NVTAC Virtual Learning Class: Strategies to Succeed in HVRP

Transcription

1 NVTAC Virtual Learning Class: Strategies to Succeed in HVRP A Virtual Learning Class for New HVRP Staff Ian Lisman Advocates for Human Potential nvtac@ahpnet.com John Rio Advocates for Human Potential nvtac@ahpnet.com Module 9 Benefits, Work Incentives & Motivation to Work 9 Source: Polk State College

2 Homework What job retention strategies do you currently use? Come up with a few examples of services and practices for our next class We will discuss this on Monday 9/18 Share aloud or in chat

3 Benefits and Impact on Work 12

4 Veterans Service Representatives Performs initial reviews of claims and identifies types of evidence Processes reported changes (e.g., dependency and change of address (CADD)) Screens claims for initial development actions (e.g., proof of income) 13

5 What do the terms "Service-Connected" and "Non-Service Connected" mean? Service-connected means that the veteran is disabled due to injury or illness that was incurred in or aggravated by military service Non-service connected means that the veteran is disabled due to injury or illness not related to military service 14

6 What is the difference between VA "Compensation" and "Pension"? Compensation is paid to a veteran with service-connected disabilities. Pension is paid to a war-time veteran who is permanently and totally disabled from non-service connected disabilities and who has very low income. 15

7 Non-Service Connected Pension Income-based benefit that is needs based You must have a certain amount of service during a designated period of war, meet income requirements, and be considered permanently and totally disabled due to NON-service connected conditions. 16

8 Caveats about Non-Service Connected Pension You cannot receive this benefit and work simultaneously. The benefit amount is offset by any income your receive (i.e. social security). This benefit is generally requested by older, usually retired, Veterans; but may be granted to any Veteran with war time service meeting the disability criteria. 17

9 Service Connection: Disability Compensation (DComp) and Earned Income There is no offset between earned income and the DComp payment. Veterans are entitled to draw their full VA DComp payment, regardless of the amount of income they earn Generally speaking, veterans do not have to be concerned that work and/or earned income will lead to a reduction in their VA rating, which gives tremendous flexibility for securing employment and/or launching businesses 18

10 Photo Credit: Horia Varlan Questions or Comments Type in chat or use the raise hand button to be unmuted. 19

11 Earned Income Analysis and Offsets 20

12 Scenario: Joe s Story DComp & Earned Income Single veteran with no dependents Rated 70% for PTSD receives a DComp benefit of $1,272 (2012 figure). 21 Photo Credit Johnny Silvercloud via Creative Commons

13 Joe s Income Analysis Income NOT Working Income Working Wages $0 $2,000 DComp $1,272 $389 Total $1,272 $2,389 Not working: 70% rating Working: 30% rating 22 Photo Credit Johnny Silvercloud via Creative Commons

14 Separation with Benefits Earned-Income Analysis Future earned income has no impact on the service member s eligibility for the amount of separation severance pay Service members who separated with benefits may take jobs or start businesses reductions in severance pay Service members also eligible for VA benefits should become familiar with the VA policies as well 23

15 Offsets Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) is not offset by VA DComp, including Agent Orange payments, and are specifically excluded from offset by law. Military Retirement, through DoD, also does not impact SSDI benefits. 24

16 Scenario: Kevin s Story SSDI and Earned Income Analysis $1,611 VA Dcomp $1,000 SSDI $1,400 wages $100 subsidy Countable earned income is $ Total monthly income is $4, Photo Credit Anthony Kelly via Creative Commons

17 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Needs-based program Monthly cash benefits to individuals who are elderly (over 65 years), disabled or blind, to supplement any other income by providing a base amount to cover food and shelter. In most states, SSI eligibility also makes an individual eligible for Medicaid 26

18 Scenario: Tom s Story SSI and Wage Income Analysis Disabled veteran SSI beneficiary Does not qualify for VA Dcomp or pension Not Working Working SSI $698 $398 Wages $0 $685 Total $698 $1, Photo Credit Moyer Photos via Creative Commons

19 VA HEALTH CARE INFO VA Health Care, Employment, and Earned Income Eligibility for VA Health Care is based on: veteran status and the veteran s priority group access to healthcare benefits is not directly impacted by employment or earned income 28

