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Veterans Affairs ~Tcornish
Stay up to date with the veterans affairs post provided by tcornish. Check it out inside.
Stay up to date with the veterans affairs post provided by tcornish. Check it out inside.
INTRODUCTION
TO THE VETERANS' AID AND ATTENDANCE SPECIAL PENSION
Tax deduction
is possible.
The Veterans' Administration offers a Special
Pension with Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit that is largely unknown.
This Special Pension (part of the VA Improved Pension program) allows for
Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another
person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, undressing or taking care of the
needs of nature to receive additional monetary benefits.
It also
includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of
mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an assisted living
facility also qualifies.This most important benefit is overlooked by many
families with Veterans or surviving spouses who need additional monies to help
care for ailing parents or loved ones.
This is a "pension benefit"
and is not dependent upon service-related injuries for compensation. Most
Veterans who are in need of assistance qualify for this pension.
Aid
and Attendance can help pay for care in the home, nursing home or assisted
living facility. A Veteran is eligible for up to $1,519 per month, while a
surviving spouse is eligible for up to $976 per month.
A couple is
eligible for up to $1,801 per month*.The Aid and Attendance Benefit is
considered to be the third tier of a VA program called Improved Pension.
The other two tiers are Basic and Housebound. Each tier has its own level
of benefits and qualifications.
While the objective of this site
is to disseminate information about the Aid and Attendance Benefit, we urge you
to read an important document prepared by the American Veterans Institute that
clearly explains the Improved Pension program, its levels of benefits and the
qualifications for each.
If you or your loved one does not qualify
for Aid and Attendance, you may want to check to see if you qualify for another
level of the Pension.**Click Here for the
Improved Pension Beginner's Guide**Please browse this site using the menu on
the left to learn more about the Aid & Attendance Special Pension,
Eligibility Requirements, How to Apply, What to Expect and Resources to help you
with this critical benefit.
Also, please visit the Sponsor of this
site who has made it possible to disseminate this information to veterans and
their families.We highly recommend you visit the One Experience page of this
site for critical information on this process.
The Aid and Attendance
(A&A) Special Pension provides benefits for veterans and surviving spouses
who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating,
bathing, dressing and undressing or taking care of the needs of nature. It
also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because
of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an assisting living
facility also qualifies.
The A&A Pension can provide up to $1,519 per
month to a veteran, $976 per month to a surviving spouse, or $1,801 per month to
a couple*.Eligibility must be proven by filing the proper Veterans Application
for Pension or Compensation. This application will require a copy of
DD-214 (see below for more information) or separation papers, Medical Evaluation
from a physician, current medical issues, net worth limitations, and net income,
along with out-of-pocket Medical Expenses.
A DD-214 is issued to military
members upon separation from active service. DD-214s were issued to separated
service members beginning in the 1950's. The term "DD-214" is often used
generically to mean "separation papers" or "discharge papers", no matter what
form number was used to document active duty military service.
If the VA
has a copy of a DD-214, it is usually because the veteran attached a copy (or
sometimes, the original) to his or her application for disability or education
benefits. If you’ve lost your original DD-214 or a copy and you are receiving
(or applied for in the past) disability or education benefits from the VA, they
may have a copy (or the original, if you gave it to them) on file.
At
the very least, if you are currently receiving benefits (or did in the past),
they should be able to provide a Statement of Service, which can be used instead
of a "DD-214".
TO THE VETERANS' AID AND ATTENDANCE SPECIAL PENSION
Tax deduction
is possible.
The Veterans' Administration offers a Special
Pension with Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit that is largely unknown.
This Special Pension (part of the VA Improved Pension program) allows for
Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another
person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, undressing or taking care of the
needs of nature to receive additional monetary benefits.
It also
includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of
mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an assisted living
facility also qualifies.This most important benefit is overlooked by many
families with Veterans or surviving spouses who need additional monies to help
care for ailing parents or loved ones.
This is a "pension benefit"
and is not dependent upon service-related injuries for compensation. Most
Veterans who are in need of assistance qualify for this pension.
Aid
and Attendance can help pay for care in the home, nursing home or assisted
living facility. A Veteran is eligible for up to $1,519 per month, while a
surviving spouse is eligible for up to $976 per month.
A couple is
eligible for up to $1,801 per month*.The Aid and Attendance Benefit is
considered to be the third tier of a VA program called Improved Pension.
The other two tiers are Basic and Housebound. Each tier has its own level
of benefits and qualifications.
