workplace: New Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards [January 16, 2018]

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  "On March 25, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the Department of Labor (DOL) published new standards regulating exposure to crystalline silica in the workplace. Under the new standards, the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for crystalline silica is to be reduced to 50 μg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter of air). Employers are to be required to monitor crystalline silica exposure if workplace levels may exceed 25 μg/m3 for at least 30 days in a year and provide medical monitoring to employees in those workplaces. In the case of construction workers, medical monitoring is required only if the new standards require workers to wear respirators for at least 30 days in a year. Construction industry employers are exempt from the PEL and exposure monitoring requirements if they comply with the engineering controls and work practices specified in the new standards. The new standards are scheduled to be phased in over the next five years, beginning June 23, 2017, with different implementation dates for construction, general industry, and hydraulic fracturing (fracking). OSHA projects that the new crystalline silica standards will prevent 642 deaths per year, costing employers just over $1 billion annually. The net monetary benefits of the new standards are projected to be $7.6 billion annually based on reduced mortality and morbidity related to exposure to crystalline silica."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2018-01-16
• Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA): Overview of Workers' Compensation for Certain Private-Sector Maritime Workers [January 5, 2018]

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  From the Document: "The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal workers' compensation program that covers certain private-sector maritime workers. Firms that employ these workers are required to purchase workers' compensation or self-insure and are responsible for providing medical and disability benefits to covered workers who are injured or become ill on the job and survivors benefits to the families of covered workers who die on the job. The LHWCA is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL), and all benefit costs are paid by employers and their insurance carriers. In 2015, more than $1.4 billion in LHWCA benefits were paid to beneficiaries. Congress has extended the LHWCA provisions to cover workers outside of the maritime industry, such as overseas government contractors and civilian employees of military post exchanges. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), persons who repair recreational vessels of any size were added to the LHWCA exemption list. In 2011, the DOL implemented this provision; since then, those regulations have proven controversial and numerous bills have been introduced to modify the regulatory definition to increase the number of workers exempted from the LHWCA. The LHWCA pays for all medical care associated with a covered injury or illness. Disability benefits are based on a worker's pre-injury wage, and, unlike comparable state workers' compensation benefits, are adjusted annually to reflect national wage growth."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2018-01-05
• Workers' Compensation: Overview and Issues [October 18, 2017]

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  "Workers' compensation provides cash and medical benefits to workers who are injured or become ill in the course of their employment and provides benefits to the survivors of workers killed on the job. Benefits are provided without regard to fault and are the exclusive remedy for workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Nearly all workers in the United States are covered by workers' compensation. With the exception of federal employees and some small groups of private-sector employees covered by federal law, workers compensation is provided by a network of state programs. In general, employers purchase insurance to provide for workers' compensation benefits. [...] Recently, concerns have been raised over what some allege are cuts to state workers' compensation benefits or policy changes that make it harder for workers to receive benefits. These cuts and policy changes may be shifting some of the costs associated with workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths away from the employer and to the employee or social programs, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Medicare. There is no federal requirement for states to have workers' compensation systems and no minimum federal standards for state systems. The decentralized nature of workers' compensation led to unsuccessful calls for minimum state standards in the early 1970s and has caused concerns over benefit equity among the states today."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2017-10-18
• Confederate Symbols: Relation to Federal Lands and Programs [September 20, 2017]

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  "The iconography of the Confederate states in the U.S. Civil War is a contested part of American historical memory. Confederate flags, statues, plaques, and similar memorials have been valued historical symbols for some Americans, but for others have symbolized oppression and discrimination. Further, Confederate symbols have sometimes been associated with violent confrontations and hate crimes in the United States, including in recent years. Recent prominent incidents in which Confederate symbols were invoked--in particular, the June 2015 shooting deaths of nine people in a historically black church in Charleston, SC, and violence at an August 2017 rally in Charlottesville, VA--have led to renewed consideration of the presence of Confederate symbols in public spaces. Some local and state governments have elected to remove Confederate statues, flags, and other symbols from places of public prominence."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Comay, Laura B.; Szymendera, Scott; Torreon, Barbara Salazar . . .

