Quarterly Newsletter for the Veterans of Santa Clara County. Published by the County of Santa Clara Veteran Services Office. 68 N.

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1 Quarterly Newsletter for the Veterans of Santa Clara County Published by the County of Santa Clara Veteran Services Office 68 N. Winchester Blvd Santa Clara, CA Santa Clara County s Veteran Services Office Newsletter Issue 7 January 2018

2 Santa Clara County s Veteran Services Office Newsletter Issue 6 January 2018 A Message From The VSO Director With 2017 behind us, it is a good time to ring in the new year and reflect on our many blessings and accomplishments. Above all, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve our veteran community and their families. Marion Moses, Director While we shared in the heartbreak of those veterans that we lost, we were also able to meet many brave and courageous families who have sacrificed so much. We were able to help aging veterans and also brand new ones who are transitioning from military to civilian life. We do our best to help connect homeless veterans and those who are suffering from mental health issues get the services they need. We proudly carry the military tradition of leaving no one behind. The following numbers highlight our activities in 2017 : - Over 11,000 Phone calls -37 Outreach events - More than 4,800 Office visits -$11,178,169 New awards granted - Almost 7,000 Claims submitted -347 Tuition fee waivers processed - 9 New staff members hired In 2018, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors has shown and continues to voice strong support for the Veteran Services Office. Together, we will make this year even better, with more services and programs available to you, our Veterans. I look forward to serving our honorable Veteran Community in "May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right". - Peter Marshall Wishing everyone a Happy & healthy 2018!! -Marion Moses In This Issue A Message from SCC VSO Director Marion Moses Tax Assessment How to Prepare for your Appointment with your Veteran Service Representative Champ VA Aid & Attendance and Housebound Benefits

3 The Citadel Page 2 The VSO Welcomes a Management Analyst By way of introduction, I would like to give a special shout out to all of the World War 2 veterans. It is because of you that I am here writing this today. My father, who was French, grew up in Normandy. He was too young to enlist during WW2, but as a 14 year old there was no denying that he served his country. As an eagle scout, he and his best friend Jacques were responsible for collecting the munitions from the allies who would fly overhead and drop food and care packages for the women and children who were living in the villages below. All of the men from the town were off at war, leaving the teenage boys in charge of taking care of the town. On one fateful night when my father got word that there would be a food drop, he decided to let Jacques know by calling him on the phone. The phone at that point was only used for emergencies as it was one of the ways that villages, who were under strict black out and curfew laws, could be discovered. Just as my father was hanging up the phone, my grandfather walked into the room, and promptly ripped it out of the wall. That was 1942 and my grandparents never had a phone after that. As Normandy became part of the occupied German territories, my father and Jacques were in charge of leading the women and children of the town to safety in the south of France. This involved having one of the boys walk ahead while the other stayed with the women assessing whether it was safe to continue. On one such occasion, it wasn t, and the only time I have ever seen my father cry was when he recounted watching his best friend step onto a mine. Years later, my mother, a sophisticated college student from the United States would spend a year studying abroad in France. France was still recovering from the war and her guidebook described restaurants that were rated according to how much butter and sugar rations would go into their desserts and evening hours visiting the Louvre by candlelight because electricity was still spotty. She met my father while trying to buy cigarettes on the black market and romance ensued. If you would like to read more about France and the role winemakers played in WW2, I recommend picking up a copy of Wine and War by Kladstrup. Being a product of post-war France, I want to thank the veterans who made my parents romance -and by extension- me-possible. My family is just one of millions that survived and grew because you served your nation and mine. I am hoping that in some small, but meaningful way, I will be able to serve you as I begin working at the VSO of Santa Clara County. I am looking forward to doing just that. Emilie Ulcay Santa Clara County Veteran Services Office Updates As the Veteran Services Office anxiously awaits their office re-model, we begin 2018 with some significant changes. The office has hired, and is in the process of training, six new Veteran Service Representatives. These representatives will be certified on both a state and federal level. The VSR s will assist Veterans, and their eligible dependents, to file disability and pension claims with the VA. In this issue, you will find an article on How to Prepare for An Appointment with your Veteran Service Representative. One of our goals is to expedite the time it takes to meet with Veterans and file their claims. By hiring new Vet Reps we will be able to schedule appointments more quickly and serve our Veteran community in a timely manner. All visitors to our offices at 68 N. Winchester Boulevard are sent a survey monkey questionnaire after their contact with our office. We encourage you to fill these out and let us know what you think and how we are doing.

