The Department of Veterans Affairs will soon offer support through the new expanded Family Caregiver Program for severely injured Iraq- and Afghanistan-era Vets. The FCP will give eligible post-9/11 Veterans the option to elect to receive their care in a home setting from a primary Family Caregiver.
Beginning May 9, 2011, Veterans will be able to download a copy of the Family Caregiver program application (VA CG 10-10) at http://www.caregiver.va.gov/. The application enables the Veteran to designate a primary Family Caregiver and secondary Family Caregivers if needed. Caregiver Support Coordinators are stationed at every VA medical center and via phone at 1-877-222 VETS (8387) to assist Veterans and their Family Caregivers with the application process.
Although benefits will not be paid until June, Veterans are urged to begin applying as soon as possible (after May 9) because the benefits will be paid retroactively to the original date of application.
The additional services for primary Family Caregivers of eligible post-9/11 Veterans and Servicemembers include a stipend, mental health services, and access to health care insurance, if they are not already entitled to care or services under a health care plan.
Comprehensive Caregiver training and medical support are other key components of this program. The program builds on the foundation of Caregiver support now provided at VA and reflects what families and clinicians have long known; that Family Caregivers in a home environment can enhance the health and well-being of Veterans under VA care.
The big omission on this program is the barring of patients injured prior to 9-11.
There are not that many but the policy should be inclusive of that group as well.
I understand that the recent Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) requires civilian health plans that provide medical coverage to children to make that coverage available until the child turns 26 years of age. The Act did not give the Department of Defense the authority to offer this benefit through TRICARE. http://www.bcpro.net
To remedy this situation, the proposed Extended TRICARE Coverage for Military Families Now Act – “Prohibits terminating the eligibility of an individual who qualifies for treatment as a dependent under TRICARE (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed care program) solely by reason of exceeding the age limit of 21 years, or 23 years if enrolled in a full-time course of study at an approved institution of higher learning and is, or was at the time of the member's or former member's death, in fact dependent on the member or former member for over one-half of the child's support.” Further, this act offers a re-enrollment option for those who have been adversely affected by the new mandate for Young Adult policies. Coverage for these dependent individuals should continue through the age of 26, similar to their civilian counterparts.____This Act seems to contribute to this nation’s responsibility to honor our veterans. In this case, veterans are not seeking preferential treatment, simply treatment for their dependents commensurate with that offered to civilians. http://www.bcpro.net
Does the fact that I served prior to 9/11 make me any less of a veteran or any less disabled? Or maybe it makes my wife, who had to quit her job to take care of her quadraplegic husband, any less of a caregiver. I can't understand why I am not eligible for these benefits, as a 100% disabled service connected veteran.
I am a 100% disabled V/Nam Vet and also have a letter L and a special K awarded plus I get A, & A and now after a 10 day stay in the Hospital I am now House Bount. I need help/care 24/7. I have met all of the requiments to for the new Family Health Care Act. That is all but one , I am not a Post 9-11 2001 Veteran. I am a V/Nam Vet who still needs the care to be able to stay at home. my Wife had to stop woking to take of me, now I am broke and have used up all of the money that was put away for my wife to live on after I die. But now after 10 years of being ill and the last five years off needing care 24/7 I have used all of our money, and sold every thing I could sell because I have lived years longer than the doctors thought I would. I can not pay all of my bills nor my full house payment. my wife needs to take care of me so she can not work away from the home, and i have no money to hire someone to take care of me, so i am going to have to move into a VA Care Home so my Wife & Family can try to get by. I will be 59 years on on Sunday May 15th. and this is no way to live. I could not come up with $10.00 today if I had to. It is a good thing I do not fell like eatting but one small meal each day now because we have to eat food handouts now when I can get them. If my Wife were getting the income from the new bill, we could pay all bills and buy the food we need to get by on and I would be able to live my last few months at home. But unless the VA/ Congress can step in to help the v/nam vets like they are the post 9-11 Vets i do not know how much longer I can live this way. So I pray that some one who can do some thing for a V/NAM Vet like me we all are in troble. I am talking about the United States of American…
I strongly recommend that you contact your VA Social Worker. There is no reason why you should have out of pocket expenses for any of your health care needs or equipment. Aid and Attendance + 100% service connected VA Pension….possible Social Security disability? The VA can provide in home Caregivers assistance, Adult Day Programs, Respite Care, Etc…
I am taking care of my father who is a retired veteran from vietnam war era. he suffers from severe dementia and needs 24/7 care. i qualify for no aid because he was not active duty during 911. I too am prior service and have lost all veteran preferances for finding employment as the rules have changed, you must have served during desert storm to qualify for veterans preferance. are 911 serviceman the only vets? talk about losing faith in the system. its all about politicians using 911 for political points. who cares about vets of wars long gone by. dont you vets get it, you were suckered in to fighting this nations wars and now that your conflicts are over, screw you. wait until the next conflict and the afgan/irag war vets will get whats coming to them. SUCKERS!
