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California Veterans! Ask Questions Now! Do You Have Benefits Questions? Need Peer Support?
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On October 21st, 11-12 PM PT, VA and community experts will be here to answer your questions on benefits, claims, and peer-to-peer support services. Type your questions in now!
You can ask questions to the following people:
» BG Mike Eastman - Advisor, ETS Sponsorship
» Justin Monk - VP of Government Affairs, Student Veterans of America
» SGT Jim Zenner - Veteran Peer Access Network, LA County Department of Mental Health
» Rebecca Brenen - VSCM, LA VA Regional Office
» SPC Kathy Cash - Certified Peer Specialist, HUD VASH Program
» Erin O'Rourke - Operations Associate, Team Rubicon
» Jeanette Gilles - Deputy Director Community Integration, America’s Warrior Partnership
» MSgt Adam Castillo - Program Manager, Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN)
» Coleton Whitaker - Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Staci H. - Senior Manager of Volunteers and Partnerships, Blue Star Families
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» Natalie Souza - AVSCM, LA VA Regional Office
» Danielle Bracco - Director of Operations, ETS Sponsorship Program
» 1SG Zelda Davis - Management Analyst, VA
» CPL Lance Iunker - CalVet LINC, San Diego
» Pamela Redwine - Coach, Public Contact, LA Regional Office, VA
You can ask questions to the following people:
» BG Mike Eastman - Advisor, ETS Sponsorship
» Justin Monk - VP of Government Affairs, Student Veterans of America
» SGT Jim Zenner - Veteran Peer Access Network, LA County Department of Mental Health
» Rebecca Brenen - VSCM, LA VA Regional Office
» SPC Kathy Cash - Certified Peer Specialist, HUD VASH Program
» Erin O'Rourke - Operations Associate, Team Rubicon
» Jeanette Gilles - Deputy Director Community Integration, America’s Warrior Partnership
» MSgt Adam Castillo - Program Manager, Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN)
» Coleton Whitaker - Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Staci H. - Senior Manager of Volunteers and Partnerships, Blue Star Families
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» Natalie Souza - AVSCM, LA VA Regional Office
» Danielle Bracco - Director of Operations, ETS Sponsorship Program
» 1SG Zelda Davis - Management Analyst, VA
» CPL Lance Iunker - CalVet LINC, San Diego
» Pamela Redwine - Coach, Public Contact, LA Regional Office, VA
Responses: 72
I've received some excellent support navigating VA benefits from our local Placer county veterans services office. Knowing that everyone's local county may have different levels of support, is there a recommended list of organizations or locations (VA & VSOs included) where veterans can go to get hands-on support navigating their benefits?
I'm 100% P&T and currently employed. In the past year my medical conditions have worsened and I've had to miss a significant amount of time from work. I have FMLA that I use when I have to miss work that protects me from administrative action from my employer from all the time I miss due to my medical conditions. I'm 49 and all my jobs have been manual labor. I want to apply for SSDI, but it will be denied as long as I stay employed. What are my options ? Also I have an adult daughter who lives at home and helps me with all my medical issues and maintaining the house. Would I qualify for aid and attendance so I could pay her for her help or a new program I just heard of called VA Caregiver support? Do I have to be unemployed to qualify for these programs ? I served from 1990 - 1994 and a Desert Storm Veteran.
Thanks
Jose Jauregui
Thanks
Jose Jauregui
Melissa Comeau
Hello PO3 Jose Jauregui Here is the link to the VA Caregiver Program information. Desert Storm era veterans will be eligible for this program in the next phase of expansion through the Mission Act. You can learn about the eligibility criteria on the VA Caregiver Support page. https://www.caregiver.va.gov/ Additionally, I want to extend the support of the Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network to your daughter to ensure she has a network of caregivers to connect with and learn about various programs available to her as she cares for you. Please have her reach out to [login to see] and we will add her right away. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/services-for-veterans/military-veteran-caregiver-network.html
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
Rebecca Brenen
Hello, Sir. Without reviewing your VA file, we cannot determine if you qualify for aid and attendance benefits, but I am sharing some basic eligibility for the benefit.