20 What Doesn t Affect VA Health Care Benefits Veterans do NOT have to be concerned that work and/or earned income will change their access to healthcare benefits, which gives tremendous flexibility for securing employment and/or launching businesses. Private healthcare coverage such as available from an employer, does not eliminate eligibility for VA Health Care. 29

21 Discuss Raise your hand to come off mute. 30

22 Employment Services and Supports 31

23 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Translation of military experience to civilian skill sets Short-term training to augment existing skills to increase employability (e.g., certification preparation tests and sponsorship of certification) Long-term training including on-the-job training, apprenticeships, college training, or services that support selfemployment Direct job-placement services 32

24 Eligibility Criteria Have received, or will receive, a discharge other than dishonorable Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%, or a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the VA Apply for VR&E services by completing a VA Form , Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation. 33

25 State Vocational Rehabilitation Criteria Have a mental or physical impairment (disability) Experience a substantial impediment to employment as a result of the impairment Be able to benefit from VR services Require VR services to prepare for, secure, retain, or regain employment 34

26 State VR Agencies and VR&E Veterans, who meet the eligibility criteria for the state VR agency as well as the eligibility and entitlement criteria for VA VR&E, may receive services from both. Agencies must work together to assure they are not paying for the same thing, but instead are coordinating their services to cover what is necessary in the best way. Veterans eligible for both should consider how they can use the various supports and services most effectively in reaching their goals. 35

27 Photo Credit: Horia Varlan Questions or Comments Type in chat or use the raise hand button to be unmuted. 36

28 Veterans Benefits Website 37

29 Veterans Benefits Location Lookup 38

30 Veterans Benefits Website 39

31 Veterans Benefits Contact Lookup 40

32 Photo Credit: Horia Varlan Questions or Comments Type in chat or use the raise hand button to be unmuted. 41

33 Knowledge Check Matching: Enter correct letter of matching definition in the box in column 1. True/False: Select answer. Press submit in lower left corner when answer is complete. Follow onscreen prompts to navigate. Choose Review quiz at end to see what you missed. 42

34 Match these terms to the correct statements below Column 1 Column 2 A is paid to a war-time veteran who is permanently and totally disabled from non-service connected disabilities and who has very low income. D means that the veteran is disabled due to injury or illness that was incurred in or aggravated by military service C is paid to a veteran with service-connected disabilities. B means that the veteran is disabled due to injury or illness not related to military service A. Pension B. Non-Service Connected C. Compensation D. Service-Connected Correct - Click anywhere or press Control Y to continue Your answer: You You did answered not answer this this correctly! question The correct answer completely is: You must answer the question before continuing Incorrect - Click anywhere or press Control Y to continue Submit Clear 43

35 Earned income does not impact SSDI. A) True B) False Correct - Click anywhere or press Control Y to continue Your answer: You You did answered not answer this this correctly! question The correct answer completely is: You must answer the question before continuing Incorrect - Click anywhere or press Control Y to continue Submit Clear 44

36 Earned income does not impact SSI A) True B) False Correct - Click anywhere or press Control Y to continue Your answer: You You did answered not answer this this correctly! question The correct answer completely is: You must answer the question before continuing Incorrect - Click anywhere or press Control Y to continue Submit Clear 45

37 Earned income does not impact pensions. A) True B) False Correct - Click anywhere or press Control Y to continue Your answer: You You did answered not answer this this correctly! question The correct answer completely is: You must answer the question before continuing Incorrect - Click anywhere or press Control Y to continue Submit Clear 46

38 Earned income does not impact DComp. A) True B) False Correct - Click anywhere or press Control Y to continue Your answer: You You did answered not answer this this correctly! question The correct answer completely is: You must answer the question before continuing Incorrect - Click anywhere or press Control Y to continue Submit Clear 47

39 Eligibility for State VR requires the individual to have a disability. A) True B) False Correct - Click anywhere or press Control Y to continue Your answer: You You did answered not answer this this correctly! question The correct answer completely is: You must answer the question before continuing Incorrect - Click anywhere or press Control Y to continue Submit Clear 48

40 Quiz Your Score {score} Max Score {max-score} Number of Quiz Attempts {total-attempts} Question Feedback/Review Information Will Appear Here Continue Review Quiz 49

41 Here to Help Contact me any time with any issues big or small! Ian Lisman Senior Program Associate Advocates for Human Potential (cell) 50