Craig Daily Press

Craig — The Craig Centennial AirFest went well last weekend. The veterans who started the ceremonies at 6:30 a.m. were well received. The noon salute to colors thoroughly was enjoyed. Flights in the various aircraft were the highlight of the weekend. The pilots were impressed with the number of uniformed veterans in attendance.

VFW to host picnic for members, families

There will be a picnic for VFW members and their families at noon Saturday at the VFW Post parking lot and park. The VFW will provide the meat and rolls. Members are asked to bring a dish to share. The Ladies Auxiliary will provide some dishes as well. Please bring your own table service.

More notice needed for VAMC Grand Junction:

To continue the free transportation to the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Grand Junction, this office needs more lead time for scheduling volunteer drivers and maintaining service to the vet van. This means I must have at least one week’s notice for a scheduled appointment in Grand Junction and at least two weeks’ notice for trips to Denver, Salt Lake City or out-of-area locations. If you can’t get around to calling me ahead of time, I am not going to be able to provide the service.

VA announces online Claims Applications

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it now is accepting online applications from veterans, survivors and other claimants filing initial applications for disability compensation, pension, education and vocational

rehabilitation and employment benefits without the additional requirement to submit a signed paper copy of the application.

Effective immediately, VA now will process applications received through its online application Web site (VONAPP) without the claimant’s signature. The electronic application will be sufficient authentication of the claimant’s application for benefits. Normal development procedures and rules of evidence still will apply to all VONAPP applications.

VONAPP (www.va.gov/onlineapps.htm) is a Web-based system that benefits internal and external users. Veterans, survivors and other claimants seeking compensation, pension, education or vocational rehabilitation benefits can apply electronically without the constraints of location, postage cost and time delays in mail delivery.

VONAPP reduces the number of incomplete applications received by the VA, decreasing the need for additional development by VA claims processors. The online application also provides a link to apply for VA health care benefits and much more. More than 3.7 million veterans and beneficiaries receive compensation and pension benefits from the VA, and about 523,000 students receive education benefits. About 90,000 disabled veterans participate in the VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program.

For more information about VA benefits, visit the VA’s Web site at www.va.gov, or call the toll-free number at 1 (800) 827-1000.

New programs to assist needy veterans

New programs for needy-veteran assistance are available through this office. There are restrictions based on income, service connection and assets. The Veterans Service Office will be working with the Independent Living center, Love Inc, the Community Budget Center, other churches and Yampa Valley Electric to verify eligibility and the amount of coordinated assistance each vet and/or household receives.

This office will verify vet eligibility for this funding and will issue checks. All funds will be released to agencies and/or landlords and will not be paid directly to veterans.

For information on these programs and/or other veterans’ benefits, call or stop at the Moffat County VSO office, 480 Barclay St., located west of the Bank of Colorado parking lot. Call (970) 824-3246, or use the fax number (970) 824-7108. Our e-mail address is veterans@moffatcounty.net. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Other times can be arranged by appointment only.

Bring a copy of your separation papers (DD-214) for application for VA programs and for filing at our office.