If you’re a military family member, retiree or veteran in the impacted areas, several military and VA benefits have been temporarily changed in response to the ongoing crisis

• During natural disasters,Tricare regularly puts in place a “state of emergency” in impacted areas.
• Tricare users in all counties in Louisiana and some counties in Texas can access emergency prescriptions refills at any Tricare network pharmacy. Specialty care referral requirements have also been waived for all Tricare users in some counties in Texas. To be seen by a medical provider, beneficiaries simply need to make an appointment with a provider wherever they are.

• Officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that most people using the GI Bill at a school that has been temporarily closed due to the hurricane will still receive housing allowance payments as if nothing had happened.
• Across impacted areas in Texas, some community health and outpatient Department of Veterans Affairs clinics are closed as a result of the storm. The Houston VA Medical Center, however, is open and fully operational.
• A series of mobile vet centers to provide counseling services were being deployed to impacted areas, such as Corpus Christi, or have been placed on standby, according to VA officials. Within the area impacted by Harvey are over 510,000 veterans and 115 VA clinics,
• A series of mobile vet centers to provide counseling services were being deployed to impacted areas, such as Corpus Christi, or have been placed on standby, according to VA officials. Within the area impacted by Harvey are over 510,000 veterans and 115 VA clinics,                                                              

Military.com. Aug 30, 2017 Amy Bushshatz Picture posted came from military.com.

Pharmacy Disaster Relief Plan

VA activated the Pharmacy Disaster Relief Plan in the impacted areas. Eligible veterans with a VA ID Card needing an emergency supply of medications will be able to go to any CVS or HEB pharmacy with a written prescription or active VA prescription bottle to receive a 14-day supply.  Veterans in the impacted area needing assistance can also call the Heritage Health Solutions Veterans Help line at 1-866 265-0124 to speak to a representative.

VA Health Resource Center

The VA Health Resource Center serves as the disaster response contact center for both Veterans and VA employees in the event of regional or national disasters. HRC assists Veterans in updating temporary or permanent addresses or phone numbers, supports the caller on the Veterans facility’s operational status, provides information on how to reschedule appointments or receive medical advice, and offers Veterans information on emergency prescription refills and additional emergency resources.

Please contact the VA Health Resource Center information line at 1-800-507-4571.

Veterans requiring assistance in storm-affected areas may contact:

• Telecare Call Center: 1-800-639-5137
• Pharmacy (Houston VAMC Veterans only)
  • Medication request without refills: 1-800-639-5137
  • Medication request with refills: 1-866-265-012

VA Benefit Payments
VA’s Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) has developed mechanisms to help Veterans receive their benefit payments if their normal mail cannot be delivered.

• VBA personnel at shelters will assist Veterans with accessing their benefits at the following locations: George R. Brown Convention Center and the NRG Conference Center.
• Veterans who receive a paper check, may receive a phone call about alternative payment methods.
• Veterans can sign up for direct deposit on eBenefits.
• Veterans can call 1-800-827-1000 to sign up for direct deposit.
• The Direct Express Cardless Benefit Access program is offering beneficiaries who use Direct Express and reside in the affected area the option to obtain cash without their card, up to $1,000.
  • The service is being offered free of charge; however, due to system limitations, a fee will be charged and then refunded to the beneficiary. The beneficiary will be asked to go to a MoneyGram store to retrieve the funds.  If the beneficiary is unable to locate a MoneyGram store in operation in his/her area, the funds will be placed back on the Direct Express card.
  • MoneyGram agents will require ID before releasing funds.  They will accept a passport, driver’s license, military identification card, social security card and/or state identification card.  The beneficiary must also have a MoneyGram reference number (provided by the Direct Express Call Center).
  • Contact the Direct Express Call Center toll-free number, 1-888-741-1115, and offer to transfer the caller.  Callers must choose the “Direct Express Cardless Benefit Access” option on the IVR.

http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/hurricane-harvey/   September 5, 2017 Megan Maloney