Comments on: Benefits for Widows Due to Lou Gehrig's Disease

By: Andrea

Andrea — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 05:07:07 +0000

My mother sadly passed away from ALS 8/24/10 after 8 mth diagnosis. She was not in the service, but all my other family members were service members. I can’t help but to wonder how someone is suddenly struck with this terminal disease. My mother was only 58 and didn’t deserve this horrible disease. She is my angel now in heaven

By: sandy

sandy — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:06:20 +0000

Lisa, if you re-married before you are 57 you don’t qualify.

Sandy

By: mike

mike — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:48:23 +0000

To all: This may be helpful. As a recently diagnosed ALS patient, quite by accident I discovered the PVA (Paralyzed
Veterens Of America) will not only assist with filling out the
VA claim forms, but will act as your as your “claimant’s representative.” In doing so, they will submit the VA claim forms (21-526) to the VA authority for action.  I was advised by Penny Melvin, the PVA service officer,that their office
would not only pursue the paperwork process, but expedite
the matter. Melvin said that in most cases payment may be made in 60 days! I think this a wonderful service.  The PVA’s address is: 575 N Pennsylavania St.
                                          Room 328
                                          Indianapolis IN 46204
Melvin’s ph. no. is (317)916-3626

By: mike_brewer

mike_brewer — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:52:53 +0000

Sue,
Call the VA Hotline at 1-800-827-1000 and go to Disability Benefits on the voice prompter. Then hit O for an operator. Tell them you are a widow of an ALS/Vet. They will send you a package of material of about 10 pages to fill out. You will need your marriage certificate and a copy of the Death Certificate.
Have you remarried? Are you over 57? If you need help, I set up a hotline number for anyone needing to talk.. It is 520-540-7000. If you need assistance please leave your phone number and I will get back in a day or two. There are many callers who are trickling through.

By: Sondra

Sondra — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:57:17 +0000

Hello. I personally do not have a veteran family member affected by ALS. I just want to say THANK YOU!!! to all the veterans, widows and families that read this. Thank you for the sacrifices that you are making or have made in your service to this country. God bless you all.

By: Sue Bailey

Sue Bailey — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 06:19:17 +0000

Hello…I too am a widow of a former servicemen who contracted this horrible and devastating disease.. He died in 1998. He only lived 11 months after diagnosis, leaving me and our beautiful 7 year old daughter behind. We have struggled for years and have been told by the VA in Michigan that there is no financial help for us. We have also lost SS death benefits because my daughter is now 18. There is no money available for her to go to college. My husband was in the Army Special Forces. All that we have received for his dedication was a US flag at his burial, presented by a Green Beret member. Do you think I would now be eligible for some help from the VA?
Please help me if you can….and may God bless you for your compassionate heart!

By: azmouse

azmouse — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:35:07 +0000

You deserve the kudos!!!

By: azmouse

azmouse — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:34:27 +0000

You are just doing some amazing work and changing people’s lives for the better. I knew nothing of this whole subject, but I was so touched to see the response you’ve gotten. It has to be overwhelming to hear all the individual stories that I can only imagine you’ve heard.
I also hope you get more coverage on this, since it’s so apparent the information is needed.

If there is anything you need to continue your success, please reach out. I know I, and probably many like myself, would be happy to help.

By: mike_brewer

mike_brewer — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:36:33 +0000

Thanks ‘azmouse’. ” Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” I have now made 144 calls from my home, to the women of the “Greatest Generation.” Most of them in their 80’s. I am humbled to say the least, and moved to tears on many days. When a woman from Arkansas asks me how long the benefits will take to process because she is working down at the corner store part time- and she is 82- that brings on tears of joy, to think that this fine woman will have a bit of relief, maybe, from having to work at 82 years old!
I believe that I have persuaded a journalist with USA Today, to take this story to the next level and do a feature story, so that others will have the knowledge of the benefits coming to them. It will take a national publication to insure that we have blanketed the nation. His name is William Welch, and he is based in Los Angeles. The fact that we are both owned by Gannett may help. Thanks again for the nice compliment.

By: azmouse

azmouse — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:22:44 +0000

Go Mike!!!
Look at how all your hard work is bringing hope to so many people. How proud I am that you are here in Tucson!!