While the objective of this site
is to disseminate information about the Aid and Attendance Benefit, we urge you
to read an important document prepared by the American Veterans Institute that
clearly explains the Improved Pension program, its levels of benefits and the
qualifications for each.
If you or your loved one does not qualify
for Aid and Attendance, you may want to check to see if you qualify for another
level of the Pension.**Click Here for the
Improved Pension Beginner's Guide**Please browse this site using the menu on
the left to learn more about the Aid & Attendance Special Pension,
Eligibility Requirements, How to Apply, What to Expect and Resources to help you
with this critical benefit.
Also, please visit the Sponsor of this
site who has made it possible to disseminate this information to veterans and
their families.We highly recommend you visit the One Experience page of this
site for critical information on this process.
The Aid and Attendance
(A&A) Special Pension provides benefits for veterans and surviving spouses
who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating,
bathing, dressing and undressing or taking care of the needs of nature. It
also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because
of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an assisting living
facility also qualifies.
The A&A Pension can provide up to $1,519 per
month to a veteran, $976 per month to a surviving spouse, or $1,801 per month to
a couple*.Eligibility must be proven by filing the proper Veterans Application
for Pension or Compensation. This application will require a copy of
DD-214 (see below for more information) or separation papers, Medical Evaluation
from a physician, current medical issues, net worth limitations, and net income,
along with out-of-pocket Medical Expenses.
A DD-214 is issued to military
members upon separation from active service. DD-214s were issued to separated
service members beginning in the 1950's. The term "DD-214" is often used
generically to mean "separation papers" or "discharge papers", no matter what
form number was used to document active duty military service.
If the VA
has a copy of a DD-214, it is usually because the veteran attached a copy (or
sometimes, the original) to his or her application for disability or education
benefits. If you’ve lost your original DD-214 or a copy and you are receiving
(or applied for in the past) disability or education benefits from the VA, they
may have a copy (or the original, if you gave it to them) on file.
At
the very least, if you are currently receiving benefits (or did in the past),
they should be able to provide a Statement of Service, which can be used instead
of a "DD-214".
about 1 year ago
Oops heres some additional links including correction to one in post.
Improved Pension
American Veterans Institute or
VetAssist program
Improved Pension
American Veterans Institute or
VetAssist program
about 1 year ago
Shortages, turnover afflict military health care
Article
Sunday, December 23, 2007, WOUNDS OF WAR
Shortages, turnover afflict military health care
Fort Knox among army posts affected
By Laura Ungar
lungar@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal
also see Video at:
Video
Injured in a roadside blast in Iraq, Sgt. Gerald Cassidy was assigned to a new medical unit at Fort Knox devoted to healing the wounds of war.
But instead of getting better, the brain-injured soldier from Westfield, Ind., was found dead in his barracks Sept. 21. Preliminary reports show he may have been unconscious for days and dead for hours before someone checked on him.
U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, an Indiana Democrat, linked his death in part to inadequate staffing at the unit. Only about half of the positions there were filled at the time. The Army is still investigating the death and its cause, and three people in Cassidy's chain of command have lost their jobs.
"By all indications, the enemy could not kill him, but our own government did," Bayh told the Senate Armed Services Committee last month. "Not intentionally, to be sure, but the end result apparently was the same."
As more wounded soldiers return home from war, critics say staff shortages and turnover have affected the quality of health care at Army posts across the nation.
Overall, the Army's Medical Corps has downsized significantly since Desert Storm, dropping from 5,400 to 4,300 physicians and from 4,600 to 3,400 nurses. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, more than 29,000 service members have been wounded in action in Iraq or Afghanistan over the past six years, compared with fewer than 500 in Operation Desert Storm.
Warrior Transition Units, created after The Washington Post revealed substandard outpatient care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, have struggled to find enough doctors, nurses and squad leaders to serve a growing number of patients. The Defense Department allocated about $1.4 billion in operations, maintenance and construction funds for unit facilities and projects.
Military doctors and nurses at Fort Knox move every three to five years, and some are deployed overseas. For patients, that turnover often results in them being treated by doctors and nurses unfamiliar with their cases.
Earlier this month, Congress passed legislation pushed by Bayh requiring the Defense Department and Veterans Affairs to develop a policy on improving care for the wounded. And Army officials say they are already doing better, noting that Warrior Transition Units are approaching or meeting staffing goals across the nation.
"We've progressed quite well" on those units, said Brig. Gen. Michael S. Tucker, assistant surgeon general for Warrior Care and Transition. "We've done it while we're at war and really strapped."
