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Administration Expands Benefits for Ex-POWs
From the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Continuing its commitment to
former prisoners of war, Veterans
Affairs announced that the Bush The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the new benefits in a speech tonight at a recent national convention of the American Ex-Prisoners of War. The Administration’s decision
benefits former POWs with strokes
and most heart diseases. Those In September 2003, the VA
launched a nationwide outreach
effort to identify and provide benefits The VA also has urged Congress to change federal
law that required that former POWs must The Administration’s new decision
will add to the list of 16 medical
problems that VA presumes to -- VA Distributing Insurance Dividends The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced its distribution of more than $449 million in dividends to 1.4 million active policyholders of veterans’ life insurance. Over the next year, veterans will receive payments on the anniversary date of their policies, with the specific dividend amount varying according to age; type of insurance, and length of time the policy has been in force. Veterans will automatically receive their annual dividend through one of the nine payment options available to them. Dividends cover only veterans with government life insurance policies who served between 1917 and 1956. VA life insurance programs that do not pay dividends cover veterans of subsequent eras. The dividends represent a return of
trust fund earnings on the premiums
paid by policy holders throughout
the years. They reflect the fact
that veterans are living longer than
originally predicted. Dividends are
also attributable to the higher than
expected yields earned by the trust Only those with policies that have been kept in force are eligible for the payout. Inaccurate notices periodically surface suggesting that those who have not maintained insurance are eligible for a special dividend if they contact VA, but this is false. Dividends are automatically sent to eligible policyholders. Although VA administers a special life insurance program for disabled veterans and a program offering mortgage life insurance coverage neither pays dividends. Additionally, no dividends are paid on Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance or Veterans’ Group Life Insurance. Veterans with questions about their policy should call VA Insurance toll free at 1-800-669-8477, or by e-mail mail to: VAinsurance@vba.va.gov or visit http://www.insurance.va.gov. -- Card Protects Vets from Identity Theft The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently created an identification card for veterans that will protect confidential information. The new identification card,
called the Veterans Identification
Card, ensures veterans’ personal The Veterans Identification Card will have veterans’ photos on the front and identify them as enrollees in the VA’s health care system. The card includes the words “service connected” under the photo if the veteran has a serviceconnected disability. Veterans should request the
new card at their local medical center.
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