4 The Citadel Page 3 How much do you know about benefits? Take the Quiz Answer True or False to the following questions about benefits. Then the answers in the next column. 1) In order to have your children qualify for a a College Tuition Fee Waiver in the State California (DVS40), you must have a disability 2) All Vets are entitled to an honor guard and to a a a burial in a national or state military cemetery? 3) Veterans have to use their Post-9/11 GI Bill within o 15 years of their last 90-day period of active-duty o service. 4) Once the VA accords a service-connected rating, I it is permanent. 5) The Burn Pit Registry is now closed. 6) Veterans can get a Veteran County ID card for free 6) The County ID card is available for free to any Veteran who has a DD214 on file with the SCC VSO at 68 N. Winchester Blvd in Santa Clara. The card can be used in shops and restaurants and anywhere else that offers discounts for Veterans. 5) While 61,000 Veterans and Service members joined the Burn Pit Registry in the first 2 years, that is only a small fraction of the 3 million individuals who are eligible to join. The Registry gives participants an opportunity to document any concerns they may have about deployment-related exposures and provides an opportunity to obtain a free health evaluation 4) With the possible exception of wine, many things do not age well and that includes our disabilities. So while a Vet s initial hearing loss, may be rated at 10%, for example, over time your VSR will be offering to file increases for certain conditions. Use your Veteran Service Office While not a monetary benefit per se, working with a Veteran Service Representative at your local Veteran Services Office can save you time and money. Your Veteran Services Representative has seen hundreds of cases, is fully accredited, and is up-to date on the Code of Federal Regulations governing VA decisions. Your Veteran Services Office was established to serve as an intermediary between you and the VA. They are on your side in advocating for you and your family. See how you can best prepare for your meeting with your Veteran Service representative on page 9. They can advise you on how to develop the strongest claim, how to write a nexus, and what to expect. And best of all? They re free! 3) Congress voted to extend the GI bill benefits in August For anyone who left the military after January 2013, their GI Bill benefits will no longer expire. For this reason, the legislation is known as the Forever GI Bill. 2) All Veterans are entitled to an honor guard. Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces and Veterans who have met minimum active duty service requirements, as applicable by law and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, space permitting. At present, in California, the only national cemeteries which have space are in San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento, and Bakersfield. The Central Coast Cemetery is a state military cemetery and is located in Seaside California. 1) If you have college-age dependents, the CalVet fee waiver is a tremendous benefit. In order to qualify, the Vet needs to have a disability rating of 0%. And don t worry, you can still retire in another state and take advantage of the fee waiver. Your child simply needs to attend a public college in California as a resident.

5 The Citadel Page 4 Tax Time is Around the Corner If you are a veteran who is rated 100% service-connected disabled by the Veterans Administration (or if you are the surviving spouse of such a veteran), you may be eligible for an exemption of up to $150,000 of the assessed value of your principal place of residence. Under certain conditions disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans may be eligible for a disabled veterans' exemption. Depending on your assessed value, the disabled veterans' exemption may exempt up to $100,000 off of the assessed value of your home. The exemption may increase to $150,000 if you claim and qualify for the low-income exemption on a yearly basis. Once the disabled veterans' exemption is granted, it will remain in effect either until you are no longer on title to the property, you move from the property, or your disability rating changes. However, if you are claiming the increased exemption amount, you will need to annually file a claim and complete an income worksheet. Qualifying Conditions for Disabled Veteran The property must be the veteran's principal place of residence. The veteran must be on title to the property (including 0 ownership in a corporation). The veteran, due to a service-connected condition, is rated by the Veterans Administration as 100% disabled, is compensated as 100% disabled, is blind in both eyes, or has lost the use of two or more limbs. Filing Requirements for Exemption Completed claim form Copy of letter from the VA verifying service-connected disability or death (if veteran is deceased) Copy of veteran's discharge papers (DD214) Completed income worksheet, (if applying for increased amount) In most cases, the filing deadline is 5:00 p.m. on February 15 for 100% of the exemption amount. For more information, contact your County Accessor s Office: (408) Santa Clara County / (831) Santa Cruz County / (510) Alameda County The VA blog has information about free tax preparation for Vets at free-tax-return-preparation-options-for-veterans-and-their-families/

