Veterans Service Office Bill Krizek Calumet County Veteran

Veterans Service Office Bill Krizek Calumet County Veteran Service Officer

Who’s Eligible? • Based on discharge. Where is it? • Full-time service in any branch of service – Merchant Marines – Guard & Reserve called to active duty or disabled by training duty • Men and Women veterans are eligible • Wartime/Peacetime service

Disability Compensation • Disability Compensation – Injury or condition occurred or aggravated during time in service – 0% to 100% Disability ratings ($0 - $3, 187 Mo. Tax Free) – Do not have to be wounded - PTSD, Hearing Loss – Are not subject to state/federal Income tax – POWs, Vietnam (Agent Orange), Radiation, Gulf War, OEF, OIF have presumptive illness.

Disability Compensation (con’t) • Allowances for dependents when veteran rated at 30% • Hearing Aids and Eyeglasses • Re-evaluated lately? • Specially adapted homes • Automobile assistance • Clothing allowance

Individual Unemployability (IU) • One service-connected disability rated at 60% • Or have two or more service-connected disabilities with a combined rating of 70% with one disability rated at 40% • Unable to hold gainful employment

100% or Individual Unemployability • Benefits – Can be paid at 100% rate ($3, 187 per Month) – Premium Free healthcare for the, spouse and for dependents up to age 18, 23 if attending school – Paid education for spouse & dependents ages 18 -26 – If paid for Individual Unemployability for 10 years or more spouse will get DIC

Non-Service Connected Pension • Permanently disabled or housebound or elderly • Need of financial assistance • Requirements – Served a min. of 90 days – One day of war time period • Brings annual income to a level set by Congress – Single Veteran - $12, 868 ($1072. 00 Monthly) – Married Veteran - $16, 851 ($1404. 25 Monthly)

Non-Service Connected Pension (con’t) • Aid and Attendance or housebound for nursing home resident and/or assisted living – Single Veteran - $21, 466 ($1, 788. 00 Mo. ) – Married Veteran - $25, 448 ($2, 120. 00 Mo. ) • Deduct all medical and prescription expenses annually

Federal Education Benefits • Montgomery - GI Bill for active duty • Montgomery - GI Bill for the selective reserve • Vocational Rehabilitation • Post 9/11 GI Bill

Burial Benefits • National Cemetery – Veteran and dependants – Retired Military, 20 years service – Reserve/Guard eligible • Cannot be reserved • Other cemeteries – Interior, state, county, etc.

Headstones and Markers • Government Markers or Headstone at no cost • Survivor pays for setting

Other Burial Benefits • Presidential Memorial Certificate • Burial Flag • Burial Assistance – Service-connected Death (up to $2, 000) – Non-Service Connected Burial allowance ($300) and Plot allowance ($745) - Pass away in VA hospital/nursing home or receiving pension.

Federal Benefits for Survivors

Death Pension to Surviving Spouses and Children • Death pension payable for eligible dependents of deceased WARTIME veterans • Veteran had to serve 90 days, 1 day during wartime. After Sep 1980, 2 yrs active duty • Dependent is the surviving spouse or unmarried child of the deceased veteran • The dependents countable income is below the annual limit set by law

Death Pension to Surviving Spouses and Children (con’t) • Annual Income limits – Surviving Spouse - $8, 630 to $13, 794 – Surviving Spouse w/1 dependent - $11, 296 to $16, 456 – First year deduct last illness and funeral expenses to reduce income – Following years - deduct all medical related expenses to reduce income

Other Benefit Programs for Survivors • Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) $1, 254. 00 per month. – Service-connected disability causes death, death occurred while on active duty, or 10 yrs 100%. – Not remarried before age 55 – CHAMPVA Health Insurance for spouse and dependents ages up to age 18, 23 if in school. – Exception - Remarried after 55 - CHAMPVA for Life continues as Medicare supplement – Paid college for survivors - ages 18 -26

VA Health Care Benefits

Health Care • Health-Care Enrollment – Do NOT need a service-connected disability to qualify – Medications up to $9. 00 for a 30 day supply – 8 Priority Groups - Comprehensive Package – Based on Eligibilty • Receive Treatment at any VA Facility – 1100+ nation wide

Health Care (con’t) • VA Long-Term Care – 70% service-connected veteran or service- connected disability is clinically determined to require nursing home care – Non-service connected - subject to space availability and income and asset determination for billing (Hospice) • Alcohol & Drug-Dependence Treatment – King, Tomah, Iron Mtn. , Milwaukee, Madison

Health Care (con’t) • Programs for Homeless (or at-risk) • Readjustment Counseling Service for combat veterans • Prosthetic and Sensory Aid Services • Services and Aids for Blind Veterans • Home Improvement & Structural Alterations (for disability access)

Health Care (con’t) • Vet Centers – Confidential - located away from formal VA facilities – Readjustment counseling • PTSD • Marital and Family • Substance abuse

Federal Home Loan Guaranties

Wisconsin Veterans State Benefits • Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Programs (12 month residency)

WDVA Benefits (con’t) • State Veterans Cemeteries – Free for veterans – Burial fee for dependents – Accept pre-registration

Other Wisconsin Agency Benefits Must have entered service from Wisconsin • Wisconsin GI Bill - University of Wisconsin/ Wisconsin Technical College program.

Other Wisconsin Agency Benefits Must have entered service from Wisconsin or 5 year residency requirement • The Wisconsin Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit program. Wisconsin Department of Revenue program – Provides a refundable property tax credit for the primary residence (in-state) via the state income tax form for: • Eligible veterans who have a combined VA service-connected disability rating of 100% or an IU rating. • The unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran who entered active duty as a Wisconsin resident or five year residency requirement, died in the line of duty or due to a service connected disability.

• Office Phone Number Chilton 920 -849 -1452 Appleton 920 -989 -2700 • E-mail: calumetvets@co. calumet. wi. us • Thank You for your attention. • Any Questions?