How can a Viet Nam vet, who has had a heart attach and been given the wrong meds, get a grant or something?

Question

He doesn't even get enough social security to be able to eat every day. The wrong meds hindered his ability to walk. His doctor wants him to eat well, but do know how much sodium Top Raman has!!! Can someone please give some advice on this subject?

Answer 1

It sounds like me in '94. I went to the civilian sector because the vets where I lived was a sewer and, the waiting line was two years long.
So, after the wrong meds and, after a major heart attack, I died on the table three times. I went on Social Security Disability, There is no such thing as "turning you down three times" all you have to do is read the bullitens, apply and they'll call you for a phone interview. In the meantime, have all your necessary information available, your doctors, your diseases, your appointments, etc, all your service records, your illness dates, etc, get the point Granny? I'm sure you do Sweetheart.
They usually call within a few weeks and answer all, I mean all, your questions, write everything down you want to ask, You'll get a case worker, take the names down. Ask when, for your area, how long it will take, some areas it's a few weeks, Las Vegas for me was, like three months and, you'll get all the back pay up to the time you applied.

Then, go to the County/State and apply for Medicaid with the same information, you'll fill out many forms for both food stamps and aid, perscriptions and doctors,

I forgot, damn...ask the social security person that you want to file for low income, this way you won't have to pay for medicines or doctors.

Now, the Medicaid: You'll get aide within a few days, food stamp right away.

Then call the local vets, the ones nearest you, see if they have any help they can give you or anyway they can help you. Go to your local church group, we have a big food program for ours, we ask no questions. We have a meal program also.

This is all I can think of Granny, I hope it's helped, nothing is free, including freedom.

I remember when I was 18 years old, sitting in those jungle trails on patrol, I was so scared, now the vary people that we were there for have turned their backs on us. Freedom is not free. I am so sorry.

Answer 2

The VA is the first place to turn as the benefits can be much higher. If he has a combat related disability rated at 100% the cash benefit is just over $2600.00 per month this year. That doesn't include the medical he can get from the VA hospital, or through Tricare.

I certainly hope that your husband's case goes as smooth as being approved in a few months. The national average is closer to 2 years.

You can take him down to apply for state and country benefits like Emergency Medicaid, and Food Stamps right away.

Again, I can recommend an interactive website that has been very helpful to a lot of people. You just fill in the your area, needs, and the websites will list every federal, states, local, and even some private programs you might not be aware of.

http://www.benefitscheckup.org/

Answer 3

If he lives in the US, he can go to Social Security and get on disability. It takes at least three tries because they turn you down three times. Just tell him to keep applying. Also, if he is getting social security, he can go through The Department of Human Resources for extra help and get food stamps. That is horrible. If he is a Vet, he should be getting care from a VA Hospital. He can surely go back there and get the medications adjusted. I know VA Hospital isn't the best, but that is usually where they send the veterans.

Thanks for caring so much. I hate the way Viet Nam vets are treated and have been treated in the past.

Answer 4

I have heard there are problems getting the assistance needed from the VA in the US, but there is certainly the place to start. Its so unfair how the Vietnam vets have been treated. Is he receiving Disability assistance from Social Services or regular assistance? So many people who are disabled arent able to determine if they are receiving the level of disability they should be. If you can, check that out too. Can you go with him to the Social Security office while he talks to someone there?

Also the information should be on the internet, hope some of this helps You are such a kind person.

Look at this ""The compensation is not huge. A veteran with a disability rating of 100 percent gets about $2,400 a month—more if he or she has children." http://www.pet-tree.com/Disability-insurance.html

Answer 5

Just a note They NO longer give you All back pay from the time you became disabled. They also no longer pay in one lump sum. They pay ONLY for 3 years. and they pay it in 3 installments with the installments being 6 months apart.
i just went through the whole disability battle took me 7 years to get it. My back pay though was for only 3 years this is the new way of doing it.

Original poster.
have him go to social services and apply for food stamps Most towns also have food banks and community agencies and churches that will help with food.

Also have him look to see if there is a Angel Food Ministries
http://www.angelfoodministries.com/default.asp
in your area They give a nice package of food for 25.00 each month. You can actually get as many packages as you like There is NO income requirement for this service ANYONE of ANY income can get this.

I am a single mom of 2 on a limited income of SSI and get food stamps. I also go to this program. It really helps stretch a dollar.

Answer 6

Since you state that the wrong meds hindered the vets ability to walk, perhaps the vet should seek the advise of an attorney.

Sorry, no info about grants.

Answer 7

Call your elected offical on local level and they will guide you through the process as no one can sue the government so a Lawyer is out,,,

Answer 8

All the answerers (except two)have given quite elaborate guidance andhave left nothing for me to say.

Answer 9

Welcome to the world of disability! If you think you are going to live a life well on a disability income - you are wrong. Is he on food stamps? Have him contact his local PVA. http://www.pva.org