1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:15,000 All across America and around the world, this is Veterans Radio. 2 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:20,000 And now your host for today's program, Dale Throneberry. 3 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:23,160 Hey, welcome to Veterans Radio. 4 00:00:23,160 --> 00:00:24,680 My name is Dale Throneberry. 5 00:00:24,680 --> 00:00:28,240 I was a CW-2 helicopter pilot in Vietnam, 1969. 6 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:32,080 I want to welcome you to our monthly benefits program, 7 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:33,800 is what's going on today. 8 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:38,440 And so our guests are going to include our usual cast of characters, 9 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:41,720 Caroline Fausson, retired Air Force Brigadier General, 10 00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:43,160 with legal help for veterans. 11 00:00:43,160 --> 00:00:45,440 I've got David Simms on the line. 12 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:48,120 David is the Executive Director of the Washtenaw County 13 00:00:48,120 --> 00:00:51,120 Michigan Veterans Service Office. 14 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:55,920 We've also got Brian Hayes, who is the Ann Arbor Hospital, 15 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:58,800 Ann Arbor Health Care's Communication Director. 16 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:01,760 And we're also going to be talking with a new person today, 17 00:01:01,760 --> 00:01:06,000 who I got some information from just this week, 18 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:09,680 about an organization out in California called We Are Vets 19 00:01:09,680 --> 00:01:10,240 Limited. 20 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:15,160 And what they do is they provide food for homeless veterans 21 00:01:15,160 --> 00:01:17,920 that are, evidently, there's a lot of issues going on 22 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:22,080 with the West Los Angeles Veterans VA Hospital out there. 23 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:23,960 But we're not going to get into that too much. 24 00:01:23,960 --> 00:01:27,320 We are going to find out what Kimberly has to say about that, 25 00:01:27,320 --> 00:01:30,280 as Kimberly Berger, who's their Executive Director. 26 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:31,640 Before we get into that, though, I 27 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:32,880 got to thank our sponsors. 28 00:01:32,880 --> 00:01:34,200 Is everybody out there? 29 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:35,720 Well, maybe you don't know by now, 30 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:36,960 but hopefully you do. 31 00:01:36,960 --> 00:01:42,040 Is Veterans Radio is a nonprofit 501C3 corporation. 32 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:44,120 And so we don't really have sponsors. 33 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:46,640 We have donors and supporters. 34 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:50,080 And so the number one supporter of Veterans Radio 35 00:01:50,080 --> 00:01:55,680 for at least 20 of our 23 years is Legal Help for Veterans. 36 00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:58,280 And Legal Help for Veterans specializes 37 00:01:58,280 --> 00:02:00,160 in veterans disability claims. 38 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:02,120 I want you to give you need help. 39 00:02:02,120 --> 00:02:06,640 It's Legal Help for Veterans, a call at 800-69-3-4800, 40 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:11,240 or go to their website, legalhelpforveterans.com. 41 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:13,760 The National Veterans Business Development Council, 42 00:02:13,760 --> 00:02:17,280 better known as NVBDC, is the nation's leading third party 43 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:20,400 authority for the certification of veteran-owned businesses. 44 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:23,120 For more information, you can go to their website, 45 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:30,880 NVBDC.org, or give them a call at 888-237-8433. 46 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:34,440 We're also supported by the PuroClean Corporation. 47 00:02:34,440 --> 00:02:38,120 The PuroClean is known as the Paramedics of Property Damage. 48 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:42,080 They are the purpose for PuroClean supporting veterans 49 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:42,580 radios. 50 00:02:42,580 --> 00:02:45,400 They have a great franchise program 51 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:49,080 with really big discounts for veterans. 52 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:52,480 So if you'd like to check out the PuroClean Corporation 53 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:55,040 and see if it's something you might want to do, 54 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:57,640 you can go to puroclean.com. 55 00:02:57,640 --> 00:03:03,880 Slash franchisees, and you'll get a 25% off their franchise fee 56 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:05,200 for you. 57 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:07,040 Pretty good deal. 58 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:10,160 And we're all entrepreneurs, right? 59 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:13,520 The Charles S. Kettle VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 60 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:15,560 For more information, go to va.gov. 61 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:17,720 Slash Ann Arbor Healthcare. 62 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:21,360 And then the Erwin Prescor and American Legion Post 46 63 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:24,040 and the Charles S. Kettle's Vietnam Veterans of America 64 00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:27,360 Chapter 310, both of Ann Arbor, Michigan. 65 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:29,400 If you'd like to support Veterans Radio, 66 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:32,920 please go to our website, veteransradio.org, 67 00:03:32,920 --> 00:03:34,960 and click on the Donate button. 68 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:36,680 Thank you in advance. 69 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:39,160 Now, into the action here today. 70 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:43,120 So joining me on the line right now is Kimberly Berger. 71 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:46,800 Kimberly is the founder of We Are Veterans, 72 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:48,680 We Are Vets, excuse me. 73 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:52,040 And Kimberly, welcome to Veterans Radio. 74 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:53,960 Thank you for having us. 75 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:58,800 So I was really interested when I got this email from you 76 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:01,720 folks talking about what you're doing out there. 77 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:04,160 So I guess I should ask you to tell our audience, 78 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:07,320 what are we vets doing out in West Los Angeles? 79 00:04:07,320 --> 00:04:09,480 Well, we are vets. 80 00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:13,400 There's approximately between 100 and 200 homeless vets 81 00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:15,920 that live in temporary shelters there. 82 00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:17,960 We go the last Sunday of every month, 83 00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:20,440 and we provide them with a lunch. 84 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:27,920 We also provide blankets, jackets, shoes, socks, backpacks. 85 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:30,960 Every month, we give them a new toiletry bag. 86 00:04:30,960 --> 00:04:39,440 So it has shampoo, body wash, razors, deodorant, body wipes. 87 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:41,760 Because those are things they're not provided. 88 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:44,600 And a lot of them do not have transportation. 89 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:51,360 So it's hard for them to get off the facility base there. 90 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:54,920 So we go in, and after I get down with you, 91 00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:58,080 I found a specific sized pair of tennis shoes 92 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:01,560 that a gentleman up there that has very large feet. 93 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:04,080 We found a pair of tennis shoes for them. 94 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:05,360 So after I hang up with you, we're 95 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:08,760 going to drive up there real quick and drop them off for him. 96 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:10,360 But that's pretty much what we do. 97 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:14,040 Anything that they need, we try to help them with. 98 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:20,640 I'm currently trying to become a certified agent 99 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:24,320 so I can actually help physically help them with paperwork 100 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:28,600 or trying to help them find a VSO or pretty much anything 101 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:32,000 they need, we try to help them get. 102 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:35,160 Where is the West Los Angeles VA? 103 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:37,720 It's not up in any of that fire country, is it? 104 00:05:37,720 --> 00:05:40,160 No, they were at the base of the fire. 105 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:44,320 So I want to say the first week into the fires, 106 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:49,200 they were evacuated for about five days. 107 00:05:49,200 --> 00:05:52,080 They came in with buses at like 1 o'clock in the morning 108 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:55,040 because the fire had gone up over the hill. 109 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:58,840 And we went, we didn't know that they'd been evacuated yet. 110 00:05:58,840 --> 00:06:01,840 We went up there, me and my husband, James, 111 00:06:01,840 --> 00:06:06,920 who is my founding partner with We Are Vets, who 112 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:10,320 is a veteran, and there is probably 113 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:13,480 about a good inch of ash just everywhere it was awful. 