But some positions have been filled with workers temporarily borrowed from other areas of the military, and critics say that as the number of returning soldiers grows, the need for more doctors and nurses will grow, too.
Meanwhile, officials said, Army hospitals need more staff now. Fort Knox's Ireland Army Medical Center is struggling to fill more than 100 vacancies. It also lacks certain specialists, including neurologists who treat traumatic brain injury, considered the signature injury of the Iraq War.
"It would be very generous to say we're at the proper staff," said Constance Shaffery, public affairs officer at Fort Knox. "We are not at the staffing levels we want."
Positions unfilled
Cassidy, 32, came to Fort Knox in April, and was eventually assigned to the Warrior Transition Unit, which opened in June to handle outpatients who need at least six months of care.
The injured or ill soldiers live in barracks one or two to a room, have medical appointments in a special clinic at the hospital, and are supposed to get three visits a day from squad leaders, Army personnel usually at the rank of staff sergeant. They are told, in posters and by staff, that their mission is to heal.
In Cassidy's case, something went awry.
Bayh said the soldier tried unsuccessfully for five months to get transferred to a specialized private facility in Indianapolis "after receiving substandard care at Fort Knox."
Bayh pointed to a September report from the Government Accountability Office showing that more than half of the Warrior Transition Units nationwide, including those at Fort Knox and Fort Campbell, had shortages in key positions at the time. Of 2,410 positions, 1,127 -- or 47 percent -- had not been filled.
Jonathan Swain, Bayh's press secretary, said Cassidy's family is not talking to the press as the military continues to investigate his death. Calls to his wife and mother were not returned.
In response to a reporter's questions about the case, Shaffery said: "There's been nothing to indicate staffing had anything to do with it."
But Bayh disagreed, and Swain said the senator wants to know if problems because of low staffing are occurring in units elsewhere.
At the Senate committee hearing where the case was discussed, Army Secretary Pete Geren pledged that officials would "rectify the situation." Other high-ranking Army officials say they have been filling vacancies among physicians, nurse case managers and squad leaders.
More
Article
Sunday, December 23, 2007, WOUNDS OF WAR
Shortages, turnover afflict military health care
Fort Knox among army posts affected
By Laura Ungar
lungar@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal
also see Video at:
Video
Injured in a roadside blast in Iraq, Sgt. Gerald Cassidy was assigned to a new medical unit at Fort Knox devoted to healing the wounds of war.
But instead of getting better, the brain-injured soldier from Westfield, Ind., was found dead in his barracks Sept. 21. Preliminary reports show he may have been unconscious for days and dead for hours before someone checked on him.
U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, an Indiana Democrat, linked his death in part to inadequate staffing at the unit. Only about half of the positions there were filled at the time. The Army is still investigating the death and its cause, and three people in Cassidy's chain of command have lost their jobs.
"By all indications, the enemy could not kill him, but our own government did," Bayh told the Senate Armed Services Committee last month. "Not intentionally, to be sure, but the end result apparently was the same."
As more wounded soldiers return home from war, critics say staff shortages and turnover have affected the quality of health care at Army posts across the nation.
Overall, the Army's Medical Corps has downsized significantly since Desert Storm, dropping from 5,400 to 4,300 physicians and from 4,600 to 3,400 nurses. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, more than 29,000 service members have been wounded in action in Iraq or Afghanistan over the past six years, compared with fewer than 500 in Operation Desert Storm.
Warrior Transition Units, created after The Washington Post revealed substandard outpatient care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, have struggled to find enough doctors, nurses and squad leaders to serve a growing number of patients. The Defense Department allocated about $1.4 billion in operations, maintenance and construction funds for unit facilities and projects.
Military doctors and nurses at Fort Knox move every three to five years, and some are deployed overseas. For patients, that turnover often results in them being treated by doctors and nurses unfamiliar with their cases.
Earlier this month, Congress passed legislation pushed by Bayh requiring the Defense Department and Veterans Affairs to develop a policy on improving care for the wounded. And Army officials say they are already doing better, noting that Warrior Transition Units are approaching or meeting staffing goals across the nation.
"We've progressed quite well" on those units, said Brig. Gen. Michael S. Tucker, assistant surgeon general for Warrior Care and Transition. "We've done it while we're at war and really strapped."
But some positions have been filled with workers temporarily borrowed from other areas of the military, and critics say that as the number of returning soldiers grows, the need for more doctors and nurses will grow, too.
