Berta Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 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. " # # # Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadIt.com Elder Commander Bob Posted July 2, 2011 HadIt.com Elder Share Posted July 2, 2011 (edited) "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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chr49 Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 "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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadIt.com Elder Commander Bob Posted July 3, 2011 HadIt.com Elder Share Posted July 3, 2011 (edited) "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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadIt.com Elder Pete53 Posted July 3, 2011 HadIt.com Elder Share Posted July 3, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadIt.com Elder Commander Bob Posted July 3, 2011 HadIt.com Elder Share Posted July 3, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadIt.com Elder john999 Posted July 3, 2011 HadIt.com Elder Share Posted July 3, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Question
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. "
# # #
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