114 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:17,560 So they did evacuate them to a local Red Cross 115 00:06:17,560 --> 00:06:20,080 facility for about five days. 116 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:21,720 And then they were able to come back. 117 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:25,600 So they were close, but. 118 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:27,840 Yeah, I mean, obviously that's all frightening. 119 00:06:27,840 --> 00:06:30,520 But the thing that really is kind of disturbing to me 120 00:06:30,520 --> 00:06:33,480 is that there have to be, that they're out there 121 00:06:33,480 --> 00:06:35,440 in these temporary shelters. 122 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:41,360 I didn't realize that that was even an option at the VA. 123 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:44,280 I guess we're kind of, we're very fortunate, I think, 124 00:06:44,280 --> 00:06:49,880 in our VA here in Ann Arbor not to have that situation. 125 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:52,120 What can we do to help you? 126 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:56,480 Well, we're always needing funding for the lunches. 127 00:06:56,480 --> 00:06:58,560 Oh, sorry, there's my phone. 128 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:02,360 Lunches that we do take up. 129 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:05,160 And the biggest thing that we're having problems with 130 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:10,320 are funding for shoes and underwear. 131 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:13,120 We reach out to, we have quite a few corporate sponsors, 132 00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:18,800 which is great, like Starbucks, Outback Steakhouse, 133 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:23,240 Texas Roadhouse, Smart & Final. 134 00:07:23,240 --> 00:07:27,320 So they help us occasionally with items. 135 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:31,760 But as far as funding for things like underwear, 136 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:35,160 I did try to, we were trying to get a Fruit Loom sponsorship, 137 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:39,280 but I guess we didn't fall in their wheelhouse of donations. 138 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:42,960 So a lot of that has to do with the time of the year 139 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:44,400 and all this other stuff. 140 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:45,320 Exactly. 141 00:07:45,320 --> 00:07:47,720 Yeah, we just started doing this in August. 142 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:51,560 I mean, so we're really brand new. 143 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:54,360 We're trying to get into some of the social workers 144 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:55,040 that are there. 145 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:59,880 We're trying to get into a lot of the different offices 146 00:07:59,880 --> 00:08:02,760 down there to see what we can really do to help. 147 00:08:02,760 --> 00:08:05,480 But the biggest problem now is funding for things 148 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:09,240 like underwear, underwear and socks. 149 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:12,920 Well, maybe another great resource. 150 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:15,400 What you're doing, my hat's off to you. 151 00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:19,560 You're basically doing in our area, we've had stand downs. 152 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:22,880 But the stand downs occur like maybe once a year 153 00:08:22,880 --> 00:08:25,880 where the veterans will come get a haircut, 154 00:08:25,880 --> 00:08:29,760 get their lab work done, handing out the clothes, 155 00:08:29,760 --> 00:08:34,400 and all of that, a good maybe place to also go in contact 156 00:08:34,400 --> 00:08:35,880 is Walmart. 157 00:08:35,880 --> 00:08:39,400 Walmart has been spectacular in our area 158 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:43,920 to donate the underwear, the socks, the t-shirts, 159 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:45,120 and a lot of that. 160 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:49,400 We've had to sign in and indicate where it's going. 161 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:53,680 But you're doing this every month reaching out. 162 00:08:53,680 --> 00:08:55,200 That is huge. 163 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:58,960 I'm sure your supply goes very quickly. 164 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:01,080 It does. 165 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:06,200 So just last Sunday, it rains once or twice 166 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:07,840 in Southern California. 167 00:09:07,840 --> 00:09:10,880 And of course, that fell on our Sunday. 168 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:13,840 So some people were like, are you still going up there? 169 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:16,400 And I'm like, hey, at the end of the day, 170 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:19,120 there's been too many people who have let them down. 171 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:21,720 I tell them I'm going to be there the last Sunday of the month 172 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:23,240 and I'm going to be there. 173 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:25,240 We were soaking wet and freezing. 174 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:28,680 And some of the guys were like, you know what? 175 00:09:28,680 --> 00:09:31,600 If it rains next time you're supposed to come, 176 00:09:31,600 --> 00:09:33,720 just come the next Sunday because they just 177 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:37,040 saw how miserable we were. 178 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:40,200 For the most part, there's a handful of regulars, 179 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:43,440 but a lot of them are rotating rapidly. 180 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:47,520 So yeah, especially with every month, 181 00:09:47,520 --> 00:09:49,840 we give out, like I said, the toiletry bags. 182 00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:54,680 But the next month might be another 20 or 30 new people 183 00:09:54,680 --> 00:09:56,160 rotating. 184 00:09:56,160 --> 00:09:59,480 So it's funding is a big deal. 185 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:03,200 And we have a separate, a third party 186 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:09,200 who does our donation, our funding donations. 187 00:10:09,200 --> 00:10:11,160 They keep track of everything for us 188 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:14,080 and then they send us when we need it. 189 00:10:14,080 --> 00:10:16,280 So it's nice. 190 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:17,960 There's some people I know who I'm 191 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:22,040 sure are uncomfortable with sending money to, 192 00:10:22,040 --> 00:10:25,160 even though we are a 501C3, I think 193 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:29,360 there's just been too many scam type situations. 194 00:10:29,360 --> 00:10:30,240 They're not comfortable. 195 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:35,600 So another one of my friends who has another homeless, 196 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:40,440 just regular homeless, not, you know, we focus on the vets. 197 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:43,160 She told me to make an Amazon wish list. 198 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:44,120 So we did that. 199 00:10:44,120 --> 00:10:45,320 So that's really neat. 200 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:49,600 And on our website, it points to all these different places 201 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:50,560 that people can go. 202 00:10:50,560 --> 00:10:53,840 But I will check into that Walmart. 203 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:55,160 That's not why I'm trying. 204 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:59,040 I think the other thing I would look at what we do around here 205 00:10:59,040 --> 00:11:01,960 is our local VVA chapter. 206 00:11:01,960 --> 00:11:08,680 We buy, we purchase, I don't know, how many, $1,500 or more 207 00:11:08,680 --> 00:11:11,440 of underwear and socks and so forth. 208 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:14,120 And then we go up and distribute it at the VVA. 209 00:11:14,120 --> 00:11:16,400 But I think you're working with a homeless group. 210 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:21,120 I think I would go to your veteran service organizations 211 00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:23,760 that you've got around there, especially the VVA. 212 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:27,880 The VVA ones because they're older. 213 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:29,840 What is that? 214 00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:33,760 Vietnam Veterans of America. 215 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:35,920 Vietnam Veterans of America. 216 00:11:35,920 --> 00:11:39,280 The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion. 217 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:45,640 Oh, we've had VFWs and American legions have been really helpful 218 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:51,280 in donating funds. 219 00:11:51,280 --> 00:11:52,640 Yeah, sometimes they'll donate money. 220 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:54,800 Sometimes they'll donate the actual, 221 00:11:54,800 --> 00:11:58,000 we just recently had a sock drive at one of our chapter 222 00:11:58,000 --> 00:12:02,240 meetings and the guy picked up, I don't know, 400 pair of socks. 223 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:03,400 Yeah. 224 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:06,440 Well, last Monday, the VFW and Lama Rata, 225 00:12:06,440 --> 00:12:09,440 they came out and set up a flat top grill 226 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:12,080 and cooked over 200 hamburgers. 227 00:12:12,080 --> 00:12:13,920 And they supplied everything. 228 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:16,560 So that was great. 