45.35(17)(c)1m.
1m. The department shall declare immediately due and payable any loan made after July 29, 1979 under a program administered by the department under
s. 45.351 or
subch. II, if it finds that the loan was granted to an ineligible person due to any of the following circumstances:
45.35(17)(c)1m.a.
a. The applicant did not report income amounts as required on the loan application.
45.35(17)(c)1m.c.
c. The applicant transferred assets or liabilities or incurred liabilities for less than fair consideration with the intent to thereby qualify for and secure the loan.
45.35(17)(c)2.
2. Loan application forms processed by the department for programs administered under
s. 45.351 or
subch. II shall:
45.35(17)(c)2.a.
a. Require disclosure of any asset with a value over $500 transferred by the applicant for less than fair consideration, within one year immediately prior to the loan application date. In determining the applicant's need for a loan, the department shall consider such assets to be assets of the applicant.
45.35(17)(c)2.b.
b. Require disclosure of any liability of more than $500 incurred by the applicant for less than fair consideration, within one year immediately prior to the loan application date. In determining the applicant's need for a loan, the department shall not consider such liabilities to be liabilities of the applicant.
45.35(17)(c)2.c.
c. Require disclosure of all liabilities transferred by the applicant within one year immediately prior to the loan application date. Such liabilities transferred for less than fair consideration shall be considered by the department to be liabilities of the applicant to the extent he or she is liable for their payment or for reimbursement of the transferee.
45.35(17)(c)2.d.
d. Contain notification of the penalties provided for in this paragraph.
45.35(17)(c)3.
3. The department shall incorporate the payment acceleration requirements of
subd. 1m. in all loan documents for programs administered by the department under
s. 45.351 or
subch. II.
45.35 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ss.
VA 1.03 and
1.08, Wis. adm. code.
45.35(18)
(18) Loan repayments. The department shall deposit all repayments of loans and payments of interest made on loans under s.
45.351 (2), 1995 stats., s.
45.352, 1971 stats., s.
45.356, 1995 stats., or s.
45.80, 1989 stats., in the veterans trust fund.
45.35(19)
(19) Collections. The department may enter into contracts to collect delinquent loan payments owed to the department. The department may allocate a portion of the amounts collected under the contracts to pay contract costs. Notwithstanding the provisions of
s. 45.36, the department may release information contained in its files pertaining to applications for benefits to contractors providing collection services to the department.
45.35(20)
(20) Department headquarters and museum. The department may acquire by gift, purchase, or condemnation property for the purposes of providing a headquarters and museum building for the department.
45.35(22)
(22) Fund transfer. The department may loan money from the veterans trust fund to the veterans mortgage loan repayment fund to fund loans under
s. 45.79.
45.35(23)
(23) Loan guarantee. The department may provide a loan guarantee for multifamily transitional housing for homeless veterans.
45.35 History
History: 1971 c. 125,
163,
198;
1973 c. 90,
208;
1975 c. 26,
39;
1975 c. 94 s.
91 (3), (5);
1975 c. 199;
1977 c. 26,
83;
1979 c. 34;
1979 c. 110 s.
60 (1);
1979 c. 221;
1981 c. 20,
93;
1981 c. 237 ss.
34 to
36,
38;
1983 a. 430,
447;
1985 a. 6,
29,
129;
1985 a. 332 s.
251 (6);
1985 a. 339;
1987 a. 27,
399;
1989 a. 31,
36,
56,
359;
1991 a. 2,
39,
165;
1993 a. 16,
254,
399;
1995 a. 27 ss.
1996 to
1999,
9126 (19),
9130 (4),
9145 (1);
1995 a. 255;
1997 a. 3,
27;
1999 a. 9,
59,
63,
83;
2001 a. 16 ss.
1448 to
1453,
1472;
2001 a. 22,
103,
106;
2003 a. 33,
83,
163.
45.35 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also s.
VA 1.11, Wis. adm. code.
