Veterans and families received $3.5 million in benefits in 2008
November 5th, 2009Sibley County’s Veterans, dependents, and widows received $3.552 million in federal and state benefits in 2008.
Lisa Klenk, Sibley County Veterans Service Officer, presented her 2008-2009 report to Sibley County Commissioners Oct. 27. She completed her first year in her position in September.
The federal and state pension include such things as federal compensation, pension, education, life insurance, health care, and the Minnesota Dental and Optical Program.
According to Klenk, there are about 1,300 veterans in Sibley County. However, Klenk has 2,500 active records in the computer system. Active records are defined as any activity in the past five years, to include such things as state benefits, federal benefits, and referrals to outside agencies.
From September 2008 to the present, 200 new veterans have come to the Sibley County Veterans Service Officer for services.
The Sibley County Veterans Service Office processed 93 new applications for VA health care and 27 renewals from September 2008 until October 2009. Klenk explained that for most veterans, entry into the VA healthcare system begins by applying for enrollment at the courthouse by the Veterans Service Office. Financial information on household income and net worth, including social security, retirement pay, unemployment insurance, interest and dividends, and any other income must be declared. The VA compares the veteran’s financial assessment with geographically-based income thresholds, and if the veteran’s income is below the threshold, the veteran is enrolled for healthcare.
Veterans who have 10% or more disability have access to the VA healthcare system due to the service-connected disability. These veterans are not disqualified if they are over income due to the service-connected disability.
Klenk processed 103 disability compensation claims from September 2008 through October 2009. Of those applications, 70% have been awarded a claim, 15% are pending a decision from the VA, 10% were denied, and 5% are pending appeals.
Disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to veterans who are disabled by an injury or disease that was incurred or aggravated during military service. These disabilities are considered to be service-connected. Klenk said that it takes about five hours, on average, per claim.
Klenk processed 10 pension claims from September 2008 through October 2009. 60% were approved, 20% denied, and 20% pending decisions. Pension is a monthly monetary benefit paid to low-income veterans who served during a period of war and to eligible widows of those deceased veterans. Rate of payment is dependent upon the physical limitations of the applicant and any form of monthly income. Pension is a need-based program.
Fifty-three applications have been completed this past year through the State Soldiers Assistance Program. More than $26,000 was brought into the County to assist veterans and their families this past year in the program, compared to slightly more than $10,000 during the previous year. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs pays veterans subsistence for those temporarily out of work and pays up to $1,000 per veterans/dependent for dental care and $400 for optical care.
Klenk told commissioners that she is working closely with Public Health, Human Services, and Minnesota Valley Action Council with referrals.
During the past year, Klenk has attended meetings of all active VFW and American Legion organizations in the County. She has spoken at two funeral home events in the County, for Veterans Day and Memorial Day programs, at the Korean War Last Mans dinner, CARE events at Human Services, city events, and the Sibley County Fair.
