1 November 2010 www.in.gov/dva The IDVA Update November 2010 Edition 2010-3 Mitch Daniels - Governor Tom Applegate - Director The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs Newsletter Parking at the Roudebush VA Medical Center The parking at the Roudebush VA Medical Cen- ter in Indianapolis has been an issue for as long as most of us can remember and will continue to be an issue for a while longer, but there does seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Recently, Roudebush VAMC Director, Tom Mat- tice, in an internal newsletter to VAMC staff outlined the plans for alleviating the parking situation at that location. He has generously allowed us to share that article. Here it is in its entirety: “I don’t think anyone who works here is not aware that parking has become a major issue for the medical center. I judge what kind of day I am going to have based on how long I can go before someone mentions “the P-word” to me. If you think it’s bad now, it’s going to become even worse soon. Here is the latest: “• As of October 1, we will lose about 275 park- ing spots we have been leasing from Wishard. These spots are located east of the helipad. This is Wishard’s property and is being used for construction of their new hospital. “ • We will lose another 450 spots around the end of the year to begin the construction on our new parking garage. So the net loss is over 700 spots. To counteract this: “• We are in the process of securing a 500 space lot for employee and patient parking, and will be using shuttle buses to transport employees as well as any patients who choose to park there. The location of the 500-space lot cannot be released until the final con- tract is signed. “ • We are expanding the gravel lot area at Cold Spring Road. “ • We have determined that a third lot is neces- sary. Approximately 270 of our employees will park at Stout Field, beginning 10/4/10. This will compen- sate for the patient overflow lot spaces near the heli- pad previously leased from Wishard. “Note that these are considered changes in work- ing conditions, and we have begun negotiations with both unions regarding the changes in parking. “The good news is this. By March of 2012 if all goes as currently planned, we will have a net gain of at least 500 additional spaces available on campus. “• We have approval for a $9.9 million parking structure on our Michigan Street (south) lot. The net gain from this project will be at least an additional 280 spaces, and perhaps as many as 450 more. The pro- jected completion date is March 2012. “ • We are hoping to lease up to 500 additional spaces from Wishard when their parking structure is completed. The projected completion date for their garage is also March 2012.”
Transcript
1 November 2010www.in.gov/dva
The
IDVA UpdateNovember 2010 Edition 2010-3
Mitch Daniels - GovernorTom Applegate - Director
The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs Newsletter
Parking at theRoudebush VA Medical
CenterThe parking at the Roudebush VA Medical Cen-
ter in Indianapolis has been an issue for as long asmost of us can remember and will continue to be anissue for a while longer, but there does seem to be alight at the end of the tunnel.
Recently, Roudebush VAMC Director, Tom Mat-tice, in an internal newsletter to VAMC staff outlinedthe plans for alleviating the parking situation at thatlocation. He has generously allowed us to share thatarticle. Here it is in its entirety:
“I don’t think anyone who works here is notaware that parking has become a major issue for themedical center. I judge what kind of day I am going tohave based on how long I can go before someonementions “the P-word” to me. If you think it’s badnow, it’s going to become even worse soon. Here isthe latest:
“• As of October 1, we will lose about 275 park-ing spots we have been leasing from Wishard. Thesespots are located east of the helipad. This is Wishard’sproperty and is being used for construction of theirnew hospital.
“ • We will lose another 450 spots around the endof the year to begin the construction on our newparking garage. So the net loss is over 700 spots. Tocounteract this:
“• We are in the process of securing a 500 spacelot for employee and patient parking, and will be using
shuttle buses to transport employees as well as anypatients who choose to park there. The location of the500-space lot cannot be released until the final con-tract is signed.
“ • We are expanding the gravel lot area at ColdSpring Road.
“ • We have determined that a third lot is neces-sary. Approximately 270 of our employees will parkat Stout Field, beginning 10/4/10. This will compen-sate for the patient overflow lot spaces near the heli-pad previously leased from Wishard.
“Note that these are considered changes in work-ing conditions, and we have begun negotiations withboth unions regarding the changes in parking.
“The good news is this. By March of 2012 if allgoes as currently planned, we will have a net gain ofat least 500 additional spaces available on campus.
“• We have approval for a $9.9 million parkingstructure on our Michigan Street (south) lot. The netgain from this project will be at least an additional 280spaces, and perhaps as many as 450 more. The pro-jected completion date is March 2012.
“ • We are hoping to lease up to 500 additionalspaces from Wishard when their parking structure iscompleted. The projected completion date for theirgarage is also March 2012.”
Veterans’ HomeThe National Association of State Veterans’
Homes (NASVH) won a major victory in WashingtonD.C. last month when President Obama signed HR4505 into law.
NASVH worked with Senator John Ensign ofNevada to get the Gold Star Parents Bill (S 1450)introduced in the Senate. The bill changed thedefinition of a Gold State Parent, for admission to astate veterans home, from a parent who must have lost“all” their children in wartime service to a parent whohas lost “a” child to wartime service.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 420-0. Itpassed the Senate on September 20th by UnanimousConsent. The Bill was quietly signed into law byPresident Barrack Obama on September 30, 2010 andbecame Public Law 111-246.
