For Your Benefit
For and about Hawaii's military
See also: In The Military
Family size factors
in VA income statusQuestion: What income is counted under the means test and is family size considered?
Answer: Your income is based on your previous year's earnings as well as those of your spouse, and dependent children. If there has been a significant change in earned income from the previous year, projected income may be used on a case-by-case basis.
The number of persons in your family will be factored into the calculation to determine the applicable income threshold -- both the VA national income threshold and the income threshold for your geographic region.
For more information, call 433-0600 or check out the VA Web site at www.va.gov/hawaii.
Q: How do VA's new hybrid adjustable rate mortgages work?
A: Under a program lasting until September 2005, VA is guaranteeing hybrid adjustable rate mortgages that specify an initial rate of interest that is fixed for a period of at least three years. After that time, the rate can be adjusted annually.
Annual adjustments are limited to 1 percent, and the maximum increase in the interest rate over the life of the loan is capped at 5 percent. The hybrid differs from the traditional adjustable rate mortgages by those initial fixed rates for at least three years.
For additional information on the VA home loan program, contact the VA at 433-1000.
Q: What does it mean when VA says a national cemetery is closed? Does that mean I can no longer visit my deceased friends and relatives?
A: When a national cemetery is closed, it no longer has enough space for new gravesites, but visitors are welcomed. Many still permit burial of family members in the same grave as the veteran. Other closed cemeteries still accommodate cremated remains. Occasionally, full casket gravesites become available.
The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is considered a closed cemetery. An expanded columbarium is under construction for cremated remains.
For more information, contact the cemetery at 532-3720.
If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran,
call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049
or visit the VA Web site at www.va.gov/hawaii
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.