Iowa Admin. Code r. 801-14.4 - Benefits available
Applications may be approved for any of the following purposes. By a majority vote, the commission may suspend some or all of these benefits for payment.
(1)
Travel
expenses for wounded veterans, their spouses or a caregiver, directly related
to medical care. Travel expenses under this subrule include the
unreimbursed cost of airfare, lodging, and a per diem of $50 per day for
required medical appointments from the veteran's home. Spouses or caregivers
may be reimbursed for in-state lodging and a per diem of $50 per day when
visiting a veteran who is in a hospital for medical care related to an injury
or disability. The veteran or the veteran's spouse or caregiver shall provide
such evidence as the commission may require, which includes but is not limited
to evidence the injury or disability is service-connected, the necessity of
treatment in a particular facility, and documentation of expenses. The maximum
amount for travel expense reimbursement shall be $150 for in-state lodging. The
maximum amount of aid payable in a consecutive 12-month period under this
subrule is $1,800.
(2)
Job
training or college tuition assistance for job retraining.
a. The commission may pay a veteran not more
than $5,000 for retraining or postsecondary education and Internet connection
to enable the veteran to obtain gainful employment. The commission may provide
aid under this subrule if all of the following apply:
(1) The veteran is enrolled in a training
course in a technical college or school, is enrolled in an accredited
postsecondary institution, or is engaged in a structured on-the-job training
program.
(2) The veteran is
unemployed, underemployed, or has received a notice of termination of
employment.
(3) The commission
determines that the veteran's proposed program, or current program, will
provide retraining or initial training that could enable the veteran to find
gainful employment. In making its determination, the commission shall consider
whether the proposed program, or current program, provides adequate employment
skills and is in an occupation for which favorable employment opportunities are
anticipated.
(4) The veteran
requesting aid has not received full reimbursement or payment from any other
retraining or education scholarship programs and the veteran does not have
other assets or income available to meet retraining or initial training
expenses. Applicants requesting aid under this subrule will only be granted the
unpaid portion of their tuition statement and a monthly Internet invoice.
Payments will be made directly to the institution and Internet
provider.
b. The veteran
shall provide such evidence as the commission may require to satisfy the
requirements of this subrule.
(3)
Unemployment or underemployment
assistance during a period of unemployment or underemployment due to service
connection or disability resulting from military service (must provide a
doctor's note stating the person is physically and mentally able to return to
work). The commission may provide subsistence payments only to a
veteran who has suffered a loss of income due to prolonged physical or mental
illness resulting from military service or disability resulting from military
service. The commission may provide subsistence payments of up to $500 per
month of unemployment or underemployment to a veteran. A veteran must provide
documentation of assistance from Iowa workforce development and vocational
rehabilitation, if eligible. No payment may be made under this subrule if the
veteran has other assets or income available to meet basic subsistence needs. A
period of unemployment implies that it is possible for the veteran to be
employed in the future. A rating from the VA of 100 percent due to individual
unemployability (IU) rated permanent and total indicates that a veteran is
unemployable and will not qualify for assistance under this subrule. The
veteran shall provide such evidence as the commission may require, which
includes but is not limited to evidence that the veteran is unemployed or
underemployed for the period of payments. To qualify as underemployed, the
applicant must be currently working at an income that is below 150 percent of
federal poverty guidelines. The maximum amount of aid payable in a consecutive
12-month period under this subrule is $3,000 and a lifetime maximum of
$6,000.
(4)
Expenses
related to hearing care, dental care, vision care, or prescription
drugs.
a. The commission may provide
health care aid to a veteran, to the veteran's spouse or dependents, or to the
unremarried spouse of a deceased veteran for dental care, including dentures;
vision care, including eyeglass frames and lenses; hearing care, including
hearing aids; and prescription drugs that are not covered by the veterans
affairs medical center.
b. The
maximum amount that may be paid under this subrule for any consecutive 12-month
period may not exceed $10,000 for dental care, $500 for vision care, $1,500 per
ear for hearing care, and $1,500 for prescription drugs and prescribed
over-the-counter drugs. Lifetime maximum benefit: $10,000 per eligible family
member.
c. The commission shall not
provide health care aid under this subrule unless the aid recipient's health
care provider agrees to accept, as full payment for the health care provided,
the amount of the payment and the amount of the recipient's health insurance or
other third-party payments, if any. Payment under this subrule will be provided
directly to the health care provider.
d. Applicants for assistance under this
subrule will be required to provide the commission with an unpaid bill for
service or an estimated cost of service from the health care provider and
documentation of the need for the service. For prescription drugs, the
applicant must produce documentation of the need for the prescribed drug and
documentation stating whether a generic drug is available or appropriate. The
commission payment will not exceed an estimated cost of service by a health
care provider.