  2017-09-20
• Executive Branch Legislative Proposals Affecting Veterans Benefits in the FY2018 Budget [September 12, 2017]

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  From the Document: "The FY2018 Budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contains two legislative proposals which, if enacted, would affect disability and other types of cash benefits payable by the VA to certain veterans. These proposals would affect both current and future beneficiaries. The proposal to restrict eligibility for Individual Unemployability (IU) would reduce the monthly benefits of affected veterans and the proposed changed to the calculation of the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) would reduce the annual growth in benefits. Savings from both proposals would be used to partially offset costs associated with the Veterans Choice Program."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2017-09-12
• Respirable Crystalline Silica in the Workplace: New Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards [May 31, 2017]

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  "On March 25, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the Department of Labor (DOL) published new standards regulating exposure to crystalline silica in the workplace. Under the new standards, the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for crystalline silica will be reduced to 50 μg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter of air). Employers will be required to monitor crystalline silica exposure if workplace levels may exceed 25 μg/m3 for at least 30 days in a year and provide medical monitoring to employees in those workplaces. In the case of construction workers, medical monitoring is required only if the new standards require workers to wear respirators for at least 30 days in a year. Construction industry employers are exempt from the PEL and exposure monitoring requirements if they comply with the engineering controls and work practices specified in the new standards. The new standards are scheduled to be phased in over the next five years, beginning June 23, 2017, with different implementation dates for construction, general industry, and hydraulic fracturing (fracking). OSHA projects that the new crystalline silica standards will prevent 642 deaths per year, costing employers just over $1 billion annually. The net monetary benefits of the new standards are projected to be $7.6 billion annually based on reduced mortality and morbidity related to exposure to crystalline silica."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2017-05-31
• Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA): Compensation Related to Exposure to Radiation from Atomic Weapons Testing and Uranium Mining [May 18, 2017]

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  "The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) provides one-time benefit payments to persons who may have developed cancer or other specified diseases after being exposed to radiation from atomic weapons testing or uranium mining, milling, or transporting. Administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ), RECA has awarded nearly $2 billion in benefits to more than 30,000 claimants since its inception in 1990. The RECA program is scheduled to sunset in 2022."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2017-05-18
• Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Workers' Compensation for Federal Employees [April 26, 2017]

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  "The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) is the workers' compensation program for federal employees. Like all workers' compensation programs, FECA pays disability, survivors, and medical benefits, without fault, to employees who are injured or become ill in the course of their federal employment and the survivors of employees killed on the job. The FECA program is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the costs of benefits are paid by each employee's host agency. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees currently comprise the largest group of FECA beneficiaries and are responsible for the largest share of FECA benefits. [...] This report also focuses on several key policy issues facing the program, including the disproportionate share of claims and program costs attributed to postal workers, the payment of FECA benefits after retirement age, the overall level of FECA disability benefits as compared with those offered by the states, the administration of the FECA program, and the costs associated with prescriptions for compounded medications."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2017-04-26
• Workers' Compensation: Overview and Issues [April 20, 2017]

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  "Workers' compensation provides cash and medical benefits to workers who are injured or become ill in the course of their employment and provides benefits to the survivors of workers killed on the job. Benefits are provided without regard to fault and are the exclusive remedy for workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Nearly all workers in the United States are covered by workers' compensation. With the exception of federal employees and some small groups of private-sector employees covered by federal law, workers compensation is provided by a network of state programs. In general, employers purchase insurance to provide for workers' compensation benefits. Workers' compensation has been called a grand bargain between employers and workers that developed at the beginning of the 20Th century in response to dissatisfaction with the tort system as a method of compensating workers for occupational injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Under this grand bargain, workers receive guaranteed, no-fault benefits for injuries, illnesses, and deaths, but forfeit their rights to sue their employers. Employers receive protection from lawsuits but must provide benefits regardless of fault. Recently, concerns have been raised over what some allege are cuts to state workers' compensation benefits or policy changes that make it harder for workers to receive the benefits they deserve. These cuts and policy changes may be shifting some of the costs associated with workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths away from the employer and to the employee or social programs, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Medicare."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2017-04-20
• Gun Control, Mental Incompetency, and Social Security Administration Final Rule [February 13, 2017]

