Michigan Legion Media Room

See original post here  http://www.legion.org/serviceofficers/220649/ask-service-officer-beware-va-pension-scams Q. Are there scams that I should watch out for with VA pensions? A.  As a veteran, beware of pension advance products that offer to pay military retirees a lump-sum payout in return for their monthly retirement payments. The products may amount to payment of only pennies on the dollar and the advances are reported to carry interest rates from 27 percent to 106 percent, which can threaten a safe retirement. There are many pension advance companies on the Internet, often with patriotic-sounding names and logos. If you’re offered a pension advance, stay away from arrangements that allow a creditor to access the account where you get your benefits. Instead, get trusted financial expert advice if you need emergency funds. Additionally, some individuals and companies use VA’s Aid & Attendance pension benefit as a hook to sell services. The Aid & Attendance...

VA issues new ID cards         WASHINGTON ( Feb. 21, 2014 ) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs is issuing new Veteran Health Identification Cards (VHICs) to about 4 million veterans and family members enrolled in VA’s health-care system. The new cards provide a more secure means of identification for veterans due to Social Security numbers and dates of birth no longer contained in the card’s magnetic strips or bar codes. Instead, the cards now display an Electronic Data Interchange Personnel Identifier number as the "member ID" on the front of the card and embedded in the magnetic strip. These numbers will be unique to each cardholder. While The American Legion understands the need to convert to a more secure ID card system, it is urging the department to ensure that no VA enrollee is denied timely access to health care during the card transfer. According to VA, mailing of the cards "will begin soon. Because we will be reissuing 4 million ...

VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System Announces “Valentines for Veterans” Concert featuring Country Music Artist Aaron Tippin Ann Arbor, MI –  The VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System will have its first ever “Valentines for Veterans” Concert featuring country music recording artist Aaron Tippin on Sunday, February 10, 2013 at 2:00 p.m., at Eastern Michigan University’s Pease Auditorium in Ypsilanti. Tickets are required and general-admission ticket distribution for Veterans will begin January 7, 2013. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis with four priorities of ticket distribution: Gold Star Family Members (those who have lost a family member in service), Veterans, families of Veterans and the general public. Tickets are limited to two per individual. Veterans may visit the Voluntary Service Department located in the basement of the Liberty Building at the VA Ann Arbor Medical Center to obtain tickets, or through the ticket reservation line by calling ( 7...

Article Posted in the September 2012 edition of the Michigan Legionnaire Understanding the Steps….. By Suzette Price, DVSO Greetings Legionnaires, from the 12 th floor of the federal building in Detroit,  The American Legion Department of Michigan Veterans Service Office.  For the past 16 months I have had the honor and privilege of working with the best veteran’s service organization in the nation and serving many of you.  During those 16 months I have learned many things about the claims process and as I take phone calls from veterans I understand the frustration many feel from the long wait times for their claim.  Our commitment is to service those claim as best and expediently as possible.  In May of 2011 I was trained that the claims process was anywhere from six to nine months long. Today, the claims process is 18 to 24 months long. The claims being filed has severely increased and the hiring of VA employees has failed to parallel with th...

MEMO TO:     Patrick Lafferty DATE:             November 22, 2011 SUBJECT:        Supercommittee Task Force Update 4 FROM:            Tim Tetz, Legislative Director Fellow Legionnaires – As you learned yesterday, the Supercommittee has failed.  Late yesterday they gave up and announced their inability to come to a consensus on the $1.2 trillion in cuts.  As you recall, this failure was contrary to our message on the hill just three weeks ago.  The blaming has begun between the two parties, but in the end, everyone, no matter the party, no matter their status on the committee, no matter their elected position, failed. We should not walk away in shame or accept blame for our efforts.  We did our best to bring a message of balanced approach to the Committee members and Congressional leadership.  We have lost ...

Reappointments made to Barrier Free Design Board Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today reappointed Roger Donaldson of Holt, Karla Hudson of East Lansing and Brett Holt of Saginaw to the Barrier Free Design Board. The board reviews, processes or recommends barrier-free design rules. It also oversees any exceptions to the rules and appropriate equivalent alternatives. "These individuals have done a great job contributing to the board and will continue to ensure Michigan's buildings and infrastructure are safe and accessible to all our citizens," Snyder said. Donaldson is an architect and owner of Roger L. Donaldson AIA, P.L.C., which provides accessible designs and works with individuals with disabilities to develope a better understanding of their needs. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), AIA of Michigan, LEED Accredited Professionals, the Association of Licensed Architects, Construction Specifiers Institute, an...

