Page 20 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 15, 2024 Sa Sa a Say Dear Savvy Senior, What types of funeral benefi ts are available to old veterans? My 83-year-old father, who has Alzheimer’s disease, served during the Vietnam War in the 1960s. Planning Ahead Dear Planning, Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) National Cemetery Administration actually offers a variety of underutilized burial benefi ts to veterans as well as their spouses and dependents. Most U.S. veterans (both combat and non-combat) who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge are eligible for burial benefi ts. To verify your dad’s discharge, you’ll need a copy of his DD Form 214 “Certifi cate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.” If you don’t have it, you can request online at Archives.gov/veterans. Here’s a rundown of some of the diff erent benefi ts that are available to veterans that die a nonservice related death. Military Cemetery Benefi ts If your dad’s eligible and would like to be buried in one of the 155 national or 119 state, territory or tribal-operated cemeteries (see VA.gov/ find-locations), the VA provides a number of benefi ts at no cost to the family, including: a gravesite; opening and closing of the grave and perpetual gravesite care; a government headstone or marker; a United States burial fl ag that can be used to drape the casket or accompany the urn; and a Presidential Memorial Certifi cate. If your dad is cremated, his remains will be buried or inurned in the same manner as casketed remains. But be aware that funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are not taken care of by the VA. They are the responsibility of the veteran’s family, but some veteran’s survivors may be eligible for burial allowances. The VA also off ers a memorial web page called the Veterans Legacy Memorial for any veteran buried in a national, state, territorial or tribal cemetery. This allows families to post pictures and stories of their loved one online as a way to remember and honor y Senior enio Sen by Jim Miller How to Tap Underutilized Burial Benefi ts for Veterans their service. If you’re interested in this option, the VA has a pre-need burial eligibility determination program to help you plan ahead before your dad passes. See VA.gov/burials-memorials/pre-need-eligibility or call the National Cemetery Scheduling Offi ce at 800-535-1117. Private Cemetery Benefi ts The VA also provides benefi ts to veterans buried in private cemeteries. If your dad chooses this option, the VA benefits include a free government headstone or grave marker, or a medallion that can be affi xed to an existing privately purchased headstone or marker; a burial fl ag; and a Presidential Memorial Certifi cate. Funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are again the responsibility of the family, and there are no benefi ts off ered to spouses and dependents that are buried in private cemeteries. Military Funeral Honors Another popular benefit available to all eligible veterans buried in either a national or private cemetery is a military funeral honors ceremony. This includes an honor guard detail of at least two uniformed military persons, folding and presenting the U.S. burial fl ag to the veteran’s survivors, and the playing of Taps. The funeral provider you choose will be able to assist you with all VA burial requests. Depending on what you want, certain forms may need to be completed which are always better to be done in advance. For a complete rundown of burial and memorial benefi ts, eligibility details and required forms visit Cem.va.gov. Burial Allowances In addition to the burial benefi ts, some veteran’s survivors may also qualify for a $948 burial allowance and $948 for a plot to those who choose to be buried in a private cemetery. And $231 for a headstone or grave marker allowance. To fi nd out if your dad is eligible or to apply, see VA.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. i nir nior BEACON HILL ROLL | FROM PAGE 18 that according to news reports, the state is currently spending $64 a day per person to feed people in the Emergency Assistance Housing Program under a six-month, $10 million no-bid contract, including $16 for breakfast, $17 for lunch and $31 for dinner. “These meal costs far exceed the necessary funds to feed families in the Emergency Assistance Housing Program and go well beyond what most families in the commonwealth can aff ord to feed their own families,” said amendment sponsor House GOP Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “At a time when state revenues are declining, we must ensure that we spend responsi- LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Probate and Family Court 36 Federal Street Salem, MA 01970 Docket No. ES24P0633PM In the matter of: DENNIS QUINN Of: SAUGUS, MA RESPONDENT (Person to be Protected/Minor) CITATION GIVING NOTICE OF PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF CONSERVATOR OR OTHER PROTECTIVE ORDER PURSUANT TO G. L C. 190B, § 5-304 & § 5-405 To the named Respondent and all other interested persons, a petition has been filed by Charlene Kernen (Chestnut Woods) of Saugus, MA in the above captioned matter alleging that Dennis Quinn is in need of a Conservator or other protective order and requesting that Rachael Stanton of Marion, MA (or some other suitable person) be appointed as Conservator to serve With Surety on the bond. The petition asks the court to determine that the Respondent is disabled, that a protective order or appointment of a Conservator is necessary, and that the proposed conservator is appropriate. The petition is on file with this court. You have the right to object to this proceeding. If you wish to do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance at this court on or before 10:00 A.M. on the return date of 04/08/2024. This day is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline date by which you have to file the written appearance if you object to the petition. If you fail to file the written appearance by the return date, action may be taken in this matter without further notice to you. In addition to filing the written appearance, you or your attorney must file a written affidavit stating the specific facts and grounds of your objection within 30 days after the return date. IMPORTANT NOTICE The outcome of this proceeding may limit or completely take away the above-named person’s right to make decisions about personal affairs or financial affairs or both. The above-named person has the right to ask for a lawyer. Anyone may make this request on behalf of the above-named person. If the above-named person cannot afford a lawyer, one may be appointed at State expense. WITNESS, Hon. Frances M. Giordano, First Justice of this Court. Date: March 06, 224 PAMELA CASEY O’BRIEN REGISTER OF PROBATE March 15, 2024 bly and conserve our resources to best serve the residents of Massachusetts. By requiring a competitive bidding process, we can ensure that the state is getting the best price, and that spending is brought down to a more reasonable level.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Rep. Jessica Giannino 4460) House 25-128, rejected an amendment that would expand eligibility for a program, created in the bill, which allows employers to off er training programs to assist individuals in the Emergency Assistance Housing Program in developing the skills needed to enter the workforce. Under the program, employers would be eligible for a tax credit of $2,500 for each qualified trainee who receives training. The amendment would allow low-income Massachusetts residents to participate in these training programs even if they are not in the Emergency Assistance Housing Program. “The supplemental budget offers a pathway to entering the workforce by going through a job training program, but it is limited to those individuals who are already in the emergency shelter system,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “This amendment would open up these training programs by also giving low-income Massachusetts residents who are eager to work an opportunity to participate.” Opponents said this funding is aimed at helping people in the emergency assistance program. They noted the state already has programs for low income residents and is developing even more of them. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment allowing low income residents to be eligible. A “No” vote is against allowing it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino No Rep. Donald Wong Yes 4460) VETERANS’ PREFERENCE (H House 154-0, approved an amendment that would require that veterans in the shelter program are automatically given the maximum length of time to stay in the program, regardless of other factors. “My amendment prioritizes veterans when it comes to our emergency shelter program,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth). “While other families will have restrictions on staying in the program BEACON HILL ROLL | SEE PAGE 21 Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes TRAINING PROGRAMS (H
21 Publizr Home