VA news for veterans health care and tax exempt

Recent VA News Releases

To view and download VA news release, please visit the following
Internet address:
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel



VA Assisting Veterans with Health Care Costs

WASHINGTON (Jan. 6, 2009) -- For veterans struggling financially due to
a job loss or decreased income, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
offers an assortment of programs that can relieve the costs of health
care or provide care at no cost.

"With the downturn in the economy, VA recognizes that many veterans will
feel the effects," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B.
Peake. "Therefore, it is important that eligible veterans learn of the
many ways VA has to help them afford the health care they have earned."

Veterans whose previous income was ruled too high for VA health care may
be able to enter the VA system based upon a hardship if their current
year's income is projected to fall below federal income thresholds due
to a job loss, separation from service or some other financial setback.
Veterans determined eligible due to hardship can avoid copays applied to
higher-income veterans. Qualifying veterans may be eligible for
enrollment and receive health care at no cost.

Also eligible for no-cost VA care are most veterans who recently
returned from a combat zone. They are entitled to five years of free VA
care. The five-year "clock" begins with their discharge from the
military, not their departure from the combat zone.

Each VA medical center across the country has an enrollment coordinator
available to provide veterans information about these programs.
Veterans may also contact VA's Health Benefits Service Center at
1-877-222 VETS (8387) or visit the VA health eligibility website at
www.va.gov/healtheligibility


Tax exemption letters headed to Florida veterans
Gainesville Sun - Gainesville,FL,USA


By Karen Voyles
Staff Writer


Published: Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 7:12 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 7:12 a.m.
About 265,000 of the 1.8 million veterans or their surviving spouses who live in Florida should be receiving letters this week from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that can be used for a property tax exemption.

State officials said veterans with a ten-percent or greater service-connected disability who claim a homestead exemption in Florida are eligible for a additional $5,000 tax exemption. In order to receive the exemption, the veterans need to take a copy of the letter verifying their eligibility to their local property appraiser's office.

"We are working with the state of Florida to ensure veterans get the information they need to take advantage of the state's annual tax relief," said St Petersburg VA Regional Office Director Barry Barker in a news release.
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