VFW Testifies On VA Wait Times
Last week, VFW National Legislative Service Director Patrick Murray testified before the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health regarding patient wait times and the VA’s payment process during the COID-19 pandemic. Murray joined the VFW Independent Budget partners, paralyzed Veterans of America and Disabled Americans Veterans, to convey concerns about incorrect billing and canceled appointments. “In uncertain times such as these, communication is paramount,” Murray said, “Our members need more information now more than ever from VA regarding rescheduled appointments in order to ease some of the burden veterans are experiences right now.” Recent implementation of the VA MISSION ACT of 2018 has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the VFW and our independent Budget partners urge VA to keep communicating with its patients during these difficult times.
VA Caregiver Expansion Launched
Last Thursday, the first phase of the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family caregivers (PCAFC) went live on the VA’s website. PCAFC offers education and training access to health care insurance, mental health counseling, financial stipends and respite care, among other benefits for caregivers who care for an eligible veteran. As part of the VA MISSION Act of 2018, PCAFC will expand in two phases. The first is for caregivers of veterans who were injured in the line of duty on or before May 7, 1975. The second phase is for those injured in the line of duty between May 7, 1975 and Sept. 10. 2001, which went into effect Oct. 1, 2020.
VA Can Assist Veterans Resolve Community Care Debts
The VA’s Office of Community Care (OCC) contact center can help veterans fix issues with credit reports or debt collection actions that are the result of an authorized VA community care claim. Once a veteran contacts the VA’s OCC contact center, with their information regarding debt collection, staff will work one-on-one with the veteran to research and resolve collection-specific issues. Contact the VA Office of Community Care.
VFW, Sports Clips To Host Virtual Walk For Veterans
The VFW and Sports Clips Haircuts are teaming up to host the first-ever virtual VFW Sports Clips Help a Hero Walk, offering supporters a new way to engage with Sports Clips’ annual Help a Hero Campaign. The annual Help a Hero Campaign, which kicks off in-store on Oct. 12, helps raise awareness and bolster funds for the VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship” program. The program provides students veterans with post-secondary scholarships so they are able to complete their educational goals without incurring excessive student loan debt. To date, $8 million in scholarships have been awarded. Participants in the virtual may register and fundraise individually or as a team and the walk offers the flexibility to participate where and when it is convenient. All participants are invited to join the VFW and Sports Clips for the Celebration Final on the VFW’s Facebook page on Dec. 5, at noon EST. The pandemic has presented many challengers and the virtual Help a Hero Walk offers patriotic Americans a safe and healthy way to show their support to our nation’s veterans.
Survivors Benefits Bill Introduced In Senate
Last Thursday, Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced a VFW-supported Caring For The Survivors And Families Of Veterans Act Of 2020. This important legislation would expand Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits for surviving spouses. It would allow spouses to retain DIC it they remarry at the age of 55 and would make survivors eligible for DIC after a veteran has consistently held a permanent and total disability rating for 5 years. This bill is the result of recommendations made in the Independent Budget co-authored by Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
