Soldier Suicide Gets Some Primetime Exposure
I’d like to thank Ken Amaro from First Coast News for doing a story on Once a Soldier. FCN enjoys helping veterans in the area and this was a great chance for us to get some serious local exposure. As a young nonprofit, and one that’s built from the digital ground up, credibility is one of our early year goals. I feel we’ve crossed some major milestones and are getting our feet solidly under us in that area. Ken answering my call is a great step up for us, and he will always be one of our Silver Linings.
By way of a story behind the story, I filled out Ken’s online intake form that asked for a brief description of the story. It wasn’t thirty minutes after I submitted it that he called and we set an appointment. Even more amazing, he came out to me and we shot the interview in an hour.
During that hour, Ken asked very good questions and allowed me to inform him about our mission, the need that we face, and how I found this cause. To answer that for you, it was a combination of a few things. First, I have a co-worker, Mallory, who was a young newlywed Navy bride. Her husband, a helicopter pilot, was deployed for 8 months. 8 months! It was then that I realized that the family serves just like the soldier does.
Second, a friend of mine on Facebook took up the 22 in 22 challenge that brought the issue to my attention. Finally, the Google ad grant allows those nonprofits who qualify a very generous monthly ad budget. Taking advantage of that to build this nonprofit, along with the emotional engagement, makes this a pleasure.
Ken Amaro also gave me a link to my site from his site. This is important for SEO for the nonprofit, as well. I’d like to ge more, and we will, but this is a good start.
On the downside, I don’t know if the story really captured what we do in the clearest manner. I know that the mission is simple, and Ken did a great job communicating that. I only watched it once, so I don’t want to make too much of any little off center part of his story. (for example, we’re a Ponte Vedra nonprofit, not a Jacksonville one.) He did a great job and I am thankful to him and his cameraman for doing such a professional job.
Click here to see the video that aired today.
Here’s is the transcript of their story found online:
Jacksonville nonprofit plans to help families of veterans who committed suicide
A 2013 study by the Department of Veteran Affairs found what some are calling the unimaginable. It revealed as many as 22 veterans commit suicide each day.
Author: Kenneth Amaro
Published: 5:05 PM EDT October 15, 2018
Updated: 7:21 PM EDT October 15, 2018
JACKSONVILLE, Fl — A 2013 study by the Department of Veteran Affairs found what some are calling the unimaginable. It revealed as many as 22 veterans commit suicide each day.
“You can’t even imagine it,” said David Barbush, “That’s correct. Twenty-two a day.”
Barbush, a social media marketing executive, said this public health issue has broader ramifications.
“That’s 22 families and they’re left with a mess to clean up financially and emotionally,” he said.
Inspired by a co-worker in 2017, Barbush created Once A Solider. It is a nonprofit to help those families.
“It is a heartbreaking event. I cry every time when I talk with them there’s a need out there,” said Barbush.
The VA’s maximum allowed burial benefits for the families of these veterans is $2000, not enough at times to help those left behind.
“It is a sad story in the best of circumstance they will get $1000 – $2000 for funeral benefits,” said Barbush.
He said he is not blaming the VA nor Congress, he is just helping families.
“We are going to do what we can one family at a time,” he said.
In January 2019, Once A Soldier will give the family of Cedrick Taylor of Connecticut $1000. In February, the nonprofit will provide help the family of Jerad Johns of South Carolina.
“We’re going to get one family every month,” he said, “That is my goal for 2019.”
Barbush was moved by an email he received from the mother of Cedrick Taylor. She simply said thank you for your help.
Barbush said Once A Solider is the silver lining for those military families coping with the darkness of suicide.
“Nonprofits have a way of getting things done when government cannot and that’s what this is getting things done,” he said.
The nonprofit has a major fundraiser planned for December. To learn more about Once A Soldier click on the link below:
Reprinted by Permission from The Assisted Living Research Center
Their superb and comprehensive page for Assisted Living Benefits for Veterans can be found here. This repost contains all of their original links, as well as links to their site’s home page. Their research offers more than just raw data and information – they add deep insights and real solutions to problems seniors, caregivers and influencers face every day.
The mission of Assisted Living Research Center is this: We are committed to improving aging adults’ quality of life by leveraging our data-driven research and expert-informed insights to inform critical decisions made by seniors, caregivers, influencers, and leaders in the senior care industry.
Information is power when it comes to getting all the benefits you’re entitled to. Their information is a great asset for those whose lives have been altered by the death of a loved one, a veteran who’s looking for housing, and the families of all concerned. I am pleased that they have shared this information with my audience. Please read on for their guide to Assisted Living for Veterans:
Veterans who are injured in the line of duty face many challenges when they return home, including the inability to live an independent life. Whether fully or partially disabled, many need assistance with daily activities.
