For those of you looking for ways to convince the military community that voting Democrat is good for their souls, you may want to spread the word about this:
– In the first week for open applications, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has assisted more than 625 Veterans, Servicemembers and their Family Caregivers in applying for new services under the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act 2010.
Just in case you missed the news earlier this month, family members who are helping to care for injured veterans can now get additional help from the VA, to include a stipend, training to help them be better caregivers, mental health services to make sure they don't crack under the pressure of helping their loved one, and access to health insurance. Imagine that, access to health insurance so that as you are helping take care of your ill or injured veteran, you don't end up in an unhealthy place yourself.
Thank you Secretary Shinsheki and thank you President Obama for appointing such a go to it, get it done guy to head the VA.
People might like to know that the program also includes:
• In-Home and Community Based Care, including adult day health care as well as aide services in the home.
• Respite Care
• Caregiver education and training programs
• Caregiver support groups and other services
• Other services like medical equipment, financial assistance for home modification, and transportation assistance to and from medical appointments.
A lot of this makes basic common sense and many non-veterans may wonder why we haven't had these services available all along. But veterans and their families still don't know that these service are available and we need people like you to help spread the word. Please remind them that:
Veterans eligible for this program are those who sustained a serious injury including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma or other mental disorder incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, on or after September 11, 2001.
Some veterans will shrug their shoulders and claim that it will take months to get things started. This program includes the promise:
Within three business days of receipt of the initial application, the Caregiver Support Coordinator at the Veteran’s preferred VA Medical Center will contact the Veteran and primary Family Caregiver to arrange for the Family Caregiver to complete the application and schedule required training.
Shinsheki doesn't want the VA Staff sitting on these applications. He wants to see things moving forward. Furthermore, health insurance and stipend will be given based on the initial date of application. The sooner those applications get filed, the sooner veteran caregivers can start getting the help they need.
Some people will say they won't qualify. Here are the questions they need to ask themselves:
Do you feel responsible for providing support to a loved one?
Do you help out a loved one around the home, with cooking or cleaning, even if only on an occasional basis?
Do you take your loved one to run errands and/or escort them to medical appointments?
Would your loved one call you in an emergency and expect your prompt assistance?
Do you provide support or assistance to a loved one living in long-term care, assisted living, or a residential facility?
This program could essentially help a lot of people but it can't help them if they don't know about it. Last but not least, here is how to apply:
Applications can be processed by telephone through the Caregiver Support Line at (855) 260-3274, in person at a VA medical Center with a Caregiver Support Coordinator, by mail or online at www.caregiver.va.gov with the new Caregiver Application (VA Form 1010-CG). The website application also features a chat option that provides the Family Caregiver with a live representative to assist in completing the application form.
Don't normally run in veteran circles? Consider it campaign literature, if you will, and step outside your comfort zone. Post it to your Facebook or share it via Twitter... you might be surprised how helping veterans can make the non-military community gain respect for this Democratic administration.
BTW, just in case anyone has any doubts that this is a Democratic addition - Shinsheki himself says, "I encourage eligible Veterans and their Family Caregivers to apply now to receive the benefits they have earned.” No entitlement programs here - just benefits earned - makes it harder for them to be taken away.