Meanwhile, officials said, Army hospitals need more staff now. Fort Knox's Ireland Army Medical Center is struggling to fill more than 100 vacancies. It also lacks certain specialists, including neurologists who treat traumatic brain injury, considered the signature injury of the Iraq War.
"It would be very generous to say we're at the proper staff," said Constance Shaffery, public affairs officer at Fort Knox. "We are not at the staffing levels we want."
Positions unfilled
Cassidy, 32, came to Fort Knox in April, and was eventually assigned to the Warrior Transition Unit, which opened in June to handle outpatients who need at least six months of care.
The injured or ill soldiers live in barracks one or two to a room, have medical appointments in a special clinic at the hospital, and are supposed to get three visits a day from squad leaders, Army personnel usually at the rank of staff sergeant. They are told, in posters and by staff, that their mission is to heal.
In Cassidy's case, something went awry.
Bayh said the soldier tried unsuccessfully for five months to get transferred to a specialized private facility in Indianapolis "after receiving substandard care at Fort Knox."
Bayh pointed to a September report from the Government Accountability Office showing that more than half of the Warrior Transition Units nationwide, including those at Fort Knox and Fort Campbell, had shortages in key positions at the time. Of 2,410 positions, 1,127 -- or 47 percent -- had not been filled.
Jonathan Swain, Bayh's press secretary, said Cassidy's family is not talking to the press as the military continues to investigate his death. Calls to his wife and mother were not returned.
In response to a reporter's questions about the case, Shaffery said: "There's been nothing to indicate staffing had anything to do with it."
But Bayh disagreed, and Swain said the senator wants to know if problems because of low staffing are occurring in units elsewhere.
At the Senate committee hearing where the case was discussed, Army Secretary Pete Geren pledged that officials would "rectify the situation." Other high-ranking Army officials say they have been filling vacancies among physicians, nurse case managers and squad leaders.
More
about 1 year ago
Nationally, Tucker said, the 35 transition units have reached 80 percent to 85 percent staffing and are on target to reach at least 90 percent by Jan. 1.
Lt. Col. Chip Pierce, deputy director of the Warrior Transition Office, said all key positions at the Fort Knox Warrior Transition Unit had been filled as of mid-December and Fort Campbell has met its goals for doctors and squad leaders but still lacks two of 11 nurse managers.
Although the numbers are encouraging, officials acknowledge that needs are always changing. For instance, Fort Campbell's staffing goals were developed based on an estimate of 403 patients, and there are 459. Nationwide, 8,700 soldiers are assigned to the units.
Sgt. Dwight Blackman, a 38-year-old Iraq veteran who suffered a heart attack, is one of 277 in the Fort Knox unit. In the past few months, he said, staffing "has improved a lot" and he has no problem getting the care he needs.
"We've still got a little ways to go," said Unit Commander Lt. Col. Lanier Ward. "It's a work in progress."
Residents asked to apply
Staff shortages at Army hospitals have existed for years.
Nationally, the number of doctors has remained the same since 1999, Army officials said, while the number of nurses has fluctuated from a high of 4,615 in 1992 to a low of 3,381 in 2000.
Some patients at Ireland Medical Center say staff shortages have led to long waits, overworked doctors and visits to private physicians.
Army Staff Sgt. Linda Brashears, who suffered a brain injury in Iraq, sees a private practice neurologist off post, paid for by the military health system, and said that until a couple of months ago she faced three-hour waits as a walk-in patient at Ireland.
Although a new appointment policy has meant shorter waits, "We still need more people," she said. "…There's more patients."
Overall, about 210,000 people are eligible for care at Ireland, officials said, and total hospital staff stands at about 1,100.
Lt. Col. Dawn Erckenbrack, hospital administrator, appealed to Louisville-area residents to apply for their vacancies for doctors, nurses, social workers and others. She said Kentucky's doctor shortage and competition from the civilian world make these vacancies especially difficult to fill.
Despite shortages, Erckenbrack and Col. Rhonda Earls, the hospital commander, said they do all they can to ensure patients see doctors in a timely fashion -- using contracted physicians and referring patients to private-sector providers.
Pvt. Ike Staple, a 39-year-old with high blood pressure assigned to the Warrior Transition Unit, said he goes off the post for procedures such as EKGs.
Keeping records
Army officials said they also must compensate for the higher-than-usual level of turnover that has resulted from deployments.
Jessica Torres, who just moved from Louisville to Colorado and whose husband serves in Iraq, said turnover affects the care she and her two children have gotten at military hospitals because new doctors aren't as familiar with their medical histories.
