Expedited Claims Processing For Homeless Veterans:

[carlie]

***Expedited Claims Processing for Homeless Veterans:

Outreach to Homeless Shelters and Service Providers:

In November 2009, VA developed a 5-year plan to end homelessness among

veterans by assisting every eligible homeless veteran willing to accept

service. VBA generally defines homeless as lacking a fixed, regular, and

adequate nighttime residence. VBA provided guidance to all VAROs that

claims submitted by homeless veterans should receive priority processing.

At the time of our inspection, VBA determined its national performance

measure for processing homeless veterans’ claims based on the average days

the claims were pending. VBA’s national target was for the claims to be

pending no more than an average of 75 days.

Seven (23 percent) of 30 homeless veterans’ claims pending at the time of

our inspection had processing delays. The seven delayed claims had been

pending from 29 to 124 days. However, as of September 30, 2011, homeless

veterans’ claims at the St. Petersburg VARO were pending an average of

66 days, 9 days less than the national target. Therefore, we made no

recommendation for improvement in this area.

Congress mandated that at least one full-time employee oversee and

coordinate homeless veterans programs at each of the 20 VAROs that VA

determined to have the largest veteran populations. VBA guidance, last

updated in September 2002, directed that the coordinators at the remaining

37 VAROs be familiar with requirements for improving the effectiveness of

VARO outreach to homeless veterans. These requirements include

developing and updating a directory of local homeless shelters and service

providers. Additionally, the coordinators should attend regular meetings

with local homeless service providers, community governments, and

advocacy groups to provide information on VA benefits and services.

More Info :

http://www.va.gov/oi...11-04243-86.pdf

Edited March 1, 2012 by carlie
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[eganusn]

Notorious Kelly, thanks for for the kind words.

My attorney, although he has helped in some ways, was really for the situation if I get denied for the PTSD once again.

I don't think he can do anymore than any VSO can do at this point, but if nothing good comes out of this current claim,

he is much more capable than any VSO for whatever I choose do to afterwards. Oh, and yes, he gets everything that I

get as well, I made that very clear to the VARO.

[cooter]

​My apologies egan, I mean't a different kind of shelter, Like Hotel rooms for instance.

Coot

[eganusn]

Cooter, no need to apologize. I just hope the VA does the right thing.

[eganusn]

Pete53, broncovet, I will agree, I don't think it makes a bit of difference. I hope it works for some, but its becoming very

evident to me that programs that the VA touts really doesn't do what they say it does.

[Notorious Kelly]

Egan,

I've been there but, unlike most, I did it on purpose.

Story in photos here: http://www.myspace.com/notoriouskelly/photos/20649017#{%22ImageId%22%3A20649017}

Please take advantage of all services available, and file complaints about anything you feel is warranted.

It may improve things for the next guy.

And keep the faith - we're rooting for you!

[broncovet]

Egan

Its the game the VA plays...with your life. I recommend signing the form for Pension. Why? Its like this:

Pension is about a grand a month, assuming you have no other income. While it is not enough to live on, it was enough for me to keep a roof over my head while awaiting my benefits.

Accepting pension does not mean you can not continue to persue Service connection, and, if/when you get it, you should get retro pay from when you applied.

While I agree this should NOT be a TWO step process where you apply for and get pension and later get service connection, I will say the alternative, living homeless, is far worse.

By the way, I did what I recommend: I got pension for a few years before I got service connection. Just one Vets advice, you dont have to follow it...but almost anything would be preferable to homelessness, IMHO.