45.35 Annotation
Veterans' Rights: Wisconsin Laws and the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act. Stewart. Wis. Law. July 1991.
45.351
45.351
Economic assistance. 45.351(1)(a)(a) The department may grant subsistence aid to any incapacitated individual who is a veteran or a dependent of a veteran in an amount that the department determines is advisable to prevent want or distress. The department may grant subsistence aid under this paragraph to an individual whose incapacitation is the result of the individual's abuse of alcohol or other drugs if the individual is participating in an alcohol and other drug abuse treatment program that is approved by the department. The department may grant subsistence aid on a month-to-month basis or for a 3-month period. The department may grant subsistence aid for a 3-month period if the veteran or dependent whose incapacity is the basis for the aid will be incapacitated for more than 3 months and if earned or unearned income or aid from sources other than those listed in the application will not be available in the 3-month period. Subsistence aid is limited to a maximum of 3 months in a 12-month period unless the department determines that the need for subsistence aid in excess of this maximum time period is caused by the aid recipient's relapse.
45.351(1)(b)
(b) The department may submit a request to the joint committee on finance for supplemental funds from the veterans trust fund to be credited to the appropriation account under
s. 20.485 (2) (vm) for subsistence grants to veterans. If the cochairpersons of the committee do not notify the secretary within 14 working days after the date of the department's submittal that the committee intends to schedule a meeting to review the request, the appropriation account shall be supplemented as provided in the request. If, within 14 working days after the date of the department's submittal, the cochairpersons of the committee notify the secretary that the committee intends to schedule a meeting to review the request, the appropriation account shall be supplemented only as approved by the committee.
45.351(1j)
(1j) Health care aid grants. The department may grant to any veteran or dependents such temporary health care aid as the department considers advisable to prevent want or distress. Health care aid to meet medical or hospital bills under this subsection is limited to a payment of up to $5,000 per veteran or dependent for a 12-month period beginning with the first day of care for which the person seeks reimbursement under this subsection. The department may issue a certificate of entitlement stating that a veteran or dependent is eligible for a health care aid grant under this subsection if the treatment is received within a time period that the department promulgates by rule. The department may not grant health care aid to pay for care provided to the veteran or dependent before the time period identified in the certificate of entitlement, except for emergency care as determined by the department if the application for the health care aid is submitted within 90 days after the emergency care ends. Health care aid may be used to provide payment for the treatment of alcoholism or other drug addiction or to provide payment for health care required because of alcoholism or other drug addiction or alcohol or other drug abuse. The department may not grant health care aid under this subsection unless the aid recipient's health care provider agrees to accept, as full payment for the medical treatment for which the aid is to be granted, the amount of the grant, the amount of the recipient's health insurance or other 3rd-party payments, if any, and the amount that the department determines the aid recipient is capable of paying. The department may not grant health care aid under this subsection if the combined liquid assets of the applicant for aid, and of the veteran and veteran's dependents who are living in the same household with the applicant, are in excess of $1,000.
45.351(3)
(3) Appropriations. The department may award grants under this section from the appropriation in
s. 20.485 (2) (vm). Nothing in this section empowers the department to incur any state debt.
45.351 History
History: 1971 c. 125 s.
552 (1);
1971 c. 198,
199;
1973 c. 208 s.
17;
1975 c. 39;
1975 c. 94 s.
91 (5), (7);
1975 c. 199,
224,
422;
1979 c. 34 ss.
817vw to
817x,
2102 (56) (a);
1979 c. 110 s.
60 (13);
1983 a. 27,
189;
1985 a. 29;
1987 a. 27,
399;
1989 a. 31;
1991 a. 39,
241,
269;
1993 a. 16;
1993 a. 213 ss.
42 to
44,
203;
1995 a. 27,
404;
1997 a. 27,
237,
252;
2001 a. 16,
103;
2003 a. 83.
