MARIETTA, Ohio (04/06/2016) — The Ohio National Guard, Ohio Department of Veterans Services and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services coordinated a Veterans Resource Fair that included participation by several statewide agencies along with numerous employers.
Veterans were invited to attend the event held at the former Ohio Army National Guard armory there to learn more about bonuses, jobs and military benefits. About 200 Veterans attended this year’s event.
Douglas Bonner, regional contractor for TRICARE, offered a short question-and-answer session for anyone wanting to know about their eligibility for the health care program that provides civilian health benefits for military personnel, retirees and their dependents.
“I mostly get questions concerning eligibility and what kind of TRICARE is the best,” Bonner said. “A lot of times I also get questions about the ‘gray area’ retirees.”
Retired Guard members and Reservists who have completed at least 20 years of military service but are not old enough to collect their retired pay are considered to be in a “gray area.” From the time they actually retire to their “full” retirement age (usually 60), they don’t qualify for TRICARE. Bonner added that they don’t need to wait to receive other benefits, however. Immediately following retirement from active service in the Guard or Reserve, eligible retirees remain qualified for benefits including post exchange, commissary and MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) Program privileges.
Beulah Strickler, along with her husband Charles, a 30-year Navy retiree, drove from Zanesville to visit the resource fair after they received a postcard promoting the event in the mail.
“We’re here because we would like to know if TRICARE is still as sound as when Charles got out of the military,” Beulah said. “He retired in 1987, so things could have changed a lot and we just want to be sure.” |
