More than 2,200 veterans are eligible for free credit monitoring services after the VA mistakenly released tehir social security numbers to Ancestry.com following a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Under the FOIA law, the VA is required to release information about deceased veterans. This information includes the veteran's name, social security number, date of birth, military branch assignments and more.
Somehow, information about more than 2,200 living veterans was included with the requested information about deceased veterans. No health-related information was provided to Ancestry.com.
This information was provided to Ancestry.com on March 18, 2011 and posted on that site on December 13, 2011. When the errors were discovered, the information was promptly removed.
Veterans who believe they may have been affected can verify this information by writing to:
ATTN: Garnett Best
The Department of Veterans Affairs, OIT Privacy Officer (005R1A)
810 Vermont Ave. NW
Washington DC 20420
Veterans can also request a free credit report by calling 1-877-322-8228 or on http://www.annualcreditreport.com/.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
New Site Offers Job Opportunities, Benefits Advice and More to Veterans & Servicemembers
Connect with other veterans and veteran supporters on the new veteran portal at VeteranCentral.com. This site gives users access to a social media network, job bank, and "buy veteran" PX.
Veteran Central was created in response to the dramatic suicide rates among US servicemembers and veterans. The goal of the site is to connect servicemembers and veterans with a support network. According to the About Us page, the purpose of Veteran Central is "to develop a one stop support structure that would centralize efforts to alleviate these challenges including: improving community support, providing Veterans employment opportunities, and collecting programs and services from across the government and private sectors in one, easy to access location."
Sign up at VeteranCentral today to connect with these wonderful resources.
Veteran Central was created in response to the dramatic suicide rates among US servicemembers and veterans. The goal of the site is to connect servicemembers and veterans with a support network. According to the About Us page, the purpose of Veteran Central is "to develop a one stop support structure that would centralize efforts to alleviate these challenges including: improving community support, providing Veterans employment opportunities, and collecting programs and services from across the government and private sectors in one, easy to access location."
Sign up at VeteranCentral today to connect with these wonderful resources.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Chaplains Protect Veteran's Religious Freedoms
Veterans have access to hospital chaplains at VA medical facilities. Although many veterans may be unfamiliar with this service, chaplains exist to ensure that all veterans have access to 'clinical pastoral care' and that inpatient veterans have their right to free exercise of religion protected. The chaplains also ensure that the veterans do not have religion imposed on them.
Chaplains are available every hour of every day in every VA medical center. They can help you contact members of your local clergy. They can also help you find the chapel or meditation room in the medical center or provide you with spiritual/religious literature at your request.
Every veteran has the choice to see a chaplain or not. Inpatients at a VA medical facility are usually visited by a chaplain during their stay, but these visits can be avoided if the veteran indicates that they do not want one.
You can learn about the history of VA chaplains, as well as find your local chaplain, on the VA National Chaplain Center Home.
Chaplains are available every hour of every day in every VA medical center. They can help you contact members of your local clergy. They can also help you find the chapel or meditation room in the medical center or provide you with spiritual/religious literature at your request.
Every veteran has the choice to see a chaplain or not. Inpatients at a VA medical facility are usually visited by a chaplain during their stay, but these visits can be avoided if the veteran indicates that they do not want one.
You can learn about the history of VA chaplains, as well as find your local chaplain, on the VA National Chaplain Center Home.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Non-VA Emergency Care Rule Change
This month, the VA announced a change in the emergency payment procedures for eligible veterans who recieve treatment in non-VA facilities. Although the VA currently operates 121 emergency departments and 46 urgent care units across the country, not all veterans are able to go directly to a VA emergency facilty.
Until this change, non-VA emergency room visits could be costly to veterans. The rules about VA reimbursement were very unclear. Now, eligible veterans will be able to be reimbursed for care provided at non-VA facilities until the veteran can be safely transferred to a VA facility.
The new rules will benefit more than 100,000 veterans and will cost approximately $44 million per year.
Until this change, non-VA emergency room visits could be costly to veterans. The rules about VA reimbursement were very unclear. Now, eligible veterans will be able to be reimbursed for care provided at non-VA facilities until the veteran can be safely transferred to a VA facility.
The new rules will benefit more than 100,000 veterans and will cost approximately $44 million per year.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
ALS Diagnosis = 100% Disability Rating According to New VA Rules
There's good news for veterans with ALS, often called Lou Gehrig's disease. Beginning tomorrow (January 19, 2012), veterans will be immediately granted a 100% disability rating upon diagnoses with this progressive, fatal disease. (More here.)
Many veterans with ALS have died waiting for their benefits. Last June, Barry Mangan of Tacoma recieved his check for home modifications (in the amount of $63,780). Months and months of delays had forced him to move into a nursing home. His wife was overjoyed to recieve the check and started making arrangements. Just thirty minutes after the check arrived, the nursing home called to inform Mrs. Mangan that her husband had passed away, alone, in a nursing home. He would never be coming home. (For more information, visit the original article here.
This is a story that happens all to often for veterans with ALS. Thankfully, tomorrow's rule changes will help prevent these tragedies in the future.
Many veterans with ALS have died waiting for their benefits. Last June, Barry Mangan of Tacoma recieved his check for home modifications (in the amount of $63,780). Months and months of delays had forced him to move into a nursing home. His wife was overjoyed to recieve the check and started making arrangements. Just thirty minutes after the check arrived, the nursing home called to inform Mrs. Mangan that her husband had passed away, alone, in a nursing home. He would never be coming home. (For more information, visit the original article here.
