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Bureau of Veterans Affairs

Bureau of Veterans Affairs. Pennsylvania National Guard Technician Pre-Retirement Seminar. Jim Butler Chief, Division of Veterans’ Services and Programs. BRIEFING OVERVIEW. ELIGIBILITY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR COMBAT VETERANS (OEF/OIF) VA HEALTH CARE ENROLLMENT SERVICE CONNECTION IDT/AT

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Bureau of Veterans Affairs

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  1. Bureau of Veterans Affairs Pennsylvania National Guard Technician Pre-Retirement Seminar Jim Butler Chief, Division of Veterans’ Services and Programs

  2. BRIEFING OVERVIEW • ELIGIBILITY • MEDICAL SERVICES FOR COMBAT VETERANS (OEF/OIF) • VA HEALTH CARE ENROLLMENT • SERVICE CONNECTION IDT/AT • VA COMPENSATION • VET CENTERS • HOME LOAN GUARANTY • GI Bill Chapter 33 • STATE VETERANS’ HOMES • PERSIAN GULF BONUS • COUNTY BENEFITS

  3. Eligibility • Veterans who served in the active military, naval or air service and who were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable • Former Reservists who served full-time and for operational or support (excludes training purposes) • Former National Guard members if mobilized by a Federal order

  4. Eligibility(continued) • Most veterans who enlisted in the Armed Forces after 9/7/80 must have completed: • 24 months continuous active service, or • the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty • A service-connected condition is not necessary to receive VA health care

  5. “Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom”VA Health Care • Health care services are available for all returning Operation Enduring or Iraqi Freedom Combat Veterans • Provides combat veterans cost-free care for conditions potentially related to their combat service • 5 years of care beginning on date of separation from active military service (Effective 31 January 2008) • Enrolled in Priority 6- No Co-Pay for conditions potentially related to their combat service

  6. “Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom”VA Health Care Enrollment • Enroll using VA Form 10-10EZ • Send to your nearest VA Medical Center • The entire form to include income data must be completed • All Veterans who enroll under this authority with VA will retain enrollment eligibility even after their five-year post discharge ends, however VA will conduct a MEANS review and adjust veterans priority commensurate with their income

  7. Basic VA Health Care Enrollment • To receive VA health care, a veteran must enroll in the VA health care system unless: • veteran has a 50% or more service-connected VA disability rating • less than one year has passed since veteran was discharged from the military for a disability that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty but VA has not yet rated

  8. Enrollment(continued) • the veteran is seeking care for a service-connected disability • Once enrolled, veteran will be assigned to one of 8 priority groups. Depending on veteran’s status, a co-payment for services may be required

  9. Application • Identify VA health care facility for primary care • Complete VA Form 10-10EZ and submit in person, in writing, or on-line to facility of choice • For Help: • Call 1-877-222-VETS • (1-877-222-8387), or • Visit www.va.gov

  10. VA COMPENSATION Inactive Duty Training ( Drill Weekend) • Disabilities that resulted from a disease or injury incurred on IADT. • Injury, heart attack or stroke incurred during IDT (Must have Approved Line of Duty) • Such disabilities are considered “Service Connected”

  11. VA COMPENSATION Cont’d Federal Active Duty and Active Duty for Training (AT/ADSW) and Active Guard Reserve (AGR) • All injuries or diseases incurred on Active Duty can be claimed for VA Service Connected Compensation • A service-connected disability is a disease or injury incurred or aggravated while on active duty. The disability does not have to be combat or wartime related • Must file claim within One Year of discharge from • AT/ADSW must have a completed and approved Line of Duty

  12. VA COMPENSATIONFiling a Claim • VA Claim (VA Form 21-526) Veteran’s Application for Compensation • **RECOMMENDATION –Find a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to assist in filing the claim • WHY???

