Benefits for Veterans - PowerPoint Presentation

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Benefits for Veterans

Mike FranksAccredited Veterans Service OfficerSlide2

Key Facts

There are 660,000 Vets in Michigan and 1/3 of these Vets served during the Vietnam Era.Michigan Vets leave over $1.5 Billion on the table by not connecting to benefits.That’s Federal VA money intended for the veteran or their family members.

MVAA is a resource for you to directly service your Veterans.Slide3

Mission

To serve as the central coordinating point, connecting those who have served in the United States Armed Forces and their families, to services and benefits throughout the State of Michigan.Slide4

Vision

For Michigan to be the most veteran-friendly state, by:Providing the advice and assistance veterans need as they transition through the chapters of their lives;Creating a “no wrong door” customer service culture; and

Advocating for and on behalf of veterans and their families.Slide5

Benefits Counseling

5 State Veteran Service Officers56 Veteran Services Officers sub-contracted through the veteran service organizationsCounty Veteran Services Offices and Counselors

http://www.michiganveterans.com/Home/Benefit-CounselorsSlide6

Federal VA Benefits

Disability Compensation

Pension

Aid & Attendance

Housebound

Education & Training

Home Loans

Health Care

Burial

Dependents and SurvivorsSlide7

Disability Compensation

Tax-free benefit for a service connected disability

Service Connected:

Any injury or disease that is caused by or aggravated by

active military service

Injury or disease that is presumed by VA to be related to

Military service

VA will rate the severity of the injury/illness 0-100%.

Rating determines amount of monthly payment

Rating can be increased, as severity of injury/illness increasesSlide8

Presumptive Conditions

VA “presumes” that specific disabilities were caused by

Military service

Vets with 90 days or more of service:

Amyotrophic Lateral

S

clerosis (ALS)/Lou Gehrig’s disease

Former POW’s, Vets exposed to Agent Orange (Vietnam Vets),

Vets exposed to Ionizing Radiation, Gulf War VeteransSlide9

Presumptive Conditions

Vietnam Vets (Exposed to Agent Orange)

Served in-country in Vietnam between 1/9/1962-5/7/1975

AL Amyloidosis

Chronic B-cell

Leukemias

Chloracne

(or similar

acneform

disease)

Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Hodgkin’s Disease

Ischemic Heart Disease

Multiple Myeloma

Non-Hodgkin’s LymphomaSlide10

Presumptive Conditions

Vietnam Vets (Exposed to Agent Orange)

Served in-country in Vietnam between 1/9/1962-5/7/1975

Parkinson’s Disease

Peripheral Neuropathy

Porphyria

Cutanea

Tarda

Prostate Cancer

Respiratory Cancers (includes lung cancer)

Soft Tissue SarcomasSlide11

Presumptive Conditions

Gulf War Veterans (Undiagnosed Illness)

Served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War

Medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Fibromyalgia

Irritable bowel syndrome

Symptoms of an undiagnosed illness such as:

Fatigue, skin symptoms, headaches, muscle pain, joint pain,

neurological symptoms, respiratory symptoms, sleep

disturbance, GI symptoms, cardiovascular symptoms, weight

loss, menstrual disordersSlide12

Pension

Tax-free benefit for war-time Vets with limited or no income

Age 65,

or

Permanently and totally disabled due to non-service

c

onnected cause

May qualify for additional Aid & Attendance or Housebound

benefitsSlide13

Housebound

An increased monthly pension amount paid to a

claimant who is substantially confined to his or her

home because of a permanent disability.Slide14

Aid and Attendance

An increased monthly pension amount paid to a claimant

that:

Requires the aid of another person in order to perform

activities of daily living,

OR

Is bedridden,

OR

Patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical

incapacity,

OR

Has corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less, in both eyes, or

concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.Slide15

Death Pension

Monthly benefit payable to low-income surviving spouse and

children of a deceased Veteran with wartime service.

No disability requirement, but spouse can not be remarried.

No time limit after death to apply

Spouse may also be eligible for additional Housebound or

Aid and Attendance payments.

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Dependency & Indemnity Compensation

Monthly benefit payable to surviving spouse and children of a

Veteran that died during active service, or from a service-

disability, or had a 100% service-connected rating.

Surviving Spouse and children may also be eligible for

CHAMPVA healthcare and dependents education assistanceSlide17

Burial

Reimbursement for funeral, burial, and transportation costs

Headstone or marker at any cemetery, or medallion for family

stone

American flag to drape the casket

Presidential Memorial Certificate for next of kin

Burial in a VA national cemetery

Honor Guard services at funerals, provided by local organizations

Some Counties also provide additional burial funds for VetsSlide18

How do I apply?

How do I apply for benefits?Meet with an accredited Service Officerwww.michiganveterans.com/home/benefit-counselors

Apply online at eBenefits.va.govNeed Level 2 premium accountPrint application forms and mail/fax to VAwww.va.gov/vaformsSlide19

Healthcare

Any Veteran with active military service and separated under

any condition other than dishonorable may qualify for VA

healthcare benefits.

If enlisted prior to 9/7/1980, only need to have served on active

duty for at least 1 day.

If enlisted after 9/7/1980, must have served 24 continuous

months or the full period for which they were called to active

duty.

Vets

must

apply for enrollment.

May have a co-pay, depending on income level.Slide20

Healthcare

Benefits of enrolling in VA healthcare:

Hearing aids, Eyeglasses, mobility devices for NO cost

(Co-pay for specialist exam may apply)

Maintenance and batteries for non-VA hearing aids

Travel Pay

Low cost Dental Insurance

Nationwide coverage – Vet can go to ANY VA medical

center or clinic for careSlide21

State Veterans Homes

Grand Rapids Home for VeteransDJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans, MarquetteVets and Spouses are eligible

Cost is based on income and assetsVolunteer OpportunitiesSlide22

Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF)

Provides emergency grants to eligible Michigan veterans and dependent family members to temporarily meet essential expensesApplications available through your MVTF agent or county committeeEligibility

Details: www.MichiganVeterans.com Slide23

www.MichiganVeterans.com

1-800-MICH-VET

Mike Franks

(616) 364-5399