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  "On February 2, 2017, the House of Representatives passed a Congressional Review Act disapproval resolution (H.J.Res. 40) to overturn a final rule promulgated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding implementation of firearms restrictions for certain persons. [...] If enacted, the disapproval joint resolution would not allow the SSA final rule to take effect. The joint resolution would also bar the SSA from promulgating any rule in the future that would be 'substantially the same' as the disapproved rule unless the agency received a new statutory authorization to do so. On January 30, 2017, Senator Charles Grassley introduced a similar disapproval resolution (S.J.Res. 14). The matter awaits Senate consideration."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Krouse, William J.; Szymendera, Scott; Morton, William R.

  2017-02-13
• Gun Control, Mental Incompetency, and Social Security Administration Final Rule [February 2, 2017]

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  "The House of Representatives has scheduled floor consideration of a Congressional Review Act disapproval resolution (H.J.Res. 40) to overturn a final rule promulgated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding implementation of firearms restrictions for certain persons. The rule implements provisions of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (NIAA) on reporting requirements for any federal agency holding records on persons prohibited from possessing firearms. NIAA mandates that agencies must share those records with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for inclusion in a computer index accessible to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). As described below, some of these prohibiting records are based upon findings of 'mental incompetency' made during certain federal benefits claims processes administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) since 1998 and the SSA beginning in December 2017. [...] Pursuant to both the Brady Act and NIAA, the SSA final rule specifies the conditions under which individuals are to be reported for inclusion in the NICS index as Social Security or SSI disability beneficiaries who are too mentally incompetent to be trusted with firearms or ammunition. The rule also outlines SSA's process for notifying affected individuals as well as an administrative appeals process under which such individuals may request relief from the federal firearms prohibitions. The final rule became effective on January 18, 2017; however, compliance is not required until December 19, 2017."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Krouse, William J.; Szymendera, Scott; Morton, William R.

  2017-02-02
• Display of the Confederate Flag at Federal Cemeteries in the United States [August 31, 2016]

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  "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the National Park Service (NPS), and the Department of the Army all administer federal cemeteries that sometimes display the Confederate flag. There are 147 national cemeteries in the United States. The VA, through its National Cemetery Administration (NCA), administers 131 cemeteries. The Army, in the Department of Defense (DOD), administers 2 national cemeteries, Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery. Another 14 national cemeteries are maintained by the NPS, in the Department of the Interior. In addition, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) operates 25 American military cemeteries in 16 foreign countries. The NPS, the VA, and the Army all have policies concerning the Confederate flag's display. Following the June 17, 2015, shooting deaths of nine people in a historically black church in Charleston, SC [South Carolina], the display of Confederate flags at federal cemeteries came under scrutiny."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Comay, Laura B.; Szymendera, Scott

  2016-08-31
• Workers' Compensation: Overview and Issues [August 3, 3016]

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  "Workers' compensation provides cash and medical benefits to workers who are injured or become ill in the course of their employment and provides benefits to the survivors of workers killed on the job. Benefits are provided without regard to fault and are the exclusive remedy for workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Nearly all workers in the United States are covered by workers' compensation. With the exception of federal employees and some small groups of private-sector employees covered by federal law, workers compensation is provided by a network of state programs. In general, employers purchase insurance to provide for workers' compensation benefits. Workers' compensation has been called a grand bargain between employers and workers that developed at the beginning of the 20th century in response to dissatisfaction with the tort system as a method of compensating workers for occupational injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Under this grant bargain, workers' receive guaranteed, no-fault benefits for injuries, illnesses, and deaths, but forfeit their rights to sue their employers. Employers receive protection from lawsuits but must provide benefits regardless of fault. Recently, concerns have been raised over what some allege are cuts to state workers' compensation benefits or policy changes that make it harder for workers to receive the benefits they deserve. These cuts and policy changes may be shifting some of the costs associated with workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths away from the employer and to the employee or social programs, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Medicare."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2016-08-03
• Display of the Confederate Flag at Federal Cemeteries in the United States [June 23, 2016]