45.353
45.353
Grants to veterans organizations. 45.353(1)(a)
(a) "Regional office" means the U.S. department of veterans affairs regional office in Wisconsin.
45.353(1)(b)
(b) "State veterans organization" means a state organization or department of a national veterans organization, which national organization is incorporated by an act of congress.
45.353(2)
(2) Upon application the department shall make a payment to any state veterans organization that establishes that it, or its national organization, or both, has maintained a full-time service office at the regional office for at least 5 of the 10 years preceding the date of application. The payment shall equal 25% of all salaries and travel expenses under
sub. (3) paid during the previous fiscal year by the state veterans organization to employees engaged in veterans claims service and stationed at the regional office, except that the sum paid to a state veterans organization annually shall not be less than either $2,500, or the amount of salaries and travel expenses paid by the state veterans organization to employees stationed at the regional office, whichever is less, nor more than $30,000.
45.353(3)
(3) Application by any such state veterans organization shall be filed annually with the department for the 12-month period commencing on April 1 and ending on March 31 of the year in which it is filed. An application shall contain a statement of salaries and travel expenses paid to employees engaged in veterans claims service maintained at the regional office by such state veterans organization covering the period for which application for a grant is made, which statement has been certified as correct by a certified public accountant licensed or certified under
ch. 442 and sworn to as correct by the adjutant or principal officer of the state veterans organization. The application shall also contain the state organization's financial statement for its last completed fiscal year and such evidence of claims service activity as the department requires. Sufficient evidence shall be submitted with an initial application to establish that the state veterans organization, or its national organization, or both, has maintained a full-time service office at the regional office without interruption throughout 5 years out of the 10-year period immediately preceding such application. Subsequent applications must be accompanied by an affidavit by the adjutant or principal officer of such state veterans organization stating that a full-time service office was maintained at the regional office by such state veterans organization, or by such state organization and its national organization, for the entire 12-month period for which application for a grant is made.
45.353(3m)
(3m) From the appropriation under
s. 20.485 (2) (s), the department shall annually provide a grant of $100,000 to the Wisconsin department of the Disabled American Veterans for the provision of transportation services to veterans.
45.353(4)
(4) The board may promulgate such rules as are necessary to administer this section.
45.353 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
VA 7, Wis. adm. code.
45.355
45.355
Biennial study of fiscal needs for veterans' housing. Biennially the joint committee on finance shall study and review the fiscal requirements for veterans' housing loans and the condition of the veterans trust fund and thereupon shall make report thereon to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature, for distribution to the legislature under
s. 13.172 (2), with a view to recommending proper appropriations to adequately provide for such loans. All appropriations made by the legislature for veterans' housing loans pursuant to recommendations so made by the joint committee on finance shall be from the veterans trust fund or the general fund or both, as the needs may require.
45.355 History
History: 1981 c. 20;
1987 a. 186.
45.356
45.356
Veterans personal loans. 45.356(1)
(1) It is determined that the loan program established under this section is a special purpose credit program for an economically disadvantaged class of persons for the purposes of the federal equal credit opportunity act,
15 USC 1691-1691f.
45.356(2)
(2) The department may lend a veteran, a veteran's unremarried surviving spouse, or a deceased veteran's child not more than $25,000, or a lesser amount established by the department under
sub. (10). The department may prescribe loan conditions, but the term of the loan may not exceed 10 years. The department shall ensure that the proceeds of any loan made under this section shall first be applied to pay any delinquent child support or maintenance payments and then to pay any past support, medical expenses, or birth expenses.
45.356(3)
(3) The department may lend not more than $25,000, or a lesser amount established by the department under
sub. (10), to a veteran's remarried surviving spouse or to the parent of a deceased veteran's child for the education of a child.
45.356(3m)
(3m) To be eligible for a loan under this section, an applicant must be a resident of and living in this state on the date of the application.
