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Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities. Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Tuesday & Wednesday at 7AM Central.
Take control of your medical evidence related to your benefits and visit https://podcast.prestigeveteranmctx.info/veteran/ for more information and to connect directly with us!
Hey guys, it's Leah V from Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting. I'm a US Army veteran, physician assistant, and former compensation and pension examiner. So today, we're gonna do a video that's a little bit different than the typical videos that we do, but I feel like it's it should be somewhat helpful to some people. We've been doing a series of videos on on topics that are not necessarily claims related videos or medical related videos, but just sort of resource related videos for veterans. So we did, like, a clothing allowance video.
Leah Bucholz:We did a video on, like, the foreign medical program. We did one on automobile allowances and we've gotten some good feedback. So I wanted to do another video today about emergency financial assistance. So again, welcome back. Today's episode could be a lifeline for someone watching and we're gonna dive deep into some of those emergency financial assistance programs for veterans.
Leah Bucholz:So we're gonna try to do a full overview of what's out there, how to qualify, how many veterans often apply for some of these programs. Again, I'm trying to be all inclusive, but if you guys have some great ones, we'll talk about it at the end. I'd love to hear your comments and different resources you've used in the past as well. So this is more than just about programs. It's about preserving dignity, security, peace of mind during financial hardships.
Leah Bucholz:So why does this topic matter? So veterans may face unexpected financial strain from job loss, injury, divorce, natural disasters, or even delayed benefits, which we all know happens often unfortunately. And while help exists, many don't know that it's what is available and they don't know where to start. So today hopefully we can shine a light on that and fix some of that. So let's start with VA.
Leah Bucholz:So VA has a financial hardship so VA has financial hardship programs. So medical co payment relief, if you owe co pays for VA health care, you can apply for a hardship exemption. You can request a repayment plan. You can even request a waiver of the debt entirely. So there's VA form ten-10HS, which usually requires proof of monthly income, household expenses, a short explanation of your hardship.
Leah Bucholz:You can submit this online through My HealtheVet or by mail or fax. There should be some instructions on that form. You can also get with your VSO. They should be able to help look over that with you. The debt management center, this applies to benefit overpayments, like if your disability rating change retroactively and they ask for repayment, you can request a repayment plan, a compromise offer, a complete waiver.
Leah Bucholz:The phone number that's listed on va.gov is (800) 827-0648 or you can visit va.gov/managevadebt. Real life examples. Okay, so a Gulf War vet had a benefit overpayment of $3,800 after a rating adjustment. Instead of panicking, he contacted DMC and submitted a hardship waiver, and they approved it with zero repayment. So some other people that kinda get in this situation are people that are in combo two or three, right, reservists and national guardsmen who are still drilling and maybe also collecting VA benefits.
Leah Bucholz:You should be able to elect, you should be getting a form like once a year that says, would you like to elect to waive your VA pay? Or you can proactively elect to waive one or the other. But if you don't do anything and then a debt is incurred because you're getting, you're double dipping on that pay, that reserve or drill pay and your VA disability, they're gonna calculate that and it may create a debt, right? So that happens very frequently. So VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families or SSVF.
Leah Bucholz:This program is not run directly by the VA but it is funded by the VA and delivered by local nonprofits. So it covers emergency rent and utilities, moving costs, childcare support, job training, legal services, things like transportation. So there are some qualifiers, right? So you must be a veteran with very low income. You must be at risk of homelessness or recently homeless.
Leah Bucholz:You can go online and search SSVF plus your zip code or visit va.gov/homeless/ssvf. So the VA homelessness assistance programs, are some. So even if you're not technically homeless, yet you may still qualify. So hud dash v a s h combines housing vouchers from HUD with VA case management, grant and per diem, short term transitional housing. So there's a national call center for homeless veterans, and that number is 7080, that's AID slash vet.
Leah Bucholz:So you do not have to be enrolled in VA healthcare to get help from that hotline, okay? You can just call. So there are state veterans emergency assistance programs. Each state has its own version of emergency aid. So some examples, here are a few examples.
Leah Bucholz:Pennsylvania, so Veterans Temporary Assistance or VTA program provides up to $1,600 over three months for emergency shelter, food, utilities. Texas, my state, right? Everybody, if y'all don't know, I'm here in Boerne, Texas, which is near San Antonio. Emergency financial help through the Texas Veterans Commission, especially for housing and transportation. Minnesota, Minnesota offers grants for military families experiencing hardships.
Leah Bucholz:Florida, Florida has veterans assistance grants for short term help. You can visit your state's Department of Veterans Affairs website or local veteran service officer to apply. Nonprofit help, there is direct emergency cash and services. There's Operation Homefront focuses on post nineeleven veterans with documented hardships. They cover car repairs, housing and grocery.
Leah Bucholz:Semper Fi and America's Fund helps veterans severely wounded, ill or injured veterans, offers emergency grants and even home adaptation support. The American Legion, temporary financial assistance only for minor children of eligible veterans but can provide thousands of indirect support. USA Cares, Soldiers' Angels, Code of Support Foundation and Modest Needs Foundation also offer support. So there's also some extra resources for specific needs. So if you have food insecurity, VA can connect you with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.
Leah Bucholz:Local food pantries work with the VA and BSOs. There are utilities help. So LIHEAP, which is Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the Veterans of Foreign War or BFW, Unmet Needs Program. Many states ban utility shutoffs during winter or extreme heat if you apply for hardship status. So for children in schooling, Child Care Aware of America discounts for military and veteran families.
Leah Bucholz:Marine Corps Scholarships Foundation and Army Emergency Relief educational grants. So let's talk about some common misconceptions. So here's one, I'm not enrolled in VA healthcare so I can't get help. That is false, Right? Just like we discussed a few minutes ago, many programs don't require you to be in the VA health system, especially like state and nonprofit aid.
Leah Bucholz:Another misconception, I need to be totally broke to qualify. That is false. Some aid is income based, but others are based on sudden hardships or temporary crises. So another misconception, I've already asked once, I can't apply again. False.
Leah Bucholz:Right? So many programs allow reapplication, especially if your circumstances change. So how to apply? Each of these programs have checklists for applying for most programs and instructions. So usually they might want you to gather your documentation.
Leah Bucholz:You may need your DD214, I mean, not necessarily for all of them. Income and expense proof, lease utility bills, medical bills, etcetera. These are some things you might wanna think of. You might wanna have a written explanation of your hardship. Then you're gonna find the program that you qualify for, check VA state and local nonprofit options, check with those VSOs, apply and follow-up, don't assume silence means denial, call, email, check your portal for updates.
Leah Bucholz:So again, a big tip, use a veteran service officer to help you with your applications. They're free, they're trained to help walk you through everything. So what about long term solutions? Emergency help is temporary, but if you're living paycheck to paycheck, you may also wanna consider Voc Rehab, great program. I have a family member that used that VA Vocational Rehab.
Leah Bucholz:Veteran owned business grants, HUD VASH vouchers, financial coaching from the VA Solid Start or financial literacy program. So the bottom line is that there is no shame in needing help. There's only danger in not knowing where to look or waiting too long. You set up for your country, now these programs are here to stand up for you. Please share this video with anyone that might need it.
Leah Bucholz:So this may not be relevant for you but it may touch the life of someone else to understand where these resources are. So as always, thank you for your service, thank you for watching. If you have some comments or some experience with some of these programs, please drop comments. Or if you have other programs that you'd like to mention and share with your fellow veterans, please let me know so that we can share this information. Alright.
Leah Bucholz:Thanks a lot for watching and, please like and subscribe.