(5)
Expenses relating to the purchase of durable equipment or services to
allow a veteran, the veteran's spouse or dependents, or the unremarried spouse
of a deceased veteran to remain in their home.
a. The commission may make reimbursement
payments to a veteran or to the unremarried spouse of a deceased veteran for
the purchase of durable equipment that allows the veteran, the veteran's spouse
or dependents, or the unremarried spouse of a deceased veteran to remain in
their home or allows them the ability to utilize more of their home.
b. Individuals requesting reimbursement under
this subrule will be required to provide verification of the purchase and
installation of the equipment and information relating to the need for the
equipment. Individuals may also provide a product and installation cost
estimate to the commission for approval, with the understanding that the
commission will pay no more than the cost estimate to the supplier or
installer. Applicants in need of durable equipment as a medical necessity
should provide information from a physician. Applicants must provide a denial
from other available programs, such as the Home Improvements and Structural
Alterations (HISA) benefits program.
c. Assistance under this subrule cannot
duplicate assistance from other entities, and the maximum amount that may be
paid may not exceed $5,000.
(6)
Individual counseling or family
counseling programs.
a. The
commission may make mental health, substance abuse, and family counseling
available to veterans and their families. Individual family members are
eligible for counseling.
b. The
assistance may include appropriate counseling and treatment programs for
veterans and their families in need of services.
c. Any assistance provided under this subrule
shall not duplicate other services readily available to veterans and their
families. Veterans who are eligible for VA mental health services must
initially visit their nearest VA medical facility for initial consultation and
continued psychiatric treatment. Payment under this subrule will be made for
additional services for the veteran in a location closer to the veteran's home
and at a greater frequency than the VA medical center can
accommodate.
d. The commission may
provide up to $150 per hour and $75 per half-hour for outpatient counseling
visits to providers who will accept as full payment for the counseling services
the amount provided. Counseling and substance abuse services provided in a
group setting may be paid up to $40 per hour. Counseling and substance abuse
services may also be provided in an inpatient setting, subject to the maximum
amount eligible under paragraph 14.4(6)"f."
e. The maximum amount that may be paid under
this subrule for any consecutive 12-month period shall not exceed $5,000.
Individuals seeking counseling services are eligible for up to $2,500,
individuals seeking substance abuse treatment and counseling combined are
eligible for up to $3,500, and families seeking counseling services that may
also include individual counseling and substance abuse services are eligible
for up to $5,000.
f. The commission
may not provide counseling under this subrule unless the aid recipient's
counseling service provider agrees to accept, as full payment for the
counseling services provided, the amount of the payment; the amount of the
recipient's health insurance or other third-party payments, if any; and the
amount that the commission determines the veteran is capable of paying. The
commission will make payment directly to the entity providing counseling and
substance abuse services.
(7)
Expenses relating to ambulance
and emergency room services for veterans and emergency lodging for immediate
family members.
a. The commission
may provide assistance to veterans for expenses related to ambulance trips,
including air ambulance transportation, and emergency room visits for emergency
care patients or VA health care patients who cannot indicate to emergency
personnel that they are to be presented to a VA medical center.
b. Funding through this subrule shall be paid
directly to the entity providing the emergency service or transportation after
the commission is provided with an unpaid bill. All efforts should be made to
utilize all other methods of payment prior to accessing assistance under this
subrule.
c. The maximum amount that
may be paid under this subrule may not exceed $10,000.
d. Incurred medical debt that is over six
months old will not be accepted from the date of service, or the date of the
denial, or the latter of the two.