Ireland officials -- who wouldn't say how many staff members have been deployed, citing security concerns -- acknowledged that turnover can hurt patient care. But they said they try to minimize problems with detailed electronic records, good communication between incoming and outgoing doctors and the use of civilian workers.
"We have a core group of civilian physicians who never deploy. Some have been here for 20 years," said Lt. Col. Carolyn Tiffany, deputy commander for clinical services at Fort Knox. "They keep our clinics and services running the same way, providing the continuity of care that our patients deserve and expect."
Still, officials said they'd like to have a more ideal staffing level in line with the demand for care.
"It's sort of like winning the lottery," Shaffery said. "It's something we dream about."
Reporter Laura Ungar can be reached at (502) 582-7190.
Lt. Col. Chip Pierce, deputy director of the Warrior Transition Office, said all key positions at the Fort Knox Warrior Transition Unit had been filled as of mid-December and Fort Campbell has met its goals for doctors and squad leaders but still lacks two of 11 nurse managers.
Although the numbers are encouraging, officials acknowledge that needs are always changing. For instance, Fort Campbell's staffing goals were developed based on an estimate of 403 patients, and there are 459. Nationwide, 8,700 soldiers are assigned to the units.
Sgt. Dwight Blackman, a 38-year-old Iraq veteran who suffered a heart attack, is one of 277 in the Fort Knox unit. In the past few months, he said, staffing "has improved a lot" and he has no problem getting the care he needs.
"We've still got a little ways to go," said Unit Commander Lt. Col. Lanier Ward. "It's a work in progress."
Residents asked to apply
Staff shortages at Army hospitals have existed for years.
Nationally, the number of doctors has remained the same since 1999, Army officials said, while the number of nurses has fluctuated from a high of 4,615 in 1992 to a low of 3,381 in 2000.
Some patients at Ireland Medical Center say staff shortages have led to long waits, overworked doctors and visits to private physicians.
Army Staff Sgt. Linda Brashears, who suffered a brain injury in Iraq, sees a private practice neurologist off post, paid for by the military health system, and said that until a couple of months ago she faced three-hour waits as a walk-in patient at Ireland.
Although a new appointment policy has meant shorter waits, "We still need more people," she said. "…There's more patients."
Overall, about 210,000 people are eligible for care at Ireland, officials said, and total hospital staff stands at about 1,100.
Lt. Col. Dawn Erckenbrack, hospital administrator, appealed to Louisville-area residents to apply for their vacancies for doctors, nurses, social workers and others. She said Kentucky's doctor shortage and competition from the civilian world make these vacancies especially difficult to fill.
Despite shortages, Erckenbrack and Col. Rhonda Earls, the hospital commander, said they do all they can to ensure patients see doctors in a timely fashion -- using contracted physicians and referring patients to private-sector providers.
Pvt. Ike Staple, a 39-year-old with high blood pressure assigned to the Warrior Transition Unit, said he goes off the post for procedures such as EKGs.
Keeping records
Army officials said they also must compensate for the higher-than-usual level of turnover that has resulted from deployments.
Jessica Torres, who just moved from Louisville to Colorado and whose husband serves in Iraq, said turnover affects the care she and her two children have gotten at military hospitals because new doctors aren't as familiar with their medical histories.
Ireland officials -- who wouldn't say how many staff members have been deployed, citing security concerns -- acknowledged that turnover can hurt patient care. But they said they try to minimize problems with detailed electronic records, good communication between incoming and outgoing doctors and the use of civilian workers.
"We have a core group of civilian physicians who never deploy. Some have been here for 20 years," said Lt. Col. Carolyn Tiffany, deputy commander for clinical services at Fort Knox. "They keep our clinics and services running the same way, providing the continuity of care that our patients deserve and expect."
Still, officials said they'd like to have a more ideal staffing level in line with the demand for care.
"It's sort of like winning the lottery," Shaffery said. "It's something we dream about."
Reporter Laura Ungar can be reached at (502) 582-7190.
about 1 year ago
Thank you TCornish for posting this important information.
Admittedly I saw the same post on another site but a response is not possible. Thanks to EONS, can we talk? (Joan Rivers said that....LOL)
This is a serious issue, one that plagues an all volunteer armed service.
You can only get what strengths exist from within.
The civilian side of medicine in America is the finest in the world, our well trained doctors and hospitals are unparalleled in the world, why not use it? If the military cannot support itself then allow the US Government to transfer that patient to a civilian authority. Payment for services rendered. The trick will be to determine who and when that would happen.
