HOT TOPICS!
Economic Stimulus Payments
Normally, people receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs
for disability, pension or survivors' benefits are not subject to income
tax. However, the economic stimulus law passed in February contains a special
provision allowing recipients of certain veterans’ benefits to count
those benefits toward the qualifying income requirement of $3,000 and thereby
qualify for the stimulus payment.
Click on the link for more information. Link
to Article
Wright-Patterson Fisher and Nightingale Houses
The Wright-Patterson Fisher and Nightingale Houses, a private non-profit
501(c)3 charitable organization, provide an opportunity for military families
to stay together and support each other when a loved one is undergoing medical
treatment, providing physical and emotional support to our servicemen and
servicewomen and their families. A new house is projected to cost $2M, and
The Fisher House Foundation has challenged the Fisher/Nightingale Houses,
Inc. to try to raise $1M towards the new House.
For more information, click
this link for their web page: www.fnhi.org.
Combat Veterans Eligibility for Care Extended to Five Years Post Discharge
The President has signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law.
Combat veteran eligibility has been expanded from two years post discharge
to five years post discharge
.
Contact our office for application information
and assistance.
New Ohio Military-Related Laws
Estates of armed forces members who died while serving in a combat zone
are exempt from probate fees. This applies to the estates of decedents who
die on or after the effective date of this act - Dec. 20, 2007.
Exempts military retirement pay from the income tax, including national Guard
and Reservists. - Applies to taxable years beginning on or after January
1, 2008.
You can contact DFAS or our office for assistance.http://www.dfas.mil/
MIRF (Military Injury Relief Fund)
Grants eligible individuals $500. The person must have been physically injured,
including PTSD, in the line of duty while serving on active duty during OEF/OIF.
Contact our office for applications and information.
SCREENING AND EVALUATION OF POSSIBLE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) AND OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) VETERANS
TBI is a common form of injury in service men and women serving in OEF and/or
OIF. It is the Veterans Health Administration policy that all OEF and OIF veterans
receiving medical care, within VHA, must be screened for possible TBI; those
who, on the basis of the screen, might have TBI must be offered further evaluation
and treatment by clinicians with expertise in the area of TBI.
Click on this link for the directive and more information.www1.va.gov/optometry/docs/VHA_Directive_2007-013.pdf
High School Diplomas now available for:
World War II, Korean Conflict,
and Vietnam Conflict Veterans!
On March 29, 2006, Substitute House Bill 11 became law, allowing veterans
of World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Conflict, who left
high school prior to graduation to serve in the armed forces of the United
States, or who left school prior to graduation due to family circumstances
and subsequently entered the armed forces of the United States, to receive
their high school diploma. Family members of deceased veterans can also
apply and receive the veterans diploma posthumously. To qualify, the veteran
has to be "a resident of this state" or "was previously enrolled
in any high school in this state",
must have received an honorable discharge from the armed forces of the United
States for service during the specified dates, and not been previously granted
a high school diploma.
Stop in our office and see one of our Service Officers to complete the application.
Operation Uplink!
Operation Uplink is a unique program that keeps military personnel and hospitalized veterans in touch with their families and loved ones by providing them with a free phone card. Using contributions from supporters like you, Operation Uplink purchases phone cards and distributes them to servicemen and women who are separated from those they care about.
Click here to learn more!
Military Assistance (MAP)
Find out how you can help support our troops by clicking here.
