An interview with Debbie Burak, founder of VeteranAid.org
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This is very important information that millions of veterans are never going to get because it is kept secret by the Veterans Affair Administration. Be sure to share this with any and all veterans and families with veterans that you know. This benefit helps our veterans who need it the most including homeless veterans and those who are in crucial need of daily assistance just to survive.
In episode 32 I’m very honored to have as my guest Debbie Burak. Debbie is the founder of VeteranAid.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and assisting veterans and their families with applying for a little known benefit program available through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Debbie Burak is one tough and tenacious woman on a mission to get the word out to inform and assist veterans and their families with this benefit. Debbie’s personal story is heart wrenching and yet she was able to use the power from her heartache to launch VeteranAid.org, the number one most accessed website for assisting veterans and their families with obtaining more information and helping them through the entire process for obtaining this benefit…at no cost to the veteran or their families. Debbie’s efforts and persistence has helped many thousands of veterans and their families to get the benefits that they earned. She is truly an inspiration. She is a hero.
Debbie answers the following questions in this interview:
- Tell us a bit about yourself and your background leading up to taking on the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- What is this benefit and why are so many people are missing out on it?
- What is the basic level of this benefit and how does it impact homeless and low-income level veterans?
- Tell us the story of how you came to create VeteranAid.org?
- Will you share some of your experiences from working with the veterans and their families?
- What has been your experience with working with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other government agencies with trying to resolve this issue?
- Pension Poachers – who are they and what do they do?
- What are your plans for the future?
- What can we do to help you in your quest to help our veterans?
- Do you have any parting thoughts that you’d like to share with your fellow boomers?
Debbie Burak’s contact information:
CLICK HERE to go to veteranaid.org
CLICK HERE to send Debbie an email
CLICK HERE to go to the VeteranAid Facebook page
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Jim Jensen
I have been turned down for service related illnesses for some time now. How long do I have after my last appeal to get. Lawyer involved. Or is it a done deal and no hope of ever getting my benefits. Thanks
Hello Gerald,
Thanks for your question. I will do my very best to find you the answer to your question. I can leave it here or you can send me an email at jim@essentialboomer.guide and I'll send you the answer. How many times have you been turned down? Do you have an attorney?
Jim
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS
Hi Frank,
I'm happy to provide you more information. Click HERE to go to the information page at veteranaid.org. If you have more questions you can get more specific answers at help@veteranaid.org
Good luck!
Jim
I am a widow of a vietnam combat veteran who died of an accident when he was 60 yrs old. He was at 10% disability at the time but it was in process to increase his disability because he had numerous problems from the war.
Since he died before age 65, does this make me ineligible for this pension? Thank you
Hello Joann! I'm sorry for the delayed reply. We were away for the holidays. I would go to this link to get some hands-on assistance. Let me know if you don't get a resolution. Thanks
Jim
I sent an email to the link provided and it said it could not be delivered. Is there another email address I can use?
Thank you for the heads up Sheila! I just contacted Debbie and her email now is vethelp@veteranaid.org I just tested it and it works! Good luck!
Jim
I've been telling Veterans about Aid and Attendance for many years now...I've almost depleted our local Veteran's office of Applications for both husband and wife, and just spouse!....This is definitely one of the best kept secrets by the VA...It is slightly mentioned in the Veterans Handbook of Benefits....I've sent apps across the U.S., and advertised it on facebook.....I came across this benefit about 6 years ago on page 10 of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette Sunday edition.....I've been telling as many Veterans and Veterans Spouses about it ever since....
I am a survivor wife 77 yrs old receiving DIC. I was just told yesterday by our VA Rep her that there is no Aid and Attendance. He named something else that was limited at $350 a month. I am getting an extra 250 and he said that was all there would be for me. I am needing in home care very badly. I live alone and dont know how to get the help I need. My doctor just blows me off or tells me it is not in their scope when I asked him to help me get a hoverround so I could get around through my house. So is that right?
Hello Jonny.
I'm very sorry to hear of your struggle. I am so sorry but I am not an expert on VA Benefits. I had Debra as a guest on my podcast. I would seek out some advice from an attorney or social worker familiar with the VA and its' benefits. I wish that I had better answers for you. Don't give up...keep seeking help.
Jim
I got out of the army in 1992. Got approved for 10% disability. Was told it had nothing to do with my severance pay. They grandfathered me and took it all back including taxes. The IRS levied my home and I lost it. Can the VA give me my money back?
Hi James, Here is Debbie's response:
Jim, this is way out of my scope of expertise, and I have never heard of the severance pay being taken back. It may be stopped, but not taken back. Something on this does not sound right. He should contact an attorney who deals with VA issues.
I think that this is some great advice. Have a chat with an attorney.
Good luck! Let me know what happens.
Jim
If you took a severance pay when being discharged from the military, and then applied for VA benefits they will take back the severance pay, once that is paid back you will then start getting the money that they awarded you. This happened to me when I first go out, once it was all paid back I began to get my checks.
I got hurt on the job in 2000 and am ssds have not taken out a loan from a bank sense 2ooo. I have been home less for over two years tried to get a loan from va and it was a no because of I have no credit what can I do about that? I need something to live in?
Hi Amos,
I'm so sorry to hear of your dilemma. I am passing this on to Debbie to see what resources she would recommend for you to try. Good luck to you and thank you so much for your service.
Hi Amos,
This is from Debbie...These types of issues do not fall into my expertise. Amos should look at the "Basic" level of Improved Pension, which depending on his monthly income could be a bit of a financial assist for him. Regarding the loan, I don't have a recommendation. Everyone is going to want credit background to prove worthiness to repay the loan.
I have questions about my 100 % disabilities check if I die regarding my wife!
I'm not an expert on VA Benefits. I'd ask that directly to somebody at the VA. You might also try the Veteransaid.org to get some resources related to your question. Good luck! Jim
Hello Debbie
My husband had to get out of service because he had diabetes and he was supposed to go before the medical board and before he could do that they just told him he could get out and he did his last 6 years in the reserve and then retired with he's 20 years can that be looked into and he has tried to get him some medical from the army
Hello Betty,
This is not Debbie's website. I interviewed her for my podcast. I can get your message to her but it seems that you only posted a portion of the message so there is more information needed.
Thanks,
Jim