Due to the American Rescue Plan Act and other COVID-19-related legislation recently passed into law, FEMA will be able to provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses acquired after Jan. 20, 2020. Although applications are not yet being accepted, FEMA anticipates beginning later this month and is working on establishing a toll-free phone number for applying for assistance. People who have incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses are being advised to keep and gather documents, like an official death certificate that shows the death is COVID-19 related and funeral expense documents. FEMA will also need proof of funds received from other sources such as VA, to determine the amount of your benefit. Beware of scammers – FEMA will not contact people prior to them registering for assistance.
VA Addresses Record Request Backlog by Offering Vaccines to NPRC Staff
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough addressed the growing backlog of service record requests at a hearing before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) closed their offices last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and since Mar. 8, 2021, have been operating at 20% capacity and are processing only emergency requests. This has led to a backlog of over 500,000 pending record requests of documents required for VA claims, burials, and other benefits. Secretary McDonough stated that VA would begin offering vaccines to NPRC staff at the Missouri and Maryland sites to get their personnel back to work. He also recognized the need to digitize the immense amount of paper records to avoid this situation in the future stating, “Let’s get those records digitized so that we’re not stuck in this place again.”
New VFW Podcast Host
VFW Communications and Public Affairs Director Robert Couture released his first VFW podcast on Wednesday. Couture first talks with the former host and the new VA Press Secretary Terrence Hayes. The focus then shifts to recognizing Women’s History Month with Military Women’s Memorial President Phyllis Wilson and the VFW’s first woman Department Commander of Idaho, Melanie Foster, by sharing their stories as trailblazers.
Vaccinations for Veterans, Families
Thanks to the passage into law of the SAVE LIVES Act, more and more veterans, caregivers, and spouses may receive the COVID-19 vaccine. For more information about getting your shot, call the Erie VA at (800) 274-8387, Option 2.
Important Dates in April
The month of April has many important days. Here are just a few:
The entire month of April is the Month of the Military Child.
April 4 – Easter
April 5 – Gold Star Spouses Day
April 9 – National Former POW Recognition Day
April 14 – Air Force Reserve birthday
April 23 – Army Reserve birthday
April 30 – National Military Brats Day
POW/MIA Update
Navy Signalman 1st Class Eugene M. Skaggs, 33, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Navy Water Tender 1st Class Milo E. Phillips, 26, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Army Pfc. Raymond A. Smith, 18, was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950, during the Korean War. Interment Services are pending.
Navy Fireman 1st Class Neal K. Todd, 22, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Interment services are pending.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