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  "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the National Park Service (NPS), and the Department of the Army all administer federal cemeteries that sometimes display the Confederate flag. There are 147 national cemeteries in the United States. The VA, through its National Cemetery Administration (NCA), administers 131 cemeteries. The Army, in the Department of Defense (DOD), administers 2 national cemeteries, Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery. Another 14 national cemeteries are maintained by the NPS, in the Department of the Interior. In addition, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) operates 25 American military cemeteries in 16 foreign countries. The NPS, the VA, and the Army all have policies concerning the Confederate flag's display. Following the June 17, 2015, shooting deaths of nine people in a historically black church in Charleston, SC [South Carolina], the display of Confederate flags at federal cemeteries came under scrutiny."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Comay, Laura B.; Szymendera, Scott

  2016-06-23
• OSHA State Plans: In Brief, with Examples from California and Arizona [June 3, 2016]

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  "The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) authorizes states to establish their own occupational safety and health plans and preempt standards established and enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA must approve state plans if they are "at least as effective" as OSHA's standards and enforcement. Currently, 21 states and Puerto Rico have state plans that cover all employers, whereas 5 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands have state plans that cover only state and local government employers, who are not covered by the OSH Act. OSHA estimates that 40% of all American workers are covered by state occupational safety and health plans. California's state plan includes specific standards designed to protect workers against heat illness despite OSHA not having a federal heat illness standard, exemplifying a state plan that goes beyond OSHA's standards. In contrast, recent legislation enacted in Arizona creates a residential construction fall protection standard that OSHA has determined is not as effective as the federal standard and has been formally rejected by OSHA, putting the approval of Arizona's state occupational safety and health plan into potential jeopardy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2016-06-03
• Who Is a 'Veteran'? Basic Eligibility for Veterans' Benefits [May 25, 2016]

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  From the summary: "The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a broad range of benefits to U.S. Armed Forces veterans and certain members of their families. Among these benefits are various types of financial assistance, including monthly cash payments to disabled veterans, health care, education, and housing. Basic criteria must be met to be eligible to receive any of the benefits administered by the VA. This report examines the basic eligibility criteria for VA administered veterans' benefits, including the issue of eligibility of members of the National Guard and reserve components. For a former servicemember to receive certain VA benefits, the person must have active U.S. military service for a minimum period of time, generally the lesser of the full period ordered to active duty or 24 months, and be discharged 'under conditions other than dishonorable.' Some members of the National Guard and reserve components have difficulty meeting the active duty and length of service requirements. However, a member of the National Guard or reserve components who is activated for federal military service and meets the length of service requirement is considered a veteran for purposes of VA benefits. The Secretary of Defense may determine that service for the Armed Forces by a group of civilians or contractors will be considered active service, allowing members of those groups to be considered veterans for purposes of VA benefits. Such determinations, authorized by the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-202), have been made only for groups involved in World War I and World War II."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2016-05-25
• Military Funeral Honors for Veterans [May 25, 2016]

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  From the summary: "Eligible veterans are entitled to receive military honors at their funerals. Federal law, enacted in 1999 (P.L. 105-261) and amended in 2000 (P.L. 106-65) provides that each eligible veteran shall be provided, at minimum, (1) a two-person funeral honors detail, (2) the playing of taps, and (3) the folding and presentation of a U.S. flag to the family. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issues these honors at no cost to the veteran's family. These honors can be augmented to include color guards, pallbearers, and firing parties provided either by the military or civilians in approved veterans or other organizations. Funeral honors at Arlington National Cemetery include additional elements according to the rank of the deceased. Persons involved in capital crimes are ineligible for military funeral honors. In 1997, Congress began prohibiting interment and inurnment in national cemeteries and military funeral honors for persons involved in federal or state capital crimes. In 2006, Congress passed a law (P.L. 109-461) ordering the cremated remains of a veteran who had been convicted of two counts of murder be removed from Arlington National Cemetery. In 2013, pursuant to the Supreme Court's decision in 'United States v. Windsor', same-sex spouses of eligible veterans became eligible for interment and inurnment in national cemeteries. Legislation enacted in 2016 (P.L. 114-158) permits civilians granted veterans status under federal law, such as Women's Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs), to be inurned in the Columbarium or Niche Wall at Arlington National Cemetery."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2016-05-25
• Display of the Confederate Flag at Federal Cemeteries in the United States [May 20, 2016]

