Show YN Veterans News t v Less than half halt of the widows of veterans who died of service- service connected causes before Jan 1 I 1957 have applied for the new Increased dependents' dependents ton lion payments authorized by the Servicemen's and Veterans' Veterans Survivor Survivor Sur Sur- Benefits Act effective Jan I I 1957 Veterans Administration has las announced These widows may elect to re receive receive receive re- re the new payments or to con con- under the old death compensation com corn p whichever U is t the higher Inmost eases cues the nest new act provides pro pro- vides vide for tor higher payments Application tl n cards eartH have b been n sent to widows who may maybe maybe maybe be for tor Increased pay menu ments Application for tot the higher payments must be made by the widow even though she is already alread on VA compensation rolls roll If tf the widow Is 18 eligible for an Increased monthly payment under the new law VA said such auch payments pay menU meats will be made retroactive to Jan 1 I 1957 1951 provided she applies by July 1 I 1957 1951 With certain exceptions ex ex- ex exceptions applications received atter after at af ter July 1 will be effective as of ot the day they are received The benefit will be paid at the monthly rate of plus 12 per percent percent percent cent of the basic monthly pay now being received by a serviceman serviceman serviceman service service- man whose rank and years of at service are the same as those of or orthe the deceased veteran VA pointed out ut Computing the benefit on the current military pay avoids In Inequities Inequities Inequities In- In equities In the case of or widows of veterans who died or were separated sep sop when military pay scales were lower than they are at present present pres pres- ent VA explained Widows making application for tor forthe forthe the new benefit who would re receive receive receive re- re more under the old laws will be advised by VA against the wrong choice of payment However If It a widow falls to apply for the new benefit she shel sheI will continue to receive death l I compensation at the same rate as asIn asIn asin in the past even though she might be eligible for Increased payments under the new law |