Rep. Foster Introduces Bill For Service Members After Hearing Constituent's Problem

Press Release

Local Veteran's Family Inspires Legislation to Support Special-Needs Dependents

Today, as part of his continued effort to provide common-sense solutions that will benefit veterans, service members, and constituents of the 14th District, Rep. Bill Foster (IL-14) announced the introduction of his newest bill, H.R. 2059. The legislation is the product of Rep. Foster listening to Army Lt. Col. (ret.) Don Henzlik, a 14th District constituent from North Aurora.

"Listening to my constituents is one of the biggest and most important parts of my job," Rep. Foster said. "After I heard about the Henzlik family's problem, I was able to present a common-sense solution that could help them and other service members so dependents with special needs can collect survivor benefits."

Currently, non-military government workers and civilians are allowed to designate pension contributions to trust funds for the benefit and protection of their dependents with special needs, yet service members are not.

Lt. Col. Don Henzlik's 20-year-old son, William, suffers from epilepsy and symptoms of autism. If his parents were to pass away, William is not eligible to collect from Lt. Col. Henzlik's military survivor benefit plan without jeopardizing his essential Social Security and Medicare payments. Don Henzlik informed Rep. Foster's office of his problem, and the Congressman introduced his new bill, H.R. 2059 as a solution.

"We would like to thank Rep. Foster for introducing legislation to allow my survivor benefits to go for my son's care after my wife and I pass on," Don Henzlik said. "I would like to note that I have been working on this issue for some time by writing letters and visiting our federal legislator's offices; it is very salient to me that Rep. Foster took action to allow my military survivor benefits to be treated like those of other federal employees."

The legislation amends existing law to allow veterans and retirees to designate Survivor Benefits to their special needs dependent through a "blind trust." Already, the Military Officer Association of America has expressed support for the bill.

"My solution is more than just common-sense; allowing our service members to use their benefits to take care of their families is an issue of fairness," Rep. Foster said. "I am working to make sure that service members' and veterans' families have the same privileges as families of other federal employees."

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