On Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:48:54 -0500, Tom Francis - SWSports
wrote:

On Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:10:48 -0500, JohnH wrote:

On Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:14:32 -0500, Tom Francis - SWSports
wrote:

On Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:47:25 -0500, JohnH wrote:

On Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:27:43 -0500, "Eisboch" wrote:


"JohnH" wrote in message
om...
On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:51:50 -0500, "Eisboch" wrote:


"Calif Bill" wrote in message
news:xbadnTX2lowlsLbUnZ2dnUVZ_vudnZ2d@earth link.com...

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
news On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:18:11 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

I tell you, it was like being in hell.
Waited at 2 different stations, maybe an hour in total.
Seemed like 17 hours.

Too late now but you can do it all on the telephone.


Not really. I did it via wesite and they wanted to see the dd214. Went
down and maybe 15 minutes, guy said not really needed, and told me how
much money you working stiffs were going to send me each month.


What does your DD 214 have to do with SS?

Eisboch

They can explain better than I:

http://tinyurl.com/2rc6sh


Thanks. I am still a few years away from SS, but I'll save and remember
your link.
Apparently, there are many little known and often unused benefits
available for vets and/or surviving spouses. My sister, as a result of a
lot of digging, found an obscure benefit that now provides an extra $1k a
month in addition to her SS to help pay for assisted living costs.

Well, I didn't qualify for this one.

You are right with your statement. A retired Air Force Colonel I golf with
was in Vietnam. He has diabetes and various other ailments which have been
associated with Agent Orange. About a year ago I mentioned the Agent Orange
program the military has been conducting. He knew nothing.

He's now getting almost double his retirement pay, and half of that is tax
free. It pays to keep up with the benefits.

Being retired, did you keep your VA medical?

I have 20% disability because of war related injuries and I'm entitled
to VA care, but I've never used the VA medical system because I
haven't needed to. I still don't because we have a private policy for
me and Mrs. Wave is covered by her employer.

Absolutely! That's where I get these free $2000 hearing aids!

Get thee to thy nearest VA office and get yourself a VA ID card. Take your
proof of injury and make sure the card says "SERVICE CONNECTED" on the
front. You'll be given a physical for your first appointment. I don't use
them for anything but hearing, because like you, I'm on my wife's
insurance.

Yeah - I already have the ID card - I just don't use it. I get a
letter every once in a while asking if I'm still alive, but other than
that, nothing.

Did you apply for CSRS yet? Are you getting any VA benefits?

Not a one - I don't even get the 20% disability payment - never
applied for it. When I was discharged, I was given an interview, this
that and the other thing (I can't remember exactly), they did the
whole review thingy, I got the ID card and that was that. I think the
last time I heard from them, it was to get a new card which I got at
the Newington VA hospital - no, that's not right - I got it at the VA
hospital in West Haven.

Can't see taking something I don't need.

Well, if you've nothing to do with the money but let Obama spend it, leave
it there. I could always find something to do with it, even if it's
donating it to a church to pay someone's electricity bill. That's about all
it would be anyway.
--
A Harry Krause truism:

"It's not a *baby* kicking, beautiful bride, it's just a fetus!"