45.356(4)
(4) The department may execute necessary instruments, collect interest and principal, compromise indebtedness, sue and be sued, post bonds and write off indebtedness that it considers uncollectible. If a loan under this section is secured by a real estate mortgage, the department may exercise the rights of owners and mortgagees generally and the rights and powers set forth in
s. 45.72. The department shall pay all interest and principal repaid on the loan into the veterans trust fund.
45.356(5)
(5) The department may charge loan expenses incurred under this section to a loan applicant. The department shall pay all expenses received under this subsection into the veterans trust fund.
45.356(6)
(6) The department may provide a loan under this section to an applicant whose name appears on the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b) only if the applicant does one of the following:
45.356(6)(a)
(a) Provides to the department a repayment agreement that the applicant has entered into, that has been accepted by the county child support agency under
s. 59.53 (5) and that has been kept current for the 6-month period immediately preceding the date of the application.
45.356(6)(b)
(b) Provides to the department a statement that the applicant is not delinquent in child support or maintenance payments and does not owe past support, medical expenses or birth expenses, signed by the department of workforce development or its designee within 7 working days before the date of the application.
45.356(6)(c)
(c) Agrees to use the loan proceeds to pay any delinquent child support or maintenance payments and to pay any past support, medical expenses or birth expenses if the applicant fails to meet the requirements under
par. (a) or
(b).
45.356(7)
(7) The department shall promulgate rules for the distribution of loans under this section that include all of the following:
45.356(7)(c)
(c) Other provisions that the department determines are necessary to ensure efficient administration of this section.
45.356(8)
(8) No person may receive a loan under this section in an amount that, when added to the balance outstanding on the person's existing loans under s.
45.351 (2), 1995 stats., and s.
45.356, 1995 stats., would result in a total indebtedness to the department of more than $25,000.
45.356(9)(a)(a) The department may borrow from the veterans mortgage loan repayment fund under
s. 45.79 (7) (a) to obtain money to make loans under this section.
45.356(9)(b)
(b) The department may enter into transactions with the state investment board to obtain money to make loans under this section. Transactions authorized under this paragraph may include the sale of loans.
45.356(10)
(10) Subject to the limit established in
subs. (2) and
(3), the department may periodically adjust the maximum loan amount based upon financial market conditions, funds available, needs of the veterans trust funds, or other factors that the department considers relevant.
45.356(11)
(11) The department may periodically adjust the interest rates for loans made under this section, which may vary based upon the term of the loan, the type of security offered, the method of payment, or other factors that the department considers relevant.
45.356(12)
(12) Each loan made under this section, except a loan of $5,000 or less made to an applicant whose total indebtedness for loans made under this section is $5,000 or less, shall be evidenced by a promissory note and secured by a mortgage on real estate located in this state. A loan of $5,000 or less made to an applicant whose total indebtedness for loans made under this section is $5,000 or less shall be evidenced by a promissory note and secured by a guarantor or by a mortgage on real estate located in this state. A mortgage securing a loan made under this section is acceptable if the applicant has equity in the property subject to the mortgage equal to or exceeding a minimum amount that the department establishes by rule.
45.356 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
VA 12 and s.
VA 1.19, Wis. adm. code.
45.357
45.357
Veterans assistance program. 45.357(1)
(1) The department shall administer a program to provide assistance to persons who served in the U.S. armed forces or in forces incorporated as part of the U.S. armed forces and who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. The department shall provide assistance to persons whose need for services is based upon homelessness, incarceration, or other circumstances designated by the department by rule. The department shall designate the assistance available under this section, which may include assistance in receiving medical care, dental care, education, employment, and transitional housing. The department may provide grants to facilitate the provision of services under this section.
45.357(2)
(2) The department may charge fees for transitional housing and for such other assistance that is provided under this section as the department designates. The department shall promulgate rules establishing the fee schedule and the manner of implementation of that schedule.
45.357 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
VA 13, Wis. adm. code.