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  In this CRS (Congressional Research Service) report, the policies of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the National Park Service (NPS), and the Department of the Army in regards to displaying the confederate flag are discussed. "The NPS, the VA, and the Army all have policies concerning the Confederate flag's display. Following the June 17, 2015, shooting deaths of nine people in a historically black church in Charleston, SC, the display of Confederate flags at federal cemeteries came under scrutiny." The report discusses in detail the policies of the three federal agencies and concludes with the changes in legislation following the June 2015 shootings.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Comay, Laura B.; Szymendera, Scott

  2016-05-20
• Display of the Confederate Flag at Federal Cemeteries in the United States [May 4, 2016]

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  "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the National Park Service (NPS), and the Department of the Army all administer federal cemeteries that sometimes display the Confederate flag. There are 147 national cemeteries in the United States. The VA, through its National Cemetery Administration (NCA), administers 131 cemeteries. The Army, in the Department of Defense (DOD), administers 2 national cemeteries, Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery. Another 14 national cemeteries are maintained by the NPS, in the Department of the Interior. In addition, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) operates 25 American military cemeteries in 16 foreign countries. The NPS, the VA, and the Army all have policies concerning the Confederate flag's display. Following the June 17, 2015, shooting deaths of nine people in a historically black church in Charleston, SC [South Carolina], the display of Confederate flags at federal cemeteries came under scrutiny."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Comay, Laura B.; Szymendera, Scott

  2016-05-04
• Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Workers' Compensation for Federal Employees [March 18, 2016]

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  "The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) is the workers' compensation program for federal employees. Like all workers' compensation programs, FECA pays disability, survivors, and medical benefits, without fault, to employees who are injured or become ill in the course of their federal employment and the survivors of employees killed on the job. The FECA program is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the costs of benefits are paid by each employee's host agency. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees currently comprise the largest group of FECA beneficiaries and are responsible for the largest share of FECA benefits. […] This report also focuses on several key policy issues facing the program, including the disproportionate share of claims and program costs attributed to postal workers, the payment of FECA benefits after retirement age, the overall level of FECA disability benefits as compared with those offered by the states, and the administration of the FECA program."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2016-03-18
• Veterans' Benefits: Burial Benefits and National Cemeteries [March 11, 2016]

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  "Burial benefits are nonmonetary and monetary benefits that eligible veterans receive for their military service. Servicemembers and veterans have been provided nonmonetary burial benefits since the Civil War and monetary burial benefits since World War I. Eligible veterans and active duty members of the Armed Forces can be interred in national cemeteries and can receive government-furnished headstones or markers, and in their honor, next of kin can receive presidential memorial certificates and burial flags. Their spouses or surviving spouses, minor children, and, under certain conditions, unmarried adult children may also be buried in national cemeteries. [...] This report provides a descriptive analysis of both nonmonetary and monetary burial benefits and national cemeteries."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2016-03-11
• Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Workers' Compensation for Federal Employees [September 16, 2015]

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  "The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) is the workers' compensation program for federal employees. Like all workers' compensation programs, FECA pays disability, survivors, and medical benefits, without fault, to employees who are injured or become ill in the course of their federal employment and the survivors of employees killed on the job. The FECA program is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the costs of benefits are paid by each employee's host agency. Employees of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) currently comprise the largest group of FECA beneficiaries and are responsible for the largest share of FECA benefits. […] This report also focuses on several key policy issues facing the program, including the disproportionate share of claims and program costs attributed to postal workers, the payment of FECA benefits after retirement age, the overall level of FECA disability benefits as compared with those offered by the states, and the administration of the FECA program. The modern FECA program can trace its roots to 1916 but has not been significantly amended since 1974. A legislative history of the FECA program is provided in the Appendix."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2015-09-16
• Veterans' Benefits: Pension Benefit Programs [September 9, 2015]