This means the Indiana Veterans’ Home (IVH)can accept for residency the civilian parent or parentsof any service member who was lost in wartimeservice.
Just last year Governor Mitch Daniels signedstate legislation into law which adjusted the residencyrequirement to allow for the eligibility of moreveterans. In combination, the two bills will help in ourefforts to increase the resident population at IVH.
Indiana Veterans’ HomeCemetery to Receive a
Face Lift
Although not commonly known, Indiana actuallyhas TWO state veterans’ cemeteries, not just one.
The newest one, the Indiana Veterans’ MemorialCemetery, located at Madison Indiana, was opened in1999 and is open to any veteran.
The oldest one, located in West Lafayette, Indi-ana on the grounds of the Indiana Veterans’ Home(IVH), was opened in 1895, along with the Home, butonly veterans who are residing at the Home at the timeof their death are eligible for burial there.
Alan Burnham, Superintendent of the IndianaVeterans’ Memorial Cemetery, has recently been noti-fied that his request for a VA grant to restore the IVHCemetery was granted. Alan and his staff will be theworkers and they hope to restore the cemetery to itsformer beauty. They feel the work is in honor of thoseveterans who died while they were living at the Home,many of them Civil War veterans.
The grant, in the amount of almost $300,000 willbe used for realignment and resetting of the head-stones, cleaning or replacing of headstones, tree stumpremoval and tree trimming, re-sodding and or re-seed-ing appropriate areas and the purchase of flowers andshrubs for general beautification purposes.
State Flag Flown onUSS Jarrett on Displayat the Indiana Veterans’
Memorial Cemetery
On May 16, 2009, the Indiana Flag was flown onboard the USS Jarrett in honor of the Jarrett and allsailors on board from Indiana and all who have served
aboard her. That flag is now ondisplay at the Indiana Veterans’Memorial Cemetery.
This was at the request of FredMajor’s son, Spencer (left), a sail-or aboard the ship. Fred is a Pro-gram Director with our StateApproving Agency. Spencer e-mailed his dad that day, saying“The flag has been raised and was
flown most the day today!!! I tell you what Dad… I’mnot going to lie… It was a sight for sore eyes!! All theguys from Indiana are very proud!! Everyone on theship including the CO knows where the flag is going.”
The USS Jarrett (FFG-33) is a guided missilefrigate assigned to Destroyer Squadron 21 and ishomeported at San Diego, California. Jarrett is thefirst ship of that name in the US Navy. She was alsothe first US Navy warship to be commanded by awoman, Commander Kathleen A. McGrath, from 18December 1998 until 4 September 2000.
Spencer is married. His wife’s name is Nicoleand they have a baby girl named Kenadie. Sincerecently joining the Naval Reserves he is currentlywaiting to be reassigned to another ship, probably willbe the same class Frigate.
Fred tells the story of how the idea came about,“When Spencer was home on leave after his firstdeployment, we spent one of his leave days togetherand visited the Veteran’s Cemetery in Madison and hewas most impressed. That’s when he decided to askthe Navy to honor the Veteran’s Cemetery.”
After the flag was flown, Fred e-mail his thanksto the captain. The captain told Spencer in an e-mail,
“SN Major, please let your father know that wewere honored to fly the Indiana State Flag and that itis we who are truly thankful knowing that a simple andkind gesture of flying the state Flag could have suchan effect on the people we serve. The men and womenaboard JARRETT are but servants to the great nationwe so proudly and bravely defend. Tell your Dadthank you for choosing the Mighty "J" to fly theIndiana State Flag. We are truly honored.CDR F. ReidCommanding OfficerUSS JARRETT (FFG 33)"Excellent and Able"
Through the generosity of Wells Fargo, Habitatfor Humanity has the opportunity to refurbish a fore-closed home for a disabled veteran. Identified byWells Fargo as the Wounded Warrior program, theidea was developed as a means to give back, not onlyto the community in general, but specifically to thosewho have served our country.
In Hamilton County, Wells Fargo is helping Hab-itat to secure moderately priced foreclosed homes thatmay be available for this program. Habitat identifiesa qualifying veteran then updates the house to meettheir physical needs.
Qualifying candidates for this program will havethe financial ability to pay an interest free mortgage onthe home and will be willing to participate in a finan-cial education program through Habitat. Candidatesand their families and friends are welcome to assist inthe remodeling process.
If you are interested or know someone who mightqualify for this program, please contact Habitat forHumanity Hamilton County at 317 896 9423 or byemailing Gretta Troyer at [email protected]. An ap-plication can be obtained from the same source.
Wells Fargo and Habitatfor Humanity Join
Forces for Veterans!
Walt Brown Joins theStaff at IDVA
James C. Bennett Jr. is a newProgram Director with the StateApproving Agency, Indiana De-partment of Veterans Affairs ef-fective 27 Sep 2010. Prior tojoining IDVA, he worked as acraftsman with the Hardigg CaseCenter in Mt. Comfort, IN.
