Franklin County Democrats

This Saturday, January 28th, St. Lous is hosting a parade to thank our American servicemen and women for the sacrifices they and their families have endured for the last nine years. This is the first parade of this nature in the entire country. This is a great example of what grassroots organizing can do. This parade has been organized by individuals utilizing facebook, twitter and other social media. Read the story here: http://www.examiner.com/progressive-in-national/st-louis-to-host-nation-s-first-welcome-home-parade-for-iraqi-war-veterans

Rachel Maddow just covered this event last night on MSNBC, and the story is going viral.

“The Super Bowl doesn’t happen until two weekends from now—you wanna know what happens next weekend? St. Louis happens,” explained Rachel Maddow on her MSNBC program last night. “St. Louis, Missouri is set to be the first city in the United States to host a welcome home parade for veterans of the Iraq War.”

The parade will start at noon on Saturday, January 28th, at Kiener Plaza in front of the historic Old Courthouse and head west to end at Saint Louis Union Station.

There will be a Veteran’s Resource Village with 100 Veteran organizations tabling located at the end of the parade route at the St. Louis Union Station.

To help volunteer or for more information please visit: http://january28group.org/ or call Craig Schneider at 636-262-3772.

Friday Nov. 11 is Veterans Day and we would like to take a moment to thank all of the Veterans, past and present, who have sacrificed so much on our behalf. Your efforts represent a debt that cannot easily be repaid, if at all.

Let’s not forget those still in harm’s way, or who have been injured and are fighting to recover. A special thanks to all the families supporting each and every servicemember – you are “veterans” as well. Thank you.

Please take a moment to watch this video tribute to those who have given so much for their country.

Although the default rate for VA backed mortgages is well below the national rate for prime loans, in todays economy veterans might find themselves behind in payments. The VA has prepared a quick reference guide to avoid foreclosure and guide veterans to available resources. This assistance is available to any veteran. The VA suggests that any veteran who may be encountering a problem making their mortgage payments speak with their lending institution to explore their options. Depending on the specific situation there are several options that will avoid foreclosure. Some of the options available are:

1) Alternate repayment plan

2) Special forbearance

3) Loan modification

4) Additional time to arrange a sale

5) Short sale

6) Deed in lieu of foreclosure

7) Plus other options that the VA has available

The above options plus other solutions are explained in greater detail in the VA reference guide “Veterans Borrowers in Delinquency Quick Reference Sheet”.

Across the country, there are many benefit programs that many veterans are often unaware they could be taking advantage of. One of the first persons to contact will be your contact your local Veterans’ Services Officer (VSO). The VSO usually has an office in City Hall or other municipal building. The VSO can be a tremendous advocate in educating veterans about available options and assisting them in applying for assistance. To expedite your initial entry into the veterans’ benefits process, you will need your DD214 or other discharge certificate. You can also learn more about veterans’ benefits by visiting the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veterans Benefits website at www.vba.va.gov.

To learn more about your state’s veteran benefits, visit the Military.com State Veteran’s Benefits Directory

Your VSO for Franklin County is Mary Kientzy.  Her office is located at the County Government Center, 400 East Locust, Room 205.  She is not there every day so it would be best if you call first (636-584-6211) or email at mary.kientzy@mvc.dps.gov

VA benefits checks will soon be a thing of the past. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently announced that as of May 1, anyone applying for Social Security, VA or other federal benefits will need to choose an electronic payment method because paper checks will no longer be an option. Additionally, people currently receiving federal benefits by check, including payments from the VA, must switch to direct deposit by March 1, 2013. Information about the change in the delivery of benefit payments, as well as application procedures, are posted on the federal Go Direct website. Assistance is also being offered by the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center for free at (800) 333-1799.

In addition to this ,the Department of Veterans Affairs (through the Treasury Department) will offer beneficiaries without bank accounts the option to enroll in the Direct Express debit card program with Commercial Bank. Direct Express payments will be directly deposited into that account and made accessible through a debit card. Personal funds cannot be transferred into this account as it can only be used to receive Federal benefits. Direct Express cardholders have 24/7 access to their money at automated teller machines and are able to make purchases at any retailer that accepts MasterCard.