There is no doubt in my mind that the world renowned Spaulding Rehabilitation Center, Boston, could help enormously for the benefit of our heroes than any military hospital anywhere in the world.
An editorial perhaps since I am partial to the teaching hospitals of Harvard, Tufts, and Boston Univ. Schools of Medicine all working with MIT. It may interest you to know that some of these incredible health care professionals use their talents in the Boston Area VA Hospitals.
(May I reserve the subject of the VA for another time).
Best
Ricky (1969-1970)
Admittedly I saw the same post on another site but a response is not possible. Thanks to EONS, can we talk? (Joan Rivers said that....LOL)
This is a serious issue, one that plagues an all volunteer armed service.
You can only get what strengths exist from within.
The civilian side of medicine in America is the finest in the world, our well trained doctors and hospitals are unparalleled in the world, why not use it? If the military cannot support itself then allow the US Government to transfer that patient to a civilian authority. Payment for services rendered. The trick will be to determine who and when that would happen.
There is no doubt in my mind that the world renowned Spaulding Rehabilitation Center, Boston, could help enormously for the benefit of our heroes than any military hospital anywhere in the world.
An editorial perhaps since I am partial to the teaching hospitals of Harvard, Tufts, and Boston Univ. Schools of Medicine all working with MIT. It may interest you to know that some of these incredible health care professionals use their talents in the Boston Area VA Hospitals.
(May I reserve the subject of the VA for another time).
Best
Ricky (1969-1970)
about 1 year ago
VA Improves Housing Benefits for Severely Disabled
-----Original Message-----
From: VA Media Relations
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 9:06 AM
To: V
Subject: VA Improves Housing Benefits for Severely Disabled
New VA Rules for Specially Adapted Housing Grants Program Aids Most
Seriously Injured WASHINGTON (January 4, 2008) - A change in the law that
allows certain seriously injured veterans and servicemembers to receive
multiple grants for constructing or modifying homes has resulted in many new
grants, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today.
Before the change, eligible veterans and servicemembers could receive
special adaptive housing grants of $10,000 or $50,000 from VA only once.
Now they may use the benefit up to three times, so long as the total grants
stay within specified limits outlined in the law.
"Veterans seriously disabled during their military service have earned this
benefit," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.
"This change ensures that every eligible veteran and servicemember has the
chance to use the maximum amount afforded to them by our grateful nation."
In order to ensure all previous recipients are aware of this opportunity, VA
has mailed more than 16,000 letters to eligible veterans, reaching out to
those who used only a portion of their grant or who decided not to use the
grant even after initially qualifying.
The response over the past year has been dramatic, with more than 4,600
applications received thus far. Of these, approximately 3,900 veterans have
been determined eligible under the new law, and more than 200
grants already awarded.
VA has averaged about 1,000 adaptive housing grant applications per year
during the past 10 years. Since the program began in 1948, it has provided
more than $650 million in grants to about 34,000 seriously disabled
veterans.
To ensure veterans' and servicemembers' needs are met and grant money is
spent properly, VA works closely throughout the entire process with
contractors and architects to design, construct and modify homes that meet
the individuals' housing accessibility needs.
Eligible for the benefit are those with specific service-connected
disabilities entitling them to VA compensation for a "permanent and total
disability." They may receive a grant to construct an adapted home or to
modify an existing one to meet their special needs.
VA has three types of adapted housing grants available. The Specially
Adapted Housing grant (SAH), currently limited to $50,000, is generally used
to create a wheelchair-accessible home for those who may require such
assistance for activities of daily living.
VA's Home Loan Guaranty program and the Native American Direct Loan program
may also be used with the SAH benefit to purchase an adaptive home.
The Special Housing Adaptations (SHA) grant, currently limited to $10,000,
is generally used to assist veterans with mobility throughout their homes
due to blindness in both eyes, or the anatomical loss or loss of use of both
hands or extremities below the elbow.
A third type established by the new law, the Temporary Residence Adaptation
(TRA) grant, is available to eligible veterans and seriously injured active
duty servicemembers who are temporarily living or intend to temporarily live
in a home owned by a family member.
While the SAH and SHA grants require ownership and title to a house, in
creating TRA Congress recognized the need to allow veterans and active duty
members who may not yet own homes to have access to the adaptive housing
grant program.
Under TRA, veterans and servicemembers eligible under the SAH program would
be permitted to use up to $14,000, and those eligible under the SHA program
would be allowed to use up to $2,000 of the maximum grant amounts. Each
grant would count as one of the three grants allowed under the new program.