229 00:12:16,560 --> 00:12:19,000 So Kimberly, another idea. 230 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:21,200 I love what Dale said. 231 00:12:21,200 --> 00:12:24,880 But on top of that umbrella of the VSOs, 232 00:12:24,880 --> 00:12:29,880 I'm very well aware of this, is the Department of Veterans 233 00:12:29,880 --> 00:12:30,920 Affairs. 234 00:12:30,920 --> 00:12:34,040 And California has an outstanding one. 235 00:12:34,040 --> 00:12:35,960 And it's called the Trust Fund. 236 00:12:35,960 --> 00:12:40,960 And in Michigan, we're approximately, I think, 54 million 237 00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:43,880 or maybe 58, I heard recently. 238 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:46,560 And veterans are able to go to that. 239 00:12:46,560 --> 00:12:49,760 As you as an organization with the Trust Fund, 240 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:54,160 if you go to them, they might be able to supply, 241 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:57,280 as they do the county counselors and some of the VSOs 242 00:12:57,280 --> 00:12:58,720 in places. 243 00:12:58,720 --> 00:13:01,520 If you're established, you might get something 244 00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:05,320 because homeless is one of the critical areas 245 00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:08,360 that the VA is looking at across the country. 246 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:12,240 And I would associate and go and call the VAs that 247 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:14,360 are near you, the VA medical centers. 248 00:13:14,360 --> 00:13:16,720 You mentioned Loma Linda because there 249 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:18,640 is a homeless coordinator. 250 00:13:18,640 --> 00:13:21,680 And that coordinator, combined with you, 251 00:13:21,680 --> 00:13:25,280 might be able to link some of those funds 252 00:13:25,280 --> 00:13:29,840 and the availability from the state. 253 00:13:29,840 --> 00:13:30,240 Great. 254 00:13:30,240 --> 00:13:30,880 That's great. 255 00:13:30,880 --> 00:13:31,360 Thank you. 256 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:35,000 Yeah, see, there's so much I'm learning as we go. 257 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:38,840 To be honest, I was up there with a friend of mine 258 00:13:38,840 --> 00:13:40,560 who is running for a state assembly. 259 00:13:40,560 --> 00:13:42,960 And he's a Vietnam vet. 260 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:44,800 And he's like, you want to come up there with me? 261 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:45,760 I'm like, sure. 262 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:48,760 Because I'd never heard of what was going on. 263 00:13:48,760 --> 00:13:51,440 And I'm a huge animal lover. 264 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:56,200 And I ran into a service dog that I absolutely adore. 265 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:57,720 His name is Tank. 266 00:13:57,720 --> 00:14:01,440 And my original thing was, let's get some free dog food 267 00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:04,040 for the vet service dogs. 268 00:14:04,040 --> 00:14:06,000 And that's literally how they started. 269 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:10,080 And then my husband's like, OK, but what about the vets? 270 00:14:10,080 --> 00:14:14,400 And I'm like, oh, yeah, huh? 271 00:14:14,400 --> 00:14:17,720 But my thing was, that's one less thing for them 272 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:19,720 to have to worry about. 273 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:26,880 So we were getting free dog food from a local mom and pop 274 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:27,520 place. 275 00:14:27,520 --> 00:14:33,200 And me and my husband would sit down and make sandwiches. 276 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:35,480 Oh, tons of sandwiches. 277 00:14:35,480 --> 00:14:37,880 Our first one was 50 sandwiches. 278 00:14:37,880 --> 00:14:42,240 And now we're anywhere from 100 and 150. 279 00:14:42,240 --> 00:14:45,520 So that's, I mean, it's anything I have are actually 280 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:52,360 my dog groomer comes up there, average once a quarter, 281 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:55,680 and she services the service dogs. 282 00:14:55,680 --> 00:15:02,080 She does their nails, their ears, other weird animal things. 283 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:06,920 So it's helping them with less things to worry about. 284 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:11,400 Well, Kimberly, what can our listeners do? 285 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:12,640 How can we get money to you? 286 00:15:12,640 --> 00:15:14,120 Or how can we get sources? 287 00:15:14,120 --> 00:15:15,880 Where do we go? 288 00:15:15,880 --> 00:15:24,000 Well, you can go to our website, which is we are vetsltd.com. 289 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:28,240 We take donations through a site that's called GiveButter. 290 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:31,400 And all that information is on the website. 291 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:36,880 You can also go to our Amazon Wishlist. 292 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:40,800 And we spend about $800 a month out of our pocket 293 00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:43,480 to buy all of the toiletry essentials. 294 00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:49,480 We don't want to have it all come out of your pocket. 295 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:53,120 We want to see if we can get some other people to donate 296 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:56,040 to your organization, because you've got a great idea going 297 00:15:56,040 --> 00:15:56,640 here. 298 00:15:56,640 --> 00:15:58,400 That's the goal. 299 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:03,400 Now, so many of us, of us non-profit people out there, 300 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:07,240 start off with everything coming out of our pocket 301 00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:12,560 until we can get people to be aware of what we're doing. 302 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:12,960 Yes. 303 00:16:12,960 --> 00:16:16,320 And luckily, we do have a local church 304 00:16:16,320 --> 00:16:18,960 helps us with blanket drives. 305 00:16:18,960 --> 00:16:23,920 We've had a lot of good luck with the blanket drives. 306 00:16:23,920 --> 00:16:28,400 My friend who runs, it's called Lily's Legacy. 307 00:16:28,400 --> 00:16:30,600 She literally loads up her vehicle 308 00:16:30,600 --> 00:16:33,120 and drives downtown Long Beach and just feeds people 309 00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:34,400 out of the back of her vehicle. 310 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:36,960 Gives them backpacks full of toiletry and everything. 311 00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:41,600 So we all are kind of helping each other with that. 312 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:45,680 But thank you for some of those ideas. 313 00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:47,680 OK. 314 00:16:47,680 --> 00:16:50,320 You can stay on the line, but I'm going to let you go, 315 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:51,880 because I've got a call coming in. 316 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:54,080 I don't know if it refers to you or not. 317 00:16:54,080 --> 00:16:59,800 So coming on our line here on Veterans Radio 318 00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:02,000 is Wade from Ipsilanti, Michigan. 319 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:05,520 Wade, what's your question? 320 00:17:05,520 --> 00:17:10,520 Well, you know, a few years back, well, 321 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:13,440 I would say probably about maybe seven years back, 322 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:19,840 they used to have a distribution, a drop-off place 323 00:17:19,840 --> 00:17:22,560 at Ann Arbor VA. 324 00:17:22,560 --> 00:17:24,200 And they actually had a laundry room, 325 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:28,080 and everything set up there. 326 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:30,480 They would sort the clothes, and then they 327 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:34,520 would distribute them out to veterans that need them. 328 00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:38,680 Being a veteran myself, I thought it was a great thing. 329 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:44,280 And I donated a lot of clothes there over the years. 330 00:17:44,280 --> 00:17:47,240 I was just wondering, what happened with that? 331 00:17:47,240 --> 00:17:49,840 Do you know? 332 00:17:49,840 --> 00:17:51,600 I personally know. 333 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:54,440 Brian, Brian Ayes is here from the Ann Arbor VA. 334 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:56,760 Brian, do you know anything about that program? 335 00:17:56,760 --> 00:17:58,960 No, I've been with Ann Arbor about 13 years. 336 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:01,400 I've never seen that program. 337 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:01,880 OK. 338 00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:05,240 There are other ways of providing those things for folks now 339 00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:07,480 rather than providing a laundry room and stuff like that. 340 00:18:07,480 --> 00:18:11,360 But yeah, I don't think that's been there for quite a while. 341 00:18:11,360 --> 00:18:12,280 OK. 342 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:17,200 Well, yeah, because it was, I believe it 343 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:20,960 was up on the second floor. 344 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:25,800 They had washers and dryers, and they 345 00:18:25,800 --> 00:18:28,320 would take the clothes in and sort them and wash them. 346 00:18:28,320 --> 00:18:33,800 And then, of course, they would distribute them out 347 00:18:33,800 --> 00:18:37,960 to veterans that needed those things. 348 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:40,440 Well, probably like so many of the other things 349 00:18:40,440 --> 00:18:44,160 that goes on in some government agencies, 350 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:47,000 they've outsourced it. 351 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:48,000 It's somewhere else. 352 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:49,240 Well, to an organization. 353 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:50,120 Yeah, I heard that. 354 00:18:50,120 --> 00:18:51,080 And believe there's something. 355 00:18:51,080 --> 00:18:52,520 That's probably right. 356 00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:54,080 Something to some other organization. 