Thankfully, there are assisted living options that can help veterans who have disabilities, as well as elderly veterans who need help as they grow older. There are two basic ways for eligible veterans to receive assistance: obtain an assisted living benefit from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or apply for residency in a veteran’s home.
This guide contains information about the benefit programs available from the VA. Read on to learn whether you are eligible, how to apply, and what programs are available in your state.
How Assisted Living Supports Disabled and Senior Veterans
Veterans who come back home with disabilities may no longer be able to live in the homes they left. With some disabilities, veterans have a need for accessible housing, or may need support services if they are unable to live independently.
As they age, elderly veterans experience the same declines in function that all seniors do. When veterans get older, they may be unable to maintain the tasks of independent daily life, including hygiene, housekeeping, and meal preparation.
Assisted living facilities are communities where veterans live in an apartment or rented room. The community typically has shared living spaces, including a dining room and recreational areas with social and entertainment activities. At an assisted living facility, veterans can benefit from trained caregiver assistance, which can offer support for:
- Hygiene, including bathing, dressing and toileting
- Housekeeping, including laundry and cleaning
- Meal preparation
- Medication reminders
- Medical care
Assisted Living Benefits from the Veterans Administration
The VA offers increased pensions to pay for assisted living care.
Aid & Attendance and Housebound
Veterans and survivors may be eligible for Aid & Attendance or Housebound allowances. These types of allowances are paid on top of the regular monthly pension. They are sometimes referred to as a VA assisted living benefit, improved pension, or veterans elder care benefits. These benefits are designed to help senior and disabled veterans pay for care offered from an assisted living facility.
While the specific benefit amount depends on your Maximum Annual Pension Rate category, qualifying for Aid & Attendance or housebound status can offer thousands in additional pension benefits each year. A housebound veteran without dependents can get an additional pension benefit of $2,923 annually. A veteran without dependents who qualifies for Aid & Attendance can get an additional $8,796 annually. Note that you can’t receive both an Aid & Attendance and Housebound benefit, only one or the other.
Eligibility: VA pension eligibility is required, which means you must meet certain income and active duty requirements. Additionally, veterans must also be age 65 or older with limited or no income, totally and permanently disabled, a patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care, receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, or receiving Supplemental Security Income.
To qualify for Aid & Attendance, veterans or survivors must meet at least one condition:
- Require the aid of another person for personal functions such as bathing, feeding, dressing, toileting, or adjusting prosthetic devices
- Bedridden or required to remain in bed except for prescribed courses of convalescence or treatment
- Nursing home patient due to mental or physical incapacity
- Eyesight limited to corrected 5/200 visual acuity or less in both eyes or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less
- Overall, qualifying for the Housebound monthly pension increase requires you to be effectively confined to your home due to permanent disability.
Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Services
With the Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Services program, veterans can get help paying for skilled services, case management, and assistance with daily living activities including bathing and meal preparation. The program offers veterans a flexible budget for services and the ability to hire their own personal care aides.
Eligibility: This benefit is part of the VHA Standard Medical Benefits Package, so all enrolled veterans are eligible if they are determined to have the clinical need for the service, providing it’s available in their area. Veterans of all ages who served in active military service and were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable are eligible for the VHA Standard Medical Benefits Package. For example, veterans who have served for 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty are eligible. Veterans who were discharged for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or for a hardship or early out are eligible. Those who served prior to September 7th are eligible. Reserves or National guard members who have active duty for training purposes only are not eligible.
Veterans Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
Community Living Centers
VA community living centers are similar to a nursing home and designed to support veterans of all ages with 24-hour skilled nursing care, restorative care, access to social work services, and geriatric evaluation and management. Some centers also provide mental health recovery care, special care for veterans with dementia or other cognitive deficits, respite care, palliative care, and hospice care. There are activities for veterans of all ages and family-friendly visiting areas. Pets are allowed to visit or live in the center, and veterans are invited to decorate their rooms. Typically, veterans stay at community living centers for a short period of time, but some stay for the rest of their lives.
Eligibility: Community living centers accept veterans based on clinical need and setting availability. You must be enrolled in the VA health system and be medically and psychiatrically stable. There are certain criteria for service-connected status, level of disability, and income. Contact your local community living center for more information.