"The goal of all three grant programs is to provide a barrier-free living
environment that offers the country's most severely injured veterans or
servicemembers a level of independent living," added Peake.
Other VA adaptive housing benefits are currently available through
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service's "Independent Living"
program, the Insurance Service's Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance program,
and the Veterans Health Administration's Home Improvement and Structural
Alterations grant.
For more information about grants and other adaptive housing programs,
contact a local VA regional office at 1-800-827-1000 or local veteran
service organization. Additional program information and grant applications
(VAF-26-4555) can be found at Additional Info
-----Original Message-----
From: VA Media Relations
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 9:06 AM
To: V
Subject: VA Improves Housing Benefits for Severely Disabled
New VA Rules for Specially Adapted Housing Grants Program Aids Most
Seriously Injured WASHINGTON (January 4, 2008) - A change in the law that
allows certain seriously injured veterans and servicemembers to receive
multiple grants for constructing or modifying homes has resulted in many new
grants, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today.
Before the change, eligible veterans and servicemembers could receive
special adaptive housing grants of $10,000 or $50,000 from VA only once.
Now they may use the benefit up to three times, so long as the total grants
stay within specified limits outlined in the law.
"Veterans seriously disabled during their military service have earned this
benefit," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.
"This change ensures that every eligible veteran and servicemember has the
chance to use the maximum amount afforded to them by our grateful nation."
In order to ensure all previous recipients are aware of this opportunity, VA
has mailed more than 16,000 letters to eligible veterans, reaching out to
those who used only a portion of their grant or who decided not to use the
grant even after initially qualifying.
The response over the past year has been dramatic, with more than 4,600
applications received thus far. Of these, approximately 3,900 veterans have
been determined eligible under the new law, and more than 200
grants already awarded.
VA has averaged about 1,000 adaptive housing grant applications per year
during the past 10 years. Since the program began in 1948, it has provided
more than $650 million in grants to about 34,000 seriously disabled
veterans.
To ensure veterans' and servicemembers' needs are met and grant money is
spent properly, VA works closely throughout the entire process with
contractors and architects to design, construct and modify homes that meet
the individuals' housing accessibility needs.
Eligible for the benefit are those with specific service-connected
disabilities entitling them to VA compensation for a "permanent and total
disability." They may receive a grant to construct an adapted home or to
modify an existing one to meet their special needs.
VA has three types of adapted housing grants available. The Specially
Adapted Housing grant (SAH), currently limited to $50,000, is generally used
to create a wheelchair-accessible home for those who may require such
assistance for activities of daily living.
VA's Home Loan Guaranty program and the Native American Direct Loan program
may also be used with the SAH benefit to purchase an adaptive home.
The Special Housing Adaptations (SHA) grant, currently limited to $10,000,
is generally used to assist veterans with mobility throughout their homes
due to blindness in both eyes, or the anatomical loss or loss of use of both
hands or extremities below the elbow.
A third type established by the new law, the Temporary Residence Adaptation
(TRA) grant, is available to eligible veterans and seriously injured active
duty servicemembers who are temporarily living or intend to temporarily live
in a home owned by a family member.
While the SAH and SHA grants require ownership and title to a house, in
creating TRA Congress recognized the need to allow veterans and active duty
members who may not yet own homes to have access to the adaptive housing
grant program.
Under TRA, veterans and servicemembers eligible under the SAH program would
be permitted to use up to $14,000, and those eligible under the SHA program
would be allowed to use up to $2,000 of the maximum grant amounts. Each
grant would count as one of the three grants allowed under the new program.
"The goal of all three grant programs is to provide a barrier-free living
environment that offers the country's most severely injured veterans or
servicemembers a level of independent living," added Peake.
Other VA adaptive housing benefits are currently available through
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service's "Independent Living"
program, the Insurance Service's Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance program,
and the Veterans Health Administration's Home Improvement and Structural
Alterations grant.
For more information about grants and other adaptive housing programs,
contact a local VA regional office at 1-800-827-1000 or local veteran
service organization. Additional program information and grant applications
(VAF-26-4555) can be found at Additional Info
about 1 year ago
New VA Rules for Specially Adapted Housing Grants
{EXCERPT} SunHerald.com, MS Since the program began in 1948, it has provided
more than $650 million in grants to about 34000 seriously disabled veterans. To
ensure veterans' and...
Story
Disabled Veterans Discussion/News/Info Exchange Forum
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its entirety. However, you can read it in full
today at the supplied URL. The subject/content of
this report is not necessarily the viewpoint of
the distributing Library. This report is provided
for your information and discussion.