This is a story that happens all to often for veterans with ALS. Thankfully, tomorrow's rule changes will help prevent these tragedies in the future.
Friday, January 13, 2012
USA Together Helps Veterans Pay Their Bills
If you are a veteran (or know a veteran) who is struggling in this economy, there is hope. Several organizations exist to help veterans in their time of crisis and need.
One of these organizations is "USA Together."
USA Together matches veterans in need with people who want to help. Although the site does not and cannot guarantee that every need will be met, USA Together does have a tremendous success rate. "Virtually all requests" have been met--sometimes within just a few hours of posting.
To qualify for help, veterans must be a current or honorably discharged member of any branch of the military and have a documented and verifiable service-connected disability. Evidence of this must be submitted before the help request will be met. Relatives of servicemembers killed in action may also qualify. USA Together pays bills directly to the person you owe, so be prepared to offer them that information as well.
In today's economy, everyone is struggling. Veterans seem to be the hardest hit--especially young and female veterans. Check out these unemployment statistics from the end of 2011.
Unemployment rate for veterans 18-24 years old: 33.2%
Unemployment rate for civilians 18-24 years old: 14.9%
Unemployment rate for female veterans: 16.8%
Unemployment rate for female civilians: 7.8%\
(Statistics taken from this article.)
Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be discussing other charitable organizations that help veterans. If you have a specific need or question, please let me know in the comments and I will help connect you with the resources you need.
One of these organizations is "USA Together."
USA Together matches veterans in need with people who want to help. Although the site does not and cannot guarantee that every need will be met, USA Together does have a tremendous success rate. "Virtually all requests" have been met--sometimes within just a few hours of posting.
To qualify for help, veterans must be a current or honorably discharged member of any branch of the military and have a documented and verifiable service-connected disability. Evidence of this must be submitted before the help request will be met. Relatives of servicemembers killed in action may also qualify. USA Together pays bills directly to the person you owe, so be prepared to offer them that information as well.
In today's economy, everyone is struggling. Veterans seem to be the hardest hit--especially young and female veterans. Check out these unemployment statistics from the end of 2011.
Unemployment rate for veterans 18-24 years old: 33.2%
Unemployment rate for civilians 18-24 years old: 14.9%
Unemployment rate for female veterans: 16.8%
Unemployment rate for female civilians: 7.8%\
(Statistics taken from this article.)
Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be discussing other charitable organizations that help veterans. If you have a specific need or question, please let me know in the comments and I will help connect you with the resources you need.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Simple Steps to Expedite Your Claim
The VA is currently facing a severe backlog in claims. If you are in the process of filing a claim or submitting evidence, follow these simple rules to help the VA process your claim easier and faster.
1. Never staple your paperwork. If you staple them, the VA has to unstaple them before the papers can be scanned. Save everyone time--and save some staples! Never use any adhesives on your papers, either.
2. Submit pharmacy summaries, not labels. Go to the pharmacy and ask for a printout for a specific date range.
3. Use 8.5 by 11 inch paper only.
4. Put the patient's name and social security number on everything! Include middle initials or names if you have a common name or if you know of someone with the same first and last name in the VA system.
1. Never staple your paperwork. If you staple them, the VA has to unstaple them before the papers can be scanned. Save everyone time--and save some staples! Never use any adhesives on your papers, either.
2. Submit pharmacy summaries, not labels. Go to the pharmacy and ask for a printout for a specific date range.
3. Use 8.5 by 11 inch paper only.
4. Put the patient's name and social security number on everything! Include middle initials or names if you have a common name or if you know of someone with the same first and last name in the VA system.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Your Senator Can Help You with Your VA Claim
Hello readers, we're back!
I know it's been a long time since I've updated and I sincerely apologize. Posting should resume it's normal schedule now that we've entered the New Year and things are settling down after the holiday rush.
If you have a claim open with the Department of Veteran's Affairs right now, you've probably realized that it is taking a really, really long time to process. You aren't alone. We submitted a claim for an additional dependent a year ago and we are still waiting on a decision.
In November, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Patty Murray sent a letter to the Department of the VA Secretary urging the VA to address the extreme backlog facing the VA. The content of that letter can be found here.
Veterans who are currently waiting for a decision from the VA can contact a Senator from their home state for help. Each Senator has professionals on staff to assist constituents with the VA process. You can find your Senator's contact information here. To see if your Senator is currently serving on the Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs, view the membership list.
If you have an open claim, how long have you been waiting?
I know it's been a long time since I've updated and I sincerely apologize. Posting should resume it's normal schedule now that we've entered the New Year and things are settling down after the holiday rush.
If you have a claim open with the Department of Veteran's Affairs right now, you've probably realized that it is taking a really, really long time to process. You aren't alone. We submitted a claim for an additional dependent a year ago and we are still waiting on a decision.
In November, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Patty Murray sent a letter to the Department of the VA Secretary urging the VA to address the extreme backlog facing the VA. The content of that letter can be found here.
Veterans who are currently waiting for a decision from the VA can contact a Senator from their home state for help. Each Senator has professionals on staff to assist constituents with the VA process. You can find your Senator's contact information here. To see if your Senator is currently serving on the Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs, view the membership list.
If you have an open claim, how long have you been waiting?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)