Pension Insider
By David Austin
October 16, 2018
Take a look at two programs that many veterans forgot existed or didn't know about. The programs are rarely used, but offer veterans and their family members many options and benefits.
The Presidential Memorial Certificate
A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is a gold-embossed paper certificate bearing the signature of the current President of the United States and honors the memory of a deceased, Honorably discharged Veteran.
Note: This benefit may not be requested for a living veteran.
Any family member or loved one of a deceased veteran who was honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces is eligible for a PMC.
Eligible recipients include the next of kin and loved ones of Honorably discharged veterans. More than one certificate may be provided and copies can be ordered at any time.
How To Get Certificate
When requesting a PMC, use the official application form, VA Form 40-0247.
If you are unable to download the form simply call 202-632-7300 to request form to be mailed to you. Application forms must be signed and returned with a copy of the military discharge document, typically, a DD Form 214; name, mailing address and telephone number of the requester; and the number of copies requested. Informal requests that are not received on the VA Form 40-0247 or do not have military discharge documents will not be immediately processed until eligibility can be properly established. Without proper documentation processing time is slowed significantly.
The completed application or request may be faxed or mailed to the following:
Toll Free Fax Number:
1-800-455-7143
Or
Memorial Programs Service
Presidential Memorial Certificate Program (41B3)
Department of Veterans Affairs
5109 Russell Rd.
Quantico, VA 22134-3903
For more details about program, see an accredited Veterans Service Office (VSO).
Foreign Medical Program
The Foreign Medical Program (FMP) is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits program for veterans with VA rated service-connected disability that are residing or traveling abroad. Under FMP, VA assumes payment responsibility for certain necessary health care services associated with the treatment of VA adjudicated service-connected conditions, disabilities associated with and held to be aggravating a service-connected condition, and care for veterans participating in a rehabilitation program.
FMP is not part of the traditional Medical Benefits Package. In other words, you do not have to be enrolled in the VA health care system to participate.
VA may authorize foreign medical services for veterans for a VA rated service-connected disability or for a condition that is associated with and aggravating a VA rated service-connected condition.
Basically, this means that disability percentages have no bearing on determining eligibility for FMP medical services.
Additionally, VA may authorize necessary foreign medical services for any condition for a veteran participating in the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program.
For more details about program, see an accredited Veterans Service Office (VSO).
Those That
Serving
Served
VA Provides Free Medallions
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a free medallion, by request, to be affixed to an existing, privately-purchased headstone or marker to signify the deceased's status as a Veteran. This device is furnished in lieu of a traditional Government headstone or grave marker for those Veterans whose death occurred on or after November 1, 1990, and whose grave in a private cemetery is marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker. Once a claim for a medallion is received and approved, VA will mail the medallion along with a kit that will allow the family or the staff of a private cemetery to affix the device to a headstone, grave marker, mausoleum or columbarium niche cover. This benefit is only applicable if the grave is marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker.