Rep. Wong secures language to help communities establish relief funds for local veterans

Representative Donald Wong (R-Saugus) has secured language in an omnibus veterans bill allowing cities and towns to establish special funds to support the needs of local veterans and their families. Included in the Housing, Operations, Military Service and Enrichment (HOME) Act that passed the House of Representatives on July 7, Representative Wong’s proposal gives municipalities the option of creating a relief fund to assist local veterans and their spouses who are in need of immediate assistance with their food, transportation, heat and oil expenses. Residents will be able to donate to this fund through a voluntary check-off box on their municipal real estate and excise tax forms. “As Americans, we are forever indebted to our veterans for their service to our country,” said Representative Wong. “Giving communities the option to establish a veterans relief fund is a great way to express our thanks to our servicemen and women for the many sacrifices they have made on behalf of our state and our nation.” The local option provisions included in the HOME Act are modeled after recent veterans legislation sponsored by Representative Wong on behalf of the towns of Wakefield and Saugus. Legislation authorizing the establishment of a tax check-off to support the Wakefield Veterans Memorial and Patriotic Celebration Fund was enacted in 2014 and signed into law on January 2, 2015. On April 28, 2016 Governor Baker signed into law a bill authorizing a similar check-off option for donations to support the Saugus Veterans Relief Fund. Under the HOME Act, when a community chooses to create a veterans relief fund, the local veterans’ services department will be responsible for overseeing the distribution of funds. In addition to establishing an application process for veterans and their dependents to access assistance, the veterans’ services department will also set standards for documenting an individual’s veteran status and develop criteria for determining an applicant’s financial eligibility and level of need. “The best part about this program is that all of the money raised will be kept locally and used to serve local veterans,” said Representative Wong. The HOME Act, which has also been approved by the Senate, now heads to Governor Baker’s desk for his review and signature.