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1-800-273-TALK (8255)
then press "1" for the Veterans Hotline
Click the book photo below
VIETNAM books recommended
by our 266 members
LINKS OF INTEREST
MILITARY REUNIONS
FUN LINKS
SPORTS
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BENEFIT INFORMATION
and NEWS
The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has founded a national suicide prevention hotline to ensure veterans in emotional crisis have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. To operate the Veterans Hotline, the VA partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans can call the Lifeline number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and press "1" to be routed to the Veterans Hotline.
Click below to read article
February 19, 2010
Click below for the TRICARE Handbook
For information on the
WASHINGTON CROSSING NATIONAL CEMETERY
click below
Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors
Clock above logo for website
The television show 60 Minutes on January 3rd, 2010
did a report on the VA and Disability Benefits
To read the reponse from the Veterans Administration, Click here
Special Extra Earnings for Military Service in Social Security upon Retirement
If your service was between 1957 and 1967, you should bring your DD-214 to the Social Security Office
and ask for this benefit to receive it. For service between 1968 and 2001, your record was automatically credited.
1/05/2010
Click above logo to be taken to the website
On Veterans Day, 2009, the VA rolled out the first phase of a large-scale Web renovation to better serve America’s Veterans.
The new site will make it easier for Veterans to find out information about benefits and programs.
Long term, VA goals for its Web presence are to make it easier and more inviting for Veterans
by focusing on topics and tasks rather than office functions, improving the navigational structure to ensure consistency,
and making it more visually appealing. The new Web site design will cover more than 500 VA Web sites and about 80,000 pages.
Major changes include improvements in the navigational structure that provide consistency among all sites and consolidate major topics;
a slide show section that showcases current VA events or hot topics;
and bottom columns that feature news items, highlights and a “Quick List” with links directly to important applications
such as Veterans On Line Applications (VONAPP) and MyHealtheVet.
November 15, 2009 - click above for article
November 13, 2009
TRICARE Retiree Dental Premium Increase
The first annual TRDP premium rate change took effect on October 1, 2009 for the second contract year, October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010. Subsequent changes for the third and fourth contract years will be effective October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011 and October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012, respectively. This annual premium adjustment is automatic and will be reflected in the allotment from your retired pay or, if you are billed directly, in your payment coupons or EFT (electronic funds transfer) debit applicable to your October 1 payment. To find out the new premium rates for your region,
IT'S OFFICIAL
DD-214's are NOW Online
 National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the following website
for veterans to gain access to their DD-214's online:
*****
This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs a copy of his
DD-214 for employment purposes. NPRC is working to make it easier for veterans with computers and Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files. Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new online military personnel records system to request documents. Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete the Standard Form 180, which can be downloaded from the online web site. Because the requester will be asked to supply all information essential for NPRC to process the request, delays that normally occur when NPRC has to ask veterans for additional information will be minimized. The new web-based application was designed to provide better service on these requests by eliminating the records centers mailroom and processing time
CALL FOR PHOTOS
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is very excited about our National Call for Photos. They are gathering photos of the 58,261 people whose names are on The Wall for the Education Center. The Education Center is an underground learning facility being built on the National Mall. It will tell the stories of the people we lost in Vietnam and pay tribute to all who served in all of America's wars.
There has been a lot of news coverage about the Call for Photos launch, which is vital to helping get the word out.
click logo for website
and how you may submit any photos that you may have.
Thanks for your help!
Locating Veterans Gravesites
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today that the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made the gravesites of more than 6.7 million Veterans
easier to locate using handheld devices with Internet capability, such as "smart phones."
VA Secretary Shinseki Does the Right Thing:
Adds Parkinson’s, Ischemic Heart Disease, and Hairy-Cell Leukemia to
List of ‘Presumptives’
If you've ever been denied a benefit for heart disease of any sort,
you should begin to file and appeal the earlier denial
Check your local carrier - not all carriers have the discount for Pennsylvania Veterans
Health Care Reform Hysteria:
‘Death Book’ Scare Tactics Inexcusable
From the VVA 8/25/09
Click title to read article
After Serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, White House Aide Tackles Policy Challenges
By Philip Rucker - Washington Post Staff Writer - Thursday, September 3, 2009
Secretary Shinseki Announces $8.7 Million Contracts in Philadelphia
August 19, 2009
For New Washington Crossing National Cemetery
WASHINGTON (August 19, 2009) – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki today announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded two contracts totaling $8.7 million to prepare the new Washington Crossing National Cemetery near Philadelphia for its first burials.
click below for article
Federal Appeals Court Ruling that Could Affect A Large Number of Veterans
8/15/2009
click below for booklet
Click to see article
Some now have HIV, hepatitis after being exposed to infectious body fluids
July 27, 2009
Click logo for to be taken to their website
The VetAssist program is sponsored by The American Veterans Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of veterans and preserving their individual histories. The information on this site, and the services of the VetAssist staff are free. Please use this site as a tool for educating yourself on the Improved Pension program and your eligibility for it. You should also contact your County Veterans Services Officer (VSO), the VA, or a VSO through one of the national Veterans organizations, such as the VFW, American Legion, etc. for help filing the appropriate forms.
