SPOUSE'S PLANNING GUIDE 2007 Edition PREPARED BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS VISUAL IMPAIRMENT SERVICES TEAM (VIST)

INTRODUCTION

USE THIS BOOK ELECTRONICALLY

If you are reading a disk version of this book and have Internet access you will find that the links will take you to the websites referenced.

FORWARD

This booklet was prepared in conjunction with the VIST program. VIST serves visually impaired veterans. You should be able to reach a VIST Coordinator at your nearest VA medical facility.

In the last 10 years benefits have become increasingly complicated. There is no reason not to ask for assistance. Instead of getting shorter, each year this book seems to be getting longer. For some of our veterans and spouses the VA is only one area of concern. There are also benefits from the Department of Defense and Social Security. Unfortunately there is no one spot where you can go to for answers on all of these benefits and how they interact.

The Internet is increasingly becoming the major information source on benefits. This is difficult for non-computer users. However, it is a fact of life that this is a great way to stay up on benefits. More and more things related to the VA are accessible electronically. We have offered a number of websites for organizations that provide useful information. No one should feel obligated to join any of these organizations, information on their websites is free to the public.

TRICARE, CHAMPVA, and the VA (for veteran’s healthcare) itself through MyHealtheVet reflect a growing use of online connections to monitor your own healthcare, check prescriptions, etc. This trend will continue. If you cannot access the Internet, perhaps a family member can assist you. The TRICARE website has tremendous information on things such as approved providers who accept TRICARE payment. We are evolving to a computer based information society.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this book is to assist you, the veteran's spouse in fact finding. In today's world it is important that each person be his or her own advocate. It is tough to get started in this. This book is not meant to provide all of the definitive answers. Those will be gotten at the VA Regional Office, the Department of Defense, or the Social Security Administration. The book is meant to be a tool to help educate and start the planning process for the future.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

Information was obtained from many sources. These include:

· 38 CFR Chapters 1 - 17 and 35

· Guide for Service Officers Veterans of Foreign Wars publication

· Service Officer's Guide Disabled American Veterans Publication Veterans Benefits: The Complete Guide Snyder et. Al. Harper Collins Publisher

· Numerous Social Security Publications (1 800 772 1213)

· VIST Desk Reference Todd Turansky Editor (and other publications and updates from Mr. Turansky)

· What Every POW'S Wife Should Know And Widow Must Know, Compiled by Ken Jones

· Retired Military Almanac, Hunter and Gordon Editors

· Numerous websites related to benefits for veterans

NOTE: In spite of all this excellent source material, there may still be errors or changes that occur after this booklet is put together. Take this as a guide and go to the source: Regional Office, Department of Defense, Social Security Administration or the IRS for definitive information.

Bob Kozel, San Antonio, Texas, Editor January 2007

Edited by Webmaster to be used by viewers on the Margbva website. Content is whole and not changed as written by the VIST.