Veteran's and Families Informational Seminar Great Lakes National Cemetery Director Richard Anderson will be at VFW Post 9283, 16200 Dix-Toledo, Southgate, MI - November 16th, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Learn about the eligibility and requirements to receive veteran burial benefits. A veteran service officer will be on hand to answer any questions you may have on other VA benefit questions. Open to Veteran's, veteran spouses, families, and caregivers of veterans. Please RSVP  irishshalew@aol.com

Annual Training is named VA&R Director, James Topps, opened the annual Post Service Officer training at Higgins Lake with an announcement and presentation. Richard M. Morrison, a WWII U.S. Marine, who spent his time island hopping during the war, including landing on Iwo Jima.  Mr. Morrison spent 26 years as a Department Veteran Service Officer, advocating for veteran benefits.  From this day forward the training will be officially known as the “Richard Morrison Higgins Lake Veterans Advocacy & Post Service Officer Training” If you are in need of help with your VA paperwork or to make a claim contact our Veteran Services Team at 313-964-6640 The American Legion Department of Michigan represents over 70,000 members in the State of Michigan. The American Legion was founded in 1919, based on “The Four Pillars”; veteran rehabilitation, Americanism, child welfare, and national security and continued above all its mission as a consumers’ advocate for veterans. For more ...

Reconnect Committee?  What’s that?             It’s not just what we do, it’s who we are!  The Reconnect Committee is constantly working to provide timely assistance to our Veterans, our Military Service Members and their Families.  A brief listing of the services we provide might include: Providing Emergency Temporary Financial Assistance to our veterans and active military to  prevent eviction or losing their home or car Attending National Guard Yellow Ribbon Pre-Deployment and Reintegration Workshops to educate our National Guard families about the many ways the American Legion can assist them. Our committee members and volunteers drive thousands of miles each year transporting the Elmobility Room to Michigan’s Guard and Reserve units throughout the state.  The Elmobility Room provides their children with a safe, educational and fun environment to play during various Special Events Family Readi...

Since   November 16, 2005, with the help of the American Legion Post 550,   Onsted,   Michigan, the St. Mark’s Sew-Caring Quilters have made over 1000 quilts for our U.S. Military. These quilts have been shipped to hospitals in   Iraq   and   Afghanistan   where they are used to help comfort our wounded service members while they are transported from an in country hospital to another hospital somewhere in   Europe. To date, they have received 27 letters expressing the heartfelt gratitude of our soldiers and families. The group has also received a letter of acknowledgement from President Bush and a beautiful crystal angel from the Soldiers Angels group. Pictured above are 7 of the 17 ladies from the quilter group holding the 1000 th   quilt. Also pictured with the ladies is Post 550 Commander Michael McNally. Mike has ironed each and every one of these quilts . The American Legion Department of Michigan represents over 70,000 members in t...

Lansing, MI - Today Lyle Shanks of the 4th District Association of the American Legion Department of Michigan presented a check for $539.40 for the Departments Tabs for Tots program.  This money will be used, combined with other tab funds, to provide pediatric equipment to a Michigan hospitals and/or ambulance services. Thank you 4th District. The American Legion Department of Michigan represents over 70,000 members in the State of Michigan. The American Legion was founded in 1919, based on “The Four Pillars”; veteran rehabilitation, Americanism, child welfare, and national security and continued above all its mission as a consumers’ advocate for veterans. For more information contact the Michigan Legion at 517-371-4720 ext 16, mark@michiganlegion.org, or visit our website at www.michiganlegion.org.

    The American Legion Department VA&R Division was awarded the William F. Lenker National American Legion Service Award for 2011 at the National Convention held in Minneapolis MN on Wednesday August 31, 2011.       The award was presented by National Commander Jimmy Foster, Alaska.  Accepting the award for the Department was James C. Topps, VA&R Director, State Commander William Hafeman, State Adjutant Patrick Lafferty, State VA&R Chairman Raymond Moore, National Jr. Vice Commander John Mella, Past National Commanders Thomas P. Cadmus and Robert Sponogle. 

