Each veteran, veteran’s spouse (or another immediate family member), and caregiver should have a VA Welcome Kit. The kit is available in black and white and in color online. The black and white copy is found at https://bit.ly/3ABG5yV.
If a veteran does not have a computer, printer, and access to the internet, they can ask their local S.C. County Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or Georgia VSO (Savannah, Hinesville, Fort Stewart area) to print and give them a copy. VA Welcome Kits are also made available to separating military members.
Most of the basic information in this article can be found on Pages 29 and 30 of the VA Welcome Kit titled, Hello, Welcome to the VA and at the VA Geriatrics and Extended Care website at https://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/.
The VA Welcome Kit will help veterans access services that may be of interest to aging Veterans which may include financial benefits, health care, caregiver support, home health care, and nursing home care. VA can provide specialized health care and support services for aging Veterans and help you plan for the future.
The aging veteran’s VA Social Worker can help
Veterans should know their VA Social worker because he or she can help a veteran to apply for aging services. See The Island News article published on July 21, 2021, titled Veterans Should Know Their VA Social Worker found at https://bit.ly/3cyKM4r, to learn more about VA Social Workers.
Types of benefits and services available for aging veterans, families
Some of the benefits and services available to aging Veterans include Disability Pension, Aid and Attendance, and Housebound Allowance.
Disability Pension is payable to veterans of a period of war who are permanently and totally disabled or who are age 65 or older and whose annual income is below certain levels prescribed by statute. Aid and Attendance is a higher monthly pension amount paid if the veteran meets at least one of the following conditions: (1) the veteran requires help performing activities of daily living, which may include bathing, eating, or dressing, (2) the veteran is bedridden, in that the veteran’s disabilities require that he or she remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment, (3) the veteran is a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, (4) the veteran’s eyesight is limited to a corrected 5/200 visual acuity or less in both eyes or a decrease in the visual field to 5 degrees or less.
Housebound Allowance. A housebound allowance is a higher monthly pension amount paid if you are substantially confined to your immediate premises because of a permanent disability.
For more information about Disability Pension, Aid and Attendance, or Housebound benefits, veterans can call myVA411 at 800-698-2411. Veterans can also go online and read the information at the VA’s Disability Pension Eligibility site at https://www.va.gov/pension/eligibility.
The VA’s Aid and Attendance or Housebound Benefit information website is found at https://bit.ly/3wHj1xj.
Accessing services for aging veterans by mobile device (phone, iPad, etc.) or computer
Telehealth is a program where veterans can talk to a provider, nurse, social worker, or health care team on a mobile device, a computer in the veteran’s home, or at a local VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). Veterans can ask their VA health care providers for help connecting them with the Telehealth program, and about eligibility requirements for VA health care. Veterans may also want to read the two-part The Island News article titled Learning about VA Telehealth Services, which was published on July 20 and 27, 2022, and can be found at www.yourislandnews.com.
Burial benefits
Burial Benefits and Memorial Services include a gravesite in any of 136 national cemeteries, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Certificate at no cost to the family. For more information go to:
Planning Your Legacy: VA Survivor and Burial Benefits Kit: https://bit.ly/3QZXU1t.
Burial Benefits: https://bit.ly/3PYV7V4.
The Island News
Veterans may also want to read the following The Island News articles to help understand VA Memorial Benefits, End-of-life planning, and VA Hospice:
End-of-life Planning and Hospice (Article 1 of 4), published on June 2, 2021, at https://bit.ly/3cw8nTa.
End-of-Life Planning and Hospice (Article 2 of 4), published on June 9, 2021, at https://bit.ly/3QZXpV9.
End-of-Life Planning and VA Hospice Program (Article 3 of 4), published on June 16, 2021, at https://bit.ly/3e6odEK.
Do not wait – help your family and plan now for end-of-life and hospice (Article 4 of 4), published on June 23, 2021, at https://bit.ly/3CIjqn4.
Three VA Administrations and VA Memorial Benefits, published on January 19, 2022, at https://bit.ly/3R4CJLQ.
VA Health Care is available to aging and eligible veterans
Geriatrics is health care for veterans facing the challenges of aging, disability, and chronic diseases. Extended care – also known as Long Term Services and Support or long-term care – is a broad spectrum of services for veterans of all ages who need the daily support and assistance of another individual. Veterans of any age can receive Geriatric and Extended Care services at home, at VA medical centers and clinics, and in the community. That care includes:
Geriatrics programs in hospitals and clinics including geriatric research.
