Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 16, Number 23, DeMotte, Jasper County, 19 April 1946 — Veterans' SERVICE BUREAU [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Veterans' SERVICE BUREAU

EDITOR’S NOTE: This neuspaper, through special arrangement with the IT'ashington of Western Newspaper Union at 1616 Eye Street, N. IT ., Washington, D.C., u able to bring readers this weekly column on problems of the veteran and serviceman and his family. Questions may be addressed to the above llureau and they will be answered in a subsequent column. No replies can be made direct by mail, but only in the column u hich will appear in this newspaper regularly. Decentralization of Hospitals Promised The veterans’ administration in aeeking to further decentralize hospital facilities for veterans is contracting with hospitals throughout the nation for "home town care" for veterans with service-connected disabilities, principally for those needing only "out-patient care.” In this connection Dr. Paul R. Hawley, chief medical director, announced that such service may be ■obtained in hospitals in Kansas, Michigan, California, New Jersey, Washington, Oregon and North Carolina and the service is being extended as rapidly as contracts may be signed.

A schedule of fees has been approved by VA. When the program is in complete operation, veterans with service-connected disabilities ■will contact the regular VA channels, as formerly, and then will select a doctor from a list of co-operat-ing physicians if they cannot be cared for in a VA out-patient clinic. The service is free to the veteran and VA pays the doctor through the state medical service agency. The plan will eliminate long trips by veterans to obtain medical care. The same regulations apply to those receiving similar treatment from their home town physician. Questions and Answers Q. Am I, as an officer, entitled to travel pay for my wife from point of my discharge to home while she is on terminal leave? She lived with me two months Immediately prior io my discharge.—D. L. P., Pipestone, Minn. A. Your letter indicates your wife was also an officer. I suggest you write to Dependent Travel Branch, General Accounting Office, Washington, D. C. Q. When will World War I vet«rans receive a pension, and at what age? I have been sick ever since I got out of the army, bnt ■couldn’t get a pension.—J. D. K., East Dubuque, 111. A World War I veterans do not automatically get a pension at any age. They were awarded a bonus. If your illness was service-connect-ed or aggravated by your service, your only hope is to apply for disability at your nearest veterans’ administration office.

Q. My husband was a veteran of World War I, serving six weeks at Little Rock, Ark. He was given a medical discharge on account of his heart. He died last year of heart trouble. Would I be entitled to a widow’s pension?—Mrs. O. E. P., Pocohontas, lowa. A I am inclined to believe you might be, but you should make your application to the nearest veterans’ administration office for their decision. Q. My husband went to the army on July 2, 1942, and got an honorable discharge on October 7, 1942. I did not receive an allotment for myself and baby while he was gone. Is there any way I can get it now and is my husband eligible for the S2O a week for 52 weeks?—Mrs. L. D. C., Tullahojna, Term. A. Although your husband was in the army less than 90 days, you might try getting back allotment by writing to the Army Central Adjusting office, 400 Goodfellow Blvd., St. Louis 20, Mo. If your husband received a medical discharge prior to 90 days of service and is unemployed, he is entitled to make application for a job at your nearest U. S. Unemployment Service and receive up to S2O per week until he obtains employment, but not more than 52 weeks. Q. My son was employed by a firm in St. Paul as personnel manager before he entered service three years, ago. He served in the European and Pacific theaters. He returned in January and went to see about his job again. His employer offered him another job at a much lower rate of pay. What can he do and can his company be made to give him his former job back?— Mother, Cloquet, Minn. A. Under the Selective Service law your son is entitled to his old job or one of similar pay and seniority if he is physically able to fill the job. Suggest he contact bis selective service board and they will see that he has legal representation. Q. My son enlisted in the service the summer of 1942. I did not receive a family allowance until December 1, 1944. I was and still am his dependent mother. I would like to know if I am entitled to and can get family allowance beginning November 1, 1943, or for the year 1944. —A mother, Mathews Co., Va. A. Family allowances to parents is not compulsory. The question Is, was the allowance deducted from your son's pay during that year. If so, you are entitled to it Write to Army Central Adjustment office, 4300 Goodfellow Blvd., St. Louis 20, Mo.