It may be more than 60 years in coming, but for those who served in the Merchant Marine during World War II a new law may ease some retirement living expenses.
A Belated Thank You as the bill was titled, authorizes payments of $1,000 per month to those who served in the Merchant Marine between December 7, 1941 and Dece
mber 31, 1946.
Representative Bob Filner has made efforts to redress the concern that he has that members of the Merchant Marine did not have access to benefits that other veterans did, saying in Congress, "an increase in their Social Security and a monthly benefit to compensate for the loss of nearly a lifetime of ineligibility for the GI Bill would be of comfort and would provide some measure of security for veterans of the Merchant Marine."
While previous efforts by Filner were unsuccessful, the bill now waits for Senate approval and passage.
If the law passes, those who may benefit should apply to the office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
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