(a) Award exclusions.--Notwithstanding any other law of this Commonwealth to the contrary, any proceeds received pursuant to a judgment in, or settlement of, a lawsuit against the manufacturer or distributor of a Vietnam herbicide, for damages resulting from exposure thereto shall not be income or compensation for the purpose of any State or local tax, or for the calculation of any exemption or rebate therefrom, and shall not be income or an asset for determining the eligibility for State or local government benefit programs, including, but not limited to, general public assistance and vocational rehabilitation. Such proceeds shall not be subject to recoupment for the receipt of any governmental benefits, nor shall any lien be enforceable against such sums for any reason.

(b) Payment method.--This exclusion of litigation proceeds from use in tax or benefit program calculations shall be available to disabled veterans or their beneficiaries, whether payment is received in a lump sum or payable in installments over a period of years.