Donna Anderson, widow of Past State Commander Bill Anderson, donated Bill's scooter to an young veteran in need of one. Watch the video Then read the story The American Legion Department of Michigan represents over 70,000 members in the State of Michigan. The American Legion was founded in 1919, based on “The Four Pillars”; veteran rehabilitation, Americanism, child welfare, and national security and continued above all its mission as a consumers’ advocate for veterans. For more information contact the Michigan Legion at 517-371-4720 ext 16, mark@michiganlegion.org, or visit our website at www.michiganlegion.org.

Alaiedon Township brain rehab facility to treat local veterans | Lansing State Journal | lansingstatejournal.com

July-August 2011 Research Currents Reviewing data on more than 456,000 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans who enrolled in VA health care between 2002 and 2009, a team with VA and the University of California, San Francisco, found that around 11 percent of the patients had received a diagnosis of an alcohol or drug use disorder. About 1 in 10 Veterans had an alcohol use disorder and 1 in 20 had a drug use disorder. Male sex, age under 25, never-married or divorced status, and greater combat exposure were linked with higher rates of drug and alcohol disorders. Read more The American Legion Department of Michigan represents over 70,000 members in the State of Michigan. TheAmerican Legion was founded in 1919, based on “The Four Pillars”; veteran rehabilitation, Americanism, childwelfare, and national security and continued above all its mission as a consumers’ advocate for veterans. For more information contact the Michigan Legion at 517-371-4720 ext 16, mark@michiganlegion.org, or visit ...

LANSING, MICH.—Mr. Jason Allen, the Senior Deputy Director of Michigan’s Veterans Affairs Directorate, encourages Michigan wartime veterans experiencing financial emergencies to seek assistance through the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund. “Our veterans have a great safety net in the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund. On average, the Trust awarded a million dollars plus annually over the past four years to veterans and their families in need. These awards can truly be a game changer for families in need. County representatives have the ability to provide $1,500 in assistance and the State Board has authority to award larger grants to families whose need cannot be met by a $1,500 grant,” said Allen.

The DoD Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) is re-evaluating Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) and Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) disability ratings for some Veterans medically separated between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2009, to ensure a correct disability retirement determination was made. Veterans who received a combined disability rating of 20 percent or less and were not found eligible for retirement can apply to have their MEB/PEB disability rating reviewed for fairness, consistency, and accuracy. Former reserve members with greater than 20 years of total federal military service but fewer than 20 years of active duty, who meet the above criteria, are also eligible to apply.  Learn more  about the PDBR and how to apply. Questions on the PDBR can be sent to  PDBRPA@afncr.af.mil . The DOD Physical Disability Board of Review’s web address is  http://www.health.mil/About_ MHS/Organizations/MHS_Offices_ and_Programs/PDBR.aspx The Board’s postal ad...

Don't Let Them Set the Agent Orange Clock Back

DETROIT, MICH - Members of the State House of Representatives and State Senate visited the Veteran Services Office and Veteran Affairs regional office in Detroit, Michigan on Tuesday.   The members sit on the Military and Veterans Affairs subcommittee that oversees the grants allocated to the Veteran Service Organizations.  Jason Allen, Senior Director of Veterans Affairs for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs was on the tour as well.The tour was lead by VFW Service officer Toby Beanblossom and DAV Veteran Service Office Director Doug Wells.  Doug and Toby led the tour through the 12 floor Veteran Services Organization Offices, down to the 11th floor where the VA's appeals are processed and then back up through the 13th and 14th floors. Upon visiting the 14th floor we met with VA Detroit's Regional Office Director for a few minutes.  The purpose of the tour was to give the visitors a first hand look at the process of veteran claims and the magnitude of...

Michigan College to Offer One-of-a-Kind Program to Ex-Military Medics -- LANSING, Mich., July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- LANSING, Mich. , July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lansing Community College – after two years of planning – is set to launch a unique medical program that will give a well-earned boost to men and women who served as military medics. Previously denied classroom credit for their prior medical training, this special group of veterans will now be credited for their efforts as they pursue civilian medical certification and licensure. The program, dubbed "Medic to Paramedic," will welcome its first group of students in January. read more The American Legion Department of Michigan represents over 70,000 members in the State of Michigan. TheAmerican Legion was founded in 1919, based on “The Four Pillars”; veteran rehabilitation, Americanism, childwelfare, and national security and continued above all its mission as a consumers’ advocate f...