Still Serving
Return Unclaimed Money to Veterans
(MADISON) – The Wisconsin State Treasury and the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) are teaming up to help veterans claim money they may have lost or forgotten.
The agreement between WDVA Secretary John Scocos and State Treasurer Kurt Schuller permits the Unclaimed Property Unit in the State Treasury to begin matching social security numbers from the Treasury database with those in a Department of Veterans Affairs database. Veterans who have unclaimed assets will receive checks from the State Treasury.
“It is our hope that we can make it easier for veterans to claim their own cash…money they might not even know they are missing,” State Treasurer Kurt Schuller said. “These heroes who have fought for our freedoms deserve a little extra help from the State.”
“Sharing information to match unclaimed assets with the rightful owner just makes sense,” Secretary Scocos added. “This partnership with the Treasury is just one more small way we can help those who have served and sacrificed for our country.”
The State Treasury is holding more than $400 million in unclaimed funds. The State Treasurer and his staff of claims examiners are working to return as much of that as possible every day.
Anyone can search for unclaimed money on the Wisconsin State Treasury website, www.statetreasury.wi.gov. Just click on the magnifying glass on the homepage.
The agreement between WDVA Secretary John Scocos and State Treasurer Kurt Schuller permits the Unclaimed Property Unit in the State Treasury to begin matching social security numbers from the Treasury database with those in a Department of Veterans Affairs database. Veterans who have unclaimed assets will receive checks from the State Treasury.
“It is our hope that we can make it easier for veterans to claim their own cash…money they might not even know they are missing,” State Treasurer Kurt Schuller said. “These heroes who have fought for our freedoms deserve a little extra help from the State.”
“Sharing information to match unclaimed assets with the rightful owner just makes sense,” Secretary Scocos added. “This partnership with the Treasury is just one more small way we can help those who have served and sacrificed for our country.”
The State Treasury is holding more than $400 million in unclaimed funds. The State Treasurer and his staff of claims examiners are working to return as much of that as possible every day.
Anyone can search for unclaimed money on the Wisconsin State Treasury website, www.statetreasury.wi.gov. Just click on the magnifying glass on the homepage.
(COLA) Act of 2011
On November 9, 2011, the President signed into law S. 894, the “Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act of 2011.”
For the last two years this increase has been zero percent. The adjusted increase is tied to the Consumer Price Index provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics which also determines the increase for Social Security recipients. This year the Social Security Administration projected an increase of approximately 3.6 percent, meaning that veterans in receipt of compensation as well as widows who receive dependency and indemnity compensation should see an increase. The veterans COLA goes into effect on December 1, 2011.
For the last two years this increase has been zero percent. The adjusted increase is tied to the Consumer Price Index provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics which also determines the increase for Social Security recipients. This year the Social Security Administration projected an increase of approximately 3.6 percent, meaning that veterans in receipt of compensation as well as widows who receive dependency and indemnity compensation should see an increase. The veterans COLA goes into effect on December 1, 2011.
What is Mission: Able?
What is Mission: ABLE?
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Mission: ABLE helps veterans with job training and career opportunities.
Paralyzed Veterans of America's Mission: ABLE campaign helps our nation's paralyzed veterans rebuild their lives and receive the care, benefits and job services they need and deserve, working to ensure they are:
Veterans living with disabilities deserve the best care and services America can offer, yet our country's paralyzed servicemen and women often face challenges in securing the benefits and freedom they have earned.
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Mission: ABLE helps veterans with job training and career opportunities.
Paralyzed Veterans of America's Mission: ABLE campaign helps our nation's paralyzed veterans rebuild their lives and receive the care, benefits and job services they need and deserve, working to ensure they are:
- Able to receive the benefits they've earned
- Able to access the quality of care they need to live a full life
- Able to get the job training and opportunities for new careers
- Able to enjoy competition and camaraderie though sports
Veterans living with disabilities deserve the best care and services America can offer, yet our country's paralyzed servicemen and women often face challenges in securing the benefits and freedom they have earned.
- More than 44,000 American veterans live with paralysis.