A Native of ChestertownMaryland, Jim's military career
began as a Seaman Recruit upon completion of basictraining (Orlando, 79’) with his subsequent retirementas a Sonar Technician (Surface) Chief Petty Officer(Jan, 00). 21 years of Naval service included dutywith the Operational Military forces of 14 countries asan ASW Operator, ASW Tactician and Navy SalvageDiver. Chief Bennett served in both the Atlantic(10yrs) & Pacific (11yrs) Fleets with tours in New-foundland Canada, Ford Island Hawaii, Yokosuka &Sasebo Japan, RAF Brawdy Wales UK & NAS Sigo-nella Sicily. His last tour was as the SURTASS/LFAMildet Leading Chief Petty Officer, NAS WhidbeyIsland, WA.
While on active duty; Jim completed an AS inGeneral studies with Mohegan Community College ofNorwich, CT & later a BS in Sociology with RegentsCollege of Albany, NY. After a 25 year marriage toCarolyn, Jim has 3 children. The 2 girls, Katelyn &Kristen are at home while James III is at IU. Jim is amember of the US Naval Institute & the AmericanLegion.
The Indiana Department ofVeterans Affairs is pleased toannounce the newest addition tothe IDVA Staff. Walt Brown(left) started effective October12th and is the Assistant StateService Officer.
Born and raised in Pennsyl-vania, Walt has lived in Indianasince 1989 when he was sta-
tioned at Fort Benjamin Harrison. He served 20 yearsin the Army and retired in 1995. He was with theDepartment of Workforce Development from Jun 97to Oct 2010 and served as a DVOP from Jun 97 toMarch 2000. Most recently, from March of 2000 toOctober 2010, he was a Work One Office supervisor.
He is married and resides with his wife in India-napolis. They have been married for 25 years and havefour grown children.
June, an SAA Program Director, and Emmy, ourreceptionist, have both moved on the bigger and betterpositions and we wish them both well.
Legislation ExtendsSpecial Stop-Loss Pay
Deadline ThroughDecember 3rd
By Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2010 – President BarackObama signed legislation yesterday extending theRetroactive Stop-Loss Special Pay deadline throughDecember 3, 2010, DOD officials said today.
Officials estimate about 80,000 eligible servicemembers, veterans and beneficiaries have yet to applyfor the special stop-loss pay.
"It's important that all those eligible for this bene-fit take the opportunity to apply for what they'veearned," said Lernes Hebert, the DefenseDepartment’s acting director of officer and enlistedpersonnel management. "We encourage those eligibleto apply as soon as possible, to avoid the last-minuterush, which can increase processing time.”
The program was due to run out Oct. 21, 2010.The extension is part of the continuing resolution that
funds federal government operations. Congress hasnot yet passed authorization or appropriations bills forfiscal 2011.
The program affects military members whoseservice was involuntarily extended under stop-lossbetween Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009. Eligiblemembers or their beneficiaries are required to submita claim to their respective military service in order toreceive the benefit of $500 for each full or partialmonth served in a stop-loss status. The original dead-line for claims was Oct. 21, 2010.
Stop-loss allows the military to extend service-members beyond their end-of-term of service dates.The program has been used extensively since 9-11 tomaintain personnel strength in deploying units. Theprogram allows the military to extend servicememberswhose end-of-term of service, retirement or end-of-service obligation date falls during a deployment.They may be involuntarily extended until the end oftheir unit’s deployment. The Army and Marine Corpsused the policy the most.
The special pay is meant to remunerate the ser-vicemembers for their sacrifices. When the programbegan last year, the services estimated 145,000 servicemembers, veterans and beneficiaries were eligible.Most had already separated from the services.
The services have sent direct mail to those eligi-ble under the program. The military has engaged withmilitary and veteran service organizations. The servic-es also here reached out via social networks and mediaoutlets.
Last month President Obama reached out to vet-erans in a video posted to the White House Web siteencouraging those who are eligible to apply for thebenefit.
Attachment 1 at the end of this newsletter is theDD Form 2944, Claim For Retroactive Stop LossPayment
Provision included inThe Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010
Washington, D.C.—Today (Oct. 14, 2010), Congress-man Joe Donnelly applauded the signing into law ofH.R. 3219, The Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010, whichincluded Donnelly’s proposal to increase the supple-mental coverage for veterans who have been rated 100percent service-connected disabled.
Last year, Congressman Donnelly introducedH.R. 2713, The Disabled Veterans Life InsuranceEnhancement Act, with the goal of making long over-due changes to an existing life insurance program thatcovers veterans with service-connected disabilities.Currently veterans with a 100 percent service-connect-ed disability rating can only receive up to $20,000 incoverage through supplemental life insurance cover-age offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs,and with the average burial costs around $6,500, notmuch is leftover to take care of a veteran’s survivors.Congressman Donnelly’s legislation sought to in-crease this limit to $50,000, and after his work in ahearing and markup in the House Committee on Vet-erans’ Affairs, language was included in H.R. 3219 toincrease the supplemental coverage by 50 percent to$30,000.
“Our disabled veterans have earned this benefitthrough their service to our nation,” Donnelly said. “Iwill always fight hard to ensure that the VA providesthe best care and benefits possible to the brave menand women who have served; we are in their debt.This new law will provide a long overdue update ofthe VA’s insurance policies so they work better forAmerica’s veterans.”
Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI)was created in 1951 to provide life insurance to dis-abled veterans who, because of their service-connect-ed disabilities, would be unable to obtain life
insurance on the commercial market or would berequired to pay especially high premiums.