6 The Citadel Page 5 Housebound There are two types of special monthly benefits: Aid & Attendance and Housebound. Veterans and survivors who are eligible for a VA pension and require the aid and attendance of another person, or are housebound, may be eligible for additional monetary payment. These benefits are paid in addition to monthly pension, and they are not paid without eligibility to Pension. Since Aid and Attendance and Housebound allowances increase the pension amount, people who are not eligible for a basic pension due to excessive income may be eligible for pension at these increased rates. How can Housebound benefits be established? 1) A vet must have a permanent disability rating of 100% and be substantially confined to his or her dwelling and the immediate premises 2) The Vet must have a single disability rating of 100% with an additional disability rating of 60% or more, whether or not the veteran is actually housebound. Can a vet or eligible spouse receive both housebound benefits and Aid & Attendance? No Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) For a single veteran $13,166 With Spouse or Child $17,241 Housebound Without Dependents $16,089 A&A Without Dependents $21,962 Two Vets Married to Each Other Both A/A $34,837 Date of Cost-of-Living Increase: How does the VA rate someone as permanently and totally disabled? The presumption of disability is established if the Vet is: -aged 65 years old or older -found permanently and totally disabled by the SSA -A patient in a nursing home for long term. Both service -connected and non-service connected disabilities may be considered sufficient to preclude substantially gainful employment. However, an over payment is likely to occur if the Vet returns to work and continues to receive VA Pension compensation.

7 The Citadel Page 6 Aid & Attendance Aid & Attendance is a special monthly benefit for wartime Veterans and their spouses who are facing long-term care expenses for home care, assisted living, or nursing homes. Aid & Attendance is a special monthly benefit for claimants who are eligible for a VA pension, and is an additional payment to assist with the cost of care. Who Qualifies for Aid & Attendance? Those who wish to receive Aid & Attendance must demonstrate need by requiring assistance on at least two activities required in one s daily routine, such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, or grooming, for example. Others requiring care may qualify due to blindness or near blindness, being a patient in a nursing home for mental or physical incapacity, or being bedridden due to disability. If the claimant is at risk of falling, or unable to take care of themselves alone, they may qualify for Aid & Attendance. My son/daughter give me money for my care expense, is this considered income? Yes. Instead of transferring the money directly to the claimant, the caregiver should be paid directly and all receipts should be kept. If the money is given directly to the claimant(s), technically it becomes income and will be counted against the claimant reducing the Vet s benefit. By paying the bill directly, the gift falls under the definition of private charity and is not countable as income. Which Care Providers Can Aid & Attendance Be Used For? VA pension can be used for any type of chronic care providers including: in home paid caregivers (including family members), personal care homes or assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities or adult day care. How is Financial Need Qualified? In order to qualify for non-service connected pension, a veteran s family income must be less than the amount set by Congress to qualify. Unreimbursed medical expenses, welfare, and Department of Veterans Affairs pension benefits may be reduced from the family s countable income. Elderly Veterans receiving Social Security who are entitle to non-service connected pension, plus Aid & Attendance can deduct the full cost of an in-home health attendant, board and care facility, or nursing home from their countable income. What are the Aid & Attendance Asset and Income Requirements? There are financial requirements associated with A& A. The current rule of thumb is that a married veteran or surviving spouse can have no more than $80,000 in countable assets ($50,000 for a single veteran or surviving spouse). Those amounts include retirement assets but exclude a home and vehicle and personal belongings. Remember these amounts are a guideline and not a rule. Other factors that the VA considers are age/life expectancy, income and medial expenses, etc.

