May14, 2009 About a dozen veterans were on hand at the Post 85 American Legion Hall in Gallows Bay Thursday evening to get the good news about the stimulus checks they are in the mail.
Morris Moorhead, territorial director of Veterans Affairs, told the meeting that he had received his $250 that afternoon.
All veterans who are receiving disability compensation are getting the $250 checks as are all people receiving Social Security benefits. However, it is one check per person; one check for the person who is receiving Social Security and veteran's benefits. However, there is the possibility of two checks in a household where both spouses are receiving benefits
Moorhead and the other veterans were attending a presentation by Julian de Jesus, a counselor from the San Juan office of the Department of Veteran Affairs,
His presentation focused on compensation for disabled veterans and pensions. Disability compensation is available only for veterans whose disability is service related. However, all veterans are eligible for pensions once they are 65. The pensions are determined by income.
The guidelines are such that veterans with a reasonable amount of income for Social Security or elsewhere won't be eligible to receive the benefits.
When de Jesus opened the floor the questions mostly turned on why the Veteran Administration turned down certain claims of disability. A couple of those claims discussed were for loss of hearing. De Jesus recommended that anyone who had a claim turned down that they felt was legitimate should appeal the ruling.
Daniel Rodriquez told the Source he came to the meeting because of a claim he had recently made.
It was worthwhile coming here. I got my question answered, he said.
De Jesus ended his discussion with the new education benefits that will become available to veterans August 1. A similar session took place on St. Thomas on Tuesday at the American Legion Hall in Subbase.
Further information about veteran's benefits call 774-6100 on St. Thomas or 773-6663 on St. Croix or visit the website at www.va.gov.
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