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Did You Know?
Individual Unemployability Explained
The literature is clear, a veteran who is in receipt of Individual Unemployability (IU) benefits may work as long as it is not considered substantially gainful employment. The employment a veteran holds must be considered marginal employment. Substantially gainful employment is defined as employment at which non-disabled individuals earn their livelihood with earnings comparable to the particular occupation in the community where the veteran resides. Marginal employment is generally deemed to exist when a veteran’s earned income does not exceed the amount established by the U.S. Census Bureau as the poverty level for the veteran only. If a veteran is approved by the VA for IU, not only do they receive the 100% service-disabled rate of pay but they may also receive additional benefits including health insurance for their dependents, Property Tax Credit, a service-disabled Military ID card and a $10,000 life insurance policy with a waiver on monthly premiums.
New Website for Dependents
The Department of Veteran Affairs has created a new internet website for surviving spouses and dependents of military personnel who died on active duty and for survivors and dependents of veterans who died after leaving the service. The site is organized into two broad categories-death in service and death after service. It provides visitors with information and about a wide range of benefits for surviving spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents of diseased veterans and active duty personnel. The site also has information from, and links to, other federal agencies and organizations that offer benefits and services to survivors and dependents. The new website can be found at http://www.vba.va.gov/survivors.
New Benefits Website Coming Soon
Veterans will soon be able to log in to just one website to manage their benefits, apply for doctors' appointments, and determine their eligibility for programs. The website will go live around May 20, 2015, but will first be open to around 50 veterans to help beta test the navigation, fonts and organization of the new portal. By the end of the year, all veterans will be able to use Veterans.gov to manage more than 350 benefit programs without having to switch websites, call multiple numbers or file large amounts of redundant paperwork.
New VA Changes Effective Immediately
To expand eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it will determine eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program based on the distance between a veteran’s place of residence and the nearest VA medical facility using driving distance rather than straight-line distance. This change has been published in the Federal Register and is effective immediately. The change from straight-line to driving distance roughly doubles the number of eligible Veterans. Letters are being sent to the newly eligible veterans to let them know they are now eligible for the Veterans Choice Program under this expansion. If a veteran does not remember receiving a Veterans Choice Card or has other questions about the Choice Program, they can call (866) 606-8198. Effective immediately, VA is also changing the mileage calculation for beneficiary travel. The change will ensure consistency in VA’s mileage calculations across the two programs.
When To Reopen A Claim
Should changes be made to the current presumptive disability list, a veteran could reopen a claim at any time, at no charge.
Vets Helping Vets
At Veteran’s Corner, giving help to veterans from other veterans is a mission not taken lightly. The group at Veteran’s Corner is made up of former servicemen and woman who have bonded over the idea of “veterans helping veterans.” Neal Owens, one of the volunteers with Veteran’s Corner, said many veterans have never applied for all the benefits they can receive from the government for their service to their country. The volunteers help file claims, get benefits or other assistants. The group is in a new facility located at 3805 SE 44th Ave., Norman, OK. They also travel around to meet with vets who may not be able to get there location. For more information call 405-387-5070. |
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