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Albee

Harry Coppendyke Post 171 - American Legion

December 2008

As we approach the Holiday Season let’s not forget our comrades that are in the various VA facilities as well as those currently serving our Country. We visit the Paramus Nursing Home the third Tuesday of every month in order to spend an hour with those that are hospitalized. If you are interested in joining us be at the Post at 6:30 PM or at the Home at 7:00 PM. You can also contact our service officer Pat at serviceofficer@alpost171.com for more information. I mentioned that one of my membership goals for this year was to be at 100% paid for 2009 by December 31, 2008. We are close to that goal. There are 23 members who have not yet renewed their 2009 membership. Please check your membership card. If it is for 2008 you may be one of those 23. Renewing your membership will help us in making our goal. If you are not sure if you renewed your dues call the Post at 201-796-9667 and we will check and get back to you. I want to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season from my family and me. According to John McCourt, Director of the VA Regional office in Newark, New Jersey veterans receive some of the lowest monthly disability compensations in the nation? Case review reveals rates are low because too many veterans have not filed for increased payments even as their disabilities have worsened. This includes veterans who have combat injuries. New Jersey has 550,000 veterans! Why continue to wait? Call the toll free number 1-800-827-1000 so they can take your claim over the phone. He estimates there are about 10,000 to 12,000 NJ veterans who would receive monthly VA compensation if a claim were filed. http://www.giveline.com/default.asp?v=V063753909

VA Increases Travel Reimbursement for Eligible Veterans Peake: Disabled Veterans Earned Increase WASHINGTON Over a million eligible veterans will see their mileage reimbursement more than double starting tomorrow, for travel to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. This increase helps veterans -- especially those living in rural areas -- offset some of the gasoline costs as they travel to VAs world-class health care, said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. Increasing the mileage reimbursement is one more step by VA to help veterans access the health care they deserve. The 2008 appropriations act provided funding for VA to increase the beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate from 11 cents per mile to 28.5 cents per mile. The increase goes into effect on Feb. 1. After little more then a month on the job, Secretary Peake used his authority to establish the first increase in the mileage reimbursement in 30 years, fulfilling a pledge he made during his Senate confirmation hearing last month. While increasing the payment, VA, as mandated by law, also equally increased the deductible amounts applied to certain mileage reimbursements. The new deductibles are $7.77 for a one way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, with a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month. However, these deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran. . Bergen County SAVVERS application for Military Veterans FYI The new VA ID cards are now available at the East Orange VA Medical Center The new cards are of a patriotic design with a large color photo. The veteran should bring their old card with them to prove eligibility. They are also bar coded to promote privacy and to accelerate checking in. Further information may be obtained by calling 973-676-1000

Page Updated
11/22/2008

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