Family Members

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

As you know, I am a 100% disabled veteran.  My condition may not be exactly like that of your son, daughter, father/mother or grandfather/grandmother, but that does not mean I don’t know what you and the veteran you care for are feeling.

When I lost the use of my legs, my first thoughts were for my family.  I am now in a wheelchair confronting new challenges that have greatly affected my life.  I am sure many of my challenges are the same as those in your lives each day as you take care of the love one that so proudly served our country with dignity and honor, but returned home with severe injuries that now require your daily care.

AID & ATTENDANCE ASSISTANCE

I want to make sure you are aware of the VA program that helps family members who care for the disabled veteran cope by providing financial assistance to offset lost income and pay other care-related expenses.  I know you all feel that funding or no funding, your veteran is going to be well taken care of by you and other love ones.

I bring this to your attention because I am aware of many cases where families have felt that a relative of the disabled veteran would not qualify for AID & ATTENDANCE payments. I can assure you that this not the case.  The federal government wants to help the family member who has primary responsibility for being the caregiver even if that person is the veteran’s mother or father or other relative.  The veteran receives this money from the Department of Veterans Affairs Compensation Rating Board for his or her injuries.

Please check and verify if these benefits are being made in your case.  If they are not, you can apply and be awarded A&A funds.  Call or email me if I can help the veteran apply for this important payment.

FUNDING FOR ACCESSIBLE HOUSING

Is your home suitable for taking care of your veteran?  Do you have the necessary room to handle all the equipment and features that are needed to take care of your love one?  If your answer is no or maybe, your veteran may qualify for special funding to either have your home remodeled or for the veteran to build a new accessible home that is specially adapted to meet needs your veteran has.  We can help you answer any housing-related question and can help the veteran complete all of the necessary paperwork regardless of the matter that needs attention.  In particular, we can help you understand what housing grants the veteran qualifies for and to successfully complete the grant application process.

FINAL COMMENT

I and everyone at the Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing have the greatest amount of respect and admiration for you as you give yourself 24/7 to your love one.  Have the peace of mind that we are here to help get answers to any and all of your questions.  I am just a phone call or email away.  Our Committee works every day with many organizations that will be there for you as well.  Don’t feel that you are all alone – we are here for you.

Please go our website section “CONTACT US” and take a few minutes to make contact with the DVCH.  I look forward to helping you sort out such things as understanding program/benefit requirements; who to call on what subject; or to just talk about what you have been going through and how we can help you.  I assure you of one thing, if we don’t know we will find out and we will advise you the answer or who you need to contact.