How can I help a Military Veteran?
“How Can I Help Veterans?”
People often ask “How can I help veterans?” We hear a lot about the problems with veteran care but we may not hear enough about the specific answers or solutions. The number one issue is that veterans need to be aware of the benefits and services available. We need help in getting out information about benefits to veterans and their families. Here is a partial list of facts that veterans, spouses, caregivers and advocates need to know in order to help veterans get the benefits they deserve.
#1 “Thank You for Your Service!”
This salutation has become quite commonplace and is very much appreciated by today’s veterans. It feels good to be appreciated! Unfortunately, it doesn’t have any long-term benefit for the veteran. Go a step further and share with them what you learn with reading these ten tips and letting them know there may be benefits that can assist them and their families.
And, by the way, females are often over looked for their time in military service. So next time you see a female wearing one of those patched baseball caps, thank her, too ........... chances are good she's wearing her own cap!
#2 DD-214
Every veteran receives a DD-214 when they are discharged from active duty. This is an important document that every veteran may need sooner or later. The DD- 214 should be filed in the Town Hall where the veteran lives.
There are many benefits to doing this. First, this will provide the veteran with a reduction in their residential property or vehicle taxes. This reduction is increased if the veteran receives VA disability compensation. Second, having the DD-214 available on file will be a convenience for the veteran because a copy will be readily available, even if the original has been lost. This is important later in life when the veteran needs additional benefits. Additionally, it will provide each town and the state with an accurate count of veterans in each town. This will give weight to veteran issues when legislation and decisions are drafted.
#3 Tinnitus
Every veteran needs to register with the VA. This opens many doors to benefits and updated information for the veteran. One of the best methods to register with the VA is to apply for tinnitus compensation. This type of hearing loss is generally caused by noise exposure, age or both. Over 1.7 million veterans receive compensation for tinnitus and 1.1 million veterans receive compensation for hearing loss. Hearing loss is one of the top service-connected disabilities among Veterans. Most of the hearing loss among veterans is a result of the exposure to gunfire, aircraft, tanks and bombs. One of the first symptoms that a person with hearing loss notices is difficulty distinguishing sounds or understanding speech.
The veteran needs to start a claim for tinnitus by contacting Jeannie Gardiner, the Eastern Connecticut Veterans Service Officer, at (860) 887-9162. It takes about a year or more to receive the compensation money. This is tax-free monthly payment about $150 with inflation adjustable. The 10% disability rating can applied to property tax deduction at Town Hall. (See How Can I Help Veterans, Fact 2).
This also gives the veteran a service-connected disability. A service- connected disability gives the veteran many more benefits, such as access to commissary and military exchanges and many other veteran discounts. The veteran will receive a VA card with the service-connected disability noted.
Another very important reason to register with the VA is to be counted. This is how lobbyists in Washington protect veterans. The more veterans that are documented, the louder the veteran voice will be.
Once in the VA health care system, the veteran will have access to hearing aids and other VA services and benefits. Please do not delay. The clock starts with the date of the “Letter Of Intent to File”. This means the payment will be back dated to the date the letter was filed, not approved.
The VA now offers Community Care. You don’t to go to a VA facility for every medical issue. The VA will pay for Doctor visits, medicine and other needs outside the VA health care system. Check out https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/index.asp
This is one of the important letters of information to pass on. More veterans need to be aware of these benefits and share this information with every veteran.
#4 Veterans Mobil App
Connecticut Department of Veteran Affairs has a great app that can be used as a starting point for information that can be shared. Go to the App Store and search for “CT VETERANS”. This is a free app and a MUST for veterans, spouses, caregivers and anyone who is interested in helping veterans and their families. The top button is for Crisis Assistance , a hot line for suicide prevention. The lower button , Veterans Resources, is where information can be found about Benefits and Services both Federal VA and State Department of Veteran Affairs, Healthcare, Housing, Business and Jobs, Support a Veteran and Flag Status.
Download the app the explore and learn what it has to offer. Then share it with a friend or family member. It is great to have this information available so quickly on your smart phone.
#5 Colchester Coffeehouse
The Colchester Coffeehouse is held from 10:15 a.m. to 12:00 pm. on the third Saturday of every month at Cragin Memorial Library in Colchester. Guest speakers address topics of interest to veterans of all ages. The guest speakers are highly informative and share information important to all veterans. This has turned out to be a very good method to get information to veterans. The fellowship of veterans getting together to talk about veterans issues has come to be very valuable for all who have been attending.
#6 Organizations Helping Veterans.