The following will be accorded consideration in determining the need for regular aid and attendance (§ 3.351(c)(3): inability of claimant to dress or undress himself (herself), or to keep himself (herself) ordinarily clean and presentable; frequent need of adjustment of any special prosthetic or orthopedic appliances which by reason of the particular disability cannot be done without aid (this will not include the adjustment of appliances which normal persons would be unable to adjust without aid, such as supports, belts, lacing at the back, etc.); inability of claimant to feed himself (herself) through loss of coordination of upper extremities or through extreme weakness; inability to attend to the wants of nature; or incapacity, physical or mental, which requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect the claimant from hazards or dangers incident to his or her daily environment. “Bedridden” will be a proper basis for the determination. For the purpose of this paragraph “bedridden” will be that condition which, through its essential character, actually requires that the claimant remain in bed. The fact that claimant has voluntarily taken to bed or that a physician has prescribed rest in bed for the greater or lesser part of the day to promote convalescence or cure will not suffice. It is not required that all of the disabling conditions enumerated in this paragraph be found to exist before a favorable rating may be made. The particular personal functions which the veteran is unable to perform should be considered in connection with his or her condition as a whole. It is only necessary that the evidence establish that the veteran is so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance, not that there be a constant need. Determinations that the veteran is so helpless, as to be in need of regular aid and attendance will not be based solely upon an opinion that the claimant's condition is such as would require him or her to be in bed. They must be based on the actual requirement of personal assistance from others.
To speak with an agent at the LA VA Regional Office, please utilize this link to make an appointment most convenient for you.
https://v2.waitwhile.com/lists/vba-departmentofvete/join
A representative will contact you at the time of your choosing and can go over your current benefits, answer questions on eligibility to additional benefits, and can assist you with submitting a claim for benefits.
The following will be accorded consideration in determining the need for regular aid and attendance (§ 3.351(c)(3): inability of claimant to dress or undress himself (herself), or to keep himself (herself) ordinarily clean and presentable; frequent need of adjustment of any special prosthetic or orthopedic appliances which by reason of the particular disability cannot be done without aid (this will not include the adjustment of appliances which normal persons would be unable to adjust without aid, such as supports, belts, lacing at the back, etc.); inability of claimant to feed himself (herself) through loss of coordination of upper extremities or through extreme weakness; inability to attend to the wants of nature; or incapacity, physical or mental, which requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect the claimant from hazards or dangers incident to his or her daily environment. “Bedridden” will be a proper basis for the determination. For the purpose of this paragraph “bedridden” will be that condition which, through its essential character, actually requires that the claimant remain in bed. The fact that claimant has voluntarily taken to bed or that a physician has prescribed rest in bed for the greater or lesser part of the day to promote convalescence or cure will not suffice. It is not required that all of the disabling conditions enumerated in this paragraph be found to exist before a favorable rating may be made. The particular personal functions which the veteran is unable to perform should be considered in connection with his or her condition as a whole. It is only necessary that the evidence establish that the veteran is so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance, not that there be a constant need. Determinations that the veteran is so helpless, as to be in need of regular aid and attendance will not be based solely upon an opinion that the claimant's condition is such as would require him or her to be in bed. They must be based on the actual requirement of personal assistance from others.
To speak with an agent at the LA VA Regional Office, please utilize this link to make an appointment most convenient for you.
https://v2.waitwhile.com/lists/vba-departmentofvete/join
A representative will contact you at the time of your choosing and can go over your current benefits, answer questions on eligibility to additional benefits, and can assist you with submitting a claim for benefits.
Waitwhile: Next Gen Waitlist App, Appointment & Queue Management
Waitwhile is a virtual waitlist app and scheduling software that lets you create the customer experience of the future
SPC Kathy Cash
Hello PO3 Jose Jauregui
A Peer Support Specialist is one who could help you navigate the system and locate the VA resources you need, as well as support you in locating resources within your community.
Veterans may request a referral for peer support services from their VA health care provider. To find VA mental health services near you, access the VA facilities locator.
If peer support services for a specific mental health condition are not available directly at the VA medical center, Veterans may be referred to peer support services found in their communities.
A Peer Support Specialist is one who could help you navigate the system and locate the VA resources you need, as well as support you in locating resources within your community.
Veterans may request a referral for peer support services from their VA health care provider. To find VA mental health services near you, access the VA facilities locator.
If peer support services for a specific mental health condition are not available directly at the VA medical center, Veterans may be referred to peer support services found in their communities.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Thank You for the Great Honor you have bestowed upon us here on Rally Point; by gracing us with your presence.
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Contact - Student Veterans of America