  13. VA COMPENSATIONFiling a Claim Cont’d • Claims for Compensation submitted to the VA and managed by a VSO have a greater success rate for award of service connection than those claims submitted by veterans with no assistance Veteran Service Officers: • Understand & can explain the entire compensation claim process (Processing time – the Great Unknown) • They provide assistance if the VA needs additional information to support a claim (Development Letters) • Explain the contents of the decision letter and explain your service connection benefits

  14. VA COMPENSATIONFiling a Claim Cont’d • Appoint the VSO as your Power of Attorney (POA) for all VA matters. • (State, County or Veteran Organization Service Officer) • Ask to sign a POA (VA Form 21-22) • ***Compensation Benefits are a “Life Time Commitment Between the VA and the Veteran”

  15. VA COMPENSATION“The Rating Decision” • Soldier receives a rating decision for the service connected or non-service connected issues as determined by the VA • Rating can be from 0% to 100% in compensation which is paid to the soldier “Tax Free”

  16. www.va.gov/rcs Readjustment Counseling Service Vet Centers provide quality readjustment counseling in a caring manner. Vet Centers understand and appreciate veterans’ military experiences while assisting them and their family members toward a successful post-military adjustment in or near their community.

  17. Vet Centers - Special Services • Individual Counseling • Group Counseling • Marital & Family Counseling • Alcohol & Drug Assessment • Spouse/Significant Other Counseling • Employment Counseling & Guidance

  18. Vet Centers - Special Services (continued) • Bereavement Counseling • Sexual Trauma Counseling • Referral to Community Agencies • Community Education • Liaison with VA Facilities • Benefits Assistance & Referral

  19. Vet Centers - Special Services • Individual Counseling • Group Counseling • Marital & Family Counseling • Alcohol & Drug Assessment • Spouse/Significant Other Counseling • Employment Counseling & Guidance

  20. Find a Vet Center • Harrisburg – (717) 782-3954 • Scranton – (570) 344-2676 • Philadelphia – (215) 627-0238 • (215) 924-4670 • Williamsport – (570) 327-5281 • Pittsburgh – (412) 920-1765 • McKeesport – (412) 678-7704 • Erie – (814) 453-7955 • Dubois - (814) 372-2095

  21. Home LoanGuaranty

  22. Featuresof a VA Loan • No down payment • Limitations on closing costs • The right to prepay without penalty • Funding Fee • Negotiated interest rates • Special assistance for veterans experiencing difficulty in making loan payments

  23. Loan Purposes • Buy a home • Build a home • Simultaneously buy and improve a home • Refinance existing loan • Use only for property located in the US, its territories or possessions • Must occupy the property as your home within a reasonable period of time

  24. Eligibility • Generally, must serve 24 months of continuous active duty or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty or • Service must be at least 90 days during a period of war (181 during peacetime), unless discharged earlier due to a service connected disability or • National Guard and Reserve members must complete their first term of enlistment honorably * Currently-it is still the “Gulf War” period

  25. Loan Amounts • Maximum VA guaranty (protection tolender) for 2006 is$104,250, which is 25% of the Freddie Mac conforming loan limit for single family residences • Maximum loan – generally, lenders limitthe maximum VA loan to$417,000,which is 4 times the VA guaranty amount • Maximum guaranty and loan is 50% higher in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands • Loans more than the maximum allowed may require a down payment

  26. Funding Fee • Law requires funding fee to be paid on VA loans • Fee ranges from .5% to 3.3%, depending on loan type and if first or second time user • Fee can be included in loan • Fee is waived for vets entitled to VA Compensation

  27. Steps to a VA Home Loan 1. Find property to buy 2.Apply to a mortgage lender for a loan 3.Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility 4.Obtain a VA appraisal 5.Close the loan and move in!!

  28. More Information? Visit Loan Guaranty on the Internet at: www.homeloans.va.gov

  29. Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill)

  30. Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill) • Served at least 90 days of active duty since 9/10/01. • Served at least 30 days of active duty since 9/10/01 and medically discharged. • Meet honorable discharge criteria • Chapter 30, 1606, 1607 or those currently serving on active duty may elect to receive Chapter 33 on August 1, 2009.

