dedicatedvet

Dear Dedicated Vet, Did you see posting for: http://www.modestneeds.org/exp lore/

Whoa. That's a lot of good info. I'm making calls and as expected, lots of dead ends but there's some progress as well. Thanks for all of these leads. I did talk to social security admin for the Ticket to Work program which seems good so far although I must wait a week to the documentation. When I return it, it only takes a week for them to process. In this program I get exempt from the usual med exams that i get to stay on the ssd, i can keep my check, and I get a work assignment, vocational training, transportation help, and there is no cut-off on how long I can participate. I will select an agency from a national list who will provide all these services, and it may include a financial counselor. it just seems too good to be true because it may resolve the long-term picture. i will read the documentation when it arrives and find out. i do not have to participate if i don't like it, and the ticket never expires. Additionally, I MAY GET TO WORK! whoo-Hooo! And trust me, if I can have a job I can do and support myself without losing my home, then I will gladly turn over the monetary benefits I need today to folks on their way who may need it. I have not worked in 7 years. The trick will be to find advanced training in the field to bring me up-to-date, and then a job in an environment where I won't "trip out" for a lack of better words - including the physical requirements I have. I would love that. Geez, I don't want to go into all that's wrong with me. What's right with me is that my brain still works and there's got to be somewhere that I can use it. That's my focus. On my first post here, I said that I wanted to work. I never wanted to leave the military. I pretty much begged them to let me stay. I would feel much better telling creditors that I will be working. That is what I have always wanted! One more thing, I applied to and got accepted to several Universities to get a Masters, including Devry's one year program, which is my first choice. I could not get a single educational loan unless I had a doctor's letter stating that I am no longer totally disabled. There were no student grants for grad school. That was the other trap. My income would be cut off before I could get the training to get a job to support myself and my son. It's been so long since I've worked, I need additional training in order to get the salary I need to maintain where I am. So if this ticket to work program does provide the training I need, and an environment that is feasable, then I will be in hog heaven. I guess it's probably obvious that I did get to a point where I could not work at all. And also it's probably just as obvious that I am ready to try again. Maybe I won't succeed, or maybe I will. I've got to try. The VA is very good to continue support during the transition. It has always been the SS benefits I've needed [not particularly the money itself] that would be in danger if I tried. Their benefits I need far exceed that monthly check, especially as a homeowner in Texas. Therefore, thank you guys for all of these leads again and I am getting back on the phone to make more calls. I knew I wouldn't be so 'tired' today. SMILE

Hi there Dedicatedvet. I Sorry for you losts and troubles. I'm glad to see you still have a fighers attatude, I am just getting through the worst part of my life and I would like to share with you what I and my parents (my fathers is 100% disabled Vet from Vitnam) my website will explaine everything, however you will need to look up how much you can make with out losing your benifits, I know my day can make upto 500.00 a month extra. Its free, easy, and fun.
Path of Freedom

Dear Dedicatedvet: I see in your postings that you have had no luck calling the VA in Waco. However, there is a VA Loan Ctr. in Houston which is the regional office. They will provide you with a personal advocate to negotiate w/mortgage company on your behalf to prevent foreclosures. The toll free number is 888-232-2571 if you can not get thru on that line the direct toll no. is 713-383-1728. I do not know if they assist w/personal loans but can't hurt to ask.

Dear Dedicated Veteran: I almost forgot the most important posting of all. THANK YOU!

Keep current on VA benefits - http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/ current_benefits.asp Addition al Resources & Programs: http://www.glo.stat e.tx.us/vlb/vetsource/index.ht ml#disable http://www.glo.sta te.tx.us/vlb/forms/Certificati onApplication.pdf http://www. glo.state.tx.us/vlb/forms/home /vhip_app_pack.pdf

Dear Dedicated Vet, Reading back further on your postings, I noticed you mentioned a problem with utility bills. Please view the following web site - Note that although you are not eligible for Low Income Home Energy Assistance, there are programs which are funded every year to help people in financial crisis. They normally receive funds twice a year so even if they are out of funds today, call periodically to check. http://www.liheap.ncat.org/p rofiles/Texas.htm

Yes. Thanks. Persian Gulf Era

Dear Dedicated Vet, Another resource you may wish to access is the National Veterans Services Fund. View the web site at Http://nvsf.org Do call and explain your situation as they can and do provide limited financial assistance for emergency needs. Could you post which era of veteran you are?

