NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A2866B
SPONSOR: McDonald (MS) TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the executive law, in relation to
providing for an increase in the rates of annuities payable to veterans
and surviving spouses of veterans
PURPOSE:
To provide an increase in the base sum of the blind annuity and to clar-
ify that the formula for the annual increase is to take into account the
latest federal increase for veterans' annuities.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Amends section 362 of the Executive Law, to increase the initial sum
payable to blind veterans and to establish a formula for the annual
increase in annuity payments which considers the benefit increase
amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act (42 USC 401 et
seq.).
EXISTING LAW:
Section 362 of the Executive Law established the blind annuity to begin
at a rate of $1000 with an annual adjustment. As of 2017 blind veterans
received one thousand three hundred sixty-eight dollars.
JUSTIFICATION:
The blind annuity was first established in 1923 and was last updated in
2004. It provides a yearly payment for legally blind New York State
wartime veterans or their surviving un-remarried spouses. As of 2017,
the annual annuity for blind veterans was $1368. In order to better
support our blind veterans and their families, this bill raises the base
amount of the annuity to $1500 and clarifies that the formula for annual
increase consider the cost of living increase established for veteran
benefits by the federal government on December 1, 2015. This legislation
was asked for by the National Marine Corps League and the New York State
Council of Veterans Organizations.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.1200A (2015-16) passed Senate.
S.6680A (2014) passed Senate.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Per the New York Division of Veterans Affairs, the estimated fiscal
impact would be $520,344 for the first year after enactment.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.
