Independent Living

[Guest allan]

Independent Living

If you are so impaired by disability that you cannot work, your vocational rehabilitation program counselor and you will explore whether a plan of services can be developed to improve your quality of life and/or your ability to meet the demands of your day to day life with greater independence.

If your circumstances are found to meet these criteria you and your counselor will develop an Independent Living Plan (ILP).

The cause of your need for an ILP need not be primarily grounded in your service connected disability. Your service connected disability need only contribute to your having an employment handicap. The severity of disability in such cases may in fact be based on conditions predominantly non service connected.

Even though we are VA's Job Program for Service Connected Disabled Veterans, we are equally committed to our Independent Living program. After all, our best outcome for an Independent Living Plan is to restore a level of independence that may open the door to potential employment. So if your disabilities have taken working out of either your immediate or long term future making an application to vocational rehabilitation still is your best bet.

http://www.vba.va.gov/ro/hartford/vre/IndependentLiving/IndependentLiving.htm

[Pete53]

This is a great program when it has money.

[Guest rickb54]

This is a wonderful program, I have used it once in the past, but because my disabilities got worse I was allowed another independant program... Problem is the new program requires some adapted housing remodeling and it has been over a year since I was approved for the program and still do not have anything to show for it. It took a along time to get estimates, and still longer for the contractors to submit the bid (still waiting for written estimates). The other problem as Pete pointed out is money. Each veteran under vocational rehabilation is allow $25,000 a year for up to fours years. If a program exceeds 25K in one year it must go to DC for final approval... I hope mine is finished soon, would be nice to take a decent shower, or be able to go out into my back yard, ( I have no ramps).

[betrayed]

I filed for voc rehab in may 05, 6 months later I was in the ILP programs. To date I havnt gotten anything, just recentlly I asked for

Laptop computer w/wireless interface and voice rec software. This would inable me to utilize a computer from any room in my home which would be a great help to me.

Voice recognition software for current pc. I would be able to utilize what I currently have with out having to type.

new bed maybe a temperpedic or a hospital style bed.

A chair to place in my living room which would give me correct support and make it able to spend time in the family room with the family. Preferablly a Leather chair (unstainable) with heat and msg.

Bow flex exercise machine, during my last visit with my Primary Care Manager at the VA Hospital, he told me he would recommend a exercise machine for me in writing and I am sure he wrote it into the progress notes from that visit.

Custom Mirrors for my vehicles.

Snow blower and bagger for lawn tractor.

Portable type window Air conditioners.

Under the heading of recreation I would like to attend some stained glass classes as well as the equipment to be able to do stained glass work in my home.

PDA which will inter face with Microsoft office and the calendar, I need this to remind me of appointments and to take medication.

[BoonDoc]

Will this VA program help with housing problems? I am embaresed to say this but my trailor that my family lives in has a leaking roof, and the walls have "rot/mold" due to not being sealed correctly. I also have the washing machine leaking all over, but I am not able to repair it my self, or sure don't have the money to pay somebody to do it.

I also need grab bars on the comode, showers/bathroom. I have trouble getting in and out of chairs/bed.

I need Sunglasses all of the time, but the VA started only giving me one pair a couple year sago, they said it was a cutback, but I have the medical need since I have photophobia due to SC migraines.

man if I could get help with my roof so it wouldn't leak, and get the wlls sealed it would be a great help...I also have wiring problems...sometimes the switches work, and sometimes they don't so it is a littl ebit scary thinking that somenight it might just "light up" by itself while I'm not up standing gueard as I usually do while the family sleeps....

I guess it would hurt to ask about programs, and see if I qualify.

I have been thinking about asking for Voc/Ed appoointment so I can see just what I kind of job I qualify for that is gainful enough to support my family, and get tested since the Va seems to think that i can hold somekind of job.

I can't drive now on docotrs orders, so it's a little bit hard getting there for the VA at thr little Rock RO over 100 miles away from where I live., maybe the VA shuttle can take me.

Do they come out and get in your "business" as I'm very private, nothing to hide, but when strangers come to my house it sets me off in to my "hyper zone mental state" and I have a bit of trouble dealing with people on my property...I would imagine that they have to come do an inspection...what actually happens when you need housing alterations, grab bars, repairs etc.

I doubt that I qualify, but it wouldn't hurt to ask about it. I'm 60% Sc and have an appeal, and just asked for the PTSD be added to the present application for 100% since the doctor told me it was caused by SC stressor, it's in my SMR's, and I am trying to deal with this new diagnosis PTSD...it's not as easy for me, as say a single disease or condition diagnosesed that I can "sink my teeth into and understand" I'm having trouble since I have so many different symptoms, that some and go, and change all of the time...

Thanks for this post!!!

Boondoc

[Guest rickb54]

BoonDoc,

This program does not pay for repairs of private property. Every program of Independant Living is different depending on the needs and limitations of the veteran. But since you have already indicated that the VA stated you can work, you would not qualify for this program.

You could ask for vocational Rehabilitation, which if approved will pay for all you books, classes, and school supplies. In addition it pays a subsistence allowance monthly. You cannot work full time when you are in this program. You can work part time.

As far as handicapped grab bars, you will have to be evaluated by a va doctor and the doctor must indicate what you need in terms of adapted housing. The VA Medical Centers have a program called HISA administrated by prosthetic department . If you qualify the va will pay up to $4100.00 for adapted housing for Service connected problems, NSC problems will only pay about $1200. You cannnot qualify for both grants it is one or the other. The va does not grant you the money they pay the cost to the contractors....

In order to qualify for any adapted housing programs you will have to have been rated loss of or loss of use of limbs, or blindness, or have special conditions such as breathing problems which might get you a window unit a/c.

hope this answers your question.

[BoonDoc]

Thanks Rick,

I plan on calling and making an appointment to go back to voc/rehab (I failed the program because of SC disabilities once, the VA pulled me from the program) and see where I am at now in terms of being able to qualify for the program again.

Thanks for the HISA info. I will probally do better trying to go through medicare to get the adaptive items for me; I have limited use of my right side due to nerve damage from a wreck...pribally have to wait until the settlement with the other guys insurance before the paper work could be processed.

I have had a VA doctor state in my VA MR's that I am un-employable due to SC disabilities, and encouraged me to apply for 100% SC for PTSD, and that he would "make sure that everything is in my VA record proving the nexus to service stressor" so I'm still in the waiting game to see what happens.

Does everyone who file for SC for PTSD have to file the VA form 21-0781?

I was told by my RO that I just need to write a statement in support of my claim and add what I want the Va to consider for SC. I looked up other PTSD claims, and found the 21-0781, and have filled it out and am going to send it to the VA certified mail soon.

I thought the VA will probally send me out one, but I could go ahead and get it in to them, so I can hurry up and wait.

Thanks agin for the info, and clearing it up for me.

Boondoc