craigdailypress.com

Payments provided to veterans under two specific programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs - the Compensated Work Therapy and Incentive Therapy programs - no longer are taxable, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Veterans who paid tax on these benefits in the past three years can claim refunds.

Recipients of CWT and IT payments no longer receive a Form 1099 - Miscellaneous Income - from VA. Veterans who paid tax on these benefits in tax years 2004, 2005 or 2006 can claim a refund by filing an amended tax return using IRS Form 1040X.

Nearly 19,000 veterans received CWT benefits last year, while 8,500 received IT benefits.

The IRS agreed with a U.S. Tax Court decision earlier in 2007 that CWT payments are tax-free veterans benefits. In so doing, the agency reversed a 1965 ruling that these payments were taxable and required VA to report payments as taxable income.

The CWT and IT programs provide assistance to veterans unable to work and support themselves. Under the CWT program, VA contracts with private industry and the public sector for work by veterans, who learn new job skills, strengthen successful work habits and regain a sense of self-esteem and self-worth.

Veterans are compensated by VA for their work and, in turn, improve their economic and social well-being.

Under the IT program, seriously disabled veterans receive payments for providing services at about 70 VA medical centers.

Drivers wanted

Waste Management is looking for more drivers. They are an EEO employer.

They have immediate openings in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Montrose, Telluride, Carbondale, Hot Sulphur Springs and Ault. They also serve the Craig and Steamboat area and are specifically looking for veterans.

They will train for class A & B CD licenses with air brake endorsement. They have a full benefit package. To apply, call 1-877-220-5627 or come by the Craig Work Force Center office and see Jonny Murray, the Local Veteran Employment Representative.

Helmets to Hardhats

Another opportunity for veterans to find significant employment is a federally sponsored program Jonny can assist with. That is Helmets to Hardhats. You also can register online at www.helmetstohardhats.org or call toll free 1-866-741-6210.

Annual Means Test

The VA requires a Means Test each year that you are seeking/receiving medical care through the VA health care system.

You can mail the completed form in or take it with you on a trip to the VAMC. If you need to update your test, call the Primary Nurse/clerk in Grand Junction at 970-263-2834 and request a new form. I also can supply these locally if you want to pick one up at my office.

Telehealth clinic

Dave Newman, the Craig Telehealth Clinic nurse, has asked me to pass on this information.

"The Craig Telehealth Clinic does not have medications except some immunizations like flu and hepatitis. They definitely do NOT have pain meds, narcotics, antibiotics, emergency drugs or ability to fill prescriptions" at this time, he said.

If the clinic grows into a full-time CBOC, then some of these services may be possible.

Also there is just one phone line, so when there are teleconferences, they are on the Internet or with the current amount of calls they are getting, the phone has been reported as "out of order."

That isn't true and means they may have to pursue a second phone line if the number of calls continues to increase.

For information on these programs and/or other veterans' benefits, call or stop in the Moffat County VSO office at 480 Barclay St. (west of the Bank of Colorado parking lot). Call 970-824-3246 or use the fax 970-824-7108. Our e-mail address is veterans@moffatcounty.net.

The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Other times can be arranged by appointment only.

Bring a copy of your separation papers (DD-214) for application for VA programs and for filing at our office.