Additional provisions in H.R. 3219, which cameout of Congressman Donnelly’s House Committee onVeterans’ Affairs, will seek to provide veterans withemployment opportunities, prevent veteran homeless-ness, and further protect the rights of our servicemembers called to combat.
The Department of Defense POW/MissingPersonnel Office (DPMO) announced today that theremains of a serviceman, missing in action fromWorld War II, have been identified and returned to hisfamily for burial with full military honors. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Arthur F. Parkhurst,of Evansville, Ind., was buried on Oct. 16 in Dayton,Ohio. On March 12, 1945, Parkhurst and five othercrew members aboard a C-47A Skytrain departedTanauan Airfield on Leyte, Philippines, on a resupplymission to guerilla troops. Once cleared for takeoffthere was no further communication between the air-crew and airfield operators. When the aircraft failedto return, a thorough search of an area ten miles oneither side of the intended route was initiated. Noevidence of the aircraft was found and the six menwere presumed killed in action, their remains deter-mined non-recoverable. In 1989, a Philippine national police officercontacted U.S. officials regarding a possible WorldWar II-era aircraft crash near Leyte. Human remains,aircraft parts and artifacts -- including an identifica-tion tag belonging to Parkhurst -- were turned over tothe local police, then to U.S. officials. Among other forensic identification tools andcircumstantial evidence, scientists from the JointPOW/MIA Accounting Command used dental com-parisons and the Armed Forces DNA IdentificationLaboratory used mitochondrial DNA -- whichmatched that of Parkhurst's brother and sister -- in theidentification of his remains. At the end of the war, the U.S. government wasunable to recover and identify approximately 79,000
Continued from page 6Americans. Today, more than 72,000 are unaccount-ed-for from the conflict. For additional information on the DefenseDepartment's mission to account for missing Ameri-cans, call 703-699-1169 or visit the DPMO Web siteat www.dtic.mil/dpmo.
U.S. Department of DefenseOffice of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (PublicAffairs)
On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/releases/Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132Public Contact:http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1(703) 428-0711 +1
SEC. 103. 18-MONTH PERIOD FOR TRAIN-ING OF NEW DISABLED VETERANS' OUT-
REACH PROGRAM SPECIALISTS ANDLOCAL VETERANS' EMPLOYMENT REPRE-
SENTATIVES BY NATIONAL VETERANS'EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES
(1) APPLICABILITY TO NEW EM-PLOYEES- The amendment made bysubsection (a) shall apply with respectto a State employee assigned to per-form the duties of a disabled veterans'outreach program specialist or a localveterans' employment representative
under chapter 41 of title 38, UnitedStates Code, who is so assigned on orafter the date of the enactment of thisAct.(2) APPLICABILITY TO PREVI-OUSLY-HIRED EMPLOYEES- Inthe case of such a State employee whois so assigned on or after January 1,2006, and before the date of the enact-ment of this Act, the Secretary of La-bor shall require the State to require,as a condition of a grant or contractunder which funds are made availableto the State in order to carry out sec-tion 4103A or 4104 of title 38, UnitedStates Code, each such employee tosatisfactorily complete the trainingdescribed in section 4102A(c)(8)(A)of such title by not later than the datethat is 18 months after the date of theenactment of this Act.
SEC. 407. ENHANCEMENT OF VETERANS'MORTGAGE LIFE INSURANCE.(a) In General- Section 2106(b) is amendedby striking `$90,000' and inserting `$150,000,or after January 1, 2012, $200,000,'.(b) Effective Date- The amendment made bysubsection (a) shall take effect on October 1,2011.
SEC. 501. INCREASE IN CERTAIN BURIALAND FUNERAL BENEFITS AND PLOT AL-
LOWANCES FOR VETERANS.(a) Increase in Burial and Funeral Expensesfor Deaths in Department Facilities- Para-graph (1)(A) of subsection (a) of section 2303is amended by striking `$300' and inserting`$700 (as increased from time to time undersubsection (c))'.(b) Increase in Amount of Plot Allowances-Subsection (b) of such section is amended bystriking `$300' both places it appears and in-serting `$700 (as increased from time to timeunder subsection (c))'.
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph(2), the amendments made by this section shall applywith respect to deaths occurring on or after October
1, 2011.
Veterans Benefits Act of2010 Signed by
President ObamaBelow is a brief synopsis of some of the changes
called for in HR 3219, the Veterans’ Benefits Act of2010 which has only recently been signed into law byPresident Obama. It is by no means a complete list ofchanges called for in the legislation.
