Mike Franks Accredited Veterans Service Officer Benefits for Veterans Mike Franks Accredited Veterans Service Officer

Key Facts There are 660,000 Vets in Michigan and 1/3 of these Vets served during the Vietnam Era. Michigan Vets leave over $1.5 Billion on the table by not connecting to benefits. That’s Federal VA money intended for the veteran or their family members. MVAA is a resource for you to directly service your Veterans.

Mission To serve as the central coordinating point, connecting those who have served in the United States Armed Forces and their families, to services and benefits throughout the State of Michigan.

Vision For Michigan to be the most veteran-friendly state, by: Providing the advice and assistance veterans need as they transition through the chapters of their lives; Creating a “no wrong door” customer service culture; and Advocating for and on behalf of veterans and their families.

Benefits Counseling 5 State Veteran Service Officers 56 Veteran Services Officers sub-contracted through the veteran service organizations County Veteran Services Offices and Counselors http://www.michiganveterans.com/Home/Benefit-Counselors

Federal VA Benefits Disability Compensation Pension Aid & Attendance Housebound Education & Training Home Loans Health Care Burial Dependents and Survivors

Disability Compensation Tax-free benefit for a service connected disability Service Connected: Any injury or disease that is caused by or aggravated by active military service Injury or disease that is presumed by VA to be related to Military service VA will rate the severity of the injury/illness 0-100%. Rating determines amount of monthly payment Rating can be increased, as severity of injury/illness increases

Presumptive Conditions VA “presumes” that specific disabilities were caused by Military service Vets with 90 days or more of service: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)/Lou Gehrig’s disease Former POW’s, Vets exposed to Agent Orange (Vietnam Vets), Vets exposed to Ionizing Radiation, Gulf War Veterans

Presumptive Conditions Vietnam Vets (Exposed to Agent Orange) Served in-country in Vietnam between 1/9/1962-5/7/1975 AL Amyloidosis Chronic B-cell Leukemias Chloracne (or similar acneform disease) Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Hodgkin’s Disease Ischemic Heart Disease Multiple Myeloma Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 1/3 of Michigan’s Vets served during the Vietnam Era, most are in their 60’s 50 changes in VA laws for Vietnam Vets in last 10 years, most happened in 2010 Common conditions are in bold Ischemic heart disease – disease characterized by a reduced supply of blood to the heart, that leads to chest pain

Presumptive Conditions Vietnam Vets (Exposed to Agent Orange) Served in-country in Vietnam between 1/9/1962-5/7/1975 Parkinson’s Disease Peripheral Neuropathy Porphyria Cutanea Tarda Prostate Cancer Respiratory Cancers (includes lung cancer) Soft Tissue Sarcomas Common conditions are in bold

Presumptive Conditions Gulf War Veterans (Undiagnosed Illness) Served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War Medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses Chronic fatigue syndrome Fibromyalgia Irritable bowel syndrome Symptoms of an undiagnosed illness such as: Fatigue, skin symptoms, headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, neurological symptoms, respiratory symptoms, sleep disturbance, GI symptoms, cardiovascular symptoms, weight loss, menstrual disorders

Pension Tax-free benefit for war-time Vets with limited or no income Age 65, or Permanently and totally disabled due to non-service connected cause May qualify for additional Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits Income limit is $1054 single, $1381 with spouse for 2014

Housebound An increased monthly pension amount paid to a claimant who is substantially confined to his or her home because of a permanent disability. You may not receive enhanced or special monthly pension without first establishing eligibility for VA pension. Income limit is higher. $1288/month single, $1615 with spouse in 2014

Aid and Attendance An increased monthly pension amount paid to a claimant that: Requires the aid of another person in order to perform activities of daily living, OR Is bedridden, OR Patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, OR Has corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less, in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less. You may not receive enhanced or special monthly pension without first establishing eligibility for VA pension. Income limit is higher. $1758/month single, $2085 with spouse in 2014

Death Pension Monthly benefit payable to low-income surviving spouse and children of a deceased Veteran with wartime service. No disability requirement, but spouse can not be remarried. No time limit after death to apply Spouse may also be eligible for additional Housebound or Aid and Attendance payments. $707/month w/o kids, $864 housebound, $1130 A&A in 2014

Dependency & Indemnity Compensation Monthly benefit payable to surviving spouse and children of a Veteran that died during active service, or from a service- disability, or had a 100% service-connected rating. Surviving Spouse and children may also be eligible for CHAMPVA healthcare and dependents education assistance $1233/month in 2014

Burial Reimbursement for funeral, burial, and transportation costs Headstone or marker at any cemetery, or medallion for family stone American flag to drape the casket Presidential Memorial Certificate for next of kin Burial in a VA national cemetery Honor Guard services at funerals, provided by local organizations Some Counties also provide additional burial funds for Vets Burial rates: s/c death $2000 NSC death $300 funeral + $734 plot + transportation

How do I apply? How do I apply for benefits? Meet with an accredited Service Officer www.michiganveterans.com/home/benefit-counselors Apply online at eBenefits.va.gov Need Level 2 premium account Print application forms and mail/fax to VA www.va.gov/vaforms

Healthcare Any Veteran with active military service and separated under any condition other than dishonorable may qualify for VA healthcare benefits. If enlisted prior to 9/7/1980, only need to have served on active duty for at least 1 day. If enlisted after 9/7/1980, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty. Vets must apply for enrollment. May have a co-pay, depending on income level. Must see a VA doctor at least every 24 months to remain enrolled. Can enroll in person, by mail/fax, or online VA will always treat S/C conditions without co-pay

Healthcare Benefits of enrolling in VA healthcare: Hearing aids, Eyeglasses, mobility devices for NO cost (Co-pay for specialist exam may apply) Maintenance and batteries for non-VA hearing aids Travel Pay Low cost Dental Insurance Nationwide coverage – Vet can go to ANY VA medical center or clinic for care Enrollees can receive hearing aids, glasses, mobility devices free May be eligible for travel pay – 30% s/c, pension recipients, C&P exams

State Veterans Homes Grand Rapids Home for Veterans DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans, Marquette Vets and Spouses are eligible Cost is based on income and assets Volunteer Opportunities

Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF) Provides emergency grants to eligible Michigan veterans and dependent family members to temporarily meet essential expenses Applications available through your MVTF agent or county committee Eligibility Details: www.MichiganVeterans.com

www.MichiganVeterans.com 1-800-MICH-VET Mike Franks (616) 364-5399