45.358
45.358
Wisconsin veterans cemeteries. 45.358(1)(a)
(a) "Dependent child" means any natural or adoptive child under 18 years of age, or under the age of 26 if in full attendance at a recognized school of instruction, or of any age if the child is unmarried and incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical disability.
45.358(1)(b)
(b) "Veteran" means a person who has served on active duty, except service on active duty for training purposes, in the U.S. armed forces.
45.358(2)
(2) Construction and operation of cemeteries. Subject to authorization under
ss. 13.48 (10) and
20.924 (1), the department may construct and operate veterans cemeteries in northwestern and southeastern Wisconsin and may employ any personnel that are necessary for the proper management of the cemeteries. The cemetery in southeastern Wisconsin is the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. The cemetery in northwestern Wisconsin is the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. The department may acquire, by gift, purchase, or condemnation, lands necessary for the purposes of the cemeteries. Title to the properties shall be taken in the name of this state. Every deed of conveyance shall be immediately recorded in the office of the proper register of deeds and thereafter filed with the secretary of state. All cemeteries operated by the department are exempt from the requirements of
ss. 157.061 to
157.70 and
440.90 to
440.95.
45.358(3)
(3) Eligibility. The following persons are eligible for burial at a cemetery constructed and operated under
sub. (2) or
s. 45.37 (15):
45.358(3)(a)
(a) A veteran who died while on active duty or who was discharged or released from active duty in the U.S. armed forces under honorable conditions and who was a resident of this state at the time of his or her entry or reentry into active service and his or her dependent children and surviving spouse.
45.358(3)(b)
(b) A veteran who was discharged or released from active duty in the U.S. armed forces under honorable conditions and who was a resident of this state at the time of his or her death and his or her dependent children and surviving spouse.
45.358(3)(c)
(c) The spouse or dependent child of a veteran who is serving on active duty at the time of the spouse's or dependent child's death if the veteran was a resident of this state at the time of the veteran's entry or reentry into active service.
45.358(3)(d)
(d) The spouse or dependent child of a veteran if the veteran was a resident of this state at the time of his or her entry or reentry into active service and was discharged or released from active duty in the U.S. armed forces under honorable conditions.
45.358(3)(e)
(e) The spouse or dependent child of a veteran who was discharged or released from active duty in the U.S. armed forces under honorable conditions if the veteran and spouse or dependent child were residents of this state at the time of the spouse's or dependent child's death.
45.358(3)(f)
(f) A person who was a resident of this state at the time of his or her entry or reentry into service in any national guard or in a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces or who was a resident of this state for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding his or her death, and the person's spouse, surviving spouse and dependent children, if the person is eligible for burial in a national cemetery under
38 USC 2402.
45.358(3)(g)
(g) A veteran who was discharged or released from active duty in the U.S. armed forces under honorable conditions and who was a resident of the state for at least 12 consecutive months after entering or reentering service on active duty.
45.358(3m)
(3m) Fees. The department may charge a fee for burials under this section and may promulgate rules for the assessment of the fee.
45.358(4)
(4) Gifts, grants, and bequests. The department may accept for the state all gifts, grants, and bequests for the purposes of maintenance, restoration, preservation, and rehabilitation of the veterans cemeteries constructed under
sub. (2).
45.358 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
VA 14, Wis. adm. code.
45.36
45.36
Release of information and records by the department and by county veterans' service offices. 45.36(1)(1)
Definitions. In this section:
45.36(1)(b)
(b) "Duly authorized representative" means any person authorized in writing by the veteran to act for the veteran, or a legally constituted representative if the veteran is incompetent or deceased. Where for proper reason no representative has been or will be appointed, the veteran's spouse, an adult child, or, if the veteran is unmarried, either parent shall be recognized as the duly authorized representative.
45.36(1)(c)
(c) "Service office" means a county veterans' service office.
45.36 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also s.
VA 1.10, Wis. adm. code.