US

Are Disability Benefits For Veterans Destructive To The System?

Published

3 years ago

April 14, 2022

According to the former secretary of Veterans Affairs, Robert Wilkie, the current system emphasizes providing disability benefits and helping out unfit individuals, which might seem like a blessing to the Veterans, but is pretty damaging to the system. He explained that by providing financial benefits to these ailing members of the military service, the system is not helping them out but promoting them to pay disability in order to earn rewards. He further explained that the system would be much better off if it focused on aiding their ailing members and getting them back into society instead of granting them rewards for ailments that have relatively little to do with their military service.

Along these lines, the secretary of VA highlighted that receiving financial assistance from the VA is relatively easy to ascertain since a wide array of illnesses and injuries can make an individual eligible for receiving financial support from the system, many of which might not even be remotely related to their military placement. This also allows the veterans to receive all benefits on a silver platter instead of working hard for these rewards and looking for ways to work and make their way into post-military life. This was further supported by a study from the Department of Labor which suggested that around 26 percent of all Veterans in the United States today have some military-related disability

This roundtable discussion revolved around the new book called “Wounding Warriors: How Bad Policy is Making America’s Veterans Sicker and Poorer,” written by the Retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and a former Virginia Senate member, Daniel Gade. Wilkie narrated the department to be “incredibly resistant to reform.” He suggested that it was because of the greedy Veteran lobbyists who are always searching for increasing the benefits and rewards instead of aiding and abetting those who require military-related accommodations.

Wilkie explained how his work as secretary of the VA may have improved some of the old practices of the system; however, not to a large extent, it seems, while Gade suggested that veterans should receive treatment for all ailments irrespective of them being related to military deployment.

Veteran Affairs processes plenty of disability claims every year, especially this year when it broke all records and processed over 1 million claims. However, due to the sudden outbreak of COVID-19, many claims were not processed in due time. In addition to this, Fight4vets narrates that, while VA benefits can be generous, “the reality is that the VA routinely denies claims that are based on real disabilities.” Not to mention, new policies and updated eligibility criteria, have greatly increased the workload for the staff. However, Wilkie claimed that necessary changes can still not be implemented as long as the lawyers and veteran lobbyists do not alter their perspective of the system.

During Wilkie’s last moments in the office, most Veterans called for his resignation since it was found that he had failed to appropriately handle a sexual assault case that was put forth by a congressional staffer who was at the VA Medical Center in Washington, DC.

US

Creating Safe Havens: Inside Genesis USA’s Vision for Inclusive Housing

Published

5 months ago

December 3, 2024

Jimmy Lerner

Photo Courtesy of GenesisUSA

GenesisUSA, a nonprofit based in Arlington, Texas, works to improve the lives of disabled veterans and children who have lost their parents. Led by Charles Ford, the organization goes beyond providing financial aid. It focuses on long-term solutions, like building wheelchair-accessible homes, to support independence and dignity for those in need. With rising housing costs and growing inequality, GenesisUSA’s mission addresses a critical gap.

Ford and his team create supportive environments that help promote self-reliance in underserved communities. As a smaller, community-based organization, it addresses challenges that can be difficult for larger organizations to manage. Its work shows how local initiatives can make a noticeable difference.

A Growing Crisis: The Need for Accessible Housing

The demand for affordable and accessible housing continues to grow. A 2023 report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimated that more than 11 million U.S. households need homes with accessibility features. This challenge is more pronounced for disabled veterans, with nearly four million living in homes that do not meet their physical needs.

“Our veterans have sacrificed a lot for this country, but many still face housing that doesn’t suit their needs,” Ford says. “Beyond merely providing them shelter, we’re creating a space where they can live comfortably.”

GenesisUSA is responding by building homes designed for accessibility. These houses include ramps, wider doorways, and modified kitchens and bathrooms to allow veterans to live more independently. The organization also plans to create supportive environments for children who have lost their parents, many of whom also face mobility challenges.

Ford’s Community-Driven Leadership at GenesisUSA

Ford’s years of experience in construction and his dedication to charitable work have shaped his leadership at GenesisUSA. He stays closely involved, often meeting veterans and families to learn about their needs firsthand. “For me, it’s about building personal connections,” Ford says. “Large charities sometimes miss the individual stories.”

The community focus defines Ford’s leadership. Although some wonder if a smaller nonprofit can make a meaningful impact, Ford is confident. “We don’t have celebrity endorsements or huge budgets, but we have real relationships with the people we help,” he says. His dedication to grassroots efforts sets GenesisUSA apart from larger, more structured organizations.

GenesisUSA has already helped over 100 people and aims to expand its impact with affordable, accessible housing solutions. One notable feature is the inclusion of a wheelchair-accessible swimming pool, which has received positive feedback. Ford says, “We’re creating spaces where people can enjoy life fully, just like everyone else,” which reflects the organization’s mission to support independence and inclusion.

Building More Than Homes: A Reflection of Hope

Ford looks back on GenesisUSA’s progress with a clear sense of purpose. “We’re not simply building homes, we’re offering hope and building opportunities for independence,” he says. “We’re here to support veterans who face mobility challenges and children who have lost their parents, offering them a chance at a more self-reliant life.”

As the organization’s reach expands, so does its ability to impact lives across the country. Its work embodies Ford’s dedication to ensuring that no one is overlooked. Ford envisions scaling their efforts while maintaining the personalized approach that defines their model.

“We’re still in the early stages,” he notes. “As we grow, we’ll continue to prioritize individual needs. Our success hinges on the improved quality of life for each person we help.”

As the demand for accessible, supportive housing rises, organizations like GenesisUSA play an important role in filling gaps left by larger institutions and government programs. Through its focus on tailored support and community-driven solutions, GenesisUSA is building a model for how smaller nonprofits can significantly impact and address pressing social needs.