SEC. 502. INTERMENT IN NATIONAL CEME-TERIES OF PARENTS OF CERTAIN DE-
CEASED VETERANS.(a) Short Title- This section may be cited asthe `Corey Shea Act'.(b) Interment of Parents of Certain DeceasedVeterans- Section 2402 is amended--
`(9)(A) The parent of a person de-scribed in subparagraph (B), if theSecretary determines that there isavailable space at the gravesite wherethe person described in subparagraph(B) is interred.`(B) A person described in this sub-paragraph is a person described inparagraph (1) who--
`(i) is a hostile casualty or diedfrom a training-related injury;`(ii) is interred in a nationalcemetery; and`(iii) at the time of the person'sparent's death, did not have aspouse, surviving spouse, orchild who is buried or who,upon death, may be eligible forburial in a national cemeterypursuant to paragraph (5).';and
(4) by adding at the end the followingnew subsection:
`(b) For purposes of subsection (a)(9) of thissection:
`(1) The term `parent' means a biolog-ical father or a biological mother or, inthe case of adoption, a father throughadoption or a mother through adop-tion.`(2) The term `hostile casualty' meansa person who, as a member of theArmed Forces, dies as the direct resultof hostile action with the enemy,while in combat, while going to orreturning from a combat mission if thecause of death was directly related tohostile action, or while hospitalized orundergoing treatment at the expenseof the United States for injury in-curred during combat, and includes aperson killed mistakenly or acciden-
tally by friendly fire directed at a hos-tile force or what is thought to be ahostile force, but does not include aperson who dies due to the elements, aself-inflicted wound, combat fatigue,or a friendly force while the personwas in an absent-without-leave, de-serter, or dropped-from-rolls status orwas voluntarily absent from a place ofduty.`(3) The term `training-related injury'means an injury incurred by a memberof the Armed Forces while performingauthorized training activities in prepa-ration for a combat mission.'.
TITLE VI--COMPENSATION AND PENSIONSEC. 601. ENHANCEMENT OF DISABILITY
COMPENSATION FOR CERTAIN DISABLEDVETERANS WITH DIFFICULTIES USING
PROSTHESES AND DISABLED VETERANS INNEED OF REGULAR AID AND ATTENDANCEFOR RESIDUALS OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN IN-
JURY.
(b) Veterans With Service-Connected Dis-abilities in Need of Regular Aid and Atten-dance for Residuals of Traumatic BrainInjury-
(1) IN GENERAL- Such section isfurther amended--
(A) in subsection (p), by strik-ing the semicolon at the endand inserting a period; and(B) by adding at the end thefollowing new subsection:
`(t) Subject to section 5503(c) of this title, ifany veteran, as the result of service-connecteddisability, is in need of regular aid and atten-dance for the residuals of traumatic brain in-jury, is not eligible for compensation undersubsection (r)(2), and in the absence of suchregular aid and attendance would require hos-pitalization, nursing home care, or other resi-dential institutional care, the veteran shall bepaid, in addition to any other compensationunder this section, a monthly aid and atten-dance allowance equal to the rate described insubsection (r)(2), which for purposes of sec-tion 1134 of this title shall be considered as
additional compensation payable for disabili-ty. An allowance authorized under this sub-section shall be paid in lieu of any allowanceauthorized by subsection (r)(1).'.
SEC. 604. EXCLUSION OF CERTAINAMOUNTS FROM CONSIDERATION AS IN-COME FOR PURPOSES OF VETERANS PEN-SION BENEFITS.
(a) Exclusion- Section 1503(a) is amended--(1) by striking `and' at the end of para-graph (10);(2) by redesignating paragraph (11) asparagraph (12); and(3) by inserting after paragraph (10)the following new paragraph (11):`(11) payment of a monetary amountof up to $5,000 to a veteran from aState or municipality that is paid as aveterans' benefit due to injury or dis-ease; and'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made bysubsection (a) shall apply with respect to de-terminations of income for calendar years be-ginning after October 1, 2011.
SEC. 804. ENHANCEMENT OF AUTOMOBILEASSISTANCE ALLOWANCE FOR VETERANS.
(a) Increase in Amount of Allowance- Sub-section (a) of section 3902 is amended bystriking `$11,000' and inserting `$18,900 (asadjusted from time to time under subsection(e))'.(b) Annual Adjustment- Such section is fur-ther amended by adding at the end the follow-ing new subsection:`(e) Effective on October 1 of each year(beginning in 2011), the Secretary shall in-crease the dollar amount in effect under sub-section (a) by a percentage equal to thepercentage by which the Consumer Price In-dex for all urban consumers (U.S. city aver-age) increased during the 12-month periodending with the last month for which Con-sumer Price Index data is available. In theevent that such Consumer Price Index doesnot increase during such period, the Secretaryshall maintain the dollar amount in effect un-der subsection (a) during the previous fiscalyear.'.
(c) Effective Date - The amendments made bythis section shall take effect on October 1,2011.
Note: we at IDVA will be watching and willpublish updates as necessary to keep CVSOs in-formed. Ed.
No COLA For 2011From the TREA Washington Update for October15, 2010:
There will be no Social Security Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) for 2011. That also means thatthere will be no COLAs for Military Retired Pay, forSBP or for DIC and VA payments. While this is veryupsetting; it is not surprising. Why? As required bylaw the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics determines atthe third quarter of each year whether there has beenan increase in the Consumer Price Index for UrbanWage Earners and Clerical Workers’ (CPI-W)“market basket” costs from the prior year. There hasnot. The last time there was an increase was the 5.8%determined in October of 2008! (That was the highestCOLA in 27 years). So the next COLA increase won’thappen until the CPI-W prices rise above that level.
This is only the second year that there has notbeen an increase since the automatic adjustments forinflation were made law in 1975. The first year wasthis year.