357 00:18:54,080 --> 00:18:55,920 Wade, thank you so much for giving us a call. 358 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:57,880 I appreciate that. 359 00:18:57,880 --> 00:18:59,280 Well, thank you. 360 00:18:59,280 --> 00:19:01,520 And thanks for listening, too. 361 00:19:01,520 --> 00:19:02,080 All right. 362 00:19:02,080 --> 00:19:07,880 So actually, why don't we go to Brian? 363 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:11,040 Let me preface this a little bit, Brian. 364 00:19:11,040 --> 00:19:14,560 So many changes over the last week or two weeks 365 00:19:14,560 --> 00:19:18,680 that we know that there are many things that you can address 366 00:19:18,680 --> 00:19:21,080 as far as what's going on at the VA 367 00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:24,560 or what may go on at the VA in the coming weeks. 368 00:19:24,560 --> 00:19:26,240 But I know that you had a couple of things 369 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:27,440 you did want to talk about. 370 00:19:27,440 --> 00:19:30,120 So you get to go first. 371 00:19:30,120 --> 00:19:32,840 Well, Dale, the one thing I can say about that 372 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:36,160 is our operational posture will remain the same. 373 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:38,320 And we will continue to care for veterans, 374 00:19:38,320 --> 00:19:41,680 just as we always have with the world-class health care 375 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:44,320 that you get out of the Ann Arbor VA system. 376 00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:47,720 So that's something that our veterans don't have to worry 377 00:19:47,720 --> 00:19:48,920 about. 378 00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:51,960 So don't use up too many brain cells, 379 00:19:51,960 --> 00:19:53,320 worrying about those kinds of things. 380 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:56,120 We'll continue providing great health care. 381 00:19:56,120 --> 00:19:59,840 Main thing I wanted to go over today 382 00:19:59,840 --> 00:20:05,520 was our program to get folks registered on the new login 383 00:20:05,520 --> 00:20:08,280 procedures for your government websites. 384 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:09,320 It's not just VA. 385 00:20:09,320 --> 00:20:11,840 It really just kind of goes across all government websites, 386 00:20:11,840 --> 00:20:14,880 whether it's VA or Social Security 387 00:20:14,880 --> 00:20:17,160 or whatever you're talking about. 388 00:20:17,160 --> 00:20:19,400 But specifically for VA, we really 389 00:20:19,400 --> 00:20:23,960 want to get folks set up with the two types of ways 390 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:26,240 to get logged into My HealtheVet. 391 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:30,280 And that is login.gov and IDME. 392 00:20:30,280 --> 00:20:32,000 I want to get those accounts set up 393 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:35,200 so that folks can continue to access their My HealtheVet 394 00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:36,680 account. 395 00:20:36,680 --> 00:20:42,080 Reason being, VA has used four different account sign-in 396 00:20:42,080 --> 00:20:43,600 options over the years. 397 00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:46,960 It just sort of, you know how sometimes it goes, 398 00:20:46,960 --> 00:20:49,840 things just kind of grow for no reason. 399 00:20:49,840 --> 00:20:53,360 We had IDME, My HealtheVet had its own login, DS login, 400 00:20:53,360 --> 00:20:54,000 all those things. 401 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:56,680 So now we're transitioning down to just two 402 00:20:56,680 --> 00:20:57,880 to try to simplify things. 403 00:20:57,880 --> 00:21:00,520 That's because for many, many years, 404 00:21:00,520 --> 00:21:03,280 our veterans have asked VA to simplify the sign-in 405 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:03,960 experience. 406 00:21:03,960 --> 00:21:05,640 It hasn't been easy. 407 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:08,360 So both login.gov and IDME will be 408 00:21:08,360 --> 00:21:10,280 able to help VA meet those requirements 409 00:21:10,280 --> 00:21:12,480 and meet the needs of the veterans. 410 00:21:12,480 --> 00:21:14,440 So millions and millions of veterans 411 00:21:14,440 --> 00:21:16,600 have already transitioned their sign-in accounts 412 00:21:16,600 --> 00:21:19,560 to login.gov and IDME. 413 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:23,120 We understand, though, that the change is difficult for some folks. 414 00:21:23,120 --> 00:21:26,480 But what we've done, we started yesterday 415 00:21:26,480 --> 00:21:28,720 as we had an open house at the medical center 416 00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:30,280 in Ann Arbor yesterday. 417 00:21:30,280 --> 00:21:32,480 I think we had several hundred people show up yesterday. 418 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:34,600 It really blew us away. 419 00:21:34,600 --> 00:21:36,240 I was very happy to see it because they're like, oh, 420 00:21:36,240 --> 00:21:38,000 they do read our emails. 421 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:43,040 But they showed up and they were getting all of their logins 422 00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:44,240 transitioned and all of that. 423 00:21:44,240 --> 00:21:45,960 That's really good. 424 00:21:45,960 --> 00:21:50,440 But we still have about 16,000, a little less than 16,000 425 00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:52,360 veterans just in our health care system. 426 00:21:52,360 --> 00:21:53,760 I'm not talking about the whole country. 427 00:21:53,760 --> 00:21:56,240 I'm just talking about an Ann Arbor health care system 428 00:21:56,240 --> 00:21:58,600 that need to get that transition done. 429 00:21:58,600 --> 00:22:01,040 So we're going to be continuing doing those open houses. 430 00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:04,640 As a matter of fact, we've got one coming up in Toledo 431 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:05,960 next Friday. 432 00:22:05,960 --> 00:22:07,880 So that'll be something to keep an eye out for. 433 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:10,520 There'll be an email coming out about that as well. 434 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:13,080 If you're in our catchment area, I 435 00:22:13,080 --> 00:22:14,720 won't go into the details right now 436 00:22:14,720 --> 00:22:17,720 because we have people from all over the country listening. 437 00:22:17,720 --> 00:22:20,720 But we'll be getting an email out early this week 438 00:22:20,720 --> 00:22:22,680 for the veterans in our catchment, especially 439 00:22:22,680 --> 00:22:26,040 to go down to Toledo in that area and get their login changed. 440 00:22:26,040 --> 00:22:28,320 So that's really the big push for me right now. 441 00:22:28,320 --> 00:22:31,600 We want to be able to get those logins changed 442 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:35,880 because that current login that you 443 00:22:35,880 --> 00:22:37,440 used to get into my healthy vet, that's 444 00:22:37,440 --> 00:22:40,280 going to expire after March 4. 445 00:22:40,280 --> 00:22:41,280 Right. 446 00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:42,520 I did hear that. 447 00:22:42,520 --> 00:22:44,000 I guess I must have gotten your email 448 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:48,440 because I saw that something was expanded or not expanded. 449 00:22:48,440 --> 00:22:50,680 Postponed a little bit that they were going to cut off 450 00:22:50,680 --> 00:22:53,440 was going to be because I thought the cutoff was going 451 00:22:53,440 --> 00:22:54,320 to be in February. 452 00:22:54,320 --> 00:22:55,960 But I guess we had to bump it, right? 453 00:22:55,960 --> 00:22:58,360 Because there's a lack of response. 454 00:22:58,360 --> 00:22:59,920 So we had to bump it another month. 455 00:22:59,920 --> 00:23:02,480 And so March 4 is going to be the cutoff. 456 00:23:02,480 --> 00:23:04,760 Now folks will still be able to get there, 457 00:23:04,760 --> 00:23:05,960 go into my healthy vet. 458 00:23:05,960 --> 00:23:07,800 My healthy vet's not going anywhere. 459 00:23:07,800 --> 00:23:09,800 But you're going to have to change the way you sign in 460 00:23:09,800 --> 00:23:11,400 to my healthy vet. 461 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:12,400 OK. 462 00:23:12,400 --> 00:23:14,440 I just wanted to push that today, Dale. 463 00:23:14,440 --> 00:23:17,960 And I appreciate having the, using your airwaves to do it. 464 00:23:17,960 --> 00:23:20,640 Well, it's always a pleasure to have you on, Brian. 465 00:23:20,640 --> 00:23:22,720 I can't wait to talk to you in the next couple of months 466 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:24,320 to see what actually is going to happen. 467 00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:26,200 To see what happens. 468 00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:28,720 Well, whatever it is going to happen. 469 00:23:28,720 --> 00:23:31,560 I did notice that, and you don't have to comment on this. 470 00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:38,880 I'll just do this on my own, is that all the, 471 00:23:38,880 --> 00:23:41,360 there was stopping, you know, the funding thing 472 00:23:41,360 --> 00:23:44,640 and all that came out last week. 473 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:49,040 The VA has sent out a press release on that, 474 00:23:49,040 --> 00:23:52,000 that it doesn't affect anybody, any of our benefits, 475 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:54,560 or any of our beneficiaries. 476 00:23:54,560 --> 00:23:57,080 Everybody's still going to get their disability money 477 00:23:57,080 --> 00:23:59,040 and everything along those lines. 478 00:23:59,040 --> 00:24:00,640 So don't worry about that. 479 00:24:00,640 --> 00:24:02,720 I think it's going to be more of an internal, 480 00:24:02,720 --> 00:24:04,160 internal types of changes. 481 00:24:04,160 --> 00:24:06,480 But I don't think it's going to affect anybody's. 482 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:07,120 That's right. 483 00:24:07,120 --> 00:24:08,960 Yeah, we're, like I said, you know, 484 00:24:08,960 --> 00:24:11,760 we're just going to continue to provide world-class health 485 00:24:11,760 --> 00:24:15,280 care and benefits and services to our veterans. 486 00:24:15,280 --> 00:24:17,160 The changes that you're reading about and hearing about, 487 00:24:17,160 --> 00:24:18,720 it's all backstage stuff. 488 00:24:18,720 --> 00:24:20,640 Yeah, I totally agree. 489 00:24:20,640 --> 00:24:22,640 Well, Brian, thank you very much for dropping in 490 00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:24,000 and helping us out. 491 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:25,840 And I look forward to talking to you at the end 492 00:24:25,840 --> 00:24:27,360 of the beginning of next month. 