Emmet County Veterans Affairs Director Jim Alton writes a column that is published each month in the Petoskey News-Review. Below is Alton’s April 2015 column.
To access his past columns, click here
Meeting with Dr. Dan Benishek recap
At the Cheboygan Veterans Fair held at the National Guard Armory on Feb. 18, a number of veteran counselors had a private meeting with our local Representative, Dr. Dan Benishek. Without going into details, I can say that he is working on a number of issues for our veterans and most of us came away with positive information. The one that has most veterans frustrated is the 40/30 card that was issued. The language is being changed in order to accommodate more vets. It was a very good turn-out at the fair and many veterans from local counties were assisted. Another fair will be held in the near future, watch for the date.
TriWest and potential phishing scam
There have been reports of a potential phishing scam in which someone is allegedly using TriWest letterhead to attempt to obtain Personal Health Information (PHI) or Personally Identifiable Information (PII) from veterans. It is important to know that TriWest will only send a letter to veterans to: confirm appointments; notify veterans of VA decisions important to their eligibility for care in the community; or to provide the new Choice Card. None of TriWest’s letters will request PHI/PII or credit card information. You can verify the validity of any letter you receive from TriWest by calling TriWest directly at 1-855-PCCCVET (722-2838). PLEASE NOTE: There are other phone (and mail) scams out there targeting veterans as well as the general public, so please if you have any questions about any calls or mail, give us a call before you make a decision. (231) 348-1780
Veterans, dogs and the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society
Three veterans, along with myself and the crew at the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, met and kicked off the first Veteran/Dog Training Program. This pilot program will train veterans to train dogs to become adoptable. It is the vision of the program’s organizers that more veterans will become involved, and that the success of this program can be passed on to other animal shelters where animals are euthanized. They can then get their veterans involved and it will be a big win/win for both the animals and veterans. You can support this program by donation to LTBHS for Veterans. Call them or our office if you have questions (LTBHS: (231) 347-2396)
Special Monthly Compensation benefits
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) program may provide benefits in addition to, or instead of, disability compensation if there is loss (or loss of use of) a limb, sight, speech, hearing, mobility, sexual organ or functioning, or for certain other disabilities. There may be eligibility for SMC if the veteran is unable to leave the house or bed without help or is in need of regular help from another person in performing the basic tasks of everyday life, such as eating, bathing, dressing, toileting and transferring. Because VA’s Special Monthly Compensation program is one of the most confusing and intricate programs that the VA offers, it is important that you seek assistance from an accredited veteran’s service officer. That would be us – call our office and we will help you get started.
We are here to help disabled veterans
If you are a disabled veteran or know of one in our area who is in need of temporary assistance around the house or outside (winter clean up), please give us a call as we have a few volunteers who would like to assist. Also, if you know someone recently deployed overseas, or if you have done so yourself, I would very much like to send a “thanks for serving “ package. Please let us know.
Semper Fi
Jim Alton is the Director of the Veterans Affairs Department within Emmet County. Alton served in the United States Marine Corps (1955-62) and is retired from the Michigan State Police. Reach him or his assistant, Rick Wiertalla, at (231) 348-1780 or jalton@emmetcounty.org