The Social Security trustees estimate that therewill be a 1.2% COLA in 2012 but there is no guarantee.
State Approving AgencyUpdate
TRANSFER OF the Post 9/ 11 GI BillEDUCATION BENEFITS
In Fall of 2009 IDVA published information inregards to transferring a veteran’s Post 9/11 GI Bill todependents. We have had a number of questions inour office as well as at Seamless Transition Work-shops so we wanted to reiterate the information ontransferring benefits.
To transfer benefits the veteran must be eligiblefor Chapter 33 education benefits.
The veteran must also be a member of the ArmedForces (Active Duty, Selected Reserve or NationalGuard, officer or enlisted) on or after August 1, 2009,who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and:
∙ Has at least 6 years of service in theArmed Forces on the date of election andagrees to serve 4 additional years in the ArmedForces from the date of election.
∙ Has at least 10 years of service in theArmed Forces (Active duty, Selected Reserveor National Guard) on the date of election, isprecluded by either standard policy (service orDoD) or statute from committing to 4 addi-tional years, and agrees to serve for the maxi-mum amount of time allowed by such policyor statute, or
∙ Is or becomes retirement eligible during the period from August 1, 2009, throughAugust 1, 2013. A service member is consid-ered to be retirement eligible if he or she hascompleted 20 years of active duty or 20 quali-fying years of reserve service.
∙ For those individuals eligiblefor retirement on August 1, 2009, noadditional service is required.
∙ For those individuals who havean approved retirement date after Au-gust 1, 2009, and before July 1, 2010,no additional service is required.
∙ For those individuals eligiblefor retirement after August 1, 2009,and before August 1, 2010, 1 year ofadditional service after approval oftransfer is required.
∙ For those individuals eligiblefor retirement on or after August 1,2010, and before August 1, 2011, 2years of additional service after ap-proval of transfer are required.
∙ For those individuals eligiblefor retirement on or after August 1,2011, and before August 1, 2012, 3years of additional service after ap-proval of transfer required.
Once a veteran makes the decision to transfertheir benefits they will have to complete the followingsteps.
1. Go to www.dmdc.osd.mil/-TEB/
a. Fill out an application.If the veteran does not have a pass-word they may request one throughthe same web site.
2. Once DoD allows transferabili-ty the veteran will be able to go back to theweb site and print off verification of trans-ferability. We are suggesting 7-10 dutydays, could be more or less.
3. The dependent who is receiv-ing the benefit must send a copy of theletter from DoD and complete VA Form22-1990E, either hard copy or at the GIBill web site via VONAPP.
4. Once the dependent receivesthe Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) theymust turn in the CoE to the CertifyingOfficial (CO) who in turn will certify thestudent for that semester they are attend-ing. (the student must contact the CO eachsemester they are enrolled in school toensure payments are made)
Programs allowed under the Post 9/11 GI Bill:The Post 9/11 GI Bill payment rates will only be paidat Accredited, Degree Granting, and Institutions ofHigher Learning. If a Veteran qualified for another GIBill Program (Chapter 30, Chapter 1606, or Chapter1607) before changing to the Post 9/11 (Chapter 33),then the veteran or the transferee are eligible to use thePost 9/11 benefit at other programs that are not ac-credited, degree granting, and institutions of higherlearning, HOWEVER, they will receive payments atthe program given up, (i.e. Chapter 30, 1606, or 1607).
13 November 2010www.in.gov/dvaDD FORM 2944, MAR 2010
1. MILITARY MEMBERa. NAME (Last, First, Middle Initial) b. SSN (Last 4
digits)
2. CLAIMANT (If other than Member)a. NAME (Last, First, Middle Initial) b. SSN (Last 4
digits)
3. SERVICE AT TIME OF ACTIVE DUTY (X one) 4. SERVICE STATUS AT START OF STOP LOSS (X one)
ARMY NAVY ACTIVE DUTYOTHER SERVICE (Specify)
5. APPLICANT CURRENT STATUS (X one)
LIVING DECEASED* INCAPACITATED6. APPLICANT SERVICE STATUS (X one)
ACTIVE DUTYRETIRED* If deceased, attach documentation establishing the beneficiary.7. CLAIMED STOP LOSS PERIOD**a. FROM (YYYYMMDD) b. TO (YYYYMMDD)
**Dates on eligible Active Duty during covered stop loss time periods. Ifmore than one claim, list each claim separately on one attachment to thisapplication and submit.
8. CLAIMANT'S MAILING ADDRESS/CONTACT INFORMATIONa. STREET/APARTMENT NUMBER b. CITY c. STATE d. 5-DIGIT ZIP CODE
e. COUNTRY CODE(If overseas)
g. EMAIL ADDRESS
9. PAYMENT DISBURSEMENT (X one)
a. DIRECT DEPOSIT/ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER:(1) SAVINGS
10. FINANCIAL INFORMATIONa. BANK NAME b. ACCOUNT NUMBER c. BANK ROUTING NUMBER
11. CLAIMANT AUTHORIZATIONI hereby authorize the Military Department under which I served while on Active Duty and other authorized Federal agencies to obtain any
information required including, but not limited to, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), DFAS, etc. This authorization is valid for one year from the date thisform was signed. I understand I have a right to challenge the accuracy and completeness of any information contained in the report pertaining to mycase. I also understand that this information will be treated as privileged and confidential information. Case files are handled under the procedures forsafeguarding records.
