An eBenefits Accounts Is A Plus

Dealing with the VA or any federal government organization can have its moments. There are rules, regulations, updates, forms, certified documents, wet signatures, DD-214s, evidence and a myriad of other hoops you have to jump through. Oh, wet signatures you ask. They are original signatures. Not copies, reproductions or electronic signatures.

When becoming involved with the VA, an eBenefits account is a good way to keep track of a multitude of things. Any veteran can create an eBenefits account. If you file a claim for disabilities or pension, you can follow the progress of your claim. You can add evidence to your claim. You can add or subtract dependents to your claim.

When you claim is approved, you can track your monthly payments. Which are tax free by the way. Change your address, update your bank account information, print out an VA Award letter (a letter from the VA stating what percentage you have been awarded depending your disability). If you want to apply for a VA mortgage, you need a COE (certificate of eligibility) to go with your application. Print it from eBenefits.

Want to use your GI Bill to go to school? The steps and forms are available here. How about batteries for hearing aids or set up an appointment for eyeglasses.

How about health care? Besides my family doctor, I have been going to the VA for healthcare for about three years. I can check my appointments, ask for prescription refills, read notes from my VA doctor's visits and print out a complete list of my blood tests. I give my family doctor a copy of all this information.
Go to www.ebenefits.va.gov <http://www.ebenefits.va.gov>  to get started. The home page will give a nice rundown of all the information you can access. Click the Register button and you are asked a series of questions. 

Questions are:

Select registration method:
I have a Common Access Card (CAC) with accessible card reader. 
I have a Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) myPay account. 
None of the above conditions apply, however at least one of the following conditions is true:

I am a Veteran
I am a Dependent of a Veteran
I am a Survivor of a Veteran
I am registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)

Just follow the prompts and account you too can have your very own eBenefits account. It is well worth the time and effort.

For questions or information contact me at 765-529-4305 or jguglielmi@henryco.net. My office hours are 7 am till noon, Tuesdaythrough Friday room 114 in the old Henry County Courthouse.

VA Expands Patient-Centered Community Care

VA Expands Patient-Centered Community Care (PC3) Contracts to Provide Access to Primary Care

WASHINGTON -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that primary care has been added to the services available to Veterans through VA’s Patient-Centered Community Care (PC3) contracts, a key and evolving part of the non-VA medical care program.  Eligible Veterans are already able to access inpatient specialty care, outpatient specialty care, mental health care, limited emergency care and limited newborn care for female Veterans following childbirth under PC3.

“With the addition of primary care services, VA Medical Centers can now use PC3 to provide additional types of care in order to reduce wait times,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald.  “This modification is another example of how we are working to ensure Veterans get the care they need, when they need it and where they want to be seen.”

This modification supports VA’s Accelerated Care Initiative, helping to move Veterans off of waitlists and into care. Additionally, reduced commuting standards will require that contracted providers schedule appointments closer to the Veterans’ homes.

The initial PC3 contracts were awarded in September 2013 to Tri-West and HealthNet and have been used as part of the non-VA medical care program to purchase care in the community.

“PC3 is part of the overall non-VA medical care program,” said Dr. Carolyn A. Clancy, VA’s Interim Under Secretary for Health.  “We look forward to expanding our ability to provide timely access to health care services to our Veterans.”

VA Medical Centers have the ability to purchase non-VA medical care for Veterans through contracted medical providers when they cannot readily provide the needed care due to geographic inaccessibility or limited capacity. This additional option is available to purchase non-VA medical care when required Veteran care services are unavailable within the VA medical facility, or when Veterans benefit from receiving the needed care nearer to their homes. In addition, VA is reviewing how PC3 may be used to help implement the newly enacted Veterans Choice, Access, and Accountability Act of 2014.

Through PC3, Veterans can expect to receive high-quality health care that is coordinated with their VA providers. For more information on PC3, visit http://www.nonvacare.va.gov/PC3/index.asp.

Short and To The Point: Filling Out Claim Forms

  Many times when a veteran or his spouse comes into my office to file a claim, but they want to take the forms home. They have another appointment, don't have the information with them, etc. I try to help everyone I can plow through the paperwork on site, but that is not  always possible.

   My advice to anyone filling out their own forms goes like this:
   
        Read each question carefully.
                   Don't guess at the answers. If you are not sure, bring the forms to you Service Officer.
     
        Print all your answers plainly. Do not use cursive.
                  You may know what you have written but the VA Grader that processes your claim might not be able to read your scribbles.
     
        Fill in all the blanks.
                  Example: Many VA forms ask for morning & evening phone numbers. Today it is common for people to have cells phones and no home phone. They put their cell phone number in the 'morning' box and same in the 'evening' box. Put the number in both boxes.

        Get all your financial information together before completing claims that require it.

        Gather up the necessary certificates you might need: discharge, death, marriage, etc.

        Know your doctor's full name, address and phone number and what they treated you for.

        Disability comp claims require What, When, Where & Why types of information.
                  Their needs to be a cause and effect. Yesterday a vet came in and wanted to file an "Agent Orange" claim. There is NO such thing. You have to have a disability related to you time in Vietnam, on the ground or serving in the Blue or Brown water Navy.

   When you have completed the forms and gathered all the necessary documents together, bring them to your county Veteran Service Office so they can check them over before they are shipped off to your Regional VA Office.

