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Thank you for visiting the Rolling Thunder® Inc., Florida Chapter 1 website. There are many things to discover on this site, and we continue to update it on a regular basis. There are more buttons below that will navigate to additional pages. Also, please check out our STORE tab where you can make a donation to acquire any of our products.
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Final Meeting Minutes |
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The following is provided by DAV 123 located at the Veterans Memorial Center, and is published here as a aid to all veterans who may be contemplating submitting a VA claim:
INTENT TO FILE (for va benefits)
"The Department of Veterans Affairs has a procedure to allow Veterans to establish an effective date of a claim up to one year before they file the claim. It is called an “Intent to File” and is done on a VA Form 21-0966 which allows a Veterans or their dependents the option to file a claim for compensation, pension, DIC or a survivors pension up to one year before they have the evidence to submit the claim. An intent to file is a notification to the Veteran’s Administration (VA) that a claimant is planning on filing an application for compensation within the next year. The intent to file a claim is not claim-specific.
Once the file for Intent is received by the VA that date becomes the effective date of claim. The VA will send the applicant a letter advising them that they have one year to get the evidence they need and submit the proper claim form to complete the intent. If the claim was for an increased rating for an existing claim or a new clam, compensation would
be retroactive back to that date if the claim is granted. If no claim is submitted within the one-year period, the case is closed.
The claim could also be denied. If you do not get a favorable decision and your claim is denied, all is not lost. You can appeal the VA’s decision. But that will undoubtedly extend the length of time for the process and the time you are not receiving compensation. The odds of winning an appeal are not great. In 2020, only 33% of appeals were approved. By having the security of an Intent to File in place, you will be free to take your time and develop a carefully detailed claim. The first completed application form for the selected general benefit received by the VA is considered filed as of the date of receipt of the Intent form.
The VA has set up three ways to submit your Intent to File to make the process accessible to all veterans and surviving spouses. The quickest method to submit is by entering the information into the online form on the eBenefits website. The VA receives your form instantly, and the effective date will be the same day. You can also mail the paper form to your local VA Regional Office. Most likely, the VA will receive it in a few days, and the date they receive it will be your effective date.
We do not recommend either of those options. What we do recommend is for you pay an in-person visit to the DAV Service Officer of your choice and file the 21-0966 with him or her."
Once the file for Intent is received by the VA that date becomes the effective date of claim. The VA will send the applicant a letter advising them that they have one year to get the evidence they need and submit the proper claim form to complete the intent. If the claim was for an increased rating for an existing claim or a new clam, compensation would
be retroactive back to that date if the claim is granted. If no claim is submitted within the one-year period, the case is closed.
The claim could also be denied. If you do not get a favorable decision and your claim is denied, all is not lost. You can appeal the VA’s decision. But that will undoubtedly extend the length of time for the process and the time you are not receiving compensation. The odds of winning an appeal are not great. In 2020, only 33% of appeals were approved. By having the security of an Intent to File in place, you will be free to take your time and develop a carefully detailed claim. The first completed application form for the selected general benefit received by the VA is considered filed as of the date of receipt of the Intent form.
The VA has set up three ways to submit your Intent to File to make the process accessible to all veterans and surviving spouses. The quickest method to submit is by entering the information into the online form on the eBenefits website. The VA receives your form instantly, and the effective date will be the same day. You can also mail the paper form to your local VA Regional Office. Most likely, the VA will receive it in a few days, and the date they receive it will be your effective date.
We do not recommend either of those options. What we do recommend is for you pay an in-person visit to the DAV Service Officer of your choice and file the 21-0966 with him or her."
2023 COLA Announced
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently announced that the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase for 2023 will be 8.7 percent. Historically, increases at or above 8.7 percent have occurred only three times. All those hikes happened decades ago - from 1979 to 1981 - and were during times of high inflation.
The new COLA rate is effective Dec. 1, 2022, and the adjustment will appear in Dec. 30, 2022, payments. This increase pertains to military retirees, veterans receiving disability payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security recipients and others.
