| Many veterans unaware of state, federal benefits by Marietta Homayonpour THE NEWS TIMES Novermber 11, 1999 On this day named in their honor, many veterans are unaware of government benefits that are theirs. Both in Connecticut and New York, people who . work with veterans say that the men and women who served in this country's armed forces often don't know the medical and other benefits available to them. Pete Ballard, head of the New Fairfield Veterans Association, said his group "went so far as to take two van loads of veterans to a Veterans Administration hospital" to prove to them that they are eligible for benefits. "People are saving $7,000 to $8,000 a year," said Ballard, "and they were totally unaware a year ago about the benefits." A lot of veterans, said Ballard, think they need to be wounded to get benefits, something that is not true. Any veteran who was honorably discharged can use the federal government's Veteran Administration medical facilities, according to a spokesman for the VA CT Healthcare System which includes two hospitals and three clinics in Connecticut. There are seven priority group designations and several categories outlined by the Veterans Administration regarding amount coverage and amount, if any, of co-payment. A benefit that Ballard said is little' known' and can save veterans hundreds of dollars a month especially those on expensive heart medicines - is the medical prescription benefit. According to the VA, for each 30 day supply or less of medication furnished to veterans on an outpatient basis for the treatment of a non-service connected condition there is only $2.00 [$8.00 as of 2006] co-payment. |
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Federal VA - Connecticut
Healthcare System VA BENEFITS
WEST HAVEN HOSPITAL
NEWINGTON AMBULATORY CARE CENTER
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| Another fact that is not well known and could be particularly helpful to Danbury area veterans is their eligibility to use national VA facilities in other states. A lot of people aren't aware we're here," said Carmine Marallo, supervisor of the Cannel VA Clinic in Carmel, NY Since the federal VA hospitals in Connecticut are in Newington and West Haven, and the nearest VA clinic is in Waterbury, some Danbury area veterans might find it more convenient to use the Carmel clinic, which is open three days a week. Most prescription drugs with a $2.00 [$8.00 as of 2006] co-payment also can be ordered at the clinic, which opened a year ago. To use the clinic, veterans must register with the Hudson Valley Health Care System.
State governments in both New York and Connecticut also provide veterans benefits. James Metzger runs the Putnam County Veterans Service Agency of the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs and develops claims for benefits. Metzger agrees that many veterans aren't aware of their benefits and said anyone from New York or Connecticut is welcome to contact his office Monday through Friday at 914 225-2260. Danbury has its own Veterans Advisory office on Main Street, where director Pat Waldron can provide information on state and federal benefits. Besides medical benefits, Waldron said veterans are eligible on the federal level for many other benefits including those for education, vocational rehabilitation, home loans and burial. On the state level, wartime veterans with an honor-able discharge who live in Connecticut can get med-ical, dental and eye glass benefits, and, under certain conditions, help with rent, mortgage interest, utility bills and heating bills in the winter. Waldron can be reached at 203 797-4620. Revised: |
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