-- Otis Willie (Ret.)
Military News and Information Editor (http://www.13105320634.com)
The American War Library, Est. 1988 (http://www.amervets.com)
16907 Brighton Avenue
Gardena CA 90247
1-310-532-0634
Military Webmaster Site Link Request Form:
view link
Military and Vet Info-Exchange/Discussion Groups
{EXCERPT} SunHerald.com, MS Since the program began in 1948, it has provided
more than $650 million in grants to about 34000 seriously disabled veterans. To
ensure veterans' and...
Story
Disabled Veterans Discussion/News/Info Exchange Forum
U.S. and friendly nation laws prohibit fully
reproducing copyrighted material. In abidance
with our laws this report cannot be provided in
its entirety. However, you can read it in full
today at the supplied URL. The subject/content of
this report is not necessarily the viewpoint of
the distributing Library. This report is provided
for your information and discussion.
-- Otis Willie (Ret.)
Military News and Information Editor (http://www.13105320634.com)
The American War Library, Est. 1988 (http://www.amervets.com)
16907 Brighton Avenue
Gardena CA 90247
1-310-532-0634
Military Webmaster Site Link Request Form:
view link
Military and Vet Info-Exchange/Discussion Groups
about 1 year ago
2008 Resolution: Get Involved for the Good of the Military Community
Many of us start the new year with resolutions to lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier, give up smoking, etc.MOAA suggests resolving to get more engaged on legislative issues that impact your family's health and wallet, and those of your comrades in arms and their families.
Several things are certain about 2008: there will be threats to the defense budget, proposals to shift more health costs to military beneficiaries, new proposals to cut so-called federal "entitlement" spending, and renewed competition for limited budget dollars.How about making the following your resolutions?
1) I will care enough about my family's military benefits to help protect them. When alerted by MOAA, (Or any other organization JR) I will e-mail, write and call my legislators so they know what issues are important to me.
2) I will care enough about my military friends and their families to help inform them about legislative threats and encourage them to contact their legislators on issues of concern.
3) I will care enough about the entire military community to help push for needed fixes for others, even thought the issue may not affect me personally. If all members of the military family -- active duty, Guard, Reserve, retired, veterans, spouses, family members, and survivors -- support each other's issues, we strengthen the support for all, rather than "hanging separately."
Friends help friends in solving car problems, home repair problems, health problems, and more. When there's a legitimate gripe, we need to get a collective grip -- and get a group of our friends and colleagues -- to get a fix.
Many of us start the new year with resolutions to lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier, give up smoking, etc.MOAA suggests resolving to get more engaged on legislative issues that impact your family's health and wallet, and those of your comrades in arms and their families.
Several things are certain about 2008: there will be threats to the defense budget, proposals to shift more health costs to military beneficiaries, new proposals to cut so-called federal "entitlement" spending, and renewed competition for limited budget dollars.How about making the following your resolutions?
1) I will care enough about my family's military benefits to help protect them. When alerted by MOAA, (Or any other organization JR) I will e-mail, write and call my legislators so they know what issues are important to me.
2) I will care enough about my military friends and their families to help inform them about legislative threats and encourage them to contact their legislators on issues of concern.
3) I will care enough about the entire military community to help push for needed fixes for others, even thought the issue may not affect me personally. If all members of the military family -- active duty, Guard, Reserve, retired, veterans, spouses, family members, and survivors -- support each other's issues, we strengthen the support for all, rather than "hanging separately."
Friends help friends in solving car problems, home repair problems, health problems, and more. When there's a legitimate gripe, we need to get a collective grip -- and get a group of our friends and colleagues -- to get a fix.
about 1 year ago
Those are some good 2008 resolutions TC. Did you get the feeling that veterans were second class citizens in the campaigns here in Iowa TC?
about 1 year ago
The article posted earlier -subject-
INTRODUCTION TO THE VETERANS' AID AND ATTENDANCE SPECIAL PENSION should have contained the following
*Figures are from the Veteran's Administration as of 1/01/07 Please contact the VA to verify current Aid and Attendance monthly payments.
Effective Jan 2008 COL(cost of living) raise went into effect.
INTRODUCTION TO THE VETERANS' AID AND ATTENDANCE SPECIAL PENSION should have contained the following
*Figures are from the Veteran's Administration as of 1/01/07 Please contact the VA to verify current Aid and Attendance monthly payments.
Effective Jan 2008 COL(cost of living) raise went into effect.
about 1 year ago
