Key Lawmaker Warns Veterans Group of Tight Budget – The caution from Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA), chairwoman of the House Armed Services Committee’s military personnel panel, came March 23rd after a congressional budget expert outlined the difficulty lawmakers will face in finding money for improvements in veterans benefits. The wish list from the Military Coalition, a group of more than 30 military-related organizations, includes improving National Guard and reserve retirement benefits (cost $1B), allowing concurrent receipt of retired pay and disability compensation to all those eligible for both benefits (cost $4.5B), and an end to the offset in SBP for those who also receive DIC from the VA (cost $6B). Davis said that her Committee is hunting for ways to raise money for such items, but warned it is unlikely there will be enough for all of them. Source: NavyTimes Rick Maze article 29 March 2010
VA Disability Compensation, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Although not common, a veteran may receive all three (3) benefits provided he/she meets each of the following criteria’s:
VA Disability Compensation is a federal program which compensates veterans for physical and mental disabilities resulting from injury or disease incurred while serving on active duty or was made worse by active military service. The amount of compensation ranges on a scale from 10% to 100% depending on the extent of the disability. Receiving VA disability compensation does not, in itself, prevent a veteran from continued employment.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program intended to provide income to people who are unable to work because of a disability. SSDI is intended to be provided until their condition improves, and is intended to guarantee income if the individual’s condition does not improve. SSDI is a social insurance program, and benefits are only granted after a lengthy determination process, whereby the applicant must prove that they are totally disabled.
Social Security law defines totally disabled as the “inability to do any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medical determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.” To meet this definition, you must have a severe impairment which makes you unable to do any job whatsoever (part-time or full-time) in the national economy.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal welfare, or needs-based program which is administered by the Social Security Administration for people who demonstrate financial and resource poverty, in addition to medical disability.
For additional information concerning VA disability, contact the Kauai Office of Veterans’ Services at 241-3348. For SSDI and SSI information, contact Kauai’s Social Security Office at 245-6709.
Health Care Reform, TriCare, and the 26-year-old dependent – Since the passage of the Health Care Reform bill, many TriCare enrollee’s have been asking “Will TriCare increase the age of a dependent to 26 to match the new law?” The answer is: Yes, but it won’t be soon.
Because military health care and TriCare fall under a different law, specific authorization will be included in the FY2011 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Passage of the NDAA is expected in October or November. Once the law is changed, it has to flow through the bureaucracy. This could take a year…give or take. After a legal change, all the directives, policies, instructions, regulations, publications, computer systems, publication in the Federal Register with the required comment period, and the contracts with the TriCare insurance providers must change. Finally and although not official, don’t be surprised if when the change occurs, coverage for dependents over the age of 23 require a premium.
Online Application for Medicare – Americans who want to apply for Medicare now can do so online at www.socialsecurity.gov. Simply select the “Retirement/Medicare” link in the middle of the page. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
2010 Armed Forces Day Celebration – This year’s Armed Forces Day celebration is scheduled from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 15th at the Kauai Veterans Center in Lihu’e. Museum tours, military vehicle displays, food & games booths, and more will be available. The public is invited to attend. Interested vendors should contact Kelly Braun at 482-0089.
Veterans Employment Assistance – Proving a full range of employment, training and related education services to the Kauai community, WorkWise Kauai – Workforce Development Division is a one-stop center for all your employment needs. Committed to maintaining a quality workforce, their staff delivers high quality and integrated workforce education, and economic development services to employers, job seekers and also those already employed. In addition, veterans may find that in reciprocation for their honorable service, they are eligible for special programs, services and opportunities which are provided at the federal, state and/or local level. To find out more, visit Eric Nordmeier in their new location between Big Save Lihu’e and the Department of Motor Vehicle in the County Pi’ikoi Building.
• SgtMaj Tony Elliott USMC (Ret) is a member of the Hawai‘i Office of Veterans Services on Kaua‘i.
