Caregivers of disabled veterans make amazing sacrifices to care for their loved ones. In some cases, the sacrfices are greater than others. This article in the Wall Street Journal tells the story of a wounded hero, Ian Welch, and his amazing girlfrield Katie Brickman. It is an inspirational story of love and sacrifice, tragedy and hope.
If you provide care to a Post-9/11 veteran, be sure to check out the VA's caregiver website and determine your eligibility for caregiver benefits. You may be eligible for a monthly stipend, health care benefits and more.
Showing posts with label post 9/11 veterans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label post 9/11 veterans. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
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.
Friday, September 16, 2011
DoD Reconsidering Determinations for Some Veterans
Good morning!
Certain eligible veterans who received medical discharges and were rated by the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) or Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) may be able to apply for a re-evaluation. The Department of Defense’s Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) is re-opening some cases for certain veterans who were medically separated between September 11, 2001 and December 31, 2009 to verify that a correct decision was made.
To be eligible, veterans must have received a combined disability rating of 20 percent or less and have been found ineligible for retirement. Former reserve members with more than 20 years of total federal military service but fewer than 20 years of active duty can also apply if they meet the other eligibility requirements.
Any questions/comments/concerns? Let us know below! Thanks!
Monday, September 12, 2011
The Crisis Line: A 24/7 Service
Good morning!
Last week was National Suicide Prevention week. Although I am late in sharing this information, I hope that it may be useful to you if/when you need it.
The Army Times estimates that 18 veterans commit suicide each and every day. This is such a tragedy! Each and every life has meaning, and there is hope for each and every veteran.
If you or a veteran you know is ever struggling with severe depression, thoughts of suicide or severely harming oneself or others, please call the VA’s Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1. This will connect you with friendly, helpful people who will do everything they can to help you. Don’t suffer alone—please, please call the wonderful people at the VA Crisis Line who can help you through your times of struggle. They are trained and experienced in assisting veterans. Since 2007, the Crisis Line has answered approximately 500,000 calls and made more than 16,000 rescues.
Another way to connect with the VA Crisis Line is through their 24/7 online chat.
Here are some warning signs that may warrant a call to the crisis line:
· Hopelessness
· Anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness, mood swings
· Feeling like there’s no reason to live
· Rage, anger
· Thoughtlessly engaging in risky activities
· Increasing alcohol/drug use
· Withdrawing socially
If you notice any of the following signs, call the line immediately.
· Thinking about hurting/killing yourself
· Looking for ways to kill yourself
· Talking about death, dying or suicide
· Self-destructive behavior
You do not have to be a veteran to call on behalf of a veteran. Friends and family members are encouraged to call.
For more information, check out this link.
Do you have any questions, comments or concerns about the Crisis Line, or anything else? Please leave a comment below!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Caregiver Programs: Helping Those Who Help Veterans
Good morning!
Discovering the VA’s Caregiver Program was an immeasurable blessing to my family. My husband’s disabilities render him incapable of working, leaving me to take care of him… and our four young children… and keep the house clean… and the yard manicured… and the bills paid (which required me to work full-time hours). In addition to this, I was supposed to somehow also take care of myself. Yeah, right! It didn't work.
Thankfully, the VA recognizes that taking care of disabled veterans is hard work!
This amazing program, which launched in May 2011, provides health care, a monthly stipend (payment), mental health services, counseling, and caregiver training for eligible family caregivers of eligible veterans. The caregiver is also given access to respite care services, which allow the caregiver to place the veteran in the VA's care where round-the-clock caregiving services will be provided for free. Respite care is granted for a certain number of days per year, which cannot be exceeded but does not have to be used, either.
To qualify, veterans must have sustained a serious injury (including brain injury, psychological trauma or mental disorders) that were incurred or aggravated in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001. These veterans must also require personal care services because their injury renders them inable to perform one or more activities of daily living or causes symptoms/impairments that require the veteran to have supervision and protection. Veterans must also be enrolled in VA health services.