493 00:24:27,360 --> 00:24:28,240 Yeah, see you in March. 494 00:24:28,240 --> 00:24:28,880 Take care. 495 00:24:28,880 --> 00:24:30,480 All right, thanks, Brian, very much. 496 00:24:30,480 --> 00:24:34,160 As Brian Hayes, who's the Public Affairs Officer here 497 00:24:34,160 --> 00:24:37,600 for the Ann Arbor, Charles S. Kettles, 498 00:24:37,600 --> 00:24:42,800 the VA Medical Center, is a good guy who always keeps us 499 00:24:42,800 --> 00:24:45,680 up to date with what's going on as best that he can. 500 00:24:45,680 --> 00:24:49,360 So I wanted to bring on our other two experts here. 501 00:24:49,360 --> 00:24:52,720 You've already heard the voice of Caroline Fausson 502 00:24:52,720 --> 00:24:56,080 with her suggestions. 503 00:24:56,080 --> 00:24:58,080 And also, we've got David Sames. 504 00:24:58,080 --> 00:24:59,840 And David, as I mentioned before, 505 00:24:59,840 --> 00:25:04,800 is the Executive Director of the Washtenaw County, Michigan 506 00:25:04,800 --> 00:25:05,920 Veterans Service Office. 507 00:25:05,920 --> 00:25:08,080 So, David, hey, welcome back. 508 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:10,160 Thanks a lot, Dale. 509 00:25:10,160 --> 00:25:17,040 Everything is busy here in the Washtenaw Ann Arbor area. 510 00:25:17,040 --> 00:25:20,720 One thing I was going to touch upon 511 00:25:20,720 --> 00:25:23,600 is school-aged children. 512 00:25:23,600 --> 00:25:26,160 One thing that a lot of vets forget is, 513 00:25:26,160 --> 00:25:29,520 well, or forget, or don't read the award letter, 514 00:25:29,520 --> 00:25:32,720 or letter comes in, and maybe they change their address, 515 00:25:32,720 --> 00:25:38,320 is if they have a student that is still 516 00:25:38,320 --> 00:25:40,320 in high school. 517 00:25:40,320 --> 00:25:43,520 Lately, they've been turning 18 while they're in high school. 518 00:25:43,520 --> 00:25:48,320 So you want to make sure that you fill out 519 00:25:48,320 --> 00:25:55,280 that school-aged child form, and that's a VA form, 21674, 520 00:25:55,280 --> 00:25:59,360 to notify the VA, hey, listen, they're still in school. 521 00:25:59,360 --> 00:26:00,800 They graduate this. 522 00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:04,960 Now, if they're not at 100%, and then their kid goes 523 00:26:04,960 --> 00:26:09,680 to a post-is college, university, you can still get paid 524 00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:11,280 for them until they get out of that. 525 00:26:11,280 --> 00:26:13,200 So that's one thing I wanted to bring up, 526 00:26:13,200 --> 00:26:15,680 because we had that this last couple of months. 527 00:26:15,680 --> 00:26:16,720 Now I understand it. 528 00:26:16,720 --> 00:26:17,280 All right. 529 00:26:17,280 --> 00:26:20,880 Yeah, because if you're the right man if I'm wrong here, 530 00:26:20,880 --> 00:26:24,240 so if I'm getting disability payments 531 00:26:24,240 --> 00:26:29,920 and claiming a dependent, a child, once they turn 18, 532 00:26:29,920 --> 00:26:31,360 they would normally be dropped off 533 00:26:31,360 --> 00:26:34,000 unless they continue on into school, correctly? 534 00:26:34,000 --> 00:26:34,880 That's correct. 535 00:26:34,880 --> 00:26:38,320 And it's only for veterans that are receiving compensation 536 00:26:38,320 --> 00:26:40,160 at 30% or higher. 537 00:26:40,160 --> 00:26:43,200 But there's a lot that I've been running into 538 00:26:43,200 --> 00:26:46,320 that they forgot to send in the form 539 00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:52,000 or didn't read the letter fully, and then their payment dropped, 540 00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:53,920 and they call and say, why did my payment drop? 541 00:26:53,920 --> 00:26:57,760 So that's why I just wanted to push that a little bit today. 542 00:26:57,760 --> 00:27:00,480 Well, I think that is, obviously, that's really important. 543 00:27:00,480 --> 00:27:04,640 And also, isn't there a benefit for 100% 544 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:08,880 disabled veteran as far as college funding is concerned? 545 00:27:08,880 --> 00:27:09,200 Yeah. 546 00:27:09,200 --> 00:27:13,760 So that when they're 100% permanent total or IU, 547 00:27:13,760 --> 00:27:18,640 they'll get their dependence can get Chapter 35 benefits. 548 00:27:18,640 --> 00:27:22,880 And that is a stipend per month to go to school. 549 00:27:22,880 --> 00:27:26,560 So they have a full time, three quarter, half time. 550 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:32,400 So that's only for 100% permanent total and TDIU. 551 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:35,520 All the rest, the vet can get paid a little extra. 552 00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:37,760 It's not much, but it's something. 553 00:27:37,760 --> 00:27:38,720 Right. 554 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:39,200 Yeah. 555 00:27:39,200 --> 00:27:44,480 But that school benefit, I think, is really awesome. 556 00:27:44,480 --> 00:27:47,840 Is it a certain amount, or is it based on where you're going 557 00:27:47,840 --> 00:27:49,200 to school? 558 00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:51,920 It's a certain amount. 559 00:27:51,920 --> 00:27:53,920 And you can check that on the VA website. 560 00:27:53,920 --> 00:27:56,000 It changes just like the cost of living. 561 00:27:56,000 --> 00:27:58,160 Right. 562 00:27:58,160 --> 00:28:03,040 But yeah, it's a monthly payment that they're receiving 563 00:28:03,040 --> 00:28:05,200 why they're in school. 564 00:28:05,200 --> 00:28:10,800 And then, State of Michigan has one for 100% permanent total 565 00:28:10,800 --> 00:28:12,120 and IU. 566 00:28:12,120 --> 00:28:14,960 And I believe that's $1,800 a month. 567 00:28:14,960 --> 00:28:17,520 So you can get that if you're in Michigan 568 00:28:17,520 --> 00:28:19,760 and you go to a state school. 569 00:28:19,760 --> 00:28:22,440 There's like 35, 40 different ones. 570 00:28:22,440 --> 00:28:24,320 And they listed on their award letter 571 00:28:24,320 --> 00:28:29,040 where they can apply to the State of Michigan 572 00:28:29,040 --> 00:28:34,040 if their father or mother has 100% permanent total or IU. 573 00:28:34,040 --> 00:28:37,160 And then they can get that up to four years. 574 00:28:37,160 --> 00:28:38,640 That's awesome. 575 00:28:38,640 --> 00:28:43,440 I was thinking I have a nephew and a niece whose dad was 576 00:28:43,440 --> 00:28:48,200 100% disabled, 100% can't work and all that other stuff. 577 00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:52,520 And they got full rides through four years of college, which 578 00:28:52,520 --> 00:28:53,960 is a really nice deal. 579 00:28:53,960 --> 00:28:57,880 And I think people hopefully all of our listeners out there 580 00:28:57,880 --> 00:29:00,840 or anybody that they know that is 100% disabled 581 00:29:00,840 --> 00:29:04,800 knows that if you have school-aged children, 582 00:29:04,800 --> 00:29:07,480 take advantage of that. 583 00:29:07,480 --> 00:29:12,240 Kailan, as usual, it's good to see you again and talk to you. 584 00:29:12,240 --> 00:29:15,080 So what's going on in the world of legal help 585 00:29:15,080 --> 00:29:17,480 that we might be aware of? 586 00:29:17,480 --> 00:29:20,120 I love what David just brought up about the children. 587 00:29:20,120 --> 00:29:23,120 That also goes with if you get married 588 00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:26,440 and you have a spouse, you could add the spouse 589 00:29:26,440 --> 00:29:29,200 once it's 30% or greater. 590 00:29:29,200 --> 00:29:34,200 If the spouse dies or if you get a divorce, 591 00:29:34,200 --> 00:29:39,360 you've got to notify your representative or at least 592 00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:43,160 the VA because that money will still come in. 593 00:29:43,160 --> 00:29:45,400 And then you might have to pay it. 594 00:29:45,400 --> 00:29:46,360 Not might. 595 00:29:46,360 --> 00:29:49,840 You're going to have to pay it back at some time 596 00:29:49,840 --> 00:29:51,520 that you might not realize. 597 00:29:51,520 --> 00:29:57,640 So please ask questions and raise the issues once you're 598 00:29:57,640 --> 00:30:00,200 30% or greater. 599 00:30:00,200 --> 00:30:03,920 I ran into somebody who was teaching some classes in Florida 600 00:30:03,920 --> 00:30:05,440 and a veteran. 601 00:30:05,440 --> 00:30:09,400 And it's hard for me to believe this still happens. 602 00:30:09,400 --> 00:30:12,560 But that's why we're doing this benefit show. 603 00:30:12,560 --> 00:30:17,000 Because I have somebody that was my class that was 70%. 604 00:30:17,000 --> 00:30:19,400 And when I talked about this, he said, 605 00:30:19,400 --> 00:30:21,360 what's this dependency thing? 606 00:30:21,360 --> 00:30:24,040 I've been married to her for 30 years 607 00:30:24,040 --> 00:30:25,880 and nobody has told me about that. 608 00:30:25,880 --> 00:30:31,640 So we got him enrolled. 609 00:30:31,640 --> 00:30:32,600 We added that. 610 00:30:32,600 --> 00:30:36,120 And then some of his conditions have changed. 611 00:30:36,120 --> 00:30:40,440 And so we're able to help him maybe elevate the 70 612 00:30:40,440 --> 00:30:41,680 to something else. 613 00:30:41,680 --> 00:30:46,120 But we definitely added his wife as a dependent. 614 00:30:46,120 --> 00:30:49,120 So you know all these nuances. 615 00:30:49,120 --> 00:30:52,160 There's so much going on. 616 00:30:52,160 --> 00:30:55,800 And last month, when we had the both directors 617 00:30:55,800 --> 00:31:00,120 from the Ann Arbor VA, Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. 618 00:31:00,120 --> 00:31:04,600 Kettles, and then the Detroit, the John Dingle, 619 00:31:04,600 --> 00:31:08,200 that was so great to have the two directors there. 620 00:31:08,200 --> 00:31:11,160 And they talked about the issues that were going on. 621 00:31:11,160 --> 00:31:15,520 And Dr. Kreisman from Ann Arbor brought up 622 00:31:15,520 --> 00:31:18,240 the Elizabeth Dole Act. 623 00:31:18,240 --> 00:31:21,120 And I think this is going to be great, 624 00:31:21,120 --> 00:31:24,800 which they're pushing for the home care and the community 625 00:31:24,800 --> 00:31:25,640 care. 626 00:31:25,640 --> 00:31:28,960 And then also making our veterans aware, 627 00:31:28,960 --> 00:31:30,520 we do this all the time. 628 00:31:30,520 --> 00:31:35,160 If you're going for an exam and it's not a good exam, 629 00:31:35,160 --> 00:31:39,200 you need to notify either County Counsel or your VSO, 630 00:31:39,200 --> 00:31:41,560 notify us at Legal Health for Veterans. 631 00:31:41,560 --> 00:31:45,160 Because there's the issue if you go in 632 00:31:45,160 --> 00:31:48,840 and it's not what the specialist who you're supposed to be, 633 00:31:48,840 --> 00:31:52,080 the contracted company gets paid. 634 00:31:52,080 --> 00:31:55,000 And then you get denied your benefit 635 00:31:55,000 --> 00:31:57,440 because it wasn't done properly. 636 00:31:57,440 --> 00:31:59,800 And this is a big waste of time. 637 00:31:59,800 --> 00:32:02,400 It's a waste of resources. 638 00:32:02,400 --> 00:32:07,120 And so please let us know if that happens. 