Senior & Assisted Living Advisor Throughout Illinois
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Articles and Videos

Use the following articles and videos to help you make an informed decision. Please contact your Senior Advisor if you have questions.


Resources for Veterans & Their Families 

Join Jennifer Prell as she walks through benefits and resources available to Veterans and their families.

Veteran's Healthcare & Mental Health 

Mike Iwanicki from Veterans Assistance Commission of McHenry County provides information and a deeper understanding of Veteran's Healthcare and Mental Health.

Veterans PACT Act 

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced the PACT Act which adds to the list of health conditions assumed or “presumed” caused by exposure to toxic exposure

Recommended Checklist of Paperwork 

Veterans Assistance Commission of McHenry County recommends bringing these documents when meeting with a Veterans Service Officer. This will allow them to help you apply for Veterans Benefits. These are useful documents to include any time you are applying for Benefits from the VA.

Summary of Important Resources for Veterans & Caregivers 

Join Jennifer, Mike, and Deana as they discuss the variety of important resources for veterans and caregivers provided throughout the Veterans & Caregivers Week. Presented By: Jennifer Prell, President, Elderwerks Educational Services & Mike Iwanicki, Superintendent, Veterans Assistance Commission McHenry County & Deana Liss, Social Services Specialist, Elderwerks Educational Services

Lovell Federal Healthcare Center Caregiver Support Program Video 

Social Worker, Justin Padoan discusses assistance available through the Caregiver Support Program at the Lovell Federal Healthcare Center. The Caregiver Support Program offers a menu of services to family members and friends who care for Veterans. Resources include: online courses, educational classes, telephone support; peer support

Veterans Affairs Fiduciary Program Video 

The VA's Fiduciary Program was established to protect Veterans and other beneficiaries who, due to injury, disease, or age, are unable to manage their financial affairs. Join us for a presentation to learn more about the VA Fiduciary program. Presented by Molly Kosbab and Lisa Mims from the Department of Veterans Affairs Fiduciary Hub.

Veterans Resources and Updates from VAC McHenry County 

During this recorded presentation, Jane discusses veterans benefits and the Caregiver Relief Veterans Assistance program. Presented By: Jane Dorfner, Veterans Service Officer, Veterans Assistance Commission of McHenry County

Understanding VA Benefits: Questions for the Experts 

During this presentation, Mike & Tammy will be addressing frequently asked questions about VA Benefits. Presented by: Mike Iwanicki, Superintendent, Veterans Assistance Commission McHenry County & Tammy Anderson, Superintendent, Veterans Assistance Commission DeKalb County

Agent Orange and Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans 

Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans may be eligible to receive benefits for exposure to Agent Orange.

Certificate of Hearing Loss Order Forms 

If you need a captioning phone, you can order one at no cost.

Veterans Benefits 

A discussion of programs offered by the VBA and VHA to support veterans and their spouses such as adaptive housing grants, VHA grants for medically needed adaptations, in-home care, day care, and more. Presented on May 24, 2021 by Michael Iwanicki, Superintendent of Veterans Assistance Commission of McHenry County.

Agent Orange Exposure & VA Disability Compensation 

Veterans exposed to Agent Orange may be entitled to compensation

Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension 

Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension (old name was Veteran's Aid & Attendance) is a benefit from the VA for any senior veteran who was enlisted during a war-time period and honorably discharged. The benefit is for the veteran, the veteran and spouse and the surviving spouse.

Benefits for Veterans and Their Families Requires Adobe Reader

Information regarding benefits to veterans

Older Veteran Behavioral Health Resource Inventory Requires Adobe Reader

The purpose of this inventory is to provide resources for health and social service professionals interested in enhancing their outreach and support for older Veterans and other older adults who have or are at risk for behavioral health conditions. This inventory is not exhaustive. Rather, it provides an overview of programs and publications on topics including posttraumatic stress disorder, suicide prevention, long-term services and supports, and much more. In addition to using this inventory, health and social service professionals can connect with the nationwide network of state and local aging and disability agencies, known as the No Wrong Door (NWD) System (nwd.acl.gov/ ).

Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension Application Instructions 

This instruction sheet was designed to help you prepare your documents for your advocate so you can apply for the VA Aid & Attendance benefit. Follow these instructions and you'll be able to apply quickly.

Don't Have Your DD214? Get it Here. 

If you can't find your DD214 don't fret. You can download it off the linked website.

VA21-2680 Exam for Housebound Status or Permanent Placement Need for Regular Aid and Attendance Requires Adobe Reader

VA Form 21-2680 exam for housebound status for a physician to fill out

VBA-21P-527EZ Veterans Non Service-Connected Pension Benefit Application Requires Adobe Reader

Veterans Pension or Housebound Benefits Application for the Veteran

VBA-21P-534EZ Application for Spousal Benefits Requires Adobe Reader

VBA21P-534EZ Application for spousal benefits / dependency and indemnity compensation, death pension and accrued benefits by a surviving spouse or child

VBA21-4142-ARE Authorization and Consent Form to Release Information Requires Adobe Reader

VA21-4142 form to authorize and consent to release information to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

VBA21P-8416-ARE Medical Expense Report Form Requires Adobe Reader

VBA21P-8416-ARE Medical expense report form

VA21-0845 Authorization to Disclose Personal Information to a Third Party Form Requires Adobe Reader

Use VA Form 21-0845 to authorize VA to share your personal information with a non-VA (third-party) individual or organization.

VA21-22A-ARE Appointment of Individual as Claimant's Representative 

Form VA21-22A-ARE Appointment of Individual as Claimant's Representative

VA21-22-ARE Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's Representative 

Form VA21-22-ARE Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's Representative

VBA21-0779 Request for Nursing Home Information 

VBA21-0779 Request for nursing home information in connection with claim for aid and attendance

Find a VA Form 

Search for a VA form by keyword, form name, or form number.

Department of Veteran's Affairs Health Care Benefits Overview Online Edition 

This guide is designed to provide Veterans and their families with the information they need to understand VA’s health care system—eligibility requirements, its enrollment process, including enrollment priority groups, co-pays that certain Veterans may be charged and the health benefits and services available to help Veterans.

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