Determine your eligibility using the VA's online questionnaire tool at
http://www.caregiver.va.gov/. You may also call the Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274.
Eligible veterans can designate one primary Family Caregiver and two secondary Family Caregivers, but only one stipend amount will be issued. The amount can be divided among the Caregivers. The stipend amount varies depending on your location and the amount of assistance that the veteran requires.
If you believe you may be eligible for these benefits, I strongly urge you to apply. They can change your life. For Caregivers who sometimes have to do everything themselves, the Caregiver Program is a sanity saver.
For more information, please visit http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/caregiver/. The application can then be downloaded, printed, filled out and mailed. Once the application is filed and processed, a Caregiver Support Coordinator will call. The veteran will participate in a phone interview or in-person examination where the veteran's needs will be assessed. If the veteran appears to be eligible, the Caregiver will need to complete a training program organized by the Easter Seals. This training program can be completed online, in a class, or with a DVD and workbook. When the course is completed, a test will be administered. When the test is passed, an in-home visit with a nurse will be required. The nurse comes to the house to evaluate the veteran and the safety of the home. The nurse will make recommendations to the VA's Occupational Therapy department about modifications that can be made to assist the veteran. When the nurse's report is complete, the application will be processed and approved, if appropriate. Shortly after the approval, a check for the stipend will be issued that back pays to the date of your original application. Health care and other benefit information will also be provided.
Discovering the VA’s Caregiver Program was an immeasurable blessing to my family. My husband’s disabilities render him incapable of working, leaving me to take care of him… and our four young children… and keep the house clean… and the yard manicured… and the bills paid (which required me to work full-time hours). In addition to this, I was supposed to somehow also take care of myself. Yeah, right! It didn't work.
Thankfully, the VA recognizes that taking care of disabled veterans is hard work!
This amazing program, which launched in May 2011, provides health care, a monthly stipend (payment), mental health services, counseling, and caregiver training for eligible family caregivers of eligible veterans. The caregiver is also given access to respite care services, which allow the caregiver to place the veteran in the VA's care where round-the-clock caregiving services will be provided for free. Respite care is granted for a certain number of days per year, which cannot be exceeded but does not have to be used, either.
To qualify, veterans must have sustained a serious injury (including brain injury, psychological trauma or mental disorders) that were incurred or aggravated in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001. These veterans must also require personal care services because their injury renders them inable to perform one or more activities of daily living or causes symptoms/impairments that require the veteran to have supervision and protection. Veterans must also be enrolled in VA health services.
Determine your eligibility using the VA's online questionnaire tool at
http://www.caregiver.va.gov/. You may also call the Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274.
Eligible veterans can designate one primary Family Caregiver and two secondary Family Caregivers, but only one stipend amount will be issued. The amount can be divided among the Caregivers. The stipend amount varies depending on your location and the amount of assistance that the veteran requires.
If you believe you may be eligible for these benefits, I strongly urge you to apply. They can change your life. For Caregivers who sometimes have to do everything themselves, the Caregiver Program is a sanity saver.
For more information, please visit http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/caregiver/. The application can then be downloaded, printed, filled out and mailed. Once the application is filed and processed, a Caregiver Support Coordinator will call. The veteran will participate in a phone interview or in-person examination where the veteran's needs will be assessed. If the veteran appears to be eligible, the Caregiver will need to complete a training program organized by the Easter Seals. This training program can be completed online, in a class, or with a DVD and workbook. When the course is completed, a test will be administered. When the test is passed, an in-home visit with a nurse will be required. The nurse comes to the house to evaluate the veteran and the safety of the home. The nurse will make recommendations to the VA's Occupational Therapy department about modifications that can be made to assist the veteran. When the nurse's report is complete, the application will be processed and approved, if appropriate. Shortly after the approval, a check for the stipend will be issued that back pays to the date of your original application. Health care and other benefit information will also be provided.
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