639 00:32:07,120 --> 00:32:09,840 We've got several of our veterans that call us and say, 640 00:32:09,840 --> 00:32:12,880 I don't know why I drove two hours. 641 00:32:12,880 --> 00:32:15,320 My appointment, they told me was changed. 642 00:32:15,320 --> 00:32:17,080 I have all my paperwork. 643 00:32:17,080 --> 00:32:21,840 Or you get an exam where maybe you take one blood pressure 644 00:32:21,840 --> 00:32:25,200 and you're out the door and you've driven two hours. 645 00:32:25,200 --> 00:32:28,560 So please, please ask the questions. 646 00:32:28,560 --> 00:32:34,400 I think that's speaking from personal experience. 647 00:32:34,400 --> 00:32:35,600 We know how that goes. 648 00:32:35,600 --> 00:32:39,160 You drive two hours and you take your blood pressure 649 00:32:39,160 --> 00:32:42,080 and you walk out again. 650 00:32:42,080 --> 00:32:43,560 But this is across the country. 651 00:32:43,560 --> 00:32:46,440 We don't want to let any people, but you know it. 652 00:32:46,440 --> 00:32:50,480 If you do run into having an exam done by a third party out 653 00:32:50,480 --> 00:32:52,680 there and you don't feel like it was a worthwhile exam, 654 00:32:52,680 --> 00:32:56,280 to contact a person that's helping you with your claim 655 00:32:56,280 --> 00:32:59,960 and have it rescheduled or get it closer. 656 00:32:59,960 --> 00:33:02,080 Hopefully, maybe they can help you out 657 00:33:02,080 --> 00:33:08,600 by reviewing whatever the results of that so-called exam was. 658 00:33:08,600 --> 00:33:12,520 And that's something that is really important for you, 659 00:33:12,520 --> 00:33:13,600 the veteran, to do. 660 00:33:13,600 --> 00:33:17,160 And the thing is that you have to take ownership of your claim. 661 00:33:17,160 --> 00:33:18,800 This is speaking from the veteran side. 662 00:33:18,800 --> 00:33:23,600 My side is that we have to take responsibility for helping 663 00:33:23,600 --> 00:33:27,160 our VSOs find all the information that we can, 664 00:33:27,160 --> 00:33:29,880 leading to whatever condition we might have. 665 00:33:29,880 --> 00:33:34,640 Because if we're not proactive in it 666 00:33:34,640 --> 00:33:37,120 and we just write off those appointments 667 00:33:37,120 --> 00:33:40,720 and we don't go just because we don't want to go, 668 00:33:40,720 --> 00:33:42,560 that claim's going to die. 669 00:33:42,560 --> 00:33:49,360 And you have earned whatever funding 670 00:33:49,360 --> 00:33:52,760 might be entitled to because of your service 671 00:33:52,760 --> 00:33:56,480 and you don't want to waste it by not following through. 672 00:33:56,480 --> 00:34:00,320 So really do work with your VSO person. 673 00:34:00,320 --> 00:34:02,120 I really strongly suggest that you 674 00:34:02,120 --> 00:34:05,120 do use a third party to help you with your claims. 675 00:34:05,120 --> 00:34:09,040 Don't do it directly, mainly because I 676 00:34:09,040 --> 00:34:11,840 don't know how technologically challenged you are. 677 00:34:11,840 --> 00:34:15,080 But sometimes it can become a little overwhelming 678 00:34:15,080 --> 00:34:18,280 and you'll just get frustrated and just walk away from it. 679 00:34:18,280 --> 00:34:21,880 You're walking away from support and you're 680 00:34:21,880 --> 00:34:25,560 walking away from money and all kinds of different things 681 00:34:25,560 --> 00:34:27,760 that the VA can provide to you. 682 00:34:27,760 --> 00:34:30,720 So make sure that you stay on track with that. 683 00:34:30,720 --> 00:34:33,560 We need to take a real quick break. 684 00:34:33,560 --> 00:34:36,320 And when we come back after our Medal of Honor segment, 685 00:34:36,320 --> 00:34:39,160 we'll get into talking about maybe some things that 686 00:34:39,160 --> 00:34:42,200 are going on on the disability side of the Veterans 687 00:34:42,200 --> 00:34:43,800 Administration. 688 00:34:43,800 --> 00:34:45,360 So you're listening to Veterans Radio. 689 00:34:45,360 --> 00:34:47,680 We'll be right back. 690 00:34:47,680 --> 00:34:49,400 The Medal of Honor is the highest award 691 00:34:49,400 --> 00:34:51,600 for valor in combat given a member of the Armed 692 00:34:51,600 --> 00:34:53,360 Forces of the United States. 693 00:34:53,360 --> 00:34:55,960 There have been over 3,400 recipients 694 00:34:55,960 --> 00:34:58,080 of the nation's highest award. 695 00:34:58,080 --> 00:34:59,640 This is one of them. 696 00:34:59,640 --> 00:35:02,600 Staff Sergeant Drew Dix was working on a CIA project 697 00:35:02,600 --> 00:35:05,440 near Cambodia when the Tet Offensive began. 698 00:35:05,440 --> 00:35:08,960 Details after this. 699 00:35:08,960 --> 00:35:11,400 If you have a VA claim denied by the Board of Veterans 700 00:35:11,400 --> 00:35:17,040 Appeals, contact Legal Help for Veterans at 1-800-693-4800. 701 00:35:17,040 --> 00:35:19,400 They're experts in handling cases before the US Court 702 00:35:19,400 --> 00:35:21,080 of Appeals for Veterans Claims. 703 00:35:21,080 --> 00:35:25,120 Their number again, 1-800-693-4800. 704 00:35:25,120 --> 00:35:27,640 Dix's mission was to coordinate intelligence gathering 705 00:35:27,640 --> 00:35:30,360 with a unit made up mainly of indigenous Vietnamese, 706 00:35:30,360 --> 00:35:33,200 Cambodians, and Chinese nungs. 707 00:35:33,200 --> 00:35:36,160 In late January, Dix and his men were operating with part 708 00:35:36,160 --> 00:35:38,560 of a SEAL platoon to get information about a rumored 709 00:35:38,560 --> 00:35:40,600 Viet Cong offensive. 710 00:35:40,600 --> 00:35:43,760 On January 31st, Dix's unit returned to base 711 00:35:43,760 --> 00:35:45,880 to find the Tet Offensive had begun 712 00:35:45,880 --> 00:35:48,200 and the city had been overrun. 713 00:35:48,200 --> 00:35:51,000 When they tried to land, they encountered heavy fire. 714 00:35:51,000 --> 00:35:52,880 One SEAL was killed, the others pulled out, 715 00:35:52,880 --> 00:35:56,360 leaving Dix with only a handful of indigenous soldiers. 716 00:35:56,360 --> 00:35:58,160 He moved through the city picking up pockets 717 00:35:58,160 --> 00:35:59,920 of friendly soldiers. 718 00:35:59,920 --> 00:36:03,080 His first mission was to rescue an American nurse. 719 00:36:03,080 --> 00:36:06,400 Then he brought several CIA employees to safety. 720 00:36:06,400 --> 00:36:07,920 Dix and his men moved through the city 721 00:36:07,920 --> 00:36:09,880 in an effort to liberate it. 722 00:36:09,880 --> 00:36:12,520 He assaulted a building alone in the face of heavy fire 723 00:36:12,520 --> 00:36:14,320 to rescue two Filipinos. 724 00:36:14,320 --> 00:36:17,640 He killed six Viet Cong and brought out the men. 725 00:36:17,640 --> 00:36:19,240 Dix and his men fought through the night, 726 00:36:19,240 --> 00:36:21,680 taking back the hotel, theater, embassy house, 727 00:36:21,680 --> 00:36:22,960 and other buildings. 728 00:36:22,960 --> 00:36:26,200 On February 2nd, after 56 hours of battle, 729 00:36:26,200 --> 00:36:27,840 the city was freed. 730 00:36:27,840 --> 00:36:31,360 Dix's men had killed an estimated 200 V.C. 731 00:36:31,360 --> 00:36:34,080 He was presented the Medal of Honor by President Johnson 732 00:36:34,080 --> 00:36:37,040 on January 16th, 1969. 733 00:36:37,040 --> 00:36:38,080 The Medal of Honor series 734 00:36:38,080 --> 00:36:40,480 is a production of Veterans Radio. 735 00:36:40,480 --> 00:36:42,880 Military veterans touch everyone's life. 736 00:36:42,880 --> 00:36:45,480 I'm guessing right now you're thinking of a veteran, 737 00:36:45,480 --> 00:36:49,040 a close friend, relative, maybe it's you. 738 00:36:49,040 --> 00:36:51,200 Even the toughest of us sometimes need help, 739 00:36:51,200 --> 00:36:53,960 but don't know where to turn for support. 740 00:36:53,960 --> 00:36:55,000 You don't need special training 741 00:36:55,000 --> 00:36:56,520 to help a veteran in your life. 742 00:36:56,520 --> 00:36:59,280 We can all help someone going through a difficult time. 743 00:36:59,280 --> 00:37:01,600 Learn how you can be there for veterans. 744 00:37:01,600 --> 00:37:04,120 Visit veteranscrisisline.net. 745 00:37:04,120 --> 00:37:06,520 Veteranscrisisline.net, 746 00:37:06,520 --> 00:37:09,080 a message from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 747 00:37:13,880 --> 00:37:15,840 Hey, we are back here on Veterans Radio 748 00:37:15,840 --> 00:37:17,920 and we're talking benefits this week. 749 00:37:17,920 --> 00:37:22,920 And online with me is a retired Air Force general, 750 00:37:23,200 --> 00:37:25,440 Carol Anne Faustone from Legal Health for Veterans 751 00:37:25,440 --> 00:37:28,800 and David Sames, who is the Executive Director 752 00:37:28,800 --> 00:37:32,080 of the Washtenaw County Michigan Veterans Service Office. 753 00:37:32,080 --> 00:37:36,280 So, Carol Anne, what's going on out there? 754 00:37:36,280 --> 00:37:38,280 Anything that we need to be aware of 755 00:37:38,280 --> 00:37:41,280 or anything that you see that's helping people out? 756 00:37:41,280 --> 00:37:43,920 You mentioned the DOL Act. 757 00:37:45,400 --> 00:37:50,400 Well, the Elizabeth DOL Act is pretty important 758 00:37:50,400 --> 00:37:55,400 when it relates to those veterans right now 759 00:37:56,720 --> 00:38:01,720 and they're pushing for paralysis, PVA, veteran, 760 00:38:02,880 --> 00:38:07,000 anybody that has ALS, spinal cord injuries 761 00:38:07,880 --> 00:38:09,320 and multiple dystrophy. 762 00:38:09,320 --> 00:38:13,360 They're looking at these veterans to try to get them dale, 763 00:38:13,360 --> 00:38:16,840 benefits, home care, community care, 764 00:38:16,840 --> 00:38:19,320 so they could stay in their home. 765 00:38:19,320 --> 00:38:21,920 And one of the factors that they're really trying 766 00:38:21,920 --> 00:38:25,760 to address is the issue of the caregivers. 767 00:38:25,760 --> 00:38:29,960 As we well know, the caregiver over a period of time, 768 00:38:29,960 --> 00:38:33,040 he or she, as they're caring for their loved one, 769 00:38:33,040 --> 00:38:37,400 they wear down when they don't have some support coming in, 770 00:38:37,400 --> 00:38:42,400 whether it's an agency or some hours that the VA is supplying. 771 00:38:43,440 --> 00:38:48,440 So, they are looking at this with the Elizabeth DOL Act 772 00:38:48,440 --> 00:38:51,360 and it's called the Home Care Act. 773 00:38:51,360 --> 00:38:54,680 And so, it's exactly what it says. 774 00:38:54,680 --> 00:38:58,440 They're trying to give those resources available 775 00:38:58,440 --> 00:39:02,080 to our veterans so that they could stay in their home. 776 00:39:02,080 --> 00:39:06,480 And with one of the things that their other priority 777 00:39:06,480 --> 00:39:10,480 is proper and adequate exams 778 00:39:10,480 --> 00:39:13,120 so that the veteran isn't going back and forth. 779 00:39:13,120 --> 00:39:18,120 And this really affects this class of veterans 780 00:39:20,520 --> 00:39:23,760 because as you well know, some of them are bedwritten, 781 00:39:23,760 --> 00:39:25,840 some of them are in wheelchairs, 782 00:39:25,840 --> 00:39:29,640 and the transportation back and forth to the hospital 783 00:39:29,640 --> 00:39:31,160 is really critical. 