To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to ensure that certain education and workforce development benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs are treated as income by landlords evaluating the ability of a servicemember, veteran, or a spouse or child of a servicemember or veteran, to pay rent, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · November 27, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
This bill protects veterans and military families pursuing education or job training by requiring landlords to count VA education benefits as income when determining whether applicants can afford rent. The legislation applies to servicemembers, veterans, and their spouses and children who receive benefits through various VA education and training programs. Landlords in federally assisted housing programs who fail to count these benefits as income face penalties including fines and potential imprisonment of up to one year, as well as exclusion from federal rental assistance programs. The bill also requires landlords to ensure lease periods do not exceed the length of time a veteran's educational benefits are available. Additionally, the law provides a 60-day grace period before the VA can terminate education benefits for individuals who miss a single program requirement, such as a recertification appointment or class withdrawal, giving students time to correct the issue.
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