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Explore plenty of benefits for veterans
VA provides nursing homes, assisted living, home care
How to access long-term care services
As a veteran, you may be able to get assisted living, residential (live-in), or home health care through the VA.
Long-term care services for sick or disabled veterans include: • 24/7 nursing and medical care • Physical therapy • Help with daily tasks (like bathing, dressing, making meals and taking medicine) • Comfort care and help with managing pain • Support for caregivers who may need skilled help or a break so they can work, travel, or run errands You can get this care in many different settings: some run by VA and others run by state or community organizations that we inspect and approve.
Care settings may include: • Nursing homes • Assisted-living centers • Private homes where a caregiver supports a small group of individuals • Adult day health centers • Veterans’ own homes You can learn more about the different types of health care online at www. va.gov or look at “How Can I Get Help?” on Page 5 for local resources.
SURVIVOR BENEFITS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS
If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member or a veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, you may be eligible for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
DIC is a tax-free monthly financial benefit.
Find out if you’re eligible and how to apply at www. va.gov/disability/dependencyindemnity-compensation/ or find contact info at “How Can I Get Help?” section on Page 5 of this publication.
While 44% of all veterans use at least one VA benefit, several lesser-known benefits could help veterans live better, healthier lives. Here are three lesser-known VA benefits veterans may be eligible to receive:
Service dogs and other lesser-known VA benefits
Home loan refinancing
His local VA guided Harold, a Marine Corps veteran, through the process of obtaining a VA home loan.
“I had somebody explain to me exactly how everything worked,” said Harold. “It was very quick, very easy – painless.”
VA’s home loan program offers veterans different refinancing options: • Cash-Out Refinance Loans – Veterans can take advantage of their home’s equity to take • Cash out through refinancing, or refinance a non-VA loan into a VA-guaranteed loan. • Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans – Veterans may be able to lower their monthly mortgage payment by obtaining a lower-interest loan.
Service dog veterinary benefits
The VA provides veterinary benefits to veterans diagnosed as having visual, hearing or substantial mobility impairments and whose care will be enhanced through a guide or service dog.
Veterans must enroll in VA health care to receive any type of medical service through VA. To learn how to do this and find out how to apply, visit VA.gov.
Once a veteran is enrolled, VA will perform a complete clinical evaluation to determine how best to assist. Each service dog request is reviewed and evaluated on a case-bycase basis, and veterans approved for guide or service dogs are then referred to accredited organizations to obtain their dog.
Employment resources
It is not uncommon for a veteran to struggle with translating military experience into civilian terms. VA offers employment resources for this, and every stage of the job search. Veterans who qualify for VA career and employment services can: • Search for jobs and find employers who want to hire Veterans • Access apprenticeship/on-the-job training using the GI Bill. • Get one-on-one career counseling if they have a service-connected disability through the • Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program.
Visit VA.gov to learn more about all VA benefits. For local job resources, see “How Can I Get Help?” on Page 5. Information provided by Department of Veterans Affairs
New Pact Act impacts: Vietnam-era veteran eligibility
Based on the PACT Act, the Veterans Administration has added two new Agent Orange presumptive conditions: • High blood pressure (also called hypertension) • Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
If you think you’re eligible for VA health care and benefits, you’re encouraged to apply now.
Five new locations have been added to the list of presumptive locations: • Any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailand from January 9, 1962, through June 30, 1976 • Laos from Dec. 1, 1965, through Sept. 30, 1969 • Cambodia at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province from April 16, 1969, through April 30, 1969 • Guam or American Samoa or in the territorial waters off of Guam or American Samoa from Jan. 9, 1962, through July 30, 1980 • Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll from Jan. 1, 1972, through Sept. 30, 1977
If you served on active duty in any of these locations, the VA will now automatically assume (or “presume”) that you had exposure to Agent Orange. Have more questions or need other help? See “How Can I Get Help?” in this publication.
WorkSource provides job services for veterans
You may qualify for special services if you served in the military
In Washington, WorkSource helps thousands of military veterans, including disabled veterans, find jobs each year.
As a veteran, you can get priority access to WorkSource services. This includes priority referrals to jobs that are listed with WorkSource, as well as other employment services.
WorkSource services for veterans and spouses include: • Job listings, job referrals and hiring events. • Resume, application and interviewing assistance. • Use of computers, photocopiers and phones. • Skill assessments and referrals to training and other resources.
On the WorkSource site, seeker.worksourcewa. com/ you also can identify yourself as a veteran to make it easier for vet-friendly employers to find you, and you can search for job openings where employers are giving veterans priority over other applicants.
Most WorkSource centers have veteran employment specialists available whose sole job is to help military veterans with disabilities and other severe employment barriers. They'll assess your skills and interests and put together an employment plan right for you.
To learn more, visit a WorkSource center today. In Spokane, the center is at 130 S. Arthur, and it’s open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. It can be reached at (509) 532-3120, by email at wsspokane@esd.wa.gov, or online at worksourcespokane.com (Relay service: 711)
Employers who want to hire a veteran can call (509) 598-9972, or for business services call (509) 532-3186 or email talentsolutions@esd.wa.gov
Do VA benefits cover nursing home care?
VA benefits provide for a range of long-term services which include nursing home care, domiciliary care, adult day health care, geriatric evaluations and respite care.
Nursing home benefits may be provided if specific qualifications are met. Those are: • A veteran must need such care and seeking nursing home care for a service-connected (SC) disability, OR is rated 60% SC and unemployable, OR is rated 60% Service Connected and permanently and totally disabled (Permanent and Total. P&T) OR for any condition if the veteran has a combined Service Connected disability rating of 70% or more. • The care will be provided in a VA nursing home or contract nursing home. • Not service-connected and non-compensable 0% service connected veterans can apply for long term care in the VA but could be subject to long term care co-payments. Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability are exempt from long term care co-payments. • Not service-connected veterans applying for extended care or the nursing home care unit may be required to complete VA Form 1010EC to determine the family's current income and assets. • Veterans may be discharged from a VA Nursing Home Care Unit without consent when VA nursing home care is no longer needed. For example, if the veteran's needs can be met at home or in a private nursing home close to the family. • Veterans requiring nursing home care for a service-connected condition or a veteran rated 70% or more have mandatory eligibility for admission to extended care services; and, those veterans are eligible to have indefinite care provided to them in the VA or in a VA contracted nursing home.