I hereby release any individual, including records custodians, any component of the U.S. Government supplying information, from all liability fordamages that may result on account of compliance, or any attempts to comply with this authorization. This release is binding, now and in the future,on my heirs, assigns, associates, and personal representative(s) of any nature. Copies of this authorization that show my signature are as valid as theoriginal release signed by me.
a. CLAIMANT SIGNATURE (Hard copy signature is MANDATORY) b. DATE SIGNED (YYYYMMDD)
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY:It is preferred that applicants submit on-lineapplications to the U.S. Army Stop Loss ProgramOffice, via the web-based, on-line system athttps://www.stoplosspay.army.mil. Alternatively,hard copy signed and dated applications may bemailed to:
Falls Church, VA 22041Telephone: (877) 736-5554 toll free
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY:CommanderNavy Personnel CommandPERS 8325720 Integrity DriveMillington, TN 38055-8320Telephone: (901) 874-4427, DSN: 882-4427Email: [email protected]
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE:Active, retired and former Air Force members:
http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/stoplossE-mail: [email protected]: (210) 565-4599 or DSN: 665-4599Mail: AFPC/DPSOS (Stop Loss Section)
550 C. Street West, Suite 3Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4713
U.S. MARINE CORPS:It is preferred that applicants submit on-line applications to the Marine Corps Stop Loss ProgramOffice (SLPO), via the web-based, on-line Stop Loss Case Management System (SLCMS) atthe following URL: https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/slcms. Alternatively, hard copy signed anddated applications may be mailed to:
Headquarters U.S. Marine CorpsManpower and Reserve Affairs MID/SLPO3280 Russell Rd.Quantico VA 22134-5103SLPO Organizational Mailbox: [email protected] toll free phone number: 1-877-242-2830
Reserve component members:E-mail:
[email protected]: (478) 327-2215 or DSN 497-2215Mail: HQ ARPC/DPS (Stop Loss Section)
6760 E. Irvington PlaceDenver, CO 80280
AIR FORCE MARINE CORPSANG IRR RESERVE
h. STATE OF LEGALRESIDENCE
SEPARATED
b. CHECK
f. TELEPHONE NUMBER(Include area code)
(2) CHECKING
Attachment 1
CLAIM FOR RETROACTIVE STOP LOSS PAYMENT
THIS PROGRAM ENDS ON OCTOBER 21, 2010 AND THIS CLAIM MUST BE FILED BY OCTOBER 21, 2010. Please type or print legibly.RETURN YOUR CLAIM TO THE SERVICE UNDER WHICH YOU SERVED WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY:
14 November 2010www.in.gov/dva Adobe Professional 8.0
PRIVACY ACT STATEMENTAUTHORITY: Public Law 111-32, Section 310; E.O. 9397.
PRINCIPAL PURPOSE(S): Solicitation of information contained herein may be used as a basis for retroactive stop loss pay determinations. Yourinformation will be used by the Services, for verification of eligibility and then by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service for payment ofRetroactive Stop Loss payments. The Military Departments describe how your information will be maintained in their Privacy Act System of RecordNotice.
ROUTINE USE(S): The DoD "Blanket Routine Uses" apply.
DISCLOSURE: Voluntary; however, failure to provide information requested on this form may result in the government's inability to provide benefitsunder the stop loss pay program. Your Social Security Number is being requested pursuant to E.O. 9397. The SSN and other identifyinginformation are needed to pay the proper person, ensure entitlement to benefits, and for tax purposes.
INSTRUCTIONSPURPOSE.
This form collects information for Military Department programs for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay as authorized and appropriated in Section310 of Public Law 111-32. This program compensates Service members, including members of the Reserve components, as well as former andretired members under the jurisdiction of the Secretary who, at any time during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending onSeptember 30, 2009, served on active duty while the Service member's enlistment or period of obligated service was extended, or whose eligibilityfor retirement was suspended pursuant to any provision of law authorizing the President to extend any period of obligated service, or suspendeligibility for retirement, of a Service member in time of war or of national emergency declared by Congress or the President. Only Service memberswho were honorably discharged from the Service and were under Stop Loss Authority while on Active Duty are eligible to apply for this specialpayment program. Service members who voluntarily reenlisted or extended their service or suspended their retirement and received a bonus forsuch reenlistment or extension of service are not eligible to receive the Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay.
GENERAL BACKGROUND STATEMENT.Under the "Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009", Public Law 111-32, the Military Departments are authorized to collect the information
needed to certify the claimant's eligibility to collect payment while under Stop Loss Authority. The Military Departments need this information toaccurately determine the time, amount, and taxability of the claim submitted for payment. If the claim is denied, the claimant can contact the Servicethey served in to submit their appeal. Final determination on granting benefits under this program is the responsibility of the Military Departments.You may be provided the opportunity personally to explain, refute, or clarify any information before a final decision is made. If you made claim toStop Loss payment under any other Public Law over the last two years, then you are not eligible to make a claim for the same time period under thisPublic Law.
