Family Caregiver Program For Injured Vets

[allan]

Family Caregiver Program For Injured Vets. UPI Veterans "may be eligible for a family caregiver program if they are medically discharged for a serious injury, officials say. Dr. Robert Petzel, Department of Veterans Affairs under secretary for health, says US law, for the first time, provides a direct benefit to designated, approved family caregivers of eligible post-Sept. 11, 2001, veterans, including monthly stipends and health insurance." The article notes that almost 1,650 applications had been received as of July 26, and 567 stipends averaging $1,600 monthly had been approved.

SOURCE: http://www.veteranst...todays-news-51/

Edited August 9, 2011 by allan

[john999]

This is nice for a start, but there are about 200,000 100% disabled vets who need help.

[USNDW]

I think that question has already been answered. After 2 years of the pilot program there will be a recommendation to extend it to all Veterans who are eligible, or shut it down. Since they are hyping it up so much I would guess they will extend it to all Veterans May, 2013.

[john999]

USNDW

Do you think with these budget problems the government is going to extend this expensive benefit to thousands more vets? You are more optimistic than I am.

[Pete53]

I know that in the long run the VA will save money with this program. After all they are on the hook for the expensive care if the family won't do it.

USNDW:

Thanks for your info it makes me feel like we have a shot at this program.

[USNDW]

I may be optimistic, or pessimistic. Like I said, they are going to expand it or reduce it. I don't think they will get away with not expanding it, like you said there are over 200,000 Veterans who might qualify. I have to wonder if they are going to try and make some regulations like, people on Social Security, or at the age to draw SS will not qualify?

I don't know what they intend to do, but I do hope it is something very unlike the Post 9/11 GI Bill. That is why Senator McCain did not vote for it, because it excluded most Veterans, offering better benefits to others because of their time of service. Like you, I don't think the VA should be selecting a range of Veterans who qualify for this and others don't because the dates of service, but pilot programs have to be given a chance to work, or fail.

If the budget cuts will limit the # of Veterans for the Caregiver, then I think they will have to eliminate it all together.