Rules on veterans’ benefits made easier to understand
By David Venditta
If you’re a veteran or in the military now, you may not know about all the benefits you’re entitled to.
Even if you do, gobbledygook could stop you like a tank. Pick up a government publication and you might need a translator to find whether you’re eligible for some of the rewards of service and how to obtain them.
It’s tedious work, and time-consuming, and you might just want to forget the whole thing.
Don’t despair. There’s a load of practical help for you in print and on the Internet these days, especially with the heightened awareness of the military that comes with the war in Iraq and global fight against terror…
For more information on Veterans Benefits, click here
One addition that aims to make your search for answers easier is a book from Military.com called “The Military Advantage: A Comprehensive Guide to Your Military & Veterans Benefits” (Simon & Schuster, $20). The 400-page paperback is the work of Christopher P. Michel, founder and president of Military.com. Here’s a glimpse of what you can learn from it:
VA home loans. Home loans through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs aren’t always the best way to go. You might be able to land a conventional home loan with a lower interest rate. Do your homework.
If you’re a veteran with permanent and total service-connected disabilities, you might be able to obtain a VA Specially Adapted Housing Program grant for up to $50,000. You’d use the money to adapt a house so it meets your needs.
Are you a veteran with a VA-rated disability of 10 percent or higher? If so, your VA loan fees could be waived. That could save you thousands of dollars in loan origination fees.
Retired pay. The government offers a pension, with benefits, when you retire from the military. If you have a choice, how do you pick the best plan for your situation? Use the U.S. Department of Defense retirement calculators online at www.dod.mil/militarypay/retirement/calc.
Veteran disability pay. If you have limited income and 90 days or more of active military service–including at least one day in wartime–you might be eligible for a veterans’ disability pension. Payments would be made to bring your total income, including other retirement or Social Security income, to a level set by Congress.
Earned a Medal of Honor? You could have a monthly veterans’ pension of $1,027.
Health-care coverage. Tricare is the health-care program for service members and retirees, along with their families and survivors. To learn about it, you can go on a self-help tutorial at www.tricareu.tricare.osd.mil. For general Tricare information, call 877-363-6337.
If you can, pay your enrollment fee annually, not quarterly. Annual payments mean less chance of a problem with a billing and claims payment.
Save your receipts and you’ll end up saving money and avoiding headaches. Keep explanations of benefits, co-payment records and receipts for at least a year. You can deduct many health-care expenses from your taxes, and you never know when you might be incorrectly billed.
Don’t submit multiple claims bundled together, because a problem with one claim will delay payment on all of them. Send them separately. That’s how processors manage them.
VA health care: Veterans are eligible for VA programs, as well as dependents in many cases. The Department of Veterans Affairs is required by law to provide eligible veterans hospital care and outpatient care services that are defined as “needed.” The VA defines “needed” as care or services that will promote, preserve, and restore health.
Special military lodging. Many hotels and resorts offer special discounts for service members and their families.
Legal rights. Think being called to active military service means you’ll have trouble meeting your financial obligations? You might have protection under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which covers all active-duty personnel, including reservists and National Guard members called to active duty. Check with a Defense Department legal assistance office.
Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act, your employer can’t make you spend vacation time for your military training or service.
Contact the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve first if you have a question about your employment rights. It’s your best option for a speedy resolution, and protects all levels of appeal if they’re needed. Call 800-336-4590 or go to www.esgr.org.
Claims and appeals. Get help when enrolling or filing a health or compensation claim. Veterans Services Officers can ensure that your enrollment and claims forms are filled out correctly and your claims are processed right the first time.
Keep a copy of all paperwork related to your compensation case in the event you’ll need to appeal later on.
– Education benefits. The Reserve GI Bill can provide you up to 36 months of benefits worth more than $10,000 tax-free to help pay for college tuition, books, fees and vocational training or certification expenses. You pay nothing. It requires a six-year commitment to serve in the Reserve or Guard.
Family support. The Red Cross publishes a guide for military families at www.redcross.org/pubs/afpubs/welcome.pdf. It deals with family reunion and postdeployment concerns, including returning to work.
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