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  "This report discusses selected veteran pension programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): [1] The Improved Disability Pension makes payments to certain low-income veterans. In FY2013, the program paid an average benefit of about $11,300 to about 310,000 beneficiaries. [2] The Improved Death Pension makes payments to certain low-income spouses or children of deceased veterans. In FY2013, the program paid an average benefit of about $7,000 to about 210,000 beneficiaries. [3] The Medal of Honor Pension makes payments to veterans who were awarded the Medal of Honor. Fewer than 100 veterans qualify for that pension. This report also discusses the eligibility criteria and current benefit levels of these programs and provides data on the number of pension beneficiaries and average annual benefit amounts for FY1999 through FY2013."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Davis, Carol D.; Szymendera, Scott

  2015-09-09
• Who Is a 'Veteran'? - Basic Eligibility for Veteran's Benefits [August 19, 2015]

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  "The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a broad range of benefits to U.S. Armed Forces veterans and certain members of their families. Among these benefits are various types of financial assistance, including monthly cash payments to disabled veterans, health care, education, and housing. Basic criteria must be met to be eligible to receive any of the benefits administered by the VA. This report examines the basic eligibility criteria for VA administered veterans' benefits, including the issue of eligibility of members of the National Guard and reserve components. For a former service-member to receive certain VA benefits, the person must have active U.S. military service for a minimum period of time, generally the lesser of the full period ordered to active duty or 24 months, and be discharged 'under conditions other than dishonorable.' Some members of the National Guard and reserve components have difficulty meeting the active duty and length of service requirements. However, a member of the National Guard or reserve components who is activated for federal military service and meets the length of service requirement is considered a veteran for purposes of VA benefits. The Secretary of Defense may determine that service for the Armed Forces by a group of civilians or contractors will be considered active service, allowing members of those groups to be considered veterans for purposes of VA benefits. Such determinations, authorized by the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977 […], have been made only for groups involved in World War I and World War II."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2015-08-19
• Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA): Compensation Related to Exposure to Radiation from Atomic Weapons Testing and Uranium Mining [March 24, 2015]

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  "The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) provides one-time benefit payments to persons who may have developed cancer or other specified diseases after being exposed to radiation from atomic weapons testing or uranium mining, milling, or transporting. Administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ), RECA has awarded nearly $2 billion in benefits to more than 30,000 claimants since its inception in 1990. The RECA program is scheduled to sunset in 2022. RECA benefits are available to the following groups: [1] onsite participants--$75,000 to persons who participated onsite in the atmospheric test of an atomic weapon and developed one of the types of cancers specified in the statute; [2] downwinders--$50,000 to persons who were present in one of the specified areas near the Nevada Test Site during a period of atmospheric atomic weapons testing and developed one of the types of cancers specified in the statute; and [3] uranium miners, millers, and ore transporters--$100,000 to persons who worked in mining, milling, or transportation of uranium between 1942 and 1971 and developed one of the types of diseases specified in the statute. The RECA statute was last amended in 2000. Since then, Congress has frequently considered legislation to expand the downwinder-eligibility area by making persons who were affected in other states during periods of atmospheric atomic weapons testing eligible for benefits and by allowing uranium miners, millers, and ore transporters to qualify for benefits based on work after 1971."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2015-03-24
• Social Security Administration (SSA): Budget Issues [February 23, 2015]

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  "The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Special Benefits for Certain World War II Veterans programs that affect the lives of nearly every American family. These programs pay out more than $900 billion in annual federal benefits. Program benefit costs are considered mandatory spending not subject to annual appropriations. The SSA requires annual discretionary appropriations to administer these programs and to provide support to the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The President's FY2015 budget request for the SSA's administrative expenses, referred to as the limitation on administrative expenses (LAE) account, was $12.0 billion. The FY2015 appropriation for the SSA's LAE account as enacted on December 16, 2015, by P.L. [Public Law] 113-235, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, is $11.8 billion. This report provides an overview of the SSA's mandatory spending but largely focuses on discretionary appropriations for the agency's administrative expenses. The size of the annual appropriations for administrative expenses affects the agency's ability to effectively administer the SSA's benefit programs and conduct program integrity activities designed to ensure that only eligible persons receive federal benefits."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2015-02-23
• Regulation of Fertilizers: Ammonium Nitrate and Anhydrous Ammonia [July 31, 2013]

