20 JAX AIR NEWS, NAS JACKSONVILLE, Thursday, May 27, 2010 Programs available for special needs dependen By Thomas Martin Special Contributor Incapacitated Dependent Program If your special needs dependent was permanently incapacitated prior to age 21, remains unmarried and inca- pable of self-support, and you as the mili- tary sponsor continue to provide at least 50 percent of his/her financial support - then the special needs dependent may qualify for this program. At least six months prior to your spe- cial needs dependent's 21st birthday, active duty personnel should contact their command's personnel office for eligibili- ty determination. Retirees should contact NPC ID card department (www.npc.navy. mil/CommandSupport/PayPersSupport/ IDCards/Benefits.htm or 1-866-827-5672). Ensuring that the eligible special needs dependent is enrolled in this program ensures continued DEERS eligibility for a uniformed services identification card and TRICARE coverage. Otherwise, all military dependent benefits, including TRICARE, expire at age 21. The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) as applied to a special needs dependent Upon retirement from military service, sponsors with a special needs dependent should thoroughly review their options under the SBP before declining coverage. As a minimum, give consideration to the 'Children Only' SBP option (SBP annuity payable to child at 55 percent of the base ts amount). Under this option, one category of qualifying child beneficiary is one inca- pable of self-support because of physical or mental incapacity which existed before age 18, or was incurred before age 22 while pursuing a full-time course of study. The SBP annuity would be paid for as long as the incapacitation exists, regardless of age: (http://www. dfas.mil/rapay/annuities/sbp/ SBPGuideBook.pdf & http://comptroller. defense.gov/fmr/07b/07b_44.pdf, volume 7B, chapter 44, paragraph 440202, A., 2., page 44-4). The monthly premium is determined by DFAS: www.dfas.mil, or 1-800-321-1080. Note that the SBP law does not allow for a special needs trust (SNT) to be listed as the beneficiary upon the sponsor's death (ensure that you have established a SNT, via a reputable attorney, for your special needs dependent). The sponsor must des- ignate the special needs dependent as the beneficiary, which could result in the tem- porary loss of public assistance such as SSI and Medicaid. The U.S. Code states that eligible benefi- ciaries under the SBP are the spouse and/ or dependent children, a former spouse, or a natural person with an insurable inter- est, providing they meet certain eligibility requirements ( http://www.dfas.mil/rapay/ annuities/sbp/SBPGuideBook.pdf & http:// comptroller. defense. gov/fmr/07b/07b_44. pdf, volume 7B, chapter 44, paragraph 4401, page 44-3). JalcGiisonvllB, rL JLLUD 904-381-6530 Autocrafters Collision Macc 180S. Lowder St. Macclenny, FL 904-259-3001 Autocrafters Collision 0. Pa 1/ 6 629 Park Ave. .....- Orange Park, FL 32073 904-269-8101 Autocrafters Collision Blanding 1011 Blanding Blvd Orange Park, FL 32095 904-298-2982 Autocratters St. Augustine 2120 State Road 16 St. Augustine, FL 32095 904-829-3769 Ribbons & Roses Support Group plans hot events this summer From Nikki Levinson-Lustgarten, RN BSN OCN NH Jax Breast Care Coordinator he Ribbons & Roses Breast Cancer support group will meet June 8 at 7 p.m. in the General Surgery Clinic waiting area, Naval Hospital Jacksonville. June is the beginning of hurricane sea- son, so the guest speaker will be from the American Red Cross. Discussion will cover hurricane prepa- rations for you and your family, writing a disaster plan and special needs plan- ning. Also Ribbons & Roses is accepting bra submissions for their annual dec- orated bra contest. Past years events have included some great entries with bras decorated with feathers, sequins, embroidery and other amazing details. Participation is open to all. The bra entries must be turned in by June 30 to Nikki Levinson-Lustgarten. Contestants must cover the cups, straps and sides completely but leave the clo- sure alone (need to be able to put it on the model). Do not forget to write your name on the inside. Also consider dedicating your bra to someone affected by breast cancer. Jeannie Blaylock, Channel 12 News per- sonality & founder of Buddy Check 12, will be our guest judge on July 9. Fellow judges will be NH Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Bruce Gillingham and local artist Waneta Araneo. For more information, call 542-7857. 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