— Veterans covered under the Veterans Group Life Insurance program now have the opportunity to increase their coverage to the current maximum coverage under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance program. Currently, 70 percent of the veterans covered under VGLI are under age 60, have less than $400,000 of coverage, and will greatly benefit from this law change.

Under the Veterans’ Benefit Act of 2010, enacted on Oct. 13, 2010, veterans can increase their coverage by $25,000 at each five year anniversary date of their policy to the current legislated maximum SGLI coverage, presently, $400,000. To date, approximately 21 percent of eligible veterans have taken advantage of this opportunity, resulting in nearly $113 million of new coverage issued.

The VGLI program allows newly discharged veterans to convert their SGLI coverage they had while in service to a civilian program. Before enactment of this law, veterans could not have more VGLI than the amount of SGLI they had at the time of separation from service.

For example, those who got out of service prior to Sept. 1, 2005, when the maximum SGLI coverage was $250,000, were limited to $250,000 in VGLI coverage. Now on their first five year anniversary, these veterans can elect to increase the coverage to $300,000, and so forth.

The additional coverage can be issued regardless of the veterans health. To be eligible to purchase additional coverage, the veteran must:

• Have active VGLI coverage

• Have less than the current legislated maximum coverage of $400,000

• Request the additional coverage during the 120 day period prior to each five year anniversary date

• Be less than 60 years of age on the five year anniversary of his or her coverage

Eligible veterans are notified of this opportunity a week before the start of the 120 day period prior to their anniversary date and twice more before the actual anniversary date. For more information about the VA’s insurance programs or other benefits, go to www.va.gov or call 800-827-1000.

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced Jan. 12, a change in regulations regarding payments for emergency care provided to eligible veterans in non-VA facilities. This provision helps ensure eligible veterans continue to get the emergency care they need when VA facilities are not available.

The new regulation extends the VA’s authority to pay for emergency care provided to eligible veterans at non-VA facilities until the veterans can be safely transferred to a VA medical facility. More than 100,000 veterans are estimated to be affected by the new rules, at a cost of about $44 million annually.

The VA operates 121 emergency departments across the country, which provide therapy and stabilization in life threatening situations. They operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The VA has 46 urgent care units, which provide care for patients without scheduled appointments who need immediate medical or psychiatric attention. For more information about emergency care in non-VA facilities, visit www.nonvacare.va.gov.

VA home loans allow qualified buyers the opportunity to purchase a home with no down payment. There are also no monthly mortgage insurance premiums to pay, limitations on buyer’s closing costs and an appraisal that informs the buyer of the property value. For most loans on new houses, construction is inspected at appropriate stages and a year warranty is required from the builder.

The VA also performs personal loan servicing and offers financial counseling to help veterans having temporary financial difficulties. Although there is no maximum VA loan, lenders generally limit the maximum VA loan to $417,000. Use your VA loan to also refinance with no down payment. Go to www.va.gov/loans for more information.



Reach Jim Vines at jim.helpingveterans@gmail.com.