Bill Overview
Title: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for supportive services for very low-income veteran families to include former members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill makes eligible under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program former members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces who have retired or separated from service after serving a term of enlistment. This includes families in which the head of household or spouse of the head of household is a former member of a reserve component who has retired or separated from service after serving a term of enlistment.
Sponsors: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals in very low-income households with former reserve members of the Armed Forces
Estimated Size: 300000
- The bill expands eligibility for supportive services to include former members of reserve components of the Armed Forces.
- These individuals must have retired or separated from service after completing a term of enlistment.
- It targets families where either the head of household or the spouse is a former reserve member.
- There are approximately 800,000 members in the Selected Reserves, and many more in the Individual Ready Reserve; not all will be affected, only those who completed their term and face low-income issues.
- Estimating globally, reserve members exist in similarly structured forces worldwide, but the legislation is US-specific so mostly impacts US reserves.
Reasoning
- The bill targets a specific subset of individuals among reserve component members, those who have completed a term of enlistment and are now low-income.
- While reserve members number in the hundreds of thousands, not all will meet the criteria of low-income former members who completed enlistment, narrowing the target significantly.
- The budget constraints will ensure that the program supports a feasible number of families within the intended population.
- Most reserve members have other primary employment, so only a minor segment faces significant financial hardship qualifying them for this program. This will further refine the impact estimates.
- The Cantril wellbeing scores will reflect both the economic relief provided by the supportive services and any indirect enhancements in living conditions and mental well-being among eligible families.
- We will simulate varied impacts across the target group, including those experiencing significant economic hardship who will likely see higher benefits.
Simulated Interviews
Bus Driver (Kansas City, MO)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy would really help families like mine who have struggled since leaving the Guard.
- With the extra support, I could focus more on my job without worrying about my family's essentials.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Part-time Retail Worker (San Antonio, TX)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Every little bit helps when you're raising kids on one part-time income.
- This support could mean we don't have to choose between groceries or school supplies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Warehouse Manager (Rural Alabama)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This type of program provides a safety net before things reach breaking point.
- Getting some help could make future planning less daunting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Bank Teller (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Support services would reduce the stress of handling everything alone.
- I could pursue more stable hours or opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Mechanic (Buffalo, NY)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This support might actually come in use if things get tougher in the future.
- Right now we're managing, but anything could happen.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Nursing Assistant (Charlotte, NC)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With supportive services, keeping up with the mortgage would be easier.
- It would be a relief to have the VA aware of the reservists' needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Electrician (Springfield, IL)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As an entrepreneur, having baseline security through support could let me prioritize growing my business.
- It's tough right now, any help is appreciated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Chef (Miami, FL)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This program could lessen the insecurity of high living costs in Miami.
- It's nice that somebody hasn't forgotten about us after service in reserves.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired Commercial Driver (Cleveland, OH)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad they're considering reservists for benefits.
- With age, it's harder to get work, this can motivate more self-dependence.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Teacher (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Raising teenagers alone isn't easy; this would ease some of the monthly strain.
- Appreciated after putting in years of service.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Year 2: $105000000 (Low: $84000000, High: $126000000)
Year 3: $110250000 (Low: $88200000, High: $132300000)
Year 5: $121550625 (Low: $97240500, High: $145860750)
Year 10: $133116421 (Low: $106493360, High: $159739682)
Year 100: $438588311 (Low: $351294649, High: $526065973)
Key Considerations
- The significant expansion of the beneficiary base could strain resource allocation within the SSVF program, necessitating budgetary adjustments or increases.
- The long-term costs and savings depend on the successful outreach and uptake of services by eligible families.
- Economic integration and increased well-being for many individuals and families could foster broader socio-economic benefits and reduced need for other social services.