Pro bono Financial Consultants for people in financial need or crisis can be accessed at the following web site: http://consultaplanner. org/ FYI Effective July 5, 2006, credit counseling agencies and debtor education providers applying for approval by the United States Trustee Program must follow new instructions and use the new application and appendices available on the Credit Counseling & Debtor Education page. See: http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/index .htm Right hand column Credit Counseling & Debtor Education Information List of Credit Counseling Agencies Approved Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 111 Searchable by State http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/ bapcpa/ccde/cc_approved.htm

WOW. Let me say this: I collect lighthouses. People laugh about them, but they continue to bring me more. Lighthouses remind me that there's always a beacon of light when everything seems so dark around me; to guide me in the right direction. Thanks guys. I think the light's on!

Dear Dedicated Vet, Listed below you will find services specifically available to Veterans & Military. Many States now have pro bono services available to Veterans in financial crisis as well. You can contact your State Board of CPA's to inquire. PHONE 404.845.0011, Ext. 7816 * FAX 404.845.3660 * E-MAIL fpa@fpanet.org * INTERNET www.fpanet.org FOR RELEASE: April 4, 2003 CONTACT: Heather Almand Director of Public Relations FPA Offers Financial Planning Resources to Military Families ATLANTA, GA…April 4, 2003… The Financial Planning Association (FPA™) is offering assistance to military families through its National Financial Planning Support Center. Through a newly created Web page at www.fpanet.org/public/Mili tary.cfm, FPA is featuring information for military families on managing your finances during a time of war. The National Financial Planning Support Center is prepared to offer the following services and resources to military personnel and their families: Ø Ask a CFP® Professional – Allows military families to ask a CFP® professional about any financial issue that may concern them, including insurance issues, Social Security and disability benefits, and cash flow. Ø Educational Brochures – FPA offers a variety of brochures that address the very issues faced by military families. Brochure titles include: Covering Your Bases: Managing Your Finances in a Time of War, Coping with Death and Injury: Financial Considerations in a Time of Need, and How a Financial Planner Can Help You…and How to Choose the Right One. Ø Speakers Bureau – Connects CFP professionals with groups of military personnel and/or military families for seminars and educational sessions addressing everything from combat zone pay to tax return filings. “With our service men and women courageously fighting overseas, we would like to give something back to show our appreciation, “ says David Yeske, CFP, President of FPA. “Helping families with important financial planning considerations while their loved ones are away is one way we feel we can make a difference.” For more information on these services and other resources, please call the National Financial Planning Support Center at 800.647.6340 or visit www.fpanet.org/public/M ilitary.cfm. -30- The Financial Planning Association (FPA) is the membership organization for the financial planning community. Its members are dedicated to supporting the financial planning process in order to help people achieve their goals and dreams. FPA believes that everyone needs objective advice to make smart financial decisions and that when seeking the advice of a financial planner, the planner should be a CFP® professional. CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and the federally registered CFP (with flame logo) are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. I will post general public access & info separately.

Hi dedicatedvet, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend as well as your mother. You have been through so much in less than a 2 year period. We can never understand WHY God does this to us. I don't think we were ever meant to understand fully, on this side of life anyway. His ways are not our ways. Yet, we have to trust in Him. For, it is only God who can heal us and comfort us. There are times, when we will get mad at God. This is a normal emotion. But, we need not worry, He will forgive us, help us, and 'mend' us up again. I will be praying for you.

