Page 5 - TVTimes.10.21.18

Sunday, November 11, 2018 EL DORADO NEWS-TIMES — 5D
Union County Veteran Service Officer information
Danny Brown
dbrown@unioncountyar.com
870-864-1909
101 N. Washington, Suite 109, El Dorado
Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday
LCPL Albert C. Boulden
United States Marine Corps 1977 - 1983
SGM Cleudis Gaston
United States Army 1974 - 2009 Retired
Private First Class John Charles Hall, SR
United States Army 1944-1946
WWII
In Loving Memory
12911
CPL JAKE COGBURN
Two Tours Afghanistan 2009-2014
United States Marines
12891
Sgt. B.H. Harper, Jr.
1985-Present United States Army
Thank you for your service.
12890
Billy Ra
y Nelson
y
Unite
9/7/1965 - 9/6/1967
d
d
S
S
t
ta
t
tes
A
Army
We are in debt for your service.
12780
1100 E. Main St. • El Dorado • (870) 639-8133
www.slinginarrows.com
Suzy Burson (Owner) John Barker (Manager)
We support our Veterans!
Especially forY
522 W. 19th • El Dorado 870-863-9292
8965
(870) 862-8841
Toll Free 1-800-364-1350
MEDICAL SUPPLY
201 W. Grove El Dorado, AR
ou
Thank You Veterans!
5% Military Discount For All Veterans
(Active & Retired With Military ID)
• POW/MIA Flags
• American Flags
• Military Theme Items
We Salute Our
We Salute Our
Veterans!
Veterans!
(Lighters, Knives, Hats, Etc.)
408 S. Washington • 863-0767
Charlie’s
Thank you for your sacrifices!
105 E. Main Street
El Dorado, AR
(870) 862-1747 or (870) 862-1853
Corner
OF HAIR DESIGN
Enrolling for health care benefits
VA Guaranteed Home Loan
Are you a veteran who has never enrolled in health care benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs? It’s not too late!
Eligibility
Served on active duty in military, naval or air service and separated under conditions other than dishonorable.
If you enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, or entered active duty after Oct. 16, 1981, you must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty. This does not apply to those who were discharged for a disability that was caused or made worse by active duty service or if you were discharged for a hardship or “early out.”
If you’re a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard - you must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were called to active duty. Active duty status for training purposes only does not qualify for VA health care.
If you separated under conditions other than honorable, visit vets.gov/ health-care/eligibility to find out if any exceptions apply to you.
Enhanced Eligibility
This status would place you in a higher priority group making you more likely to get benefits as long as one of the following applies to you:
You receive financial compensation from the VA for a service-connected disability.
You were discharged for a disability resulting from something that happened to you in the line of duty.
You were discharged for a disability that got worse in the line of duty.
You’re a recently discharged combat veteran.
You get a VA pension.
You’re a former prisoner of war.
You’ve received a Purple Heart.
You get (or qualify for) Medicaid benefits.
You served in Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975.
You served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War between Aug. 2, 1990, and Nov.11, 1998.
You served at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987.
Application process
To apply for benefit, you need a few documents:
Your most recent tax return;
Social Security numbers for yourself and any qualified dependents; and
Account numbers for any current health insurance you already have.
Applications can be made online at vets. gov/health-care/apply. Applications can also be downloaded at that site, filled out and mailed to:
Health Eligibility Center
2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30329
Applications also can be brought to the nearest VA medical center or clinic. In El Dorado, the clinic is located at 1702 N. West Ave.
If you need assistance while filling out the application, call 1-877-222- 8387 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
You’ve applied. Now what?
The VA should notify you through the mail on whether your application has been approved. The VA says it takes less than one week for veterans to hear back about their application, but if more than one week has passed since you applied, call 1-877-222-8387.
A VA guaranteed home loan can be used to buy a home, either existing or pre-construction, or refinance an existing loan. Loans are generally available to:
Veterans who meet length of service requirements;
Service members on active duty who have served a minimum period;
Certain Reservists and National Guard members; and
Certainsurvivingspousesofdeceased veterans.
To determine your eligibility, call 1-877-827-3702.