784 00:39:31,160 --> 00:39:36,160 And you need that exam to get the disability benefit, 785 00:39:38,160 --> 00:39:39,520 the BVA part. 786 00:39:39,520 --> 00:39:42,800 And that's what we're talking about right now. 787 00:39:42,800 --> 00:39:47,200 We're granting those benefits up through the channel 788 00:39:47,200 --> 00:39:52,200 so that our veterans with paralyzed veterans, 789 00:39:52,680 --> 00:39:57,680 spinal cord, the ALS, they could stay in their home. 790 00:39:58,400 --> 00:40:01,600 And I think this is unbelievable. 791 00:40:01,600 --> 00:40:06,600 It's a great new act that's coming around like our PAC Act. 792 00:40:07,560 --> 00:40:11,160 From August of 22, it could make a huge difference 793 00:40:11,160 --> 00:40:12,800 for a family and a veteran. 794 00:40:13,640 --> 00:40:17,280 Well, I certainly agree with you on that. 795 00:40:17,280 --> 00:40:21,240 I mean, I know quite a few veterans here in the local area 796 00:40:21,240 --> 00:40:26,240 that have been able to take advantage of home alterations, 797 00:40:26,560 --> 00:40:31,560 say ramps and doors and bathrooms and so on and so forth. 798 00:40:32,360 --> 00:40:33,720 So it is really important. 799 00:40:33,720 --> 00:40:35,720 And for those veterans out there listening, 800 00:40:35,720 --> 00:40:39,760 no matter where you are, if you think that you may be entitled 801 00:40:39,760 --> 00:40:42,080 to some of these things or if you even have a question 802 00:40:42,080 --> 00:40:44,920 about it, you should get a hold of your local VSO, 803 00:40:44,920 --> 00:40:45,960 whoever that might be. 804 00:40:45,960 --> 00:40:50,400 Or they can either be through the VA hospital 805 00:40:50,400 --> 00:40:53,720 because I know that all of the VSOs here locally 806 00:40:53,720 --> 00:40:57,360 have a little office up there or just go into the phone. 807 00:40:57,360 --> 00:41:02,120 There are state VSOs, there are law firms that can help you. 808 00:41:02,120 --> 00:41:04,160 There are all kinds of people out there can help you. 809 00:41:04,160 --> 00:41:08,400 But don't, like I said, don't just sit where you are 810 00:41:08,400 --> 00:41:09,920 and not do anything. 811 00:41:09,920 --> 00:41:11,960 If you feel that you're entitled to contact 812 00:41:11,960 --> 00:41:15,480 some of these people, what can they say? 813 00:41:15,480 --> 00:41:16,800 No? 814 00:41:16,800 --> 00:41:17,640 That's the only thing. 815 00:41:17,640 --> 00:41:20,360 Well, the other thing is as you're going into the VA 816 00:41:20,360 --> 00:41:23,320 and you've got your team, whatever color it is, 817 00:41:24,120 --> 00:41:26,000 Kimberly brought up the social worker, 818 00:41:26,000 --> 00:41:29,680 your physician, your nurse, bring these issues up 819 00:41:29,680 --> 00:41:33,440 because that's where it starts first to approve 820 00:41:33,440 --> 00:41:36,120 the social worker with the caregivers program 821 00:41:36,120 --> 00:41:41,120 or to be able to build a ramp or renovate your home. 822 00:41:41,480 --> 00:41:44,200 And that is a larger process. 823 00:41:44,200 --> 00:41:47,600 But if you get the sign off from your physician 824 00:41:47,600 --> 00:41:51,040 and your team that yes, you really need these services, 825 00:41:51,040 --> 00:41:55,520 home care in your home, it starts there 826 00:41:55,520 --> 00:41:59,520 with your team at the VA Medical Center. 827 00:41:59,520 --> 00:42:02,920 And also communicating with your county council 828 00:42:02,920 --> 00:42:06,280 or your VSO or us at Legal Health for Veterans, 829 00:42:06,280 --> 00:42:07,800 what issues you're going on 830 00:42:07,800 --> 00:42:11,160 because we're your advocates for you out there. 831 00:42:11,160 --> 00:42:14,720 So please utilize the resources. 832 00:42:14,720 --> 00:42:17,800 And if you don't know, please ask questions. 833 00:42:17,800 --> 00:42:19,280 Right. 834 00:42:19,280 --> 00:42:23,040 And with the caveat of that, 835 00:42:24,200 --> 00:42:26,880 are Ann Arbor VA or any medical center, 836 00:42:26,880 --> 00:42:31,440 they have a program of comprehensive assistance 837 00:42:31,440 --> 00:42:32,560 for family caregivers. 838 00:42:32,560 --> 00:42:36,840 So let's say you have somebody that wants to care for you. 839 00:42:36,840 --> 00:42:38,760 You're the veteran and your spouse 840 00:42:38,760 --> 00:42:43,480 or you're, you know, I've seen the grandchildren or children 841 00:42:43,480 --> 00:42:46,360 and you want to become the caregiver for that veteran. 842 00:42:46,360 --> 00:42:48,280 Now note, this has to be, 843 00:42:48,280 --> 00:42:51,840 the veteran has to be at least 70% service connected. 844 00:42:51,840 --> 00:42:55,440 But if you have somebody in the family 845 00:42:55,440 --> 00:42:56,480 that wants to be that, 846 00:42:56,480 --> 00:42:59,600 you want to talk to your social worker and your doctor, 847 00:42:59,600 --> 00:43:02,360 talk about the care that you need 848 00:43:02,360 --> 00:43:06,120 and you want that care to come from your spouse 849 00:43:06,120 --> 00:43:08,440 or a family member. 850 00:43:09,600 --> 00:43:10,760 That's where you start. 851 00:43:10,760 --> 00:43:14,040 You want to develop that where is the need there. 852 00:43:14,040 --> 00:43:15,600 And if that needs there, 853 00:43:15,600 --> 00:43:20,600 then it's a really easy program to apply to online. 854 00:43:21,920 --> 00:43:26,240 They have a portal and the caregiver 855 00:43:26,240 --> 00:43:28,720 will put all their personal information in, 856 00:43:28,720 --> 00:43:30,880 the veteran will put all their information in, 857 00:43:30,880 --> 00:43:35,880 but you want to start first at your caregiver 858 00:43:35,920 --> 00:43:39,440 or with your doctor first. 859 00:43:39,440 --> 00:43:41,720 Because I've done that. 860 00:43:41,720 --> 00:43:44,280 David, you brought up an awesome point. 861 00:43:44,280 --> 00:43:45,680 I've got an e-book out there, 862 00:43:45,680 --> 00:43:47,040 A Legal Help for Veterans. 863 00:43:47,040 --> 00:43:50,920 And those are all free on this program, 864 00:43:50,920 --> 00:43:53,280 the comprehensive caregivers, the general, 865 00:43:53,280 --> 00:43:55,160 there's three different components. 866 00:43:55,160 --> 00:43:58,040 But one thing I encourage everybody to look at, 867 00:43:58,040 --> 00:44:00,200 your advice is awesome. 868 00:44:00,200 --> 00:44:02,800 It's the activities of daily living. 869 00:44:02,800 --> 00:44:07,800 And you should have three or four, bathing, toileting. 870 00:44:09,400 --> 00:44:14,280 One thing that we find, Dale, you asked what's happening. 871 00:44:14,280 --> 00:44:16,960 Quite a few veterans and their families have been calling in 872 00:44:16,960 --> 00:44:19,680 and David, I don't know if you've been seeing this, 873 00:44:19,680 --> 00:44:21,840 but they've been getting denials 874 00:44:21,840 --> 00:44:23,440 for the caregivers program. 875 00:44:23,440 --> 00:44:30,440 They've gone up the chain and if you are driving veterans, 876 00:44:31,240 --> 00:44:34,760 that is considered a high independence. 877 00:44:34,760 --> 00:44:39,160 And that's the reason why four out of five 878 00:44:39,160 --> 00:44:42,360 in the last month, they have been denied. 879 00:44:42,360 --> 00:44:47,360 If you're still driving, that's not one of the activities 880 00:44:47,440 --> 00:44:50,200 of daily living, then they're believing you're 881 00:44:50,200 --> 00:44:52,960 at a higher level of independence. 882 00:44:52,960 --> 00:44:55,240 You can take care of yourself. 883 00:44:55,240 --> 00:44:56,400 Well, that's going to be tough time 884 00:44:56,400 --> 00:44:59,160 to talk some of these people into giving up their cars. 885 00:44:59,160 --> 00:45:03,200 I'll tell you that, even though they have seven or eight 886 00:45:03,200 --> 00:45:06,240 different medical issues, they're still not going to give 887 00:45:06,240 --> 00:45:09,800 up their car, but that's too bad. 888 00:45:09,800 --> 00:45:11,640 That really is too bad. 889 00:45:11,640 --> 00:45:15,880 David, is that caregiver program, 890 00:45:15,880 --> 00:45:19,240 does the caregiver then get compensated for that? 891 00:45:19,240 --> 00:45:20,480 They do, yeah. 892 00:45:20,480 --> 00:45:25,840 And they can get healthcare at the local hospital too. 893 00:45:25,840 --> 00:45:26,840 Really? 894 00:45:26,840 --> 00:45:27,840 Yep. 895 00:45:27,840 --> 00:45:30,760 Boy, see the folks, you got to listen to this program. 896 00:45:30,760 --> 00:45:33,320 You can't, you never know what you're going to learn. 897 00:45:33,320 --> 00:45:34,160 This is great. 898 00:45:34,160 --> 00:45:35,400 I think this is really important. 899 00:45:35,400 --> 00:45:36,840 I was not aware. 900 00:45:36,840 --> 00:45:40,200 So the caregiver could get care at the VA as well. 901 00:45:40,200 --> 00:45:42,320 That was just great. 902 00:45:42,320 --> 00:45:43,560 Yes. 903 00:45:43,560 --> 00:45:44,480 Okay. 904 00:45:44,480 --> 00:45:46,000 Well, of course, it all has to get approved. 905 00:45:46,000 --> 00:45:46,520 Like, yeah. 906 00:45:46,520 --> 00:45:48,320 No, I know. 907 00:45:48,320 --> 00:45:49,720 You know, and going up there. 908 00:45:49,720 --> 00:45:53,400 And then that's where I've had somewhere, you know, 909 00:45:53,400 --> 00:45:55,280 oh, we can apply through the portal, 910 00:45:55,280 --> 00:45:57,960 but then we didn't do our due diligence enough 911 00:45:57,960 --> 00:46:02,360 with partnering with their doctor and the social worker. 912 00:46:02,360 --> 00:46:04,280 And that's where it all starts. 913 00:46:04,280 --> 00:46:07,320 The form is not that hard to do, the portal, 914 00:46:07,320 --> 00:46:10,680 but what is making sure that, like Carolyn said, 915 00:46:10,680 --> 00:46:15,960 you have the ADLs, you have probably three or more. 916 00:46:15,960 --> 00:46:19,240 So that's the key here. 917 00:46:19,240 --> 00:46:22,480 And that portal that you're talking to, 918 00:46:22,480 --> 00:46:23,880 that's where you have to go and sign in 919 00:46:23,880 --> 00:46:29,360 and use the new sign-ins, the IDME or the login.gov, right? 920 00:46:29,360 --> 00:46:31,960 The portal is an application process. 921 00:46:31,960 --> 00:46:37,000 And so that's where you can go and do the application. 922 00:46:37,000 --> 00:46:41,280 I don't think you have to have the IDME in order 923 00:46:41,280 --> 00:46:42,800 to fill that out. 924 00:46:42,800 --> 00:46:45,280 It's been a while since I got on there. 925 00:46:45,280 --> 00:46:48,120 Carol, do you? 926 00:46:48,120 --> 00:46:52,480 Yep, I've got all of that in the ebook, David, 927 00:46:52,480 --> 00:46:56,040 and I would encourage, it's all free, go and look. 928 00:46:56,040 --> 00:46:59,920 But going back to this, the interesting thing, 929 00:46:59,920 --> 00:47:03,320 it's not on IDME, it's on the portal. 930 00:47:03,320 --> 00:47:08,640 But if you're working with your team, and this is real huge, 931 00:47:08,640 --> 00:47:12,280 it could be approved at the local level. 932 00:47:12,280 --> 00:47:15,480 And when individuals are filling this out themselves 933 00:47:15,480 --> 00:47:18,320 and sending it in, I've also noticed, David, 934 00:47:18,320 --> 00:47:22,080 it's going to the national level higher. 935 00:47:22,080 --> 00:47:27,120 And they miss the first step because the VA Medical Center, 936 00:47:27,120 --> 00:47:32,520 the Detroit VA Medical Center, if your team knows you need this, 937 00:47:32,520 --> 00:47:36,080 you fill out the paperwork, they will help you right there, 938 00:47:36,080 --> 00:47:37,640 the social workers. 