8 The Citadel Page 7 (Civilian Health and Medical Program) CHAMP VA The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is a comprehensive health care program in which the VA shares the cost of covered health care services and supplies with dependents and survivors who are eligible. With very few exceptions, dental care is not provided by CHAMPVA. Both CHAMPVA and TRICARE are federal programs. An individual who is eligible for TRICARE is not eligible for CHAMPVA. Due to the similarity between CHAMPVA and the Department of Defense (DoD) TRICARE program, the two are often mistaken for each other. CHAMPVA is a Department of Veterans Affairs program while TRICARE is a regionally managed health care program for active duty and retired members of the uniformed services, their families, and survivors. In some cases, a Veteran may appear to be eligible for both or either program on paper; however, if you are a military retiree, or the spouse of a Veteran who was killed in action, you are and will always be a TRICARE beneficiary and cannot choose between the two programs. Eligibility To be eligible for CHAMPVA, you cannot be eligible for TRICARE, and you must be in one of these categories: 1. The spouse or child of a Veteran who has been rated permanently and totally disabled for a service-connected disability by a VA regional office. 2. The surviving spouse or child of a Veteran who died from a VA-rated serviceconnected disability. 3. The surviving spouse or child of a Veteran who was at the time death rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability. The surviving spouse or child of a military member who died in the line of duty, not due to misconduct (in most of these cases, these family members are eligible for TRICARE, not CHAMPVA).

9 The Citadel Page 8 (Civilian Health and Medical Program) CHAMP VA Getting Help From CHAMPVA Talk with a customer service representative Stay Eligible CHAMPVA beneficiaries are the spouses, widow(er)s, or children of a qualifying Veteran Sponsor. You can loose your eligibility: If you are eligible for Medicare Part A and you decline or drop Medicare Part B. Through divorce from the Veteran, (But divorce does not impact the eligibility of a birth or adopted child or a qualifying Veteran sponsor.) When a child turns 18, unless the child is enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited school. When a child who has been a fulltime student turns 23 or loses fulltime student status Phone Toll Free Monday-Friday Hours of Operation: 8:05am -7:30 pm EST The Virtual Hold system allows you to get a call back when the wait time exceeds 3 minutes. This means you don t have to wait on hold. Services Available through the Interactive Voice Response system: Order CHAMPVA forms and applications. The prompt will instruct you to leave a voice mail request by proving your CHAMPVA Member Number (#SSN), full name and address Check on eligibility, claims status, annual deductible and annual catastrophic cap. Providers can check on your eligibility or status of a payment When a child marries. If you are a stepchild of a qualifying Veteran sponsor, your parents divorce and you lose dependent status as determined by your VA Regional Office (VARCO).

10 The Citadel Page 9 Preparing for Your Meeting with your Veteran Service Rep While navigating the VA may seem like a bit of a puzzle, our Veteran Services Representatives are here to help you put the pieces together. On your first visit to our office you will do an Intent to File, which will preserve your effective date with the VA. You do not need an appointment to do an Intent to file and should bring the documents listed on the opposite page with you. If you do not have an original or certified DD214, we will order one for you. Most people who are visiting our offices come in to file for educational benefits, a disability claim, a pension claim, or a discharge upgrade. Before your meeting, think about what you are meeting with your VSR for and use the guidelines below to prepare for your meeting. After your meeting, do your homework. Your Veteran Service Representative may ask you to have additional tests done, write a nexus statement if the disability was not documented or treated during service, or require other information before a follow-up appointment. Your Rep wants to make sure that you have the strongest claim possible, and they need your active participation in the process.

11 The Citadel Page 10 Visit Us... Walk-ins Appointments If you are unable to wait for an appointment, please feel free to visit us from 9:00 am-11:30 am & 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm. Walk-in services are limited to the following: 1. Intent to File to secure an effective date for a claim 2. Time Sensitive Matters, such as responding to VA Correspondence, reviewing an award letter, submitting missing documentation for an existing or initiated claim Scheduling an appointment in advance allows our Veteran Services Representatives the opportunity to provide you with a more comprehensive and extensive experience. Please call our Office at (408) to schedule an appointment. Our VSR s will provide answers and assistance in urgent matters as well as initiate the claims process by securing an effective date if applicable. Your VSR will assist and, if necessary, schedule a follow-up appointment for indepth assistance in all claim related matters. 3. Homeless Veteran Services 4. To obtain survivor s and burial benefits for recent (within 60 days) surviving spouses Please note that wait times should be anticipated. We encourage all of our clients to schedule appointments by calling (408) We return all phone calls within 48 hours. What you should bring with you: 1. A certified copy or the original of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Discharge* 2. A photo ID 3. Your military medical and/or personnel records* * If you do not have your DD Form 214 or your military records, we will gladly order these documents for you during your visit. County ID Cards and DMV Veteran Verifications can be processed without an appointment

12 County of Santa Clara s Veteran Services Office 68 N. Winchester Blvd. Santa Clara, CA 95050