It is important for veterans to find an organization that represents veterans and works to help veterans. These organizations provide veterans the chance to share experiences, feelings and goals with other veterans. Together, their voices provide the strength that is needed to get action on issues on the state and federal level. Below is a partial list of some of the local veteran organizations:
VFW (860) 616-2363
American Legion (860) 439-9986
Amvets (860) 753-6399
Disabled American Vets (860) 440-4440
Vietnam Veterans of America (860) 568-9212
Subvets (860) 445-5262
Marine Corps League (860) 843-1244
There are many more organizations and non-profits that help veterans in general and under special circumstances. These organizations accept donations and use their funding to pay expenses. Volunteers are always welcome. Donating your time or resources can result in a personal reward as you realize you are helping veterans. You can donate to an organization by reviewing the following website:
https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/how-donate-wisely-and-avoid-charity-sc...
#7 Non-Profits
There is a variety of non-profit organizations that provide direct assistance to veterans. Here is the website for many non-profits: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?ay=content.view&cpid=531
Here are some locally based ones:
Forever In My Heart Foundation https://foreverinmyheartfoundation.org/ They train rescue dogs at the Niantic Correctional Facility to be service dogs for veterans suffering PTSD.
Warrior for Warrior https://warriorsforwarriors.us/ They address the health nd wellness of veterans and treat veterans with acupuncture for many issues and their success is notable.
Thames Valley Council for Community Action https://www.tvcca.org/ They help veterans with a variety of services such as home visits, transportation, Coffeehouses and many more.
Easter Seals Rally Point https://veteransrallypoint.com/ This is multi functional orgsnization that provides with education, workshops, clothing, and many more.
All of these non-profits are always looking volunteers and donations. Other services for veterans cover visitation, transportation, emotional comfort, counseling and job training. Non-profits often provide an opportunity for those who need comfort to be comforted by those who are interested in the well-being of our veterans.
#8 In Remembrance of a veteran
Veterans are honored to know that their service is appreciated. When we stop and greet a veteran with “Thank you for your service”, it is appreciated but is not long lasting. There are two programs in the area that do provide a more lasting remembrance of a veteran and his service.
Several communities have programs where bricks are purchased and then engraved with the names of a veteran, the dates of their service and the branch in which they served. The bricks are then used to construct a path in the community so that the veteran and his or her service can be remembered. Here are some contact names and numbers in some of our local communities:
1. East Lyme contact Tim Yuhas (860) 884-0694
2. New London (860) 440-6691
3. Norwich Easter Seals Veterans Rally Point (860) 859-4148, Ext 1
4. Andover (860) 982-3944
There may be other towns that offer veterans bricks. Try calling your town office to ask if your town has a veteran’s brick program.
Another way to give veterans a long-lasting tribute is to record their story. Every veteran has a story about what they did, how they felt and why they did it. The Library of Congress has started a program to preserve veteran stories for future generations. There is a set of questions to ask with specific ideas for recording a veteran’s experiences and directions for submitting the packet. Go to https://www.loc.gov/vets/ or https://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.118162. This is a great history project for schools, students and relatives who want to know what a veteran did in service to our country and preserve this important experience. The VA now has collection of veteran stories. https://news.va.gov/121631/share-your-story-america250-hear-from-you/
A veteran is proud of his service. A wall plaque with his military information is a wonderful way to honor the veteran for their service. Check out https://www.togetherweserved.com/basicplaque.
#9 Be an Advocate for Veterans
Veterans and veteran issues need advocates in our legislative process. There are many bills that need to passed so that the livelihood and comfort of our veterans can be improved. You can be an advocate for veterans and veteran issues by contacting your federal and state senators and representatives and expressing your support for bills being considered. The more people that reach out and communicate with their legislators, the stronger the message.
At the present time there are several bills that need to be passed and you might consider:
Federal SB117-37 Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemember Therapy Act. This bill provides funds for training service dogs for PTSD veterans but accessing these funds is still a mystery. Investigate this bill at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1448
Connecticut SB 338 https://www.cga.ct.gov/2022/TOB/S/PDF/2022SB-00338-R00-SB.PDF. Veterans Representative
Connecticut Public Act 12-208 Aid & Attendance. This bill deals with reimbursement related to health benefits that the federal government considers additional income. This added income often puts a veteran over the limit for them to receive state benefits. Investigate this bill at
https://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/act/pa/2012PA-00208-R00SB-00391-PA.htm
4. Connecticut State Bills: https://cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommJFList.asp?comm_code=va
There are many more bills and issues that need a united voice to help veterans today and in the future. We need to make sure those who have served will serve with be taken care of.
#10 Your Attendance Counts!
You can show your interest and support for veterans by participating in any number of activities in your community throughout the year. There are breakfasts and suppers, parades and ceremonies, poppy sales and vigils that are sponsored by or for veterans that need your attendance and participation. Speaking from experience, I know how heartwarming it feels to have a good turn out for the parade or the Veterans Day Ceremony. Veterans see how many people support them by your attendance
Please share these ten ideas with your family and friends. The purpose is to get the information to those who need it. This information doesn’t do any good if it’s just stored in a file somewhere, so please pass it along.
God bless America. God bless those who have served, are serving now, and who will serve in the future to protect the freedoms we enjoy today.