As a tribute to Douglas County Veterans, a community recognition and dessert reception will be held on Sunday, Nov. 8 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. at the Douglas County Events Center in Castle Rock.
The event is free, but tickets are required as seating is limited.
Tickets are available at the Douglas County Office of Veterans Affairs and the Douglas County Phillip S Miller Building.
For more information, please call 303.688.4825 ext 5359
2009 Veterans Day Tribute »
The 2009 Summer Edition of the Veterans Voice is now available.
Military service members can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security. Benefits available through Social Security are different than those from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application.
The expedited process is used for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs.
For more information on this program, go to: http://www.ssa.gov/woundedwarriors/.
If you are a wounded warrior, or know of a wounded warrior, send them to the above web site for more information.
If you were wounded and need to apply for veterans benefits, contact the Douglas County Office of Veterans Affairs at 303-688-4825 EXT 5359.
Beginning August 1, 2009, a new GI Bill will go into effect. It is known as the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Veterans must decide if they want to use the older bill, the Montgomery GI Bill or the new version. One can stick with the Montgomery version, or switch to the Post 9/11. Once the selection is made to switch, it is irreversible.
For veterans attending community colleges in certain states, the Montgomery version may be the better choice. For veterans attending most state universities and some community colleges, the new bill is superior.
Payments under the two bills are quite different. The new bill pays full tuition at state schools, based on the state where the school is located. Also, living costs and some book purchases are covered. You need to carefully check the differences. Then chose the one that is best for you. But, remember, if you leave the Montgomery version and go to the Post 9/11, that’s it, no going back.
For more information go to www.va.gov and then search on Post 9/11 GI Bill to access more information. The application form for the benefits is also available on the site.
Contact the Office of Veterans Affairs for help with the process, 303-688-4825 Ext 5359.
In the past veterans with family income over the GMT (Geographic Means Test) were placed in Health Care Priority Group 8. This meant that they were not eligible for care at the VA Medical Center. Recently the VA has changed the income requirements. Any veteran with family income over the GMT rates should check to see if they might qualify under these changes:
- Currently the GMT for a single veteran is $40,200 and for a veteran with one dependent, $45,950.
- The change is; if the family income does not exceed the GMT plus 10%, the veteran may now qualify.
- The plus 10% rates are: single veteran, $44,220, and with one dependent, $50,545.
If you filed in the past and were placed in Priority Group 8, consider refilling. This is especially true if your income has decreased.
Enrollment in the VA Health Care program is fairly simple. Remember, unless you are receiving Disability Compensation, family income is very important.
To check potential eligibility, go to www.va.gov. On the home page you will find an icon; Priority 8 Calculator. Click on the icon, a form is opened, fill in the required information. It will give you a quick answer on eligibility.
Remember , this is not the final decision on eligibility. Contact the Douglas County Office of Veterans Affairs at 303-688-4825 ext 5359 for further information or to make an appointment to get enrolled.