- Spinal cord injuries can cost up to $3 million per person in health-care expenses, yet veterans' benefits aren't always guaranteed. An estimated $25 billion in veterans' benefits dollars go unclaimed every year.
- More than 85% of veterans with severe disabilities are currently unemployed.
- Sign up for our email newsletter to receive news and information about Paralyzed Veterans of America's members and programs.
- Make a donation to Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Your support makes the help and services we provide possible. - Shop for Mission: ABLE gear.
It's a great way to show your support for America's brave veterans. - Find out about sponsorship opportunities.
(Contact Jane Eakins at janee@pva.org or 202-416-7687 for sponsorship information.) - Send an e-card to a veteran or an active service member to let them know you're thinking of them.
Anyone interested in a HandCycling Club?
All interested persons could contact Joyce Casey (414-384-2000 ext. 41256) or Mike Wondra at his email
mwondra@wi.rr.com
mwondra@wi.rr.com
Wheelchair softball team seeks players
The Wisconsin WPVA Warhawks wheelchair softball team is inviting disabled athletes to try out for the team. Practices are held on Thursday nights (6:15 p.m. to 9 p.m.) at the Juneau High School parking lot in Milwaukee (64th and Bluemound). The team plays in the National Wheelchair Softball Association and travels to tournaments in Chicago; St. Paul, Minn.; and Nebraska. The national championships will be held in New York in August. For more information, contact Carlos Mireles at (262) 878-3662.
Special Extra Earnings for Military Service
| DD FORM 214 -- SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT |
| Please share this with anyone who's had active duty service between January 1957 to December 31, 2001 and is planning for retirement. |
Uneven sidewalks...
Uneven sidewalks aren't the only bumps in the road when you're in a wheelchair
by James E. Causey, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
After spending three days in a wheelchair, I was ready to quit. Not only did I battle cracked and buckled pavement, I also had to deal with the bad attitudes of pedestrians and a cold, pelting rain. But I didn't give up because of people like Tiffany Payne.
Payne, who has been using a power wheelchair for 18 years, teased me:
"Imagine trying to get around town in the winter," she said.
I could see her point: You're battling to get to a doctor's appointment, but no one has shoveled after a big snowfall. Your choices: Venture out and risk getting stuck, or reschedule the appointment.
Those of us fortunate enough to get around on our own two legs don't give a second thought to the person in a wheelchair next to us at a crosswalk. That would require us to look down. (read rest of the story by clicking here)
by James E. Causey, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
After spending three days in a wheelchair, I was ready to quit. Not only did I battle cracked and buckled pavement, I also had to deal with the bad attitudes of pedestrians and a cold, pelting rain. But I didn't give up because of people like Tiffany Payne.
Payne, who has been using a power wheelchair for 18 years, teased me:
"Imagine trying to get around town in the winter," she said.
I could see her point: You're battling to get to a doctor's appointment, but no one has shoveled after a big snowfall. Your choices: Venture out and risk getting stuck, or reschedule the appointment.
Those of us fortunate enough to get around on our own two legs don't give a second thought to the person in a wheelchair next to us at a crosswalk. That would require us to look down. (read rest of the story by clicking here)
Wii-hab: Veterans Get More Than Fun With Wii Rehab
An uppercut here, a jab there, and block the pose. Veteran Roy Heathcoat is exhausted but he isn't about to stop boxing. A knockout would not hurt him physically, but his competitive nature would never allow defeat.
Heathcoat's challenging boxing match is actually one of the games on the Wii game system.
"It's amazing how much cardio you get from Wii boxing," said the Veteran who receives care at the VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "It kind of blows my mind to be sore from playing that game."
Heathcoat plays sports on the Wii to maintain his cardiovascular health and strength. As a paraplegic, this is a valuable way he can stay fit without worrying about injury. read the rest of the story
Heathcoat's challenging boxing match is actually one of the games on the Wii game system.
"It's amazing how much cardio you get from Wii boxing," said the Veteran who receives care at the VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "It kind of blows my mind to be sore from playing that game."
Heathcoat plays sports on the Wii to maintain his cardiovascular health and strength. As a paraplegic, this is a valuable way he can stay fit without worrying about injury. read the rest of the story