WASHINGTON, November 20 -- Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) presents a new webinar on November 30, Veterans Benefits - Basic Training, developed for medical and social service professionals, Veterans, and their personal caregivers that will cover the basics of Veterans’ benefits, benefit eligibility requirements, and the processes to follow to access these benefits.

The 90-minute webinar will identify:

• important documents and basic eligibility requirements
• the eight priority groups for VA medical care
• the VA’s hospice benefit
• VA disability and pension compensation
• burial and memorial benefits
• survivor and dependent benefits

Veterans Benefits - Basic Training will be presented by Andrew Balafas, a former Army Infantry officer and West Point graduate who now serves as the Regional Veterans Liaison for Vitas Healthcare in Chicagoland.

According to Balafas, the presentation is based on the questions he has been repeatedly asked in his seven years working in hospice care as a Veterans advocate. Balafas will share useful information to help navigate the often confusing and frustrating bureaucracies of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Balafas hopes to help viewers understand what benefits Veterans have and simplify the process of accessing those benefits.

“When I teach about the unique needs that Veterans often have at end of life, I break these into four categories: The physical conditions and injuries incurred during military service; the psychological conditions and injuries incurred during military service; the indoctrinated stoicism which is often an obstacle to treating physical and psychological pain; and navigating the bureaucracies of the Department of Veterans Affairs to access necessary benefits,” said Balafas.  

The program will be available on demand for those unable to participate in the live program.

Continuing education credits are not available for this program. This webinar is $30.00 for non-members and $22.50 for HFA members. Click here to learn more and to register or email educate@hospicefoundation.org.