I feel your pain! I'm a caregiver for a vietnam veteran also. He had a stroke and is paralyzed on the left half of his body. It would be a great boon if the VA would compensate us financially for our efforts.
I understand that all veteran's need and should have the help they deserve. But I think some of you should be ashamed for putting the Post 911 veteran's down for receiving this new program. They're are caregiver programs out there already, this is a new plan and it will have to be tried. Shame on you for calling any veteran names and for wishing them problems. I hope to see all veteran's get the benefits and help they deserve!!
I need help! I am active duty military, married to a retired combat veteran who is seriously ill. I am trying to find out if the family medical and leave act could apply to me. I am my husband caregiver and I am active duty is there any leave policy that would apply to me besides taking ordinary leave in which I have exhausted. I am very hurt to see that active duty service members arent even recognized as a spouse caregiver in times of need but just a Soldier who must get a family careplan or get kicked out.
A Veteran is a Veteran, no matter what day they enlisted, or theater of conflict. To discriminate because they didn't join after 9-11, is asking for trouble.
It's estimated that 86% of Veterans vote. With (over) 23 million veterans in the USA, if politicians want this mighty force of 18+ million strong backing their cause, they better include Veterans.
Rather than bitching in blog sites of injustice or wrongdoing, take a few minutes and write your elected officials. Remind them of the votes that await, when their plans include the "Veterans".
Politicians are elected because "We The People", voted them in, and on the same token, "We The People" can vote them out.
Our battle cry: *Veteran's Vote*
WHILE POST 9/11 VETS ARE VETS JUST AS WE THE PRE 9/11 VETS ARE. WRITE YOUR ELECTED OFFICALS AND RECEVIE A GOOD OLE BOY LETTER THANKING YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN, IT WONT DO A BITOF GOOD ESPECIALLY IF THAT OFFICAL IS NOT RERUNNING FOR OFFICE. VOTE OUT ANY ONE THAT HAS OVER TWO TERMS OF SERVICE AND PUT NEW BLOOD N THE PROGRAM. MAYBE THEY WILL GET THE MESSAGE AND START LISTENING TO US REMEMBER GET RID OF CARREAR POLITIACIANS
I am the spouse of a 9-11 veteran whom is now in a wheelchair and suffers from Major Depressive Disorder secondary to the fact he will never walk again.
I might suggest some of you do some reserach.
As if your father is HOMEBOUND he qualifies for this benefit, TOTALLY DIFFERENT than compensation and pension and/or retirement. Please talk with a VA Rep (FREE) and ask about this!!!
Spouses and parents (COULD AT THE VERY LEAST) qualify with their VETERAN based on AID & ATTENDANCE.
We chose to talk to a lawyer who might be working in my best intrests for my money, but the VA isn't working in your interest at all.
I suggest ALL of you do some reserach and learn about
HOUSEBOUND
AID & ATTENDANCE
CHAMPVA
Anyone on SSD as well should have access to MEDICARE!!
MEDICARE PAYS for someone to watch your dad/husband so you can go back to work…
EDUCATE PEOPLE.. DON'T COMPLAIN…
I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT YOUR GENERATION HAS, THAT MINE DOESN'T..
o… IF YOU GET AID AND ATTENDANCE.. YOU GET CARE GIVER BENEFITS???
ARE YOU TRYING TO MANIPULATE THE SYSTEM??