SGT. SHAFT: VA home loans available to spouses

Dear Sgt. ShaftMy husband was discharged from the military in 1971 or there about and had always dreamed of owning a home. We made a few attempts, but nothing ever came of owning a home of our own. He passed away suddenly on Sept. 2.

I would like to know if, now that he has passed, do I qualify to receive a Veterans Affairs loan as a veterans widow? I have a good job, but don’t have my husband. I would love to make his dream come true.

Please let me know what you know about this subject.

Thank you,

Peggy M

Dear Peggy

The unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who died on active duty or as the result of a service-connected disability is eligible for the home loan benefit. If you wish to apply for the home loan benefit as a surviving spouse, contact the VA Winston-Salem Eligibility Center. In addition, a surviving spouse who obtained a VA home loan with the veteran prior to his or her death (regardless of the cause of death), may obtain a VA guaranteed interest rate reduction refinance loan. For more information, contact the VA Winston- Salem Eligibility Center.

Also, a surviving spouse who remarries on or after attaining age 57, and on or after Dec. 16, 2003, may be eligible for the home loan benefit. However, a surviving spouse who remarried before Dec. 16, 2003, and on or after attaining age 57, must have applied no later than Dec. 15, 2004, to establish home loan eligibility. VA must deny applications from surviving spouses who remarried before Dec. 16, 2003, that were received after Dec. 15, 2004.

For more information, check the Web site: http://www.homeloans.va.gov/.

Dear Sgt. Shaft:

It is my understanding that crucial legislation, the Caregiver and Veterans Health Services Act (S. 801), is being held hostage by one senator who insists that the cost of the bill be offset in the federal budget.

I find it most ironic that our government can pay for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq off budget but can’t take care of disabled veterans or their family caregivers because of costs. Just what message does that send to a mother who is out of work and in debt because she is providing care to her severely disabled son or daughter who was injured serving our country?

The types of injuries suffered by our service members in these wars are in many cases so severe that family members put their lives on hold to care for their loved ones. These family caregivers often face devastating financial and emotional hardships as they help their wounded sons, daughters, husbands and wives. Unfortunately, they do not receive sufficient support services or financial assistance from the government.

What is needed is an array of support services for family caregivers, such as respite care, financial compensation, vocational counseling, basic health care, relationship, marriage and family counseling, and mental health care. Our government has an obligation to provide the support and services that are essential to caregivers while they provide for our disabled veterans. The Caregiver and Veterans Health Services Act should be voted on and passed without further delay.

Sincerely,

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