Va Sends Out Caregiver Benefits

[Berta]

VA Issuing First Payments to Caregivers

"WASHINGTON (July 1, 2011) - The Department of Veterans Affairs will send

out more than $430,000 in stipend payments to nearly 200 Family

Caregivers of Veterans in July. These Family Caregivers were the first

to complete their Caregiver training under the program of Comprehensive

Assistance for Family Caregivers. The first payments to 96 recipients

were issued today.

"This is a long-awaited day for many Family Caregivers who diligently

worked to achieve this landmark legislation to enhance services for

Family Caregivers," said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. "I am proud VA

can now offer direct support to the loved ones who give the Veterans we

serve a greater quality of life by allowing them to remain at home

surrounded by family and friends."

Family Caregivers will receive an average $1,600 in monthly stipend

payments. The initial payments will average $2,500 because the first

stipend checks are retroactive to the date of application. The amount

of the stipend is based on the condition of the Veteran and the amount

of care they require as well as the geographic location where the

Veteran resides. An additional 80 stipend payments will be released

from the U.S. Treasury on July 8 bringing the total to 176 Family

Caregivers receiving the stipend in July.

"We continue to process and approve applications on a daily basis" said

Deborah Amdur, VA's Chief Consultant for Care Management and Social

Work. "It has been profoundly gratifying to receive messages from Family

Caregivers about the value of this program."

Since May 9, nearly 1,250 Caregivers of Veterans who were seriously

injured in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, have applied

for the Program. A core caregiver training curriculum is a required

component of the program. This comprehensive training, which was

developed by Easter Seals in collaboration with VA clinical experts, has

received many positive comments from Family Caregivers. In addition to

the training, eligible Family Caregivers can also access mental health

services and are provided health care insurance, if they are not already

entitled to care or services under a health plan.

Veterans may review the criteria for eligibility and download the Family

Caregiver program application (VA CG 10-10) at www.caregiver.va.gov.

The application enables the Veteran to designate a primary Family

Caregiver and secondary Family Caregivers if needed. Caregiver Support

Coordinators are stationed at every VA medical center to assist with

coordinating the training or assist Caregivers in locating available

services.

Support for all Caregivers is also available via the national Caregiver

Support Line at 1-855-260-3274. Caregivers of Veterans from all eras are

encouraged to use the Website and Support Line to learn about more than

two dozen supportive services VA offers to Family Caregivers. "

# # #

[Commander Bob]

"Line of duty after 9/11" sticks in my throat. My wife quit her job to help me at home. Now we both live off my disability. Both she and I suffer from my disability. Her SSA will be less and our income was cut by 20,000 a year. How is it fair just because I was in a different war?

It just doesn't seem quite fair???

Edited July 2, 2011 by Commander Bob

[chr49]

"Line of duty after 9/11" sticks in my throat. My wife quit her job to help me at home. Now we both live off my disability. Both she and I suffer from my disability. Her SSA will be less and our income was cut by 20,000 a year. How is it fair just because I was in a different war?

Berta, Thank you for posting this information. I believe this is a good program for caregivers. Any progress made is a step forward for veterans and their families.

I'm in joining Commander Bob -- Hoping this program will be expanded to all vets quickly.

John, I personally know of 3 families where the wives left well paying professions (years ago) to care for their 'Pre 9-11' vets. I'm sure they have felt a financial burden over the years and are having to live with the consequences of leaving their profession early, as you are. I know I would feel as you do if I were in your place. I agree that our spouses suffer from our disabilities with us. I know my disability has taken a huge toll on my wife, physically & mentally, especially since I refused to seek any help for so many years. I put her thru H--- and she's paid the price with her health. What's unfair is the fact that I get to be seen by the VA for my medical needs (I'm sorry, I'm thankful to have VA health care) and she's without insurance and proper medical care. My employer doesn't offer insurance and she has medical issues that make premiums unbearable. In 5 years she will qualify for Medicare. That's a long time! Thing is, our story isn't unusual and I know that. I'm sure many will read this post and be able to say they are in the same boat or much worse. That's why I come to Hadit as often as I can. It's a reality check, letting me know that we are all in this together.

[Commander Bob]

"Line of duty after 9/11" sticks in my throat. My wife quit her job to help me at home. Now we both live off my disability. Both she and I suffer from my disability. Her SSA will be less and our income was cut by 20,000 a year. How is it fair just because I was in a different war?

"sticks in my throat" too, John. I agree "Why treat one group of vets differently from another?" i have tried to reason this through...??? Public Law 111-163 (the Caregivers Act)., is a slap in the face to older qualified veterans. It discriminates against a generation of veterans that have been kicked to the curb for decades already. I especially find the stipend clause, offense to vets from all wars...

What were they (Congress) thinking? This goes beyond reasoning. Who will speak for those too sick and old to speak up for themselves?

I am reminded of the movie Soylent Green;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soylent_Green

Edited July 3, 2011 by Commander Bob

[Pete53]

Actually Congress was thinking about money not being fair to Veterans. I still believe that this program will end up saving VA a lot of money and for that reason and that reason only it will end up going to all Veterans.

[Commander Bob]

Actually Congress was thinking about money not being fair to Veterans. I still believe that this program will end up saving VA a lot of money and for that reason and that reason only it will end up going to all Veterans.

I hope your right Pete. I would like to think so too.

C.B.

[john999]

It would save the VA money if vets could stay at home and be cared for by spouses. Of course, they can save even more money if they can get this for free since most spouses will not abandone their husbands or wives even if they don't get paid. I can see many ways for the VA and government to save money but they would be politically difficult since it would mean loss of jobs for government employees and loss of subjects for medical students to practice on without worrying about lawsuits for killing the subjects.