   The people that rate claims are not sitting waiting for your claim to land on their desk. They already have a stack of folders they are working on. If they have not their morning coffee or were stuck in traffic on the way to work, they not be in the best frame of might when they look at your claim that is full of scribbles and missing forms. They already have a stack of claims on their desk that they can turn to.

    Be concise, neat and have everything you need. If not sure, go to your VSO office and ask.  
 
  Remember www.va.gov  or email me at jguglielmi@henryco.net with you questions or write a comment on this blog.         

       

     

     
     

     

Crisis Line for Veterans Who Need Help Fast

    When as veteran in a crisis situation and needs help, there is a place to turn. The VA has established the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 PRESS 1. You can also send a text message to 838255.  This service is available 24/7 365 days a year.
 
   The Veteran Crisis Line is staffed with well trained  counselors - many are Veterans - who understand what Veterans have been through and the challenges they face coping with day to day survival.
 
   Depressed, homeless, can't find work, suffering from Post Traumatic Stress, this is the number to call for help. All calls are confidential and there is even support for the deaf and hard of hearing. If you have a computer available, log into www.veterancrisisline.net. You can start a chat online.
 
   What help is available through these numbers? The beauty of the service is that whatever the problem is, there are resources available. PTSD, depression, thoughts of suicide, these are problems that people don't understand unless they have been there. That is why the Crisis Line is so valuable. Call and talk to someone who understands.
   
   Can't find a job? The Crisis line will point you in the right direction. Also your state's Dept. Of Veterans Affairs and Employment Offices should have a staff members that specialize in helping vets find employment. A goal of the VA and state DOV's  is to find employment for as many Veterans as possible.
     
   Homeless and can't find a place to live. The counselors can connect you with resources in your area that can help you obtain aid and housing. The Natl. Call Center for Homeless Veterans, 1-877-424-3838 is another resource that can help vets and their families with housing and medical help. Federal, state, community partners, local agencies and county veteran service officers partner to get Veterans the help they need.
   
   Remember:
               Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 PRESS 1
               Natl. Call Center for Homeless Veterans, 1-877-424-3838

   I highly recommend that if you are not in the VA Health Care system, apply as soon as possible. It is simple. Complete a 10-10EZ (a two page form) and have a copy of your discharge. You can mail them to:                                    
                                     Health Eligibility Center
                                     2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200
                                     Atlanta, GA 30329
   Or take the form and discharge to your closest VA medical facility for processing. You can find the addresses on www.va.gov.                                  
 

If you feel lost and don't know where to turn, call. You have to start some place. Veteran families and friends are encouraged to also call to help their loved ones.

   If you have questions, feel free to email me. jguglielmi@henryco.net






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Military Family Relief Fund

   IN 2007, the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) began accepting grant applications from the families of deployed or recently deployed Indiana National Guard members and members of the Selected Reserves. Effective April 30, 2009, certain active duty service members are eligible.

   The emergency grants may be used by the families for needs such as food, housing, utilities, medical services, transportation and other essential family support expenses which have become difficult to afford. Grants up to $5,000 will be awarded to families to alleviate these needs and may be applied for up to one year after the period of active duty.

1.                                 Requirements                      
2. 1. The service member must be serving honorably or must have received an honorable discharge.
3. 
   2. The need for financial assistance must have occurred during the time the individual is engaged in pre-deployment training or while serving on active duty (no pre-existing financial difficulties will be considered).
   
   3. The qualified individual has served at least 30 continuous days of active duty (also eligible during the pre-deployment training). Grants will also be awarded for families still suffering hardships for up to one year after the period of active duty ends.
   
   4. There is a documented need for financial assistance for necessities of daily living that include food, clothing, housing, utilities, medical service, prescriptions, insurance payments or other needs.
   
   5. National Guard members must be a member of the Indiana Army or Air National Guard and must be a resident of Indiana. Reservists must be a resident of Indiana.
   
   6.  In order to be eligible the applicant must show that the need has arisen since notification of pending active duty orders or since receipt of active duty orders during a time of national conflict or war.
   
   7. National Guard & Reserve members must have proof of  pre-deployment training or active duty orders. Active duty members must show orders to prove they are being, or are currently, deployed during a period of national conflict or war.
   
   8. The applicant must sign and date the application and provide all required proof and documentation.
   
   9. The qualified individual or family member can receive $5,000 per year in grants from the family relief fund. The year starts with the date the grant is approved and continues as long as the service member is otherwise eligible. The Director of the Indiana Dept. of Veterans Affairs may waive the requirements for emergency cases only upon written request indicating the circumstances justifying such a waiver. 

To apply:
Contact your local County Veterans' Service Officer or call toll free:1-800-400-4520 to have an application mailed, or download the application at:

• Download IDVA - MFRF Application (MS Word Version)
• Download IDVA - MFRF Application (pdf)

Please submit completed applications to:
                               Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs
                               Attn: Military Family Relief Fund
                               302 W. Washington St. Room E-120
                               Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

Applications and documentation may also be faxed to 317-232-7721. For more information, please contact Noelle Wikert at 317-232-3922 or email nwikert@dva.in.gov

• How do I obtain a copy of my discharge papers (DD-214)?
• Who do I contact for information regarding federal veterans programs?
• What are some Indiana Veterans' Organizations website links?
• What service organizations are accredited to represent veterans and their dependents in the filing of claims?