CLAIMANT.If discharged, the Service member must have been honorably discharged. Veterans: The claimant is the veteran or an eligible recipient of the
veteran's estate of a deceased veteran. If claimant is incompetent, please include conservator documentation with this form. In addition, if paymentis being made to the veteran's estate, proper supporting documentation must also be submitted with this form. Non-submission of thisdocumentation will delay payment.
DOCUMENTATION.In addition to this form, submit documentation as listed below. The Military Departments may request additional documentation as necessary.
1. DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and/or DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214.2. Personnel record or enlistment or reenlistment document recording original expiration of service date.3. Approved retirement memorandum or orders establishing retirement prior to actual date of retirement as stipulated on DD Form 214 or DD Form
215.4. Approved resignation memorandum or transition orders establishing a separation date prior to actual date of separation as stipulated in DD Form
214 or DD Form 215.5. Signed documentation or affidavit from knowledgeable officials from the individual's chain of command acknowledging separation/deployment,
etc.
DD FORM 2944 INSTRUCTIONS, MAR 2010Attachments included (X one) YES NO
PREVIOUS EDITION IS OBSOLETE.
Attachment 1
CLAIM FOR RETROACTIVE STOP LOSS PAYMENT(Read Privacy Act Statement and Instructions before completing form.)
OMB No. 0704-0464
PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ORGANIZATION. RETURN COMPLETED FORM BY FIRST CLASS MAIL, EMAIL ORFAX TO THE SERVICE UNDER WHICH YOU SERVED WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY AT THE ADDRESS LISTED ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE.
The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gatheringand maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,including suggestions for reducing the burden, to the Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Executive Services Directorate, Information Management Division, 1155 DefensePentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1155 (0704-0464). Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply witha collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.
Delaware County CVSO Jerry Griffis recentlycirculated an e-mail from one of the latest AARPmagazines of an article entitled “Taking Aim at OldSoldiers” which talks about the seminars being con-ducted by some organizations. Seminars which targetveterans by encouraging them to incur unwise invest-ments in order to become eligible for VA Pension atthe A&A (Aid and Attendance) rate. I didn’t reprintthat article in this newsletter as there may be somecopyright issues, so I encourage all CVSOs to get acopy of that magazine and read the article, or contactsomeone who retained a copy of Jerry’s e-mail and getit that way.
Another e-mail I received was from a World War IIMerchant Marine member who was told there was arecently deceased Merchant Mariner who was not ac-corded funeral honors by a funeral home because, theysaid, he was not a veteran. I would ask that all CVSOcontact the funeral homes in their area and inform themthat the VA includes WWII era Merchant Mariners asveterans for funeral benefits. Specifically, those Ameri-can merchant marines who were in seagoing serviceduring World War II and those merchant seamen whowere on block ships in support of Operation Mulberry inthe WWII invasion of Normandy. In fact, it might be agood idea for everyone to review Chapter 9 (SpecialGroups of Veterans) of the Federal Benefits for Veter-ans, Dependents and Survivors.
I was recently contacted by a representative of theNational Resource Directory (NRD). It is a web site forwounded, ill and injured service members, veterans,their families and those who support them.
It provides access to services and resources at thenational, state and local levels to support recovery, reha-bilitation and community reintegration. Visitors can findinformation on a variety of topics including benefits &compensation, education & training, employment, fami-ly & caregiver support, health, homeless assistance,housing, transportation & travel and other services &resources from every state, including Indiana.
The NRD is a partnership among the Departmentsof Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs. The informa-tion contained within the NRD is from federal, state andlocal government agencies; veterans’ service and benefitorganizations; non-profit and community-based organi-zations; academic institutions and professional associa-tions that provide assistance to wounded warriors andtheir families. Find them at: www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov/
Mailing Deadlines forHolidays
The U.S. Postal Service announced that the recom-mended mailing deadline for sending economy-pricedholiday packages to servicemembers in Afghanistan,Iraq and other places around the world is Nov. 12. Otherdeadlines for arrival by Dec. 25 are Nov. 26 for space-available mail; Dec. 3 for parcel airlift mail; Dec. 10 forPriority Mail and First-Class Mail, letters and cards; andDec. 18 for Express Mail Military Service. Holidaypackages and mail headed for Iraq and Afghanistan mustbe sent a week earlier than the deadlines above. Forspecific restrictions and mailing prices to an APO/FPOaddress, visit the Postal Service's online price calculator,http://postcalc.usps.gov/, or a local post office, or call800-ASK-USPS.
Article from:Military ReportThe Military Community'sFREE Weekly Benefits & Quality of Life NewsletterMonday, 18 OCTOBER 2010
View The Newsletter Online athttp://www.military.com/NL_MR/1,14852,8602,00.html
For this issue of the IDVA Update I’m happy tobe able to provide a full 15-page newsletter onceagain. There is a lot going on in the veteran world andit can be a chore sometimes just keeping up with it.This would be a good place to thank Norm Sullivanfor the work he puts into The Eagle, the newsletter ofthe Indiana Veterans’ Service Officers’ Association.It’s amazing that our articles are rarely repeated inboth publication.
We try to keep everyone updated on things asthey happen via e-mail, and we always send a hard-copy to those few CVSOs who do not have computers.