Armed Forces Retirement Home
The Armed Forces Retirement Home is a retirement community for American military veterans. Qualifying veterans can live in the retirement home, which offers activities, meals, wellness programs, and advanced care. The wellness center offers care from a nurse or doctor, pharmacy services, nutrition guidance, physical therapy, occupational therapy, dental care and podiatry care. There are two locations: one in Washington, D.C., and another in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Eligibility: To be considered eligible, veterans of the armed forces must not have been in active, commissioned service for more than half of their career, unless they served as a warrant officer or limited-duty officer. Other requirements include:
At least 60 years of age and discharged or released from service under honorable conditions after 20 or more years of active service
Determined to be incapable of earning a livelihood due to a service-connected disability in the line of duty
Served in a war theater during a time of war, or eligible for hostile fire special pay
Served in a women’s component of the armed forces before June 12, 1948 and eligible for admission under compelling personal circumstances
Veterans must be able to live independently upon admission. However, advanced care with skilled nursing is available if needed later.
State Veterans Homes
State veterans homes offer nursing home, residential care, or adult day care services. Although they are formally recognized and certified by the VA, State Veterans Homes are owned and operated by each individual state. Homes may receive payments from the VA to reduce the cost of care.
Eligibility: Like Community living centers, state veterans homes accept veterans based on clinical need and setting availability. Eligibility and admission criteria will vary by state, as each state sets it own criteria. Contact your local state veterans home to learn about eligibility and admission. Typically, homes require that veterans are honorably discharged from military service with a minimum of 90 days of service, of which one was during a wartime period, must be a resident of the state during the immediate past 12 months, a recent medical exam showing that a veteran does not need care that exceeds that of the home, and not have felony or fugitive status.
Working With A Veterans Benefits Planner
There are many benefits available to veterans, and it’s not always easy to understand how to qualify for or make the most of available benefits. Veterans benefits planners offer veterans or surviving spouses guidance for available benefits and can offer assistance with applications, representation, and appeals.
How Veterans Benefits Planners Help
Veterans may consider working with a veterans benefits planner to simplify the process of receiving benefits, and potentially receive greater benefits than they’d be able to receive by working without a planner. Planners can make disability and pension claims less complicated, prevent obstacles, and speed up the claims process so veterans receive benefits faster.
A knowledgeable veterans benefit advisor can help veterans and their families maximize their eligibility requirements. For example, planners may be aware of exceptions to income limits such as homes, vehicles, and life insurance policies. A planner can be helpful in obtaining military or medical records to support claims as well.
The services offered by veterans benefits planners depends on the type of advisor and their association with the VA. For example, Veterans Service Officers are employed by the VA or veterans groups such as the American Legion and can assist with application preparation, filing, and working on claims. Veterans pension planners are not typically associated with the VA, though some may be accredited. These planners help families plan their finances to receive the maximum benefit amount. Accreditation is important if you want an advisor to officially represent you as you make a claim.
This chart offers more information on the types of veterans benefits planners and what they offer:
Services offered by veterans benefit planners typically include:
Education: A planner can advise veterans and their families on benefits they may be eligible for. At this stage, planners typically help veterans structure their finances to maximize their benefits.
Application: Planners can help veterans prepare their application and determine which additional forms and supporting documentation are necessary. Gathering the right documentation is key, as omitting important documentation can result in a delay or denial, but sending more documentation than necessary can result in a delay as well. If additional documentation is requested, the planner can help with that as well.
Appeal: If your claim has been denied, an advisor (typically an attorney) can review the reason for the claim denial and determine whether there are grounds for an appeal. They can assist with appeal paperwork and additional supporting evidence, as well as present the case at the hearing.
Veterans benefits planners often assist with claims including:
Aid & Assistance pension
Housebound pension
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
Disability Compensation
Burial Benefits
Survivors/Death Pensions
Enrollment in the veterans’ health care program
Admission to a state veterans’ home
The Cost of Veterans Benefits Planners
Veterans benefits planners typically offer their services at no charge, except for attorneys who work to overturn denied claims. Legally, no person or organization can charge a fee for assistance in preparing applications for VA benefits or presenting claims to the VA.
Planners who work for the VA for non-profit organizations are paid a salary and receive no compensation directly from veterans. However, attorneys and other advisors can charge for claims appeal and related services including estate planning.
Typically, attorneys or planners may offer free assistance in preparing applications. If a claim is denied, the attorney or planner will then charge a fee to overturn the appeal. This is typically a percentage of the benefits, or by the hour or project.
To View the Assisted Living Page that continues with a state by state list of veterans homes, please click here and scroll down to the State-Sponsored Veterans Homes Map. It looks like this:
It breaks down the home available in alphabetical order for each state. Smaller states tend to have only one location, with Maine being a notable exception. States like Florida and California list 6 and 7, respectively.
I’d like to thank the Assisted Living Research Institute for offering to share their valuable veterans content.