  31. Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill) • Entitlement is a percentage based on the length of active duty service. • Amount of tuition and fees charged, not to exceed the most expensive in-State undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education. • Monthly housing allowance equal to the BAH amount payable to a military E-5 with dependents in the zip code of the school. • Yearly books and supplies stipend up to $1,000 per year. • BAH and stipend not payable to individuals on active duty. BAH not payable to those training at half-time or less or taking distance learning courses.

  32. Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill) • Payable for training pursued on or after August 1, 2009 • May receive up to 36 months of entitlement • Eligible for benefits for 15 years from last period of active duty • Services may offer transfer of benefits to spouse or dependents under policies to be published

  33. Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill) Determination of Eligibility • DVA makes VA eligibility determinations • Veterans “Ask a Question” or call 1-888-442-4551 • When in doubt, submit the paperwork!

  34. VETERANS’ HOMES • PROVIDES: • Domiciliary Care • Personal Care • Skilled Nursing Care • Dementia Care • Proximity to Family

  35. ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION • Criteria: • Be an eligible veteran or spouse of an eligible veteran. • An eligible veteran: • Served in US Armed Forces or PA Military Forces • Honorably discharged • Current resident of PA or listed PA as home of record upon initial enlistment (current residents have priority) • Home residents, within their capability, shall make monthly payments against their maintenance fee liability. Payments may be waived: incapable of self-support or demonstrates a financial need. • Admissions are on a First Come, First Serve basis: • By home • By level of care

  36. Persian Gulf ConflictVeterans’ Benefit Program • Eligibility: The program allows for compensation to be paid to eligible service members (current and former) as well as certain surviving relatives of deceased veterans. In each case, the service member/veteran must have: • Served with the United States Armed Forces, a reserve component of the United States • Armed Forces or the Pennsylvania National Guard. • Served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations during the period from August 2, 1990 to August 31, 1991 and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal. • Been a legal resident of Pennsylvania at the time of active service (Aug 2, 1990 - Aug 31,1991)

  37. Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Benefit Program (Cont’d) • Eligible beneficiaries of deceased veterans include, in the following order of precedence: • • Surviving spouse. • • Surviving children. • The application must be complete and contain appropriate documentation. Applications are available online from the program website (http://www.persiangulfbonus.state.pa.us), at each County Director of Veterans Affairs Office, Legislators’ Offices and from Veteran Service Organizations

  38. COUNTY SUPPORT • County VA Rep • 67 Counties • Some only work part-time • Not all Representatives accredited by VA • County Benefits • Gravesite Registration • Burial Allowance • Grave Markers/Flags • Government/Private Headstones • Marriage and Divorce Records

  39. DMVA POINTS OF CONTACT • Scott D. Wagner, Deputy Adjutant General (717) 861-8902 • Doug Etter, Executive Assistant (717) 861-8904 • Jennifer Boisvert, Office Manager (717) 861-8902 • David Heiland, Director for Veterans Programs (717) 861-2856 • Paul Cain, Director, Veterans Homes Division (717) 861-8903 • Debra Brown, Homes Admissions Officer (717) 861-8906 • Malinda Jones, Real Estate Tax Exemption (717) 861-8907 • Dennis Fake, Emergency Assistance (717) 861-8909 • Sophie Matukewicz, Blind and Paralyzed Veterans’ Pension, (717) 861-9410 • and Educational Gratuity • Michelle Zimmerman, DD214s (717) 861-8910 • Jim Butler, Chief, Div of Veterans Programs & Services, FtIG (717) 861-9418 • Phil Hillesheim, Veterans Service Officer, FtIG (717) 861-8905 • Barb Riggs, Veterans Service Officer, FtIG (717) 861-8452 • Kathy Donohue, Veterans Service Officer, Philadelphia (215) 381-3040 • David Dunham, Veterans Service Officer, Pittsburgh (412) 395-6225

  40. Bureau of Veterans AffairsPennsylvania National GuardTechnician Pre-Retirement Seminar QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS?

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