Food Bank Help

Commissaries are serving as collection points for the Feds Feed Families campaign, ending Aug. 31. Last year, the Defense Commissary Agency collected almost 1 million pounds of groceries for area food banks. Many stores featured donation packages provided by commissary vendors for patrons to purchase and donate on the spot.

Since 2009, more than 24 million pounds of food have been donated. Most needed items for donation include canned vegetables, fruits and proteins; soups; condiments; snacks; multigrain cereals; paper products; and hygiene items.

New VA Eligibility

Same-sex couples now have access to previously denied Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits as a result of the Supreme Court’s landmark marriage equality decision. Included are VA disability compensation, home loan guarantees, death pensions and burial rights based on state laws. VA had been issuing benefits only to same-sex partners in states that permitted homosexual marriage. The change in policy is expected to affect thousands of veterans. For more information, call 1-800-827-1000.

Caregiver Assistance

The Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program helps caregivers faced with an aging U.S. population. Program coverage reimburses for long-term care services at home or in a facility such as assisted living, adult day care or a nursing center.

Retirees may also want to explore the benefits of having relatives apply for coverage as a way to minimize their own future caregiving needs. The eligibility list includes spouses and same-sex domestic partners, parents and parents-in-law, and adult children.

The program’s care coordination services offer enrollees information and advice on long-term care resources, such as local care providers and relevant community programs. Having access to a team of experienced insurance professionals can help make an informed decision.

For more information about comprehensive benefits and features, call 800-582-3337. Established by Congress in 2000 and overseen by the Office of Personnel Management, the program is designed to meet the specific needs of the federal family.

The Retiree Activities Office is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit the office in Building 1604 at California and Colorado Avenues or call 301-981-2726. Call before your visit to ensure a volunteer is on duty. The RAO has a website at www.andrews.af.mil.