(8)
Emergency expenses related to
vehicle repair or a one-time replacement vehicle, housing repair, or temporary
housing assistance.
a. The
commission may provide assistance to a veteran or to the unremarried spouse of
a deceased veteran for emergency vehicle repair, emergency housing repair, and
temporary housing.
b. Assistance
for vehicle repair is limited to expenses that are required for continued use
of the vehicle. This assistance will only be granted in cases where the vehicle
is needed for travel to and from work-related activities or substantial
hardship will occur if the vehicle is not repaired. Assistance may be provided
in situations where the applicant does not have sufficient means to pay an
insurance deductible. Assistance will be paid directly to the entity performing
the maintenance or the insurance company owed the deductible. Assistance will
not be provided for damage caused during the commission of a crime, for
cosmetic needs, for damage resulting in an auto accident when automobile
insurance has not been purchased, or for routine maintenance. Vehicle
replacement (proof of "bill of sale," proof of salvage, or proof of the
vehicle's replacement), vehicle repairs and housing repairs cannot exceed
$10,000 or the value of the vehicle at the time of the request.
c. Assistance for home repair is limited to
repairs that are required to improve the conditions and integrity of the home
and are necessary for the safety and security of the residents. Applicants with
homeowners insurance may request assistance for payment of a deductible.
Assistance may be provided for applicants in disaster situations, home
accidents, vandalism, or other situations as determined by the commission.
Proof of homeowners insurance is required as well as an insurance claim, if
applicable.
d. Assistance for
transitional housing may be provided to applicants who are displaced from their
home during a period of repairs related to a disaster, vandalism, home
accident, or other reason that makes staying in the home hazardous to the
health of the residents. Any refunded security deposits paid for under this
subrule shall be returned to the Iowa veterans trust fund.
e. The maximum amount that may be paid under
this subrule for any consecutive 12-month period may not exceed $1,000 for
transitional housing. Lifetime maximum benefit for housing repair and vehicle
repair or vehicle replacement: $10,000 each.
(9)
Expenses related to establishing
whether a minor child is a dependent of a deceased veteran.
a. The commission may provide assistance to
the family of veterans who are killed while serving on active federal service,
for expenses related to paternity or maternity tests or the cost of procuring
additional DNA samples from the deceased veteran. This assistance is available
to determine whether a child is eligible for United States Department of
Veterans Affairs war orphan benefits.
b. Applicants are required to provide the
results of the paternity or maternity examinations to the commission upon
completion of the tests. Where the deceased veteran is not the parent of the
child, the applicant will be required to repay the assistance received as
provided in 801-14.6 (35A).
c. The
maximum amount that may be paid under this subrule is $2,500.
(10)
Family support group
programs, survivor outreach services, or programs for children of members of
the military.
a. The commission may
award grants to unit family readiness/support groups, family support offices,
and other such organizations providing support and programs to families and
children of family members.
b. The
grant shall be only for projects or programs which are not funded from any
other source. The commission shall determine if the applicant's proposed
project or program will provide the intended support. In making its
determination, the commission shall consider whether the proposed program will
provide anticipated favorable results.
(11)
Honor guard services.
a. The commission may reimburse veterans
organizations for providing military funeral honors as follows:
(1) If a single veterans organization
provides basic honors, $50.
(2) If
a single veterans organization provides full honors, $100.
(3) If two or more veterans organizations
participate in providing full honors and one of the organizations provides a
firing detail, $50. The organizations may request that the commission split the
reimbursement.
(4) If two or more
veterans organizations participate in providing basic honors, $25. Payment
shall be to one veterans organization, as determined by the
commission.
b.
Notwithstanding paragraph 14.4(11)"a," the commission shall
not reimburse a veterans organization if federal funding is available to
reimburse the veterans organization for providing military funeral honors. The
veterans organization shall request reimbursement from federal sources. If a
veterans organization receives federal funding for providing military funeral
honors at the reimbursement rate of one funeral per day, the department shall
reimburse the organization for the provision of military funeral honors at any
additional funerals on that day.
c.
The maximum amount of aid payable in a calendar year under this subrule to a
veterans organization is $2,000.
d.
Veterans service organizations that are not currently providing honor guard
services may apply for a $500 up-front grant for the use of creating a new
honor guard within their organization. Applicants must present the commission
with an estimated cost for purchasing uniforms and firearms for providing
military honors and an estimated number of members who will be available to
perform honor guard services. Organizations should also provide information
regarding how they plan to pay for additional expenses that may occur outside
of trust fund assistance. Applicants will be eligible for reimbursements under
paragraphs 14.4(11)"a" to "c" 12 months after
the receipt of their original $500 grant.
(12)
Matching funds to veterans
service organizations to provide for accredited veteran service
officers. Rescinded IAB 11/6/19, effective 12/11/19.
Notes
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