Attention veterans
Where to find information on your benefits
A recent memo from the Bush administration to the Department of Veteran Affairs directs the VA not to advertise its programs, as a way to cut costs. Despite this subterfuge, there are a number of services to which veterans are entitled.
“Our veterans earned VA benefits and the government should stand behind its promise,” said UAW Vice President Cal Rapson, who directs the union’s Veterans Affairs Department.
The following is a list of veterans benefits:
Health care
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides medical,
surgical and rehabilitation services. Some of the services
provided include outpatient medical, surgical and mental
health care, including care for substance abuse. Inpatient
hospital, medical, surgical, mental health care and substance
abuse services are also provided.
Prescription drugs, including over-the-counter drugs, and medical and surgical supplies coverage are available under the VA national formulary system.
Additional coverage includes emergency care in VA facilities, durable medical equipment, and prosthetic and orthotic devices, including eyeglasses and hearing aids, as well as respite, hospice, palliative care and home health services.
Reconstructive (plastic) surgery required as a result of a disease or trauma is covered, but not medically unnecessary cosmetic surgery.
Other services covered provide for the following preventive care measures:
• Periodic medical exams;
• Health education, including nutrition education;
• Maintenance of drug-use profiles, drug monitoring
and drug use education;
• Mental health and substance abuse preventive services.
For more information on the VA Healthcare program and eligibility requirements, visit their Web site at www.va.gov/ or call 877-222-VETS.
Vocational rehabilitation
Veterans interested in learning more about the Veterans Industry
program should contact Rick Lee, national program coordinator
via e-mail at Rick.Lee@med.va.gov or by calling 757-722-9961,
Ext. 3624. The VI Web site is at www.va.gov/vetind/.
Homeless services
VA offers a wide array of special programs and initiatives
specifically designed to help homeless veterans live self-sufficiently
and independently.
Homeless veterans services include:
• Aggressive outreach to veterans living on streets
and in shelters who otherwise would not seek assistance;
• Clinical assessment and referral to needed medical
treatment for physical and psychiatric disorders, including
substance abuse;
• Long-term sheltered transitional assistance, case
management and rehabilitation;
• Employment assistance and linkage with available
income supports;
• Supported permanent housing.
Call 800-827-1000 or check with your local VA hospital.
Burial benefits
Burial benefits available include a gravesite in any of 120
national cemeteries with available space, opening and closing
of the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone or marker,
a grave liner for casketed remains, a burial flag, and a
Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family.
Cremated remains are buried or inurned in national cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains.
Call 800-827-1000 or visit http://www.cem.va.gov/bbene.htm for more information.
Note: Other programs such as home loans and life insurance are available to qualifying veterans, and there are numerous programs available to dependents and survivors of veterans. More information can be found on the Veteran’s Affairs Web site at http://www.va.gov/.
UAW members can check with their local union veterans committees for information on veterans programs.
