For Your Benefit
For and about Hawaii's military
See also: In The Military
Question: My brother was killed while in the military during World War II and is buried in France. Does the Veterans Administration help me to visit my brother's grave? ‘No-fee’ passports available
to family of vets buried
on foreign soilAnswer: "No-fee" passports are available for family members visiting graves or memorial sites at World War I and World War II cemeteries overseas. Those eligible include surviving spouses, parents, children, sisters, brothers and guardians of the deceased who are buried or commemorated in American military cemeteries on foreign soil. For additional information, write to the American Battle Monuments Commission, Courthouse Plaza II, Suite 500, 2300 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201, or call (703) 696-6897.
Q: My deceased husband was a veteran and I am receiving dependency and indemnity compensation. Am I entitled to any other benefits?
A: Surviving spouses and parents receiving DIC may be granted a special allowance to pay for help by another person if they are patients in a nursing home or require the regular assistance of another person. Surviving spouses may also be granted a special allowance if they are permanently housebound.
Q: I am currently on active duty and would like to purchase a home. Am I eligible for a V.A. home loan?
A: Yes. Home loans are available for up to $240,000 with no money down. The limit can be raised to $300,000 with a down payment. Most banks and mortgage companies can help you with pre-purchase counseling. To find out if you are eligible, file an application. The V.A. maintains a toll-free number: (888) 487-1970. You can also download forms and get more information from its Web site at http://mirage.towerauction.net/cgi-bin/vacert.cgi. If you would like additional info on the V.A. loan program, go to: http://homeloans.va.gov.
If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran,
call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049
or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin,
can be reached by phone at 294-4075
or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.
