Filipino-American Vets Still Awaiting Payment

Week of August 17, 2009

Hundreds of Filipino-American World War II veterans in Hawaii waiting for lump-sum payments are frustrated over delays caused by a staff shortage. Members of the WWII Filipino-American Veterans-Hawaii Chapter are calling for the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to accelerate the process, saying months have passed after they were expected to receive their checks. President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009, which authorized the release of a one-time, lump-sum payment to Philippine WWII veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces in WWII. For more information on VA benefits for Filipino veterans, visit the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) website at http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/filipvet.asp.