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VeTALKX: Survivors Together - Memorial Day Q&A. Ask Questions Now!
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The Department of Veterans Affairs and our community partners, to include Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network, Blue Star Families, and Elizabeth Dole Foundation will be here to answer questions about survivor resources, benefits, caregiver support, memorial affairs, and mental wellness.
You can ask questions to the following people:
» COL Les' Melnyk - Chief of Public Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, VA
» Sgt Christopher Vidaurre - Senior Program Manager, George W. Bush Institute
» Melissa Comeau - Director, Military and Veteran Caregiver Network, American Red Cross
» RDML Ann Duff - Director, Office of Survivors Assistance, VA
» Marianne Delatorre - Community Engagement Manager, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Sgt Ed McEvoy - National Outreach Specialist, VA Vet Center
» Caregiver Support Program Team - Caregiver Support Program Office Team, VA
» Allyson Bowers - Team Lead, Code of Support
» Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
The Department of Veterans Affairs and our community partners, to include Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network, Blue Star Families, and Elizabeth Dole Foundation will be here to answer questions about survivor resources, benefits, caregiver support, memorial affairs, and mental wellness.
You can ask questions to the following people:
» COL Les' Melnyk - Chief of Public Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, VA
» Sgt Christopher Vidaurre - Senior Program Manager, George W. Bush Institute
» Melissa Comeau - Director, Military and Veteran Caregiver Network, American Red Cross
» RDML Ann Duff - Director, Office of Survivors Assistance, VA
» Marianne Delatorre - Community Engagement Manager, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Sgt Ed McEvoy - National Outreach Specialist, VA Vet Center
» Caregiver Support Program Team - Caregiver Support Program Office Team, VA
» Allyson Bowers - Team Lead, Code of Support
» Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
American Red Cross
Blue Star Families
Elizabeth Dole Foundation
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Responses: 85
I am a 77 year old 100% Disabled Marine with no family. I sure could use some housekeeping help around my house and also to check up on me. There are days
Deon Bell
you are eligible for caregiver services through social security and the dept of welfare contact them and you are also eligible for in home services through the va but it very little sadly
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your service and your question. The VA Caregiver Support Program can provide support for the caregiver in your life; however, this program is unable to provide you with a caregiver. Please visit this site to learn about additional VA services and programs which may assist you: https://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/ . You may also contact your local VA healthcare team or VA social worker to learn about your options https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/your-care-team/; https://www.socialwork.va.gov/socialworkers.asp
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your service and your question. VA's Caregiver Support Program provides services and supports for caregivers of eligible Veterans in need of personal care services. If the spouse is a Veteran, they may be eligible for VA services or the VA Caregiver Support Program. If the spouse is a non-veteran, there are a number of community resources that may be available to assist. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connecting you to services for older adults and their families and can be reached at [login to see] .
Hi! I was wondering if there are any additional Federal or VA Groups that assist 'caregivers.'
I help my Mom... she is 80 ...I am not paid but she needs it. She is on Medicare not Medicaid and I do not believe Medicare would cover paying me. I put in 20-40 hours a week of cleaning, cooking and maintenance. Being paid would be great but I will continue to do it for free if I cannot be.
I have an account with the NY Caregiving Portal powered by Trualta (New York Office for the Aging) and just recently joined 'Rally Point.' 'Trualta' is an excellent company and service and 'Rally Point' seems so as well.
Belonging to 'caregiver support' groups has already helped me feel more secure in my role as well as providing great information. I will join more groups as they come up and might actively seek out a way to receive compensation somehow. Again, I will do it for free but there have been many advertisements listing that a person can be paid for assisting loved ones (only through Medicaid though).
I help my Mom... she is 80 ...I am not paid but she needs it. She is on Medicare not Medicaid and I do not believe Medicare would cover paying me. I put in 20-40 hours a week of cleaning, cooking and maintenance. Being paid would be great but I will continue to do it for free if I cannot be.
I have an account with the NY Caregiving Portal powered by Trualta (New York Office for the Aging) and just recently joined 'Rally Point.' 'Trualta' is an excellent company and service and 'Rally Point' seems so as well.
Belonging to 'caregiver support' groups has already helped me feel more secure in my role as well as providing great information. I will join more groups as they come up and might actively seek out a way to receive compensation somehow. Again, I will do it for free but there have been many advertisements listing that a person can be paid for assisting loved ones (only through Medicaid though).
Melissa Comeau
I am so glad to hear you are finding support services for your caregiving journey. We would love to have you join the Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network. Please visit http://www.redcross.org/caregivers to learn more
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
If the spouse is a non-veteran, there are a number of community resources that may be able to assist. The Eldercare Locator is a public services of the U.S. Administration on Aging connecting you to services for older adults and their families. You can reach the Eldercare Locator at reach at [login to see] .
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your service and your question. The VA Caregiver Support Program (CSP) has two programs to support caregivers of eligible Veterans. Please Visit CSP's website to learn more about the supports and services offered: https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/PCS_Program_Difference.asp . Please also check out these two fact sheets to learn more about qualifications for each program.https://www.caregiver.va.gov/pdfs/FactSheets/CSP_PGCSS_Fact_Sheet.pdf# ; https://www.caregiver.va.gov/pdfs/FactSheets/CSP_Eligibility_Criteria_Factsheet.pdf# You may also contact VA's Caregiver Support Line at [login to see] if you have additional questions.
Is a surviving spouse eligible for her husband’s disability pay upon his/her passing?
Deon Bell
you must die from a service connected disability or be one hundred percent total and permanent disabled otherwise sadly she gets nothing
I am a retired Navy Commander and I have a question regarding Survivor Benefits.
Please let me know who I would direct my specific question to as I have an issue with DFAS at the present time.
Please let me know who I would direct my specific question to as I have an issue with DFAS at the present time.
Deon Bell
all questions can be answered in your va handbook which you can pick up at any va hospital or dav office
Will this information be presented in the future? I will not be available to attend at this time an want so to know and hear of all availability. Glen Rogers [login to see]
Deon Bell
yes the va pays 2000 toward burial expenses on or after sept 11 2001 and 1500 for vets prior to that date they also provide a plot for you in a va cemetery
COL Les' Melnyk
VA does not provide cremation services. Families are responsible for paying the costs of embalming and a casket, or for cremation and an urn. The VA does pay a burial allowance to survivors which may be used to help offset these costs (if the Veteran died after Sept. 11, 2001, the burial allowance is up to $2,000). Learn more and apply here: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/ If the Veteran or Veteran's spouse is buried in a VA national cemetery, all services inside the cemetery are free of charge - opening and closing of the grave, grave liner or vault, headstone or marker, and perpetual care and mainenance of the grave. If the Veteran is interred in a private cemetery, VA can still provide a govenment headstone or marker, and even has a medallion indicating the deceased is a Veteran which can be affixed to a privately furnished headstone. Families are also eligible to receive a burial flag and Presidential Memorial Certificate whether the Veteran is interred in a national cemetery or a private cemetery.
How far back is one eligible for survivor benefits? My father was a POW in WW2, and passed away about 10 years ago. Am I eligible or is it too late or relevant?
- Alfred Bolch, Jr
- Alfred Bolch, Jr
Deon Bell
you are not only spouses and dependent under the age of adult can claim survivors benefits
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