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  "The explosion on April 17, 2013, at the West Fertilizer Company fertilizer distribution facility in West, TX, has led to questions about the oversight and regulation of agricultural fertilizer. Facilities holding chemicals must comply with regulations attempting to ensure occupational safety, environmental protection, and homeland security. In addition to federal regulation requiring reporting and planning for ammonium nitrate and anhydrous ammonia, most state and some local governments have laws and regulations regarding the handling of either or both of these chemicals. The West Fertilizer Company possessed a variety of agricultural chemicals at its retail facility, but policy interest has focused on two chemicals: ammonium nitrate and anhydrous ammonia. Ammonium nitrate is a solid that can be used as a fertilizer, a use that generally occurs without incident. In combination with a fuel source and certain conditions, such as added heat or shock, confinement, or contamination, ammonium nitrate can pose an explosion hazard. Such accidents have rarely occurred, but have historically had high impacts. For example, the ammonium nitrate explosion in 1947 in Texas City, TX, where two ships carrying ammonium nitrate coated in wax and stored in paper bags caught fire and exploded, destroyed the entire dock area, including numerous oil tanks, dwellings, and business buildings. The bomb used in 1995 to attack the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, OK, contained ammonium nitrate as a component of its explosives."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Shea, Dana A.; Schierow, Linda-Jo; Szymendera, Scott

  2013-07-31
• Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Workers' Compensation for Federal Employees [June 4, 2013]

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  "The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) is the workers' compensation program for federal employees. Like all workers' compensation programs, FECA pays disability, survivors, and medical benefits, without fault, to employees who are injured or become ill in the course of their federal employment and the survivors of employees killed on the job. The FECA program is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the costs of benefits are paid by each employee's host agency. Employees of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) currently comprise the largest group of FECA beneficiaries and are responsible for the largest share of FECA benefits. Elements of the FECA program include [1] basic disability benefits equal to two-thirds of an injured worker's pre-disability wage, which rises to 75% of the pre-disability wage if the worker has any dependents; [2] disability benefits that continue for the duration of disability or the life of the beneficiary and in cases of traumatic injuries, beneficiaries can receive a continuation of their full pay for the first 45 days; [3] disability benefits for persons with specific permanent partial disabilities, such as the loss of a limb, for a set number weeks provided by schedules set by statute and regulation; [4] all medical costs associated with covered conditions without any copayments, cost-sharing, or use of private insurance by the beneficiaries; [5] cash benefits for the survivors of employees killed on the job based on the worker's wages and a modest benefit for funeral costs; and [6] vocational rehabilitation services to assist beneficiaries in returning to work. This report also focuses on several key policy issues facing the program, including the disproportionate share of claims and program costs attributed to postal workers, the payment of FECA benefits after retirement age, the overall level of FECA disability benefits as compared with those offered by the states, and the administration of the FECA program."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Szymendera, Scott

  2013-06-04
• Regulation of Fertilizers: Ammonium Nitrate and Anhydrous Ammonia [May 14, 2013]

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  "The explosion on April 17, 2013, at the West Fertilizer Company fertilizer distribution facility in West, TX, has led to questions about the oversight and regulation of agricultural fertilizer. Facilities holding chemicals must comply with regulations attempting to ensure occupational safety, environmental protection, and homeland security. In addition to federal regulation requiring reporting and planning for ammonium nitrate and anhydrous ammonia, most state and some local governments have laws and regulations regarding the handling of either or both of these chemicals. The West Fertilizer Company possessed a variety of agricultural chemicals at its retail facility, but policy interest has focused on two chemicals: ammonium nitrate and anhydrous ammonia. Ammonium nitrate is a solid that is primarily used as a fertilizer whose use generally occurs without incident. In combination with a fuel source and certain conditions, such as added heat or shock, confinement, or contamination, ammonium nitrate can pose an explosion hazard. Such accidents have rarely occurred, but have historically had high impacts. For example, the ammonium nitrate explosion in 1947 in Texas City, TX, where two ships carrying ammonium nitrate caught fire and exploded, destroyed the entire dock area, including numerous oil tanks, dwellings, and business buildings. The bomb used in 1995 to attack the Murrah Federal Building contained ammonium nitrate as a component of its explosives."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Shea, Dana A.; Schierow, Linda-Jo; Szymendera, Scott

  2013-05-14