By Michael Rauh – Director, Chautauqua County Veterans Service Agency
To be of service is the main goal of the Chautauqua County Veterans Service Agency. We strive to be of service to our Brothers and Sisters who served in the military and to their families. We help Veterans and their dependents apply for various benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The best way for us to serve you is to schedule an appointment so we can focus on the benefits for which you may be eligible and how best to secure them.
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a wide range of benefits. The most common benefits used are VA Health Care, Non-Service Connected Pension, VA Compensation, Burial Benefits, and Survivor’s Benefits.
Please take a few moments to read this article then contact us. We are happy to help. These descriptions are a brief overview of each benefit. We can explain eligibility in more detail during your appointment.
VA Health Care
VA Heath Care – Is a Health Care Provider system for Veterans. It is not a health insurance policy.
There is no monthly premium for VA Health care. The only charges may be copays for appointments and prescriptions.
The VA uses income to determine eligibility and whether a Veteran may have co-pays. Income limits are not necessarily a bar to eligibility. There are several exceptions to the income limit. Some exceptions include Veterans recently separated from Active Duty, Veterans who served “In Country” in Vietnam, and Veterans receiving Compensation payments.
VA Health Care can provide Veterans with Primary Care, all types of Specialty care, Mental Health Counseling, Prescriptions, Eye Glasses, Hearing Aides, Medical Devices, Surgery, Help in the home, and much more.
In some circumstances, VA Health care can also provide care from outside medical providers.
Veterans enrolled in VA Health Care are also eligible to use local Urgent care facilities that have a VA contract. Veterans get up to 3 Urgent care visits per year.
Non-Service Connected Pension
Non-Service Connected Pension is a need based supplemental income program for War Time Veterans. In order to be eligible, the Veteran must have had, at least 90 days of military service, one day of which was during a War Time period. It is not necessary for a Veteran to have served in a Combat Theater to be eligible. Veterans must have an Honorable or General discharge as well.
Income limits depend upon the health of the claimant, the cost of health insurance, in home care providers, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes can be used to lower a claimant’s income for eligibility purposes.
A Veteran may receive up to $2,874 per month.
VA Compensation
VA Compensation ( a.k.a Service Connected Disability ) are payments made to Veterans for military related injuries and illnesses. Veterans may receive compensation for injuries that occurred on Active Duty or during Reserve or National Guard Training.
In order to file a claim for compensation, we must have 3 elements.
- A current diagnosis of a chronic medical problem.
- Evidence of an injury that occurred on active duty or in training. Evidence of exposure to toxic chemicals such as Agent Orange used in Vietnam, Burn pits in Iraq & Afghanistan, or Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune. Exposure to hazardous noise.
- A link or medical opinion between the current diagnosis and the Injury, Illness, or Exposure.
VA compensation can also be paid for Veterans experiencing Post Traumatic Stress from serving in a combat theater, from having been a victim of sexual assault, or living through a traumatic event that happen while in the military.
Military disabilities are rated from 0% to 100% based on the nature and severity of the disability or combination of multiple disabilities.
VA Compensation pays from $180.42 per month for a 10% rating to $3,938.58 or more for a 100% rating. Pay rates vary depending on several factors.
There are no copays in VA health care for any Service Connected disability rated 10% or more. For example, a Veteran with a 10% rating for a chronic back injury has no copays for treatment, prescriptions, surgery, physical therapy, or medical devices related to that injury.
Veteran rated 10% or more for any disability are eligible for free hearing aides and eye glasses from VA Health Care.
Any Veteran with a combined rating of 50% or more has no copays for VA Health Care or Prescriptions.
Veterans with a combined permanent and total rating of 100% are eligible for free Dental care.
Dependents of Veterans rated 100% permanent and total are eligible for free Health Insurance and Education Benefits.
VA Survivor’s Benefits
Thank you for taking a few minutes to explore your potential eligibility for benefits through The Department of Veterans Affairs.
There are two types of VA Survivor’s Benefits. The most common is often called “Widow’s Pension” or “Death Pension”. This benefit is the Survivor’s version of the Non-Service Connected Pension program discussed above.
Death Pension
Death Pension is a need based supplemental income program for Surviving Spouses of War Time Veterans. In order to be eligible, the Veteran must have had, at least 90 days of military service, one day of which was during a War Time period. It is not necessary for a Veteran to have served in a Combat Theater to be eligible. The Veteran must have had an Honorable or General discharge.
In order to be eligible, the surviving spouse must not have been divorced from the Veteran or remarried.
Income limits depend upon the health of the claimant, the cost of health insurance, in home care providers, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes can be used to lower a claimant’s income for eligibility purposes.
A surviving spouse may receive up to $1,558 per month.
Dependency Indemnity Compensation
The second Survivor’s Benefit is Dependency Indemnity Compensation. It is called “DIC” for short. DIC benefits apply when a Veteran dies on duty, from a military related disability, a medical condition related to military service, or if a Veteran was paid VA Compensation Benefits at the 100% rate for 10 years before their death.
Surviving spouses must meet marriage requirements. DIC Benefits currently pay from $1,669 to $2,480 per month depending on various criteria.
DIC Benefits also come with Education Benefits for dependents and a free health insurance supplement called CHAMPVA.
Burial Benefits
The VA provides a few different burial benefits that range from an American Flag and a Grave Marker. There are several types of Grave markers to include a traditional head stone, brass markers, and niche markers used for Columbariums.
Survivors of Veterans who were in receipt of Non-Service Connected Pension or VA Compensation Benefits at the time of death may receive to up to $2,000 towards the cost of burial.
We Are Happy to Help
Please be advised that the benefits descriptions provided are a brief summary. The application process can be complicated. The good news is that we here to help. We see our jobs as a calling and a way to keep alive the “Esprit de corps” from our military service. Please give us a call. Come on in. We are happy to help.
Our Offices
We have 2 Offices.
Jamestown Office
Our Jamestown office is staffed by:
Michael Rauh – Director & Service Officer
Carrie Finnerty – Administrative Aide
567 Fairmount Ave
( Warwick Plaza )
Jamestown, NY 14701
Phone number: 716-661-8255
Dunkirk Office
Service Officer Lori Dispenza runs the Dunkirk location.
D & F Plaza
1170 Central Ave. Suite 130
Dunkirk, NY 14048
Phone number: 716-268-6030
Website: chautauquacountyny.gov/veteran-services/Veteran-Services
