Knights of Columbus
participation in the VAVS program is critical to support our nation's veterans.
With the influx
of seriously wounded active duty military into the VA heath care system for long
term rehabilitation before discharge, and then after discharge, the need
for volunteers is growing dramatically..
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Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) Committee |
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January 6, 2009
VA Assisting Veterans with Health Care Costs
WASHINGTON -- For veterans struggling financially due to a job loss or decreased income, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers an assortment of programs that can relieve the costs of health care or provide care at no cost.
“With the downturn in the economy, VA recognizes that many veterans will feel the effects,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “Therefore, it is important that eligible veterans learn of the many ways VA has to help them afford the health care they have earned.”
Veterans whose previous income was ruled too high for VA health care may be able to enter the VA system based upon a hardship if their current year’s income is projected to fall below federal income thresholds due to a job loss, separation from service or some other financial setback. Veterans determined eligible due to hardship can avoid copays applied to higher-income veterans. Qualifying veterans may be eligible for enrollment and receive health care at no cost.
Also eligible for no-cost VA care are most veterans who recently returned from a combat zone. They are entitled to five years of free VA care. The five-year “clock” begins with their discharge from the military, not their departure from the combat zone.
Each VA medical center across the country has an enrollment coordinator available to provide veterans information about these programs. Veterans may also contact VA’s Health Benefits Service Center at 1-877-222 VETS (8387) or visit the VA health eligibility website at www.va.gov/healtheligibility .
http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/
http://www.research.va.gov/resources/pubs/research_currents.cfm
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VA Urges Vets to Sign-up for Direct Deposits
WASHINGTON (Dec. 15, 2008) – Every month, 730,000 veterans or survivors look for their compensation, pension checks or educational assistance payments in their mailboxes. Nearly all receive them, but theft and mail delays cause problems for some veterans, which can be prevented by direct deposits.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is urging those veterans and family members now receiving paper checks to join nearly 3.1 million others whose VA payments are safely deposited electronically.
“VA is teaming up with the Treasury Department in a new campaign to protect government beneficiaries against the theft of funds and of their identities,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “Veterans earned -- and rely on -- the financial support we send them every month. I urge them to help VA ensure they get those funds reliably and safely by signing up for direct deposit.”
Peake cited several easy ways to sign up for direct deposit -- calling VA toll-free at (800) 333-1795 or enrolling online at www.GoDirect.org. Veterans, and family members who receive VA payments, also can sign up by contacting a VA regional benefits office or their financial institution. Information about direct deposits will be included in VA’s monthly compensation and pension envelopes throughout 2009.
The VA Secretary urged veterans to remember that direct deposits relieve worry about mail delivery being delayed by severe weather or natural disasters. The deposits also eliminate trips to banks or credit unions to deposit checks, while providing immediate access to money at the same time each month.
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In
today’s difficult economic times,
the VA is reaching out to veterans who may be struggling
financially due to job loss or decreased income.
Specifically, the VA wants veterans to know about programs
that can help pay or eliminate VA health care copay debt.
These programs are particularly helpful to recently discharged
non-combat veterans who were denied enrollment due to their
military income. Please do your part to help us help those in
need.
The Chief Business Office in coordination with the Health Eligibility Center developed a variety of outreach tools to inform veterans of this effort, including the attached posters. The first poster (Financial Hardship) is specific to hardships for those who might qualify for VA enrollment, and the second poster (Financial Distress) explains these programs for enrollees. We are requesting that medical centers and outpatient clinics post these in high traffic areas to spread the word. You will note that there is a section for each specific center’s contact information. Please refer to the attached printing instructions to download the PDF files and print the posters. A national press release and fact sheet will be issued in the next week. It is our hope that these advertisements will help educate veterans in need about assistance available to them in these trying times. << File: CBO Economic Difficulty-Financial Hardship.pdf >> << File: CBO Economic Difficulty-Financial Distress.pdf >> << File: Hardship Poster Printing Instructions.doc >> If you have any questions regarding this initiative, please let me know. Thanks!
Nancy Lee
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