Some very good information that needs to get out to all:
New Law Helps Guard and Reserve Members with Debt Relief: The National Guard and Reserve Debt Relief Act of 2008 became public law 110-438. The law, sponsored by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), will ease bankruptcy rules for Guard and Reserve members who have served as active duty Soldiers. The law was drafted from complaints by guardsmen and reservists whose small businesses and personal finances dwindled due to recurring combat deployments. The law prevents courts from dismissing bankruptcy cases based on means-testing if the Guard or Reserve member has been on active duty since September 11, 2001 and was active for more than 90 days. The law is effective through the first year and a half following the Soldier's return home.
Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 Becomes Law: The Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 has become public law 110-389. The law pushes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use electronic filing and processing of claims to help expedite claim findings, reduce inconsistencies in decisions involving similar issues, and decrease the number of claims that end up being overturned. The law also creates a new authority to provide a temporary disability rating for those veterans who have severe and multiple disabilities that are not fully healed.
Law Grants Special Allowance to Certain Survivors: The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (110-181) established a special payment for surviving spouses who are Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) beneficiaries, but whose SBP annuity is reduced by their Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). The 2009 National Defense Authorization Act added survivors of members who died on active duty to those eligible. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service- Cleveland (DFAS-CL) will automatically pay Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance (SSIA) to surviving spouses whose SBP accounts show a DIC offset beginning October 2008. Surviving spouses entitled to SSIA can update their bank account information by contacting DFAS-CL at 1-800-321-1080 or by calling your Retirement Services Officer.
Survivor Benefit Plan's "Paid Up" Status Began October 1st: Retirees who have paid as least 360 Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) premiums and are at least 70 years old were considered "paid-up" as of October 1st. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) will stop the payments automatically.
5.8% COLA Increase Applies to Veterans and Survivors: President Bush signed the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act of 2008 into public law 110-324 in September. Disabled veterans and survivors receiving the dependency and indemnity compensation will receive a 5.8% benefit increase to match the hike in Social Security. Though the increase takes effect on December 1st, it will first appear in January's checks.
Apply for Veterans' Benefits in Advance: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a program available for injured active-duty Servicemembers to submit their claims for benefits prior to separation from active-duty. The program, "Benefits Delivery at Discharge," attempts to avoid new veterans from being caught-up in a backlog of claims for benefits. Claims can be filed within 180 days of discharge. However, the claim is not fully processed until the Servicemember leaves active-duty. A preliminary disability rating is determined based on physical exams and a review of medical records in order to reduce waiting for the first disability check. The program is available at major U.S. military bases, to include Coast Guard facilities and at regional VA offices.
VA is Now Accepting Online Claims Applications: The VA is now accepting online applications (VONAPP) for initial applications for disability compensation, pension, education, and vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits. VONAPP allows users to apply without the hassles of location, postage costs and time delays through mail delivery. VONAPP also provides a link to apply for VA health care benefits.
Regards,
Tim and Pam Cash
Crye-Leike Realtors
thecashteam@cashsofclarksville.com
931-338-1375 or 931-436-7617
The Cash Team - Making Dreams come true one home at a time.
Proudly Serving the Citizens of Clarksville and Soldiers of Fort Campbell
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