KSV News: Short Round 037
Never Too Late
https://www.va.gov/find-locations/
KSV Chaplain Ron Rayner recently reminded me that there are still significant benefits available to we “real deal” war veterans. And the key to unlocking those benefits may be at your local county Veterans Service Office. The vast majority of US counties have such an office nearby and available to you.
Fair warning: much of what is contained below has likely been told or preached to you earlier in your life. And, like me, you probably slid it onto the back burner to address “down the road”. For those of you that have already attended to all of these issues, you can just skip to the interesting article in our Red Clay II library shared below. For the rest of you, let’s just call this your final warning order.
Step 1: Find your local Veterans Service Office (it may have a slightly different title): To find the office, just plug your information into this website www.va.gov/find-locations/ and it should return the address and contact information for your local office: Enter your zip code and select “VA Benefits” from the pull down menu.
Step 2: Call for an appointment, gather up a copy of your form DD-214 and visit with the Veterans Service Officer (VSO) there. Put him / her on your “best friends” list.
Step 3: Take your wife or a (potentially) surviving relative with you to the meeting. They will need to know exactly where they can find your VSO when the time arrives. Make sure everyone leaves with the VSO’s business card in their hand. It is one of the first stops they will want to make after you pass. Trust me, your VSO will be an incredible help to your family when it is needed most.
Step 4: At our age, the top of your list to discuss with your VSO should be the death and burial benefits. Do everyone a favor and make it easy on your family when you pass. Doing nothing just pushes the burden back on them at a time when they least need more things added to their “to do” list.
Step 5: Decide early if you want to be buried in a national cemetery. You have earned that right. But don’t just mention it to your family and then do nothing about it. Your VSO will point you in the right direction to fulfill your funeral wishes.
Step 6: Be certain that your wife or family member understands that there may be financial benefits available to your family after you pass. The VSO will also be able to provide information and guidance on benefits outside of the VA system. They are trained for this additional duty. These could include Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and such. Your VSO will also be aware of any state, county and local benefits that may be available. I was able to get a significant real estate tax adjustment just by asking, and wish I had done so earlier. Ron earned free license plates and a significant property tax reduction. Basically, the VSO can direct your family to the right places for these services within and outside the Veterans Administration.. How great is that!!
Ron has been using his County VA Service for years. He took his DD-214 in 1969 and it was recorded. When he passes, his family can access it and bury him in a National Cemetery. Ron advises that It is simple! He recently took a ninety year old 1950’s Vet in to get his needed and earned medical benefits. It is never too late!!
SF
Bob Koury: Website & Digital Manager
Recommended reading for this week from Red Clay II Articles:
A part of everyone’s Khe Sanh experience was actually getting outta there. Chuck Dahm shares his departure story: