VFW LOMITA POST 1622 HOTLINE

OF INTEREST TO VFW  MEMBERS

VETERANS CENTERS

These Veterans Centers are for;      Any problems that you may have pertaining to Veterans Benefits

and PTSD group meetings...

East Los Angeles Veterans Center

5400 E. Olympic Blvd. #140                           Phone: 323-728-9966

Commerce, CA 90022                                     Fax: 323-887-1082

5730 Uplander Way Suite 100                        Phone: 310-641-0326

Culver City, CA 90230                  Fax: 310-641-2653

South Bay Veterans Resource Center

1045 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Suite 150        Phone: 310-767-1221
Gardena, CA 90247                                         Fax: 310-767-1403

If you need any information contact any of the Centers above or Stephen Hall - VAVS Los Angeles 1-310-650-1142 between 10:00am and 6:00pm.

Military Spouses Residency Relief Act

A new federal law exempts some civilian spouses' income from state income tax.

The newly-signed Military Spouses Residency Relief Act exempts personal service income and wages earned by taxpayers who reside with their military spouse, the Franchise Tax Board advises. The couple must have relocated to California under military orders for income to be exempt from California taxes. They must also share the same "domicile" or, true home outside California where they intend to return and locate permanently.

The act does not exempt nonmilitary income of military personnel. States cannot tax any military pay of nonresident military personnel.

The new law applies to all calendar year 2009, allowing refunds of any taxes withheld in 2009 on the now-exempt income. The refund form, FTB Form 540NR, California Nonresident or Part -Year Resident Income Tax Return, will be available from the FTB in January.

For future tax purposes, the Employment Development Department advises qualified taxpayers to submit new payroll withholding forms to prevent California tax withholding on future income.

The FTB is updating its Publication 1032, Tax Information for Military Personnel, with guidelines on the new federal law. The publication will be available in mid-December online at ftb.ca.gov, at military bases, and all FTB field offices.

For military families who want help completing their tax forms, the Military Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (Military VITA) offers free tax help at many bases starting February 1. For information on VITA locations, visit FTB's website after February 1 or contact a Judge Advocate General's (JAG) office, or call "LEE THE TAXMAN" at (310)328-8 111.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT 

“A LESSON FROM THE GEESE”

As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” for the bird following it.  By flying in a “ formation”, the flock’s flying range is 71% greater than if each bird flew alone.

LESSON:  People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are taking advantage of each other’s thrust.

VFW & AUXILIARIES:  We have a great organization, but it is only as good as we work together to get programs accomplished.  Let’s learn from each other and use each other’s skills and knowledge.

Whenever a goose falls out of the formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly it alone and quickly gets back in formation to take advantage of the “lifting power” of the bird immediately in front.

LESSON:  If we’re as smart as geese are, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want

to go.

VFW & AUXILIARIES:  Our “National” and “State” organizations establish our programs, goals, and objectives.  They are clear-cut and laid out well in advance.  Let’s all get on board to do our best to accomplish our tasks.  Let’s get there together!

When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another flies at the point position.

LESSON:  It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership.  People, as well as geese, are interdependent with each other.

VFW & LADIES AUXILIARIES:  Leadership is a tough job.  As we move through the chairs we learn our duties and responsibilities.  Our Chairmen learn responsibility and leadership through working their programs or projects.  When we’re elected to the positions of Commander and President we take on our biggest challenges.  After that year in office, it’s time to pass the reigns over to a new person.  Hopefully, time has taught them the lessons they need to lead. 

The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

LESSON:  We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging—not less helpful.

VFW AND AUXILARIES:  As with all teams, encouragement is always welcome.  However, as you all well know, if the honking is negative such as bickering, finger pointing, bitching, and complaining, then it’s a drain on the team.  Let’s decide to join the team rather than try to tear it down.

When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to protect it.  They stay with it until it is either able to fly again or dies.  They launch out on their own, joining another formation or catching up with their flock.

LESSON:  If we have as much sense as the geese, we’ll stand by each other like they do.

VFW AND AUXILIARIES:  We’re a service organization.  As we take care of Veterans, their families, and those people in our community, let’s not forget to help those closest of all – our own family members and those within our Post and our Auxiliaries.

Anonymous

VA Reopening Health Care Enrollment to Thousands of Veterans

WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which now has nearly 8 million Veterans enrolled in its award-winning health care system, is poised to welcome nearly 266,000 more Veterans into its medical centers and clinics across the country by expanding access to health care enrollment for certain Veterans who had been excluded due to their income.

"This incremental approach to expanding enrollment ensures that access to VA health care for a greater number of beneficiaries does not sacrifice timely access or quality medical care for those Veterans already enrolled in VA's health care system," Dr. Gerald Cross, VA's Acting Under Secretary for Health, said. "Over the next four years, we hope to provide enrollment to more than 500,000 Veterans."

Under a new regulation effective June 15, VA will enroll Veterans whose income exceeds current means-tested thresholds by up to 10 percent. These Veterans were excluded from VA health care enrollment when income limits were imposed in 2003 on Veterans 'with no service-connected disabilities or other special eligibility for care. There is no income limit for Veterans with compensable service-connected disabilities or for Veterans being seen for their service-connected disabilities.

Veterans who have applied for VA health care but were rejected due to income at any point in 2009 will have their applications reconsidered under the new income threshold formula. Those who applied before 2009, but were rejected due to income, must reapply. VA will contact these Veterans through a direct-mail campaign, Veterans service organizations, and a national and regional marketing campaign.

Information about enrollment and an income and assets calculator are available at www.va.gov/healtheligibility. The calculator provides a format in which Veterans enter their household income, number of dependents, and zip codes to see if they may qualify for VA health care enrollment. In addition to applying online, Veterans may also contact VA's Health Benefits Service Center at 1-877-222 -VETS (1-877-222-8387). Each VA medical center across the country has an enrollment coordinator available to provide Veterans with enrollment and eligibility information.        Doug Perkins Quartermaster