2013 NSO Annual Training

Transcription

1 2013 NSO Annual Training

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3 Burial Benefits Veterans discharged from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable and service members who die while on active duty. Service after September 7, 1980, must be for a minimum of 24 months continuous active duty or be completed under special circumstances.

4 VA Form , Application for Standard Government Headstone and Marker. VA Form M, Claim for Government Medallion Copy of the Veteran s military discharge documents

5 Who Can Apply? 1. Decedent's next-of-kin (NOK) 2. Authorized representative on behalf of decedent 3. Authorized representative on behalf of next-of-kin

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9 Veteran who served during wartime Veteran who died on active duty after May 27, 1941 Veteran who served after January 31, 1955 Peacetime Veteran who was discharged or released before June 27, 1950 Certain persons who served in the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of the US Armed Forces and who died on or after April 25, 1951 Certain former members of the Selected Reserves

10 The flag is given to the next-of-kin VA Form , Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes Copy of the Veteran s military discharge documents

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12 Burial benefits available for Veterans: a gravesite in a National Cemetery or State Cemetery with available space opening and closing of the grave perpetual care of the grave Burial benefits available for spouses: burial in a National Cemetery with the Veteran (shared plot) eligible spouses may be buried, even if they predecease the Veteran in death

13 There are NO benefits available to spouses and dependents buried in a private cemetery.

14 Upon the family's request, Public Law requires that every eligible Veteran receive a military funeral honors ceremony, to include folding and presenting the United States burial flag and the playing of Taps. The law defines a military funeral honors detail as consisting of two or more uniformed military persons, with at least one being a member of the Veteran's parent service of the armed forces.

15 The VA does NOT make funeral arrangements or perform cremations. Families should make these arrangements with a funeral provider or cremation provider. Any item or service obtained from a funeral home or cremation provider will be at the family s expense. VA personnel cannot recommend a funeral provider or make funeral arrangements on behalf of a family.

16 A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of honorablydischarged deceased Veterans.

17 Burial and Interment Allowances

18 VA burial allowances are partial reimbursements of an eligible veteran's burial and funeral costs. When the cause of death is not service related, the reimbursements are generally described as two payments: (1) a burial and funeral expense allowance (2) a plot or interment allowance

19 You may be eligible if: Who Is Eligible? You paid for a Veteran s burial or funeral, AND You have not been reimbursed by another government agency or some other source, such as the deceased Veteran s employer, AND The Veteran was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable

20 Who Is Eligible? And at least one of the following must be met: The Veteran died because of a service-related disability, OR The Veteran was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death, OR The Veteran was entitled to receive VA pension or compensation, but decided not to reduce his/her military retirement or disability pay, OR

21 Who Is Eligible? The Veteran died while hospitalized by VA, or while receiving care under VA contract at a non- VA facility, OR The Veteran died while traveling under proper authorization and at VA expenses to or from a specified place for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care, OR

22 Who Is Eligible? The Veteran had an original or reopened claim pending at the time of death and has been found entitled to compensation or pension from a date prior to the date of death, OR The Veteran died on or after October 9, 1966, while a patient at a VA-approved state nursing home

23 How Much Does VA Pay? Service-Related Death Up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths on or after September 11, 2001 Up to $1,500 for deaths prior to September 10, 2001

24 How Much Does VA Pay? Non-service-Related Death For deaths on or after October 1, 2011 Up to $700 toward burial and funeral expenses (if hospitalized by VA at time of death) $300 toward burial and funeral expenses (if not hospitalized by VA at time of death) $700 plot-interment allowance

25 How Much Does VA Pay? Non-service-Related Death For deaths on or after December 1, 2001, but before October 1, 2011 Up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses and $300 plot-internment allowance For deaths prior to December 1, 2001 $150 plot-interment allowance

26 VA Form , Application for Burial Benefits Copy of the Veteran s military discharge document NOTE: An annual increase in burial and plot allowances, for deaths occurring after October 1, 2011, begins in fiscal year 2013 based on the consumer Price Index for the preceding 12-month period

27 Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Survivor s Pension Accrued Benefits

28 Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Married to a Servicemember who died on active duty, active duty training or inactive duty training, OR Validly married the Veteran before January 1, 1957, OR Married the Veteran within 15 years of discharge from the period of military service in which the disease or injury that caused the Veteran s death began or was aggravated, OR

29 Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Was married to the Veteran for at least one year, OR Had a child with the Veteran, AND Cohabited with the Veteran continuously until the Veteran s death or, if separated, was not at fault for the separation, AND Is not currently remarried

30 Survivors Pension For service on or before September 7, 1980, the Veteran must have served at least 90 days of active military service, with at least one day during a war time period. If he or she entered active duty after September 7, 1980, generally he or she must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty with at least one day during a war time period. Was discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions.

31 Survivors Pension For service on or before September 7, 1980, the Veteran must have served at least 90 days of active military service, with at least one day during a war time period. If he or she entered active duty after September 7, 1980, generally he or she must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty with at least one day during a war time period. Was discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions.

32 World War I (April 6, 1917-November 11, 1918) World War II (December 7, 1941-December 31, 1946) Korean conflict (June 27, 1950-January 31, 1946) Vietnam era (February 28, 1961-May 7, 1975 for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period; otherwise August 5, 1964-May 7, 1975) Gulf War (August 2, 1990-through a future date to be set by law)

33 Survivors Pension Based on yearly family income, which must be less than the amount set by Congress to qualify. Survivors Pension is calculated to be an amount equal to the difference between your countable family income and the annual pension limit set by Congress. Countable income includes from most sources as well as from any eligible dependents. Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) 2011=$8,219 (without dependent) To be deducted, medical expenses must exceed 5% of MAPR or $410

34 Survivors Pension EXAMPLE The annual income limit on December 1, 2005, for a spouse without a dependent, as set by Congress, is $7,094 and income is $6,000, VA Survivors Pension will be $1, 094. ($7,000-$6,000=$1,094) If your total countable income is more than $7,094 in this example, then you are not eligible for VA Survivor Pension for that year.

35 Survivors Pension EXAMPLE A portion of your unreimbursed medical expenses (UME) (what was paid out of pocket) may reduce your countable income. You can apply the portion of the UME only if the expenses exceed 5% of the maximum annual rate. Using the same example if your medical expenses for a year are $8,000 and your medical insurance pays $6,400 of that, your UME is $1,600. ($8,000-$6,400=$1,600)

36 UME must exceed 5% 5% of $7,094 is $354 Since your UME ($1,600) in this example are greater than $354, the portion of the UME that exceeds $354 is $1,246. ($1,600-$354=$1,246) This amount may be deducted from your total combined income which then increases the amount VA will pay.

37 The $1,246 out of pocket medical expenses will reduce your income from $6,000 to $4,754 ($6,000-$1,246=$4,754) VA Pension would then be $2,340 for that year. $7,094 (Maximum rate for a spouse with no dep) -$4,754 (total income after deducting UME) $2,340

38 Accrued Benefits Benefits were due the veteran based on existing ratings, decisions, or evidence in VA s possession at the time of death but the benefits were not paid before the veteran s death; AND You are the surviving spouse, child, or dependent parent of the deceased veteran VA pays accrued benefits in the following order: 1. Spouse 2. Children of the Veteran (in equal shares) 3. Dependent parents (in equal shares)

39 To apply for any of the three Survivor Benefits use forms: VA or EZ for Surviving Spouse or child VA for Surviving Parents

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