Home Based Services include skilled home care, Home Based Primary Care, and Home Health Aide.
Community-Based Services including adult day health care and caregiver respite.
Skilled nursing facility and nursing home care provided in VA, Community, and State Veterans Home facilities.
Dementia care in all care settings.
Hospice and palliative care in the home, hospital, or nursing facility.
Applying for aging veterans’ VA Benefits and Services. Veterans can apply in any of these ways:
Apply online using https://www.va.gov OR
Work with an accredited Veteran Service Organization (VSO) or agent. You can find a VSO at https://bit.ly/3AUbfCT OR
Write to the Pension Management Center (PMC) that serves your state. You can find your PMC at https://bit.ly/3CHqQaj OR
Call myVA411 at 800-698-2411 and talk to a VA staff member.
Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee assist you. The nearest VA Regional Office Headquarters to the coastal S.C. counties is the Columbia Regional Office, located at 6437 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, S.C. 2920. The Columbia office phone number is 803-647-2488 and the email address is VetAsst.VBACMS@va.gov. Regional offices also have satellite offices. Here are VBA satellite offices in the footprint of The Island News.
Savannah, Ga. Veteran Center is 39.1 miles from Beaufort. It is located at the Savannah Vet Center, 321 Commercial Drive, Savannah, Ga. 31406. Phone number 912-961-5800.
Charleston, S.C. Vet Center is 47.7 miles from Beaufort. It is located at 3625 West Montague Avenue, North Charleston, S.C. 29418. Phone number 843-789-7000.
Things needed to apply
DD214 or other official separation paperwork.
Copies of any evidence such as reports from an attending physician validating the need for Aid and Attendance or Housebound type care.
Complete VA Form 21-2680, Examination for housebound status or permanent need for regular aid and attendance. You can find the form at https://bit.ly/3ATfs9P.
The VA or your local VSO can assist you in obtaining the records needed to apply for benefits.
Other Questions You May Have
Who is a caregiver? A caregiver is a person who cares for a Veteran who needs assistance with everyday activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. This may be a spouse, adult child, relative, or close friend.
Are there VA resources for caregivers of Veterans? Yes, you and your caregiver may be eligible for benefits and programs such as: (1) Caregiver education and training, (2) Mental health services and counseling related to the Veteran’s treatment, and (3) Respite care.
Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers may also be eligible for: (1) A monthly stipend, (2) Certain travel expenses, and (3) Access to health care benefits through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA)
For more information:
Call the VA National Caregiver Support Line at 855-260-3274, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The national number is answered quickly.
Visit the VA online at www.caregiver.va.gov.
Find a Caregiver Support Coordinator supporting your local VA Medical Center. The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Care Giver Support phone number is 843-789-7959. You may have to leave a message. Local Coordinators are only available by phone of video call.
A complete list of SC County Veteran Affairs Offices is found at: https://scdva.sc.gov/county-veterans-affairs-offices. County VSOs in the immediate The Island News footprint include:
Beaufort County (Co). The Beaufort County Veterans Service Office is located at 100 Clear Water Way, Beaufort, S.C. 29906, The phone no. is 843-255-6880, and the fax no. is 843-255-9445. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, by appointment only. Website https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/veterans-affairs/index.html.
Colleton Co., Janet D. Smith, 843-549-1412, cvao@colletoncounty.org.
Charleston Co., David J. LeBlanc, Sr., 843-974-6360, vaoffice@charlestoncounty.org.
Hampton Co., Sharon Johnson, 803-914-2085/2087, sjohnson@hamptoncountysc.org.
Dorchester Co., Johnny K. Brown, 843-832-0050, JKBrown@dorchestercountysc.gov.
Jasper Co., Alton Jenkins, 843-726-7727, ajenkins@jaspercountysc.gov.
Chatham County, Georgia: Reggie Louis, 912-920-0214, Ext. 2194, reggie.lewis2@va.gov, 1170 Shawnee Street, Savannah, Ga. 31419.
Liberty County & Hinesville, Georgia, Charles Isaac, 912-408-2948, charles.isaac@vs.state.ga.us, 500 East Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, Ga. 31313.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing freelance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
