SERVING
Those That
SERVED
How To Get Free Hearing Aids
Did you know veterans who are enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system may be eligible to receive free hearing aids, glasses or contact lenses? These “sensorineural aids” are provided at no charge to veterans who are determined to need the devices, even if the veteran is not “service-connected” for hearing or vision impairment.
Such services are considered part of the preventative care package for all veterans enrolled in VA health care system who meet certain eligibility criteria.
For some veterans, there may be a $50 co-pay depending on the veteran’s enrollment priority group status. There is no co-pay for the devices or the batteries, nor are there any charges for visits for the purpose of adjusting, repairing or modifying hearing aids and/or glasses.
New Website for Veterans
Did you know the new website 'Mental Health First Aid for Veterans' gives family members and others the tools to recognize and respond to the warning signs of mental illness and addiction? The National Council for Behavioral Health, which sponsors the website, says 30 percent of the men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan require treatment for mental health issues. Yet, less than 50 percent of these veterans receive any treatment. Mental Health First Aid teaches participants a five-step action plan. For more information, visit the Military First Aid website and scroll down to "FIND A COURSE" to search for upcoming training near you and links to mental health care organizations.
Survivors Pension
Did you know the survivors pension benefit is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to a low income, un-remarried, surviving spouse and/or unmarried child of a deceased veteran with wartime service?
To qualify, the deceased veteran must have met the following service requirements:
- For service on or before September 7, 1980, the veteran must have served at least 90 days of active military service, with at least one day during a VA recognized wartime period.
- If the veteran entered active duty after September 7,1980, 24 months of active duty with at least one day during a VA recognized war time period.
- Was discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions.
Survivors pension is also based on your yearly family income, which must be less than the amount set by Congress to qualify.
New Appeals Tracker Tool
Did you know the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched a new online tool that allows veterans to keep track of their claims appeal? The new online tool is called the “Appeals Status Tracker” and it has been designed to allow veterans with a disability compensation appeal to track what stage of the process their appeal is currently in.
The idea of the new online tool is to increase trust with veterans and create a platform for transparency, according to VA officials.
The soft launch was initiated March 20, 2018, on Vets.gov. Using the new online tool will allow veterans to see past and current appeals issues, create deadline alerts, see what’s coming next in the appeals process, and how long it should take to get to each step in the appeals process.
VA May Owe You Money
Did you know after a veteran dies, he or she technically no longer has a claim to
disability benefits? However, there are certain circumstances in which a widow, widower or surviving child may be entitled to accrued benefits, or money from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If you're not sure whether you're eligible contact your nearest VSO.
If you're a surviving spouse or child, here are the circumstances in which you would be eligible to file for VA benefits:
1. There was a disability claim pending at the time of the veteran’s death.
2. A previously denied claim had new medical evidence in the VA claims file before the veteran died.
3. A claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was pending at the time of the veteran’s death.
4. A veteran’s appeal on a denied disability claim was pending at death.
5. The claim must be filed within one year after the veteran died.
Did You Know?
Grant Will Provide Coverage
Did you know the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant will provide coverage for medically necessary improvements and alterations to the homes of veterans and active service members? Those eligible to receive the grant can get up to $6,899 if they have a service-connected disability, or $2,000 if they have a non-service related condition.
NPRC Alternate Fax Lines
Did you know NPRC is experiencing problems with their incoming FAX lines? In the meantime, use any of the following fax numbers to fax your emergency requests to NPRC:
- 314-801-0762
- 314-801-0569
- 314-801-0984
- 314-801-9195
If you experience a busy signal, please try any other line.
Gold Star Spouses Lose Benefits
Did you know that Gold Star spouses lose their Survivor Benefit Plan benefits if they remarry before turning 55? Additionally, spouses also lose their Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits if they remarry before turning 57.
New Online Debt Management Tool for Veterans
Did you know any veteran with a debt related to VA benefits can now access their debt information online using a new debt management tool? VA’s Office of Information and Technology (OIT) launched the digital tool to make it easier for veterans to manage their debt. Veterans can easily logon to their accounts to access the following:
- Their current and historical debt.
- Their balance.
- Status.
To use the new tool, veterans must have one of the following free accounts:
- A Premium My HealtheVet account, or
- A Premium DS Logon account (used for eBenefits and milConnect), or
- A verified ID.me account that you can create here on VA.gov
Claims Transparency
Did you know to improve claim transparency for America’s military veterans, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Illinois) on April 22, 2021 cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide a veteran’s representative the opportunity to review a proposed VA determination regarding compensation or benefits claim?
American Jobs Plan
Did you know the American Jobs Plan will create millions of jobs for veterans and their spouses? The American Jobs Plan will also help increase opportunities for small veteran-owned businesses, and help to ensure the delivery of world-class, state-of-the-art health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The Moving Wall
Did you know The Moving Wall has been traversing the United States for more than 36 years after it was first displayed in Tyler, Texas, in October 1984?
SSA Survivor Benefits
Did you know benefits provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) can help surviving families of deceased military service members? For example, widows, widowers and their dependent children may be eligible for Social Security survivors benefits.
Family Members Have Access To Coverage
Did you know some veterans and their family members have access to VA-covered care through several special programs such as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of VA (CHAMPVA)? More than 700,000 beneficiaries (spouses and children) are eligible to receive specific types of care and services through four family member-focused VA programs: CHAMPVA; Camp LeJeune Family Member Program (CLFMP); Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV); and Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program (SBHCBP).
DoD Ordered To Pay
Did you know the Department of Defense (DoD) has been ordered to pay $1.8 million in legal fees as settlement for two lawsuits that challenged its requirement that all U.S. troops be vaccinated against COVID-19?