Mr. BRICKFIELD. They would only get an increase of $5 per month under H.R. 2332.

Mr. KORNEGAY. $5 a month?

Mr. BRICKFIELD. Yes.

Mr. KORNEGAY. There are 4,395 veterans with three or more dependents who have an income of less than $1,000 and they are getting $100 a month today. Would this group get any increase under H.R. 2332? Mr. BRICKFIELD. No, sir.

Mr. KORNEGAY. There are 6,182 widows with 1 child who have an annual income of less than $1,000 now receiving $75 per month under Public Law 86-211. Would this group get any increase under H.R. 2332?

Mr. BRICKFIELD. No, sir; no increase.

Mr. KORNEGAY. At this point I would like, without objection, to submit for the record a statement compiled by the Veterans' Administration comparing the existing law together with the increases; that is, the old law for those who did not elect to come under Public Law 86-211 and those that have elected to come under Public 86-211, and the new cases of widows of World War I veterans that would be under the provisions of H.R. 2332.

Without objection, they will be placed in the record at this point. (The statements referred to follow :)

WORLD WAR I VETERANS RECEIVING PENSION BENEFITS UNDER PENSION PROGRAM IN EFFECT BEFORE ENACTMENT OF PUBLIC LAW 86-211, UNDER PROVISIONS OF PUBLIC LAW 86-211, AND PROPOSED TO BE ADDED TO PENSION ROLLS UNDER PROVISIONS OF H.R. 2332, DEC. 20, 1963

Receiving pension payments under "old pension law," have not elected benefits of Public Law 86-211

1 $66.15 paid if less than 65 years of age or if on pension rolls less than 10 years; $78.75 paid on attainment of age 65 or if on pension rolls for 10 or more years.

2 A breakdown of dependency status is not provided. Figures provided represent total number receiving pension at each of the given rates.

1 Rate paid in addition to pension otherwise payable where veteran so seriously disabled as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person.

World War I veterans proposed to be added to pension rolls under provisions of H.R. 2332

WORLD WAR I VETERANS' WIDOWS RECEIVING PENSION BENEFITS UNDER PENSION PROGRAM IN EFFECT BEFORE ENACTMENT OF PUBLIC LAW 86-211, UNDER PROVISIONS OF PUBLIC LAW 86-211, AND PROPOSED TO BE ADDED TO PENSION ROLLS UNDER PROVISIONS OF H.R. 2332, DEC. 20, 1963

Receiving pension payments under "old pension law," have not elected benefits of Public Law 86-211

World War I veterans' widows proposed to be added to pension rolls under

Mr. KORNEGAY. The statement has been made that most of the benefits under H.R. 2332 would go to veterans in the upper income bracket. You estimate 569,000 new veteran cases would go on the rolls or be eligible to go on the rolls if H.R. 2332 were passed that have incomes of more than $1,800 if single or $3,000 if married. What would be the total cost of adding these two upper income groups to the pension rolls?

Mr. BRICKFIELD. It is pretty close to $700 million, $682 million for those 569,000 whose incomes would be between $3,000 and $4,800 a year. That category covers 569,000 World War I veterans.

Mr. KORNEGAY. What about the single veterans with incomes from $1,800 to $3,600?

Mr. BRICKFIELD. I will have to correct my statement and say that of the new veteran cases, which would include both the married and the single, they total 569,000. They are the ones whose income would be between $1,800 and $3,600 and between $3,000 and $4,800 a year and if this bill were to become law it would cost the Government $682,722,000 a year.

Mr. KORNEGAY. That is computed on the basis of the way that you interpret, or the Veterans' Administration interprets, H.R. 2332? Mr. BRICKFIELD. Yes, sir.

Mr. KORNEGAY. In other words, the $1,200 would be for retirement income, as you interpret it, in addition to the standard income limitation of $3,600 in the case of married couples?

Mr. BRICKFIELD. Yes, sir. That is the way we have been interpreting it for 2 years.

Mr. KORNEGAY. And if it were interpreted the other way, or if the language were changed to make the maximum income limitation $3,600, that of course would decrease the number that would become eligible?

Mr. BRICKFIELD. Yes, sir; that is right. But Mr. Fino asked the question yesterday-and I am sorry he is not here he asked if this were taken out would we be for the bill. I told him that frankly we did not know, we would have to cost it out because literally tens of thousands of people would be involved. But we feel that the people who are most in need, people with incomes between zero and $1,000 a year, this item we are talking about would not affect them or help them in any way. In other words, it would not help the most needy. Mr. KORNEGAY. How long would it take you to compute your figures based on Mr. Fino's questions?

Mr. BRICKFIELD. In a week's time we can get it for you, sir.
Mr. KORNEGAY. I would appreciate it.

(The information is as follows:)

COST ESTIMATE-WORLD WAR I PENSION BILL INTERPRETED TO PROVIDE FOR $1,200 RETIREMENT INCOME EXCLUSION ONLY FOR THOSE WHO INITIALLY MEET INCOME LIMITS OF H.R. 2332 WITHOUT THE EXCLUSION

BASIS FOR COST ESTIMATE

This estimate is made on the basis of statements made by Mr. Fino during the hearing on May 27, and as subsequently amplified by him to the following effect:

1. To initially qualify for pension all claimants must meet the income limits of $2,400, single, or $3,600 with a dependent. For purposes of initial qualification, all income including retirement income is counted.