SMILE. I think you're great. I have not called the DAV. Unfortunately the debt consolidation folks did help with the credit cards but they could not do so with the secured debts, [car, in-store revolving credit], or utilities and mortgage. They do charge these enormous fees to manage your money for you. I will check out Suze anyway. She may have something listed I need, and basically, perhaps if a money manager called to make arrangements then these folks who are tired of me might have a lil more leniency since I am not trying to dodge these debts. The credit cards were closed, which of course is credit score death [least of my worries]. fortunately i only have a tv and a bed from in-store credit. i do need the car since there's no public transportation where I live, although soon, will it matter with gas prices??? We won't be looking for biofuel before it's over - we'll need wings. lol. also, i do prob feel a little weak today anyway since i held mom's jewelry this morning for the first time in over a year. So maybe I'm more emotional than usual today. I did go thru the grief support group thingy last year, and i've been basically ok since. I buried my closest friend [cancer] last month, so maybe I should just go for a walk now and regroup. I've seen too many people too close to me die...so yeah...PTSD is part of my rating. i guess I probably needed to let go of some of this today and now I'll take a walk b4 it's too dark. I am sure I won't be so tired tomorrow. smile. Thanks for being here buddy.

Hi dedicatedvet, Yes, I am very familiar with the VA. I know what you mean about being 'tired'. Alot of people are having a hard time with the system. Especially, those that live in the Texas area. Are you working with one of the service groups, such as the DAV or VFW? If not, please contact them to see if you can get some guidance. You also may want to look at some of the 'debt consolidation' programs. But, be careful. Do not just go to any of them because alot of them are 'ripoffs'. Check with Suze Orman at suzeorman.com or go to library or bookstore and get her books. She has a listing of reliable consolidation programs. Also, you can check with your Attorney General's office regarding who's has complaints against them when seeking a reliable consolidation company. I wish you the best, P.S. I am so sorry for the loss of your mother.

Hi and thanks. My letter was very difficult to write and to ask for help on here and so I appreciate your comment. I tried and I am not receiving that much though - you give social security waaay too much credit. lol. Va is 2565 and you can knock off half of what you gave SS credit for. Also, the local social service network disqualifies me because of my veteran status - they say i can go to the next county to the VA Hospital in Dallas for help, which is also a 97 mile trip from my house. Are you familiar with their travel policy? I get $5 for the trip until the third in a calandar month because of the co-pay everyone is charged. The VA has no services to help me with this financial bind, not unless I get an incompetent rating. I am not incompetent. I am a guy who is a late learner on managing a first home, and doing so alone. This began when mom died in late '05, and suddenly I was on my own with no real skills to manage. I spent a few months making some big mistakes. She died right in the process of me building this house. I've learned some things since then, but now, how long and how much is this price? I went to counseling, surrendered last year and started asking for help to learn and to recover from my mis-management. I did call the county servies agency. I called 211 because that's the number you dial for it here, and they tried in vain to connect me with a service - none of which i qualified for, again because I am a veteran with benefits. The VA counselors can't help - they only listen to your problems and see if you need meds to help you deal with the stress. I have done everything I can think of short of abandoning my home, which happens to be $1200/mo now. I keep calling the VA in Waco, hoping that a different person answering the phone has some info that the last one didn't - to no avail. I even tried to get into their educational program and was denied because they felt I should stay home and find a hobby instead of trying to work since it is so hard to get these benefits. Seriously. It did get to a point last fall when the VA sent me a letter stating, "Sell your house now." I was 15 days from foreclosure filings. I worked to get out of that, ignoring other stuff to do it. I have fought and worked for this - to stay here and get out of this mess. I was over $4000 in the hole on the house alone back then + the other stuff. It is a miracle that I am less than $3000 over-all today. I am learning, and trying. I can explain further...I have never been in arrears of child support [$640/mo} and the social security check is not that large. Add what I have given to typical basic living expenses and a car and there's just not much room for catching up if anything happens. As i said before, I do realize that I need better management skills, and this I am learning. However, it does not help the current predicament. It is a snowball effect and it needs to stop, and I'd rather find some work I can do to get myself out of this once and for all instead of giving back another car, or worse, my home. lol. If I listed the events of last year and how hard I've tried, this would be twice as long as it already is. The bottom line is that I am tired. I am not a quitter. I'm just tired.

Hi Vet, Contact your local mental health center or social services. Ask for a referral so that they can get a 'Case Manager or Social Worker' to assist you. You can also try to contact the health dept for direction. Sorry your are having these problems. At 100% with a dependent, your VA benefit of approx: $2,610 plus your social security check, you should be bringing in approx $3,700 or more a month. I am sure with assistance and good budgeting you will be able to get out of this situation. Good luck, from a soldier