939 00:47:37,640 --> 00:47:40,320 And they could approve your home care, 940 00:47:40,320 --> 00:47:43,080 your caregivers right there. 941 00:47:43,080 --> 00:47:46,240 But a lot of people are bypassing that, 942 00:47:46,240 --> 00:47:50,400 and they're going to the next level, which going to Washington, 943 00:47:50,400 --> 00:47:52,920 and it's taking a long time. 944 00:47:52,920 --> 00:47:55,560 We've called in to see where it's at, 945 00:47:55,560 --> 00:48:00,080 and then to find out the veteran or their significant other, 946 00:48:00,080 --> 00:48:03,320 filled out the form wrong, and it's coming back to them. 947 00:48:03,320 --> 00:48:09,480 So please work with your team initially if you need help. 948 00:48:09,480 --> 00:48:13,920 Oh, Caroline, this is going to be from our supporter here. 949 00:48:13,920 --> 00:48:17,320 Where would I go to get that e-book? 950 00:48:17,320 --> 00:48:21,400 www.legalhelpforveterans.com. 951 00:48:21,400 --> 00:48:23,960 I think there's 26 out there. 952 00:48:23,960 --> 00:48:25,160 They're free. 953 00:48:25,160 --> 00:48:27,440 You could download them. 954 00:48:27,440 --> 00:48:29,560 It has all the paperwork. 955 00:48:29,560 --> 00:48:32,600 What you asked a great question, Dale, 956 00:48:32,600 --> 00:48:35,680 let me piggyback what David said. 957 00:48:35,680 --> 00:48:38,920 Yes, the caregiver's up to three. 958 00:48:38,920 --> 00:48:43,520 The primary should be living in the home. 959 00:48:43,520 --> 00:48:45,640 And then you could have two others 960 00:48:45,640 --> 00:48:49,720 to give that caregiver some respite care. 961 00:48:49,720 --> 00:48:52,800 You don't expect somebody to be there 24-7. 962 00:48:52,800 --> 00:48:56,840 But you will get payment if approved. 963 00:48:56,840 --> 00:49:02,000 The caregivers will go to a special class trained by the VA, 964 00:49:02,000 --> 00:49:05,480 and they will pay you to go to school. 965 00:49:05,480 --> 00:49:08,840 And so that's all listed in the e-book. 966 00:49:08,840 --> 00:49:13,440 And the other thing is, depending on the care you're given, 967 00:49:13,440 --> 00:49:16,280 there's two different levels of payment. 968 00:49:16,280 --> 00:49:19,000 If you are giving extensive care, 969 00:49:19,000 --> 00:49:23,000 let's say to a paralyzed veteran, 970 00:49:23,000 --> 00:49:26,400 he or she needs rolling and turning. 971 00:49:26,400 --> 00:49:28,200 Complete, they're a level five. 972 00:49:28,200 --> 00:49:29,640 They need everything. 973 00:49:29,640 --> 00:49:33,720 That caregiver will get a higher value, a level two rating, 974 00:49:33,720 --> 00:49:37,360 versus somebody that's maybe going to pick up groceries 975 00:49:37,360 --> 00:49:42,200 or driving them to their exams. 976 00:49:42,200 --> 00:49:45,440 So please take a look at that. 977 00:49:45,440 --> 00:49:50,960 It is an unbelievable program, but you need to have the ADLs. 978 00:49:50,960 --> 00:49:54,800 One new ADL that I think is not stressed 979 00:49:54,800 --> 00:49:58,760 is if you end up with a prosthesis 980 00:49:58,760 --> 00:50:04,200 and you're going in learning how to walk or use your arm 981 00:50:04,200 --> 00:50:10,120 or whatever, that is considered a really high ADL 982 00:50:10,120 --> 00:50:12,040 that you could have a caregiver for. 983 00:50:12,040 --> 00:50:16,120 So please look at those issues. 984 00:50:16,120 --> 00:50:21,040 As I learned a lot that I thought 985 00:50:21,040 --> 00:50:23,240 David brought up the comprehensive. 986 00:50:23,240 --> 00:50:25,200 That's the most intense. 987 00:50:25,200 --> 00:50:27,400 And then there's the general one where 988 00:50:27,400 --> 00:50:30,960 you could apply for hours that the VA on your needs 989 00:50:30,960 --> 00:50:33,200 will give you the hours of care. 990 00:50:33,200 --> 00:50:36,520 And then the third one, I don't know too many. 991 00:50:36,520 --> 00:50:41,000 I do know two veterans where they give you the budget. 992 00:50:41,000 --> 00:50:43,840 They would give you the budget, Dale, as the veteran 993 00:50:43,840 --> 00:50:47,240 and say, OK, you go and hire your own caregivers. 994 00:50:47,240 --> 00:50:50,240 But then monthly, you need to submit the report. 995 00:50:50,240 --> 00:50:53,120 How did you use your funds? 996 00:50:53,120 --> 00:50:56,120 Some people like to keep control of that, 997 00:50:56,120 --> 00:50:59,320 but it's a wonderful program. 998 00:50:59,320 --> 00:51:01,560 Well, it sounds like when we were talking about ADLs, 999 00:51:01,560 --> 00:51:04,040 those are activities of daily living. 1000 00:51:04,040 --> 00:51:07,760 So we have to make sure that everybody understands that. 1001 00:51:07,760 --> 00:51:11,120 These really smart people that we have here on Veterans Radio, 1002 00:51:11,120 --> 00:51:15,200 they like to use these shortcuts and so forth. 1003 00:51:15,200 --> 00:51:18,760 And some people are not that familiar with. 1004 00:51:18,760 --> 00:51:20,640 We've only got about three minutes left to go, 1005 00:51:20,640 --> 00:51:24,400 which is the hour flies by. 1006 00:51:24,400 --> 00:51:28,960 What should we be looking out for in the next month or so 1007 00:51:28,960 --> 00:51:31,080 as far as disability is concerned? 1008 00:51:31,080 --> 00:51:35,480 Are there any other presumptive things 1009 00:51:35,480 --> 00:51:37,800 that might be coming up on a list that you're aware of? 1010 00:51:37,800 --> 00:51:40,520 Or are there any particular conditions 1011 00:51:40,520 --> 00:51:42,640 that we need to look for? 1012 00:51:42,640 --> 00:51:45,320 I haven't seen any coming down the pipeline. 1013 00:51:45,320 --> 00:51:50,480 But with the huge PACDAC and you have TERRA exams, 1014 00:51:50,480 --> 00:51:55,920 that's been you're in an area where there was some toxics 1015 00:51:55,920 --> 00:51:57,800 exposure, PFAS. 1016 00:51:57,800 --> 00:52:02,000 It seems like every base that we've had has PFAS. 1017 00:52:02,000 --> 00:52:06,760 And if that's causing those cancers, 1018 00:52:06,760 --> 00:52:12,560 then you can use that to apply for disability compensation. 1019 00:52:12,560 --> 00:52:16,800 I mean, I've never thought Fort Drum would have PFAS, 1020 00:52:16,800 --> 00:52:17,560 but it did. 1021 00:52:17,560 --> 00:52:23,440 And so there's bases out there that you don't think, 1022 00:52:23,440 --> 00:52:25,120 oh, well, it's not in the news. 1023 00:52:25,120 --> 00:52:26,720 But you do some more research. 1024 00:52:26,720 --> 00:52:31,640 Then if you're getting some type of weird cancer, 1025 00:52:31,640 --> 00:52:33,320 or if you're getting some ailment that 1026 00:52:33,320 --> 00:52:35,960 might be connected to PFAS, then you definitely 1027 00:52:35,960 --> 00:52:40,080 want to reach out to a service officer, Carolyn, 1028 00:52:40,080 --> 00:52:43,760 to look into that to file on that claim. 1029 00:52:43,760 --> 00:52:44,640 Yeah. 1030 00:52:44,640 --> 00:52:49,800 I should mention that we're going to have Mike Cox on today 1031 00:52:49,800 --> 00:52:52,240 as a lawyer if I talk about Camp Lejeune. 1032 00:52:52,240 --> 00:52:55,080 He will be on our next benefits program 1033 00:52:55,080 --> 00:52:57,320 on the first Sunday of March. 1034 00:52:57,320 --> 00:52:58,400 Carolyn, you got one minute. 1035 00:52:58,400 --> 00:53:00,120 What would you like to add? 1036 00:53:00,120 --> 00:53:02,560 I just want to say thank you very much, veterans, 1037 00:53:02,560 --> 00:53:03,640 for your service. 1038 00:53:03,640 --> 00:53:06,000 Please ask the questions. 1039 00:53:06,000 --> 00:53:07,560 If you don't know, there's so much. 1040 00:53:07,560 --> 00:53:10,720 I mean, I learn stuff or ask questions all the time. 1041 00:53:10,720 --> 00:53:13,400 And David, thank you for always being there 1042 00:53:13,400 --> 00:53:16,560 when I've got a question that seems far fetched, 1043 00:53:16,560 --> 00:53:17,960 but they're not. 1044 00:53:17,960 --> 00:53:20,880 And so thank you very much. 1045 00:53:20,880 --> 00:53:22,080 You're welcome, yes. 1046 00:53:22,080 --> 00:53:24,840 We would learn something new every day, even I do. 1047 00:53:24,840 --> 00:53:28,520 So it is always something new to learn. 1048 00:53:28,520 --> 00:53:31,560 I learn stuff every month, which is awesome. 1049 00:53:31,560 --> 00:53:33,000 And I think it's so important. 1050 00:53:33,000 --> 00:53:35,640 So I appreciate both of you, Carolyn Falzon, 1051 00:53:35,640 --> 00:53:37,040 from Legal Health for Veterans. 1052 00:53:37,040 --> 00:53:42,520 David Sames from the Washington County Veterans Service 1053 00:53:42,520 --> 00:53:43,040 Office. 1054 00:53:43,040 --> 00:53:44,280 Thank you so very much. 1055 00:53:44,280 --> 00:53:48,080 I also want to remind people that we 1056 00:53:48,080 --> 00:53:50,760 are going to be talking with a representative 1057 00:53:50,760 --> 00:53:53,960 from the Non-Commissioned Officers Association coming up 1058 00:53:53,960 --> 00:53:56,720 on the 16th idea, I think it is, to see 1059 00:53:56,720 --> 00:53:59,280 if we can talk a little bit about some of the changes that 1060 00:53:59,280 --> 00:54:05,000 may or may not be occurring with the VA under the things that 1061 00:54:05,000 --> 00:54:06,640 are going on in Washington. 1062 00:54:06,640 --> 00:54:08,160 So stick around for that. 1063 00:54:08,160 --> 00:54:09,880 I think you'll find that interesting. 1064 00:54:09,880 --> 00:54:15,040 Also, I wanted to remind you to go to wearevetsldd.com 1065 00:54:15,040 --> 00:54:17,720 to help out that organization out there in California. 1066 00:54:17,720 --> 00:54:20,800 They could really use the funds to provide food and clothing 1067 00:54:20,800 --> 00:54:23,800 for homeless deaths out there in West LA. 1068 00:54:23,800 --> 00:54:26,680 So am I dragging this out here any longer? 1069 00:54:26,680 --> 00:54:28,080 Is he starting to count me down? 1070 00:54:28,080 --> 00:54:29,320 I'm not sure. 1071 00:54:29,320 --> 00:54:29,960 Here we go. 1072 00:54:29,960 --> 00:54:30,560 All right. 1073 00:54:30,560 --> 00:54:34,040 So I want to thank everybody for being on our program today. 1074 00:54:34,040 --> 00:54:37,240 We're going out with America the Beautiful again. 1075 00:54:37,240 --> 00:54:39,200 Until then, you are dismissed. 1076 00:54:39,200 --> 00:54:56,960 God bless America, land that I love. 1077 00:54:56,960 --> 00:55:04,520 Stand beside her and guide her through the night 1078 00:55:04,520 --> 00:55:14,720 with a light from above, from the mountains to the prairies 1079 00:55:14,720 --> 00:55:21,320 to the oceans, white with foam. 1080 00:55:21,320 --> 00:55:33,040 God bless America, my home sweet home. 1081 00:55:33,040 --> 00:55:44,840 God bless America, my home sweet home. 1082 00:55:44,840 --> 00:55:55,640 God bless America, land that I love. 1083 00:55:55,640 --> 00:56:03,160 Stand beside her and guide her through the night 1084 00:56:03,160 --> 00:56:13,280 with a light from above, from the mountains to the prairies 1085 00:56:13,280 --> 00:56:19,960 to the oceans, white with foam. 1086 00:56:19,960 --> 00:56:28,960 God bless America, my home sweet home. 1087 00:56:28,960 --> 00:56:50,960 God bless America, my home sweet home.