All qualified veterans have an equal opportunity to obtain a VA loan. The loans are reusable and do not require a down payment, unless required by the lender or the purchase price is more than the reasonable value of the property. The loans do not require mortgage insurance and a one-time VA funding fee can be included in the loan, though veterans receiving VA disability compensation are exempt from the VA funding fee. The VA limits certain closing costs a veteran can pay and has staff dedicated to assisting veterans who become delinquent on their loan.
The key underwriting criteria:
No maximum debt ratio, however the lender must provide compensating factors if total debt ratio is over 41 percent.
No maximum loan amount, however the VA does limit its guaranty. Veterans can borrow up to $424,100 without a down payment in most of the country, including in Union County.
Published residual income guidelines to ensure veterans have the capacity to repay their obligations while accounting for all living expenses.
No minimum credit score requirement; instead the VA requires a lender to review the entire loan profile to make a lending decision.
Lenders need a certificate of eligibility to prove your entitlement, which can be obtained for most veterans through the eBenefits system. Lenders do have the ability to request the certificate on your behalf.
The VA encourages veterans to talk to several lenders to find one who
fits your needs, knows the VA loan program and offers competitive rates and terms.
Farm Loans
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Home Loan benefit may be used to purchase a farm. There must be a farm residence on the land, and the veteran must live in it as his or her primary residence.
VA-guaranteed loans can only be used for residential purposes, and not to purchase a business. This means that some farm properties may not be eligible for purchase using a VA-backed home loan.
General Guidance
Loans for farm dwellings are appraised the same way as for nonfarm-type dwellings:
• VA does not limit the number of acres a VA-guaranteed property may have.
• The appraisal of properties with acreage should not pose a problem, as long as similar properties in the area were recently sold primarily for residential use. This may include improvements not typically considered residential, like barns, sheds, corrals, stables and pastures.
• For VA purposes, the value must not include livestock, crops or farm equipment and supplies. Individual improvements not typically considered residential will be valued at fair market value. This includes barns, sheds, corrals, stables, pastures, etc. Underwriting guidelines are generally the same as for nonfarm-type dwellings.
• For example, some or all of the income necessary to support the loan payments may come from farming operations. In this case, VA must verify the veteran’s ability and experience as a farm operator.
• The procedures and analysis in Chapter 4 of VA Pamphlet 26-7, “Lenders Handbook”, under “Self- Employment Income” generally apply.
Dye is in the process of gaining that access. Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs is
VA pensions and how to apply
Pension is a needs-based benefit program for wartime veterans, ages 65 or older or those who have a permanent and total non-service connected disability, and who have limited income and net worth.
Veterans who are more seriously disabled may qualify for pension at the increased housebound or aid and attendance rates.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible if you meet the following criteria:
• You were discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions, AND
• You served 90 days of active duty with at least one day during wartime (unless you entered active duty after Sept. 7, 1980 - then you must have served at least 24 months of active duty service. If it is less than 24 months, you must have completed the entire tour of active duty.), AND
• Your countable income is below the maximum annual pension rate, AND
• You meet net worth limitations, AND
• You meet one of the following criteria: You are age 65 or older.
You have a permanent and total
nonservice-connected disability.
You are a patient in a nursing home
due to mental or physical incapacity. You are receiving Social Security
disability benefits.
For the current net worth limit and
maximum annual pension rate, see the Veterans Pension Rate Table at www. benefits.va.gov/PENSION/current_ rates_veteran_pen.asp.
How much does VA pay?
First, the VA determines the maximum annual pension rate for your situation. This amount is set by Congress.
Next, the VA determines your countable income. This is done by subtracting exclusions provided by law from your total annual income.
The VA then subtracts your countable income from the maximum annual pension rate. This difference is your yearly pension entitlement.
See PENSION, Page 7D
Poach: Continued from Page 4D
file to better assist veterans.
“By doing this we are giving veterans better, faster and local service. All of this at no cost to the veteran. To date, we currently have 55 out of
75 county veteran service
officers accredited, and
we are working with them
to gain access to the VA
systems,” Chandler said. working on getting all of
Davis and Brown each have access to the VA computer system that houses veterans’ claims files. CVSOs can assist in retrieving tax letters and giving veterans updates on their claim status.
the county veteran service officers access to the VA system once they are accredited.
Accredited veteran service officers cannot charge veterans for their services.
Thank you for your service!
401 N. West Ave. El Dorado 870.665.2355
0776
12918
12951
8907
0784
12856