By law, COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which is a broad measure of consumer prices generated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from the third quarter of the previous year to the third quarter of the current year. It measures price changes for food, housing, clothing, transportation, energy, medical care, recreation and education.
Annual Veterans COLA Sent to President
The Senate passed, the "Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act" (H.R.7846) and it will be sent to the president's desk for his signature. Certain VA benefits including disability compensation, clothing allowances, and dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors will receive the same cost-of-living adjustment as Social Security benefits. The adjustment will go into effect on Dec. 1, 2022, and the first checks to reflect the new rate will be on Dec. 31, 2022. The annual Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) for retirees is automatic and does not require legislative action.
The new COLA rate is effective Dec. 1, 2022, and the adjustment will appear in Dec. 30, 2022, payments. This increase pertains to military retirees, veterans receiving disability payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security recipients and others.
By law, COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which is a broad measure of consumer prices generated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from the third quarter of the previous year to the third quarter of the current year. It measures price changes for food, housing, clothing, transportation, energy, medical care, recreation and education.
Annual Veterans COLA Sent to President
The Senate passed, the "Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act" (H.R.7846) and it will be sent to the president's desk for his signature. Certain VA benefits including disability compensation, clothing allowances, and dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors will receive the same cost-of-living adjustment as Social Security benefits. The adjustment will go into effect on Dec. 1, 2022, and the first checks to reflect the new rate will be on Dec. 31, 2022. The annual Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) for retirees is automatic and does not require legislative action.
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Chapter 1 member, and Nashville singer / songwriter Thomas Mann, has written a new song - The Legend of Rolling Thunder - Until They All Come Home.
You can play it above. This was Tom's last song for the Chapter before his passing. 
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Chapter 1 Florida participates in many veteran activities, functions, and events. We are proud to wear our specially designed red shirts each Friday in honor and support of all of our men and women in uniform. Help us to Remember Everyone Deployed (R.E.D) by wearing red on Friday's. Thank you. |
Rolling Thunder® Inc. Chapter 1 Florida is a non-profit organization as approved by the I.R.S under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Our organization is dedicated to raising awareness of the POW*MIA issue and acknowledging veterans of all wars for their service and the sacrifices they've made.
The services that we provide to our Veterans and their families are totally voluntary. Our members are dedicated to POW*MIA awareness and supporting those presently fighting for our freedom. All donations regardless of how large or small, whether monetary, products or services go directly to supporting the programs we provide for Veterans.
We call upon you to show your support of our organization. Your contribution or donation will help us achieve our goal of helping Veterans of all wars, showing our Veterans that we appreciate their sacrifice and service to our country. Your donation will also help us promote the awareness of the POW*MIA issue and to continue to demand full accountability of our prisoners of war and those still missing in action (POW*MIA).
The services that we provide to our Veterans and their families are totally voluntary. Our members are dedicated to POW*MIA awareness and supporting those presently fighting for our freedom. All donations regardless of how large or small, whether monetary, products or services go directly to supporting the programs we provide for Veterans.
We call upon you to show your support of our organization. Your contribution or donation will help us achieve our goal of helping Veterans of all wars, showing our Veterans that we appreciate their sacrifice and service to our country. Your donation will also help us promote the awareness of the POW*MIA issue and to continue to demand full accountability of our prisoners of war and those still missing in action (POW*MIA).
In order to be successful in our cause, we need the support of the community. Please take a moment to make a donation. You can use the DONATE button below, or scan the QR Code. The funds we collect are used to promote the POW*MIA cause, for veterans and their families, and programs in our community. So far we've presented hundreds of POW*MIA flags to local governments, businesses, Home Owner Associations, Brevard County public schools, parks, and other organizations throughout Brevard County, Florida.
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If you are using a mobile device, just scan the QR Code or use the donate button above to make your donation.
Thank you! |
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