SERVING
Those That
SERVED
Veterans Underpaid
Did you know a recent report revealed more than $84 million in underpayments was made to qualified veterans? Many see this as a sign the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs to improve its training for employees. That’s the conclusion of a congressional committee looking into the massive error. The report, issued last month, found that “claims processors did not consistently follow policies and procedures when processing claims, resulting in at least $100 million in improper payments (underpayments and overpayments) to veterans from May 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023.”
VA Must Notify Veterans
Did you know the VA is required to notify a veteran of the information that is needed in order to obtain the benefits requested? This called the VA’s duty to notify. Also, the VA is required to obtain information, and evidence that would support a veteran’s claim such as service records, service medical records, etc. This is also called the VA’s duty to assist. The purpose of these duties is to make it easier on the veteran claiming benefits to gather all of the necessary evidence for a successful claim.
HUD Ends Practice
Did you know the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ended the practice of counting veterans’ disability benefits as income for the purposes of rental assistance? Veterans at risk of homelessness now have expanded access to rental assistance and affordable housing programs.
VET PFAS Act 2023
Did you know Senator Jeanne Shaheen introduced The New Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act, or the VET PFAS Act 2023, which eases access of U.S. veterans to hospital and medical services, including their family members with PFAS-related health conditions, especially those who resided at military installations with known PFAS exposure? The act provides more opportunities for research investigating the health effects of PFAS exposure. This provision establishes diagnostic criteria and equips healthcare providers to handle PFAS cases, which increases the odds of detecting an actual PFAS-related health condition. There will also be an increase in the number of PFAS diagnostic centers in the Country, enhancing the biological and environmental detection of PFAS. Most importantly, the act protects active U.S. military personnel from using PFAS by providing safe and effective alternatives. Therefore, it also extends to those citizens who aspire to become U.S. Army personnel.
Disability Payments Accounts for Most of Budget
Did you know the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation provides monthly benefits to veterans with service-related disabilities? Disability compensation accounted for an estimated 43% of the VA budget in 2023. The share of veterans receiving disability compensation rose to 25% in 2020 from 9% in 2000. Disability program costs have grown to $149.4 billion in 2023.
New VA Call Center & Website
Did you know the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has established a new website and call center to help veterans who think they've been defrauded or charged exorbitant or illicit fees?
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This Is How PFAS Enters The Body
Did you know PFAS enters the body by consuming contaminated food and water, breathing dust contaminated by PFAS, and direct skin contact with PFAS, or surfaces that harbor these chemicals? Other forms of PFAS are Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA). Military bases often have fuel storage for refueling military transport vehicles. With this, PFAS are extensively used in military bases. The most common malignancy diagnosed among active-duty U.S. military personnel is testicular cancer. A research study shows that Air Force Members with consistent occupational exposure to PFAS had elevated PFAS concentration in their blood. It further revealed that increased PFAS concentration in blood is associated with developing testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT).
Property Tax Exemption for WWII Veterans
Did you know newly expanded legislation, Public Act 103-0596, amends the Illinois Property Tax Code to make veterans who served during World War II exempt from paying property taxes on their primary residences, regardless of their disability status?
Vietnam Veterans May Be Owed Millions
Did you know a watchdog group estimated that VA has failed to inform up to 87,000 Vietnam war veterans and their survivors that they may qualify for retroactive compensation benefits because of exposure to toxic herbicides such as Agent Orange? Those overlooked veterans and their families could be entitled to more than $844 million, the report said.
New Veterans Mobile Outreach Centers
Did you know Governor Kathy Hochul of New York recently announced the launch of New York State’s first-ever Veterans Mobile Outreach Centers? The Veterans Mobile Outreach Centers equip the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services with a fleet of three vehicles uniquely outfitted to assist Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families at any location across the state. The first of DVS's new Mobile Outreach Centers will be located at The Great New York State Fair today, where it is ready to serve Veterans, Service Members, and their families in attendance. An additional two Mobile Outreach Centers will launch in the coming months. Individuals who would like to have a Veterans Mobile Outreach Center visit their community or take part in their event are encouraged to reach out to the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services at 1-888-838-7697 for scheduling.
VA Service Saves Homes
Did you know veterans or active duty service members with a VA-guaranteed home loan who is facing foreclosure, may use the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program, which may help keep them in their home? Call today if your servicer agency is proceeding with foreclosure without exploring other temporary options. You can call 877-827-3702 and select 4 (TTY: 711). Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST.
New Benefit for Active Duty Troops
Did you know a new benefit coming to active duty service members in 2025 could help defray their health care expenses? The military will soon offer troops health care flexible spending accounts. Active duty Service members will have the option to open health care flexible spending accounts for the first time during a special enrollment period in March 2025. They can contribute up to $3,200 a year in pretax earnings toward eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses, with a minimum contribution of $100 annually. The Internal Revenue Service determines eligible expenses and contribution limits, the latter of which may vary by tax year.
New Eligibility for Military Spouses
Did you know more military spouses will now be eligible for the Defense Department’s $4,000 tuition assistance program? Starting October 1, 2024, the program will expand eligibility for the My Career Advancement Account, or MyCAA, program to include spouses of service members in pay grades E-7, E-8, E-9 and W-3. That will make the benefit available to spouses of active duty members in the grades of E-1 to E-9, W-1 to W-3, and O-1 to O-3. Spouses can use the tuition assistance to pursue occupational licenses, certifications or associate degrees needed for employment. The program is open to those in any career field or occupation. Spouses may also use their MyCAA scholarship at an approved institution to help with the costs of national tests for course credits required for a degree approved under the MyCAA program. MyCAA doesn’t pay for course work in pursuit of a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree.