The Small Business Administration has a program called “Patriot Express” which is designed to offer special loan guarantees to small businesses owned by veterans, reservists, and their spouses. As you are aware many federal programs have been cut in recent months but the SBA recently announced that this particular program has been extended for 3 years.

These loans can be used for most business purposes including start-up, expansion, equipment purposes, working capital, inventory or business related real estate purposes. Patriot Express loans are available up to $500,000 and are offered by the SBA’s network of participating lenders and have a fast turn-around time for loan approval.

Patriot Express loans feature the SBA’s lowest interest rates for business loans, generally 2.25 percent to 4.75 percent over prime depending upon the size and maturity of the loan.  Your local SBA district office will have a listing of Patriot Express lenders in your area.

For more information on SBA loans you can go to the SBA website

Local veterans now have a VA community based outpatient clinic at their disposal. Located in Washington on Roy Drive between Fantastic Sams and Hibbett Sports, the clinic can be used for most primary care needs. If you currently used the VA facilities in St. Louis or Columbia you can have your records transferred by just visiting the clinic or calling 1-800-228-5459 ext. 57950. The clinic will be open from 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday. Patients who need specialty care will still have to go to a main VA hospital but the Washington facility can take care of most routine medical issues. For more information please call the clinic at the number listed above.

The St. Louis Veterans Administration has announced that work is now under way on a new community based outpatient clinic which will be located in Washington, MO. Veterans will soon be able to get routine medical care and procedures done right here in Franklin County.  In the past, local veterans had to travel either to St, Louis or to Columbia to receive medical treatment.

This new clinic will be located on Roy Drive and will tentatively open in the spring of 2011. Due to the large number of veterans located in this area, Washington is considered to be an ideal location for the new clinic and it is anticipated that approximately 2500 veterans will be able to get most primary medical services taken care of here. The clinic will provide basic services including doctors, nurses, therapists and mental health practitioners.  Veterans currently being treated at other VA facilities will be able to transfer to this new facility with specialty services still being provided by the larger VA facilities in St. Louis or Columbia. We will post additional information as it becomes available.

Introducing the FRANKLIN COUNTY Prescription Discount Card

FREE to County Residents!

Americans are paying more for prescription drugs than ever before. Without prescription coverage, staying healthy can come at a high price. With the Franklin County Prescription Discount Card provided to you in a joint effort with the National Association of Counties (NACo), you can save money on many of your prescription purchases!

Any county resident without prescription drug coverage can use this program. Even if you have insurance for prescription drugs, you may still benefit from the discount card, since it may save you money on prescription drugs your existing plan does not cover.

Everyone is eligible!

• No income requirements
• No age requirements
• Unlimited use for the whole family

The Franklin County Prescription Discount Card is:

Valuable. Save an average of 22% off the pharmacy’s regular price on all commonly prescribed prescriptions and an average savings of 50% on 90-day supplies of select generics through mail service. Savings are also available on high-tech and injectable drugs through our specialty pharmacy.

• Easy. There are no claim forms to fill out and no annual fee to pay.
• Convenient. More than 59,000 participating pharmacies nationwide,

23 participating pharmacies are right here in the county!

Consumers always receive the lowest retail price. On occasion, pharmacies will price a particular medication lower than the discount rate available with the NACo card. If that occurs, consumers will receive the lower price. Either way, consumers will always receive the best price available.  This is not insurance,  and discounts are only available at participating pharmacies

The Prescription Discount Card can be picked up at most City Halls, or at the Franklin County Government Center at 400 East Locust in Union. .

Pick up your card and start saving today!

The VA provides nursing home services through several different programs and we would like to make you aware of the State Veterans Home Program that exists here in Missouri. State Veterans’ homes are owned and operated by the individual states. A state can petition the VA for grant dollars for a portion of the construction costs followed by a request for recognition as a state home. Once recognized, the VA pays a portion of the per diem costs if the state meets VA standards.  States establish eligibility criteria and determine the services offered for both short and long term care.  Here in MIssouri we have  6 such facilities. continue reading…