7/10/09
National Resource Directory
The National Resource Directory (NRD) is an online tool for wounded, ill and injured Service Members, Veterans, their families, and those who support them. The NRD provides access to more than 11,000 services and resources at the national, state and local levels that support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration.
ARTICLES RELATING TO PROBLEMS AT THE PHILADELPHIA VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL
2009
Click logos below for information on Mesothelioma and Veterans (3 different websites)
Click to read article
06/08/09 - The House passed Veterans Job Protection Bill, the Wounded Veteran Job Security Act, H.R. 466, would expand the protections of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act to include veterans with service-connected disabilities who seek an excused medical leave of absence. The bill also would allow vets seeking medical attention to retain seniority, health, pension and other benefits.
The bill has specific protections for veterans who are federal workers. Under current law, federal employees taking unpaid leave cannot contribute to or receive a matching contribution from their employers to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). H.R. 466 would allow eligible veterans to make up the missed TSP contributions after they return to work. The employing agency then would be required to make a matching contribution.
Based on TSP participation rates from the Office of Personnel Management, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that approximately 5,700 veterans annually would contribute to their TSP after returning to work and would receive a 3% matching contribution.
Priority Group 8 Enrollment Relaxation Changes
VA eligibility rules changed on June 15, 2009, making it easier for more Veterans to enroll in VA’s health care system. Under this new regulation, VA relaxed income restrictions on enrollment for health benefits. While this new provision does not remove consideration of income, it does increase income thresholds. A web–based calculator iis available for Veterans to enter their income information, dependents, and zip code to assess if their income would fall within the proposed income threshold adjustments. Veterans are encouraged to contact VA’s Health Resource Center at 1–877–222 VETS (8387) or visit the VA health eligibility website for more information.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Filing for VA benefits is a “FREE” benefit to the veteran and his or her dependents. If you are paying for these services; STOP!
- Do you require quality nursing home assistance? Are you an Honorable Discharge Veteran or the widow of an honorably discharged veteran? You may meet the requirements to stay at a Veteran Home.
- A 0% Service-Connected hearing disability can entitle the veteran to hearing aids through the VA Medical Center.
- A 10% Service-Connected rating can entitle the veteran to hearing aids and or eye glasses through the VA Medical Center.
- Purple Heart Recipients are automatically qualified for medical care Priority Group 3.
- A service-connected disability can be increased when the disability worsens and medical documentation is available as proof.
- Pharmacy co-pays through the VA are $8.00 per 30 day supply, and are refillable by phone.
- VA Pension is designed to assist veterans with non-service-connected disabilities who meet a minimal income threshold
EFFORT MADE TO ESTABLISH NATIONAL SYMBOL FOR FALLEN HEROES
The Honor and Remember Flag honors our fallen heroes from every was dating back to the Revolutionary War.
We need to remember the sacrifices of these men and women and fly the flag as a constant reminder of what they have done for us.
On Sunday, May 10, 2009, the PA Department of the American Gold Star Mothers presented flags to two members of the Greater Harrisburg Chapter.
These were applique flags, personalized with their son's names.
There have been several presentations of this flag throughout the State and the Nation.
The National Organization of American Gold Star Mothers has endorsed this flag and we would like to see it passed at the State and National level.
 The Office for Veterans Affairs mission is to provide advice and assistance to Pennsylvania's 1.1 million veterans and their families; to provide quality care to aging veterans; and to create responsible citizens and develop lifelong learning in veterans' children who reside at Scotland School for Veterans' Children.
There are also a wide range of federal and county benefits available to qualified veterans and their families. County Veterans Directors or Service Officers can be an excellent source of information and assistance when applying for these benefits. Click here for the website.
For more information call your local Veterans Center
Philadelphia Center phone number 215-627-0238
Click logo below for
U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs
is the first unique web site dedicated to helping U.S. veterans discover benefits they have earned.
Complete details about service-connected compensation issues, and important updates as they occur.
Also, services that help veterans and their families.
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You must register for this site – but it is totally free and an extremely good military information site.
Miliary.com informs you of all the benefits of service — government benefits, scholarships, discounts, headline news, etc. It also includes stories of military life or missions, and much more. They believe that the benefits earned in the service should be easier to access and written in easy to explain terms. They are all about helping members make the most of military experience throughout life. One feature of this site is the amazing “Shock and Awe” videos.
Defense Centers of Excellence leads a collaborative effort toward optimizing psychological health and traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatment for the Department of Defense (DoD). The DCoE establishes quality standards for: clinical care; education and training; prevention; patient, family and community outreach; and program excellence. DCoE Mission To maximize opportunities for warriors and families to thrive through a collaborative global network promoting resilience, recovery, and reintegration for PH and TBI. |
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Benefits/News
