Meeting Notes
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September 21, 2023
Service Officers Report: A note about veteran burial benefits. The V.A. does not pay for your burial. The V.A. will provide up to $900 if you die from a service-connected disability. Upon your passing you can receive a burial flag, a memorial certificate signed by the president, a headstone, and a plaque for your headstone. If you die from a non-service-connected disability the V.A. can provide $300 for burial expenses and $150 for internment expenses. Surviving family members will not receive interment money if you are buried in a national cemetery. You will get the headstone if you are buried in a national cemetery. The Veterans Benefits Agency (VBA) is the agency that provides a flag if you request one. If you request military honors the VBA will handle that. Service organizations will provide an honor guard presence if you request one.
A veteran can pre-register with the National cemetery for a burial. Your information will already be recorded and on file at the National Cemetery. This will provide your surviving members with less of a burden. Burial in a national cemetery is not guaranteed. For information select the link
https://www.va.gov/burials-and-memorials/pre-need/form-10007-apply-for-eligibility/introduction.
Form 534-EZ may help a veteran see if they are eligible under the new guidelines for a service-connected disability.
If you wish to receive benefits you must contact veterans’ benefits. Go to the veterans’ benefits web site
https://www.benefits.va.gov for more information.
The suicide and crisis number is 988.
Veterans who are required to submit a co-pay amount for medication and are classified under the Agent Orange category are eligible for reimbursement. Contact your V.A. facility on how to be compensated for your co-pay amount.
Five new locations have been added for exposure to Agent Orange. They include any US base in Thailand January 9,1962-June 30, 1976; Laos December 1, 1965-September 30, 1969; Cambodia April 16, 1969-April 30, 1969; Guam & American Samoa January 9, 1962-July 30, 1980; Johnson Atoll January 1, 1972-September 1977.
Bloomingdale VFW Post 7539 has worked with the Veterans Administration in providing assistance to Veterans in need.
Now you can help in our ongoing effort to serve those who have served us.
Contribute just $5.00 a month to Bloomingdale VFW 7539 to help provide food and other needed items to Veterans in need.
The link is: https://square.link/u/tTvghIIg
Veteran Affairs: The winter clothing drive starts October first. Kits containing a hat, a scarf, and gloves will be purchased to be distributed to homeless veterans. We hope to exceed our total of over 700 winter coats distributed last year.
To order a Military license plate for your branch of service go to: https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/vehicles/license_plate_guide/military/home.html
You can pick the plate corresponding to your branch of service. Check out the website www.state.il.us/aging to see if you qualify for a license plate discount.
FYI: You can file an initial claim (that has not been previously decided by the V.A.), by submitting Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits.The National Archives will digitize the list of Blue Water Navy ships.Information and resources on the Blue Water Navy Act, eligibility, and how to file a claim, can be found online.
For a listing of Illinois State V.A. benefits available please check the website:
https//www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/illinois-state-veterans-benefits.html
If you live in the Bloomingdale Township Senior Center area and need a walker, wheel chair or other items, contact them. There is no cost for these items.
An online App for your smart phone,VFW mobile
recruiter is available for those wishing to join VFW Post 7539.
Go to the App store and get the App.
Make sure you put in our Post number 7539 to join.
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