claim

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Use this VA disability back pay calculator to estimate how much the Department of Veterans Affairs may owe you in VA disability benefits.

Individuals who served in the military and have a service-related injury can apply for VA disability benefits. In some cases, the VA owes a qualified individual benefits that weren’t properly paid, known as back pay. Reasons the VA might owe back pay include:

  • You filed a disability claim within a year of separating from the military, in which case your effective date becomes the day after your separation from active service.

  • The VA made an error when calculating your benefits, such as assigning you the wrong disability rating.

  • Your disability rating increased and it took a while for the VA to approve the increase.

🤓Nerdy Tip

This calculator uses the most up-to-date benefit rates, but your actual VA disability back pay might be higher or lower than what this calculator estimates. If your effective date for your additional VA disability benefits is prior to the current year or your family situation changes, the calculator might underestimate or overestimate your benefits. Also, this calculator doesn’t include annual cost-of-living adjustments to benefits rates.

How to use this VA disability back pay calculator

  1. Select the date your back pay should have become effective. If you are filing for back pay more than a year after your separation from active service or more than a year since your disability rating increased, the effective date will be the date on which you filed the claim.

  2. Select your marital status. The VA uses your marital status to determine if you need additional money to support a spouse. If you answered yes, continue to step 3. If you answered no, skip to step 4.

  3. If you indicated that you’re married, indicate whether your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits. Receiving Aid and Attendance benefits means that your spouse needs physical assistance, which may increase your VA back pay.

  4. Select your disability rating. The more severe your disability, the higher your VA disability payments will be. If you have multiple qualifying disabilities, use your combined disability rating from the VA.

  5. Indicate if you claim parents as dependents. Your VA benefits may be higher if you claim one parent as dependent or both parents as dependents on your tax return. If you answered yes, continue to step 6. If you answer no, skip to step 7.

  6. Select how many parents you claim as dependents. The VA increases your benefit for each parent you claim as a dependent.

  7. Indicate if you claim children as dependents. Biological, adopted and step-children are included. Children who are 18-23 must be unmarried and enrolled in an approved college or university to qualify as a dependent. If you selected yes, continue to step 8. If you select no, the calculator will show you your final estimate.

  8. Answer whether you claim children who are under 18 years old. Your benefit will increase for each child you claim. If yes, continue to step 9. If no, skip to step 10.

  9. Indicate how many children you claim under 18 years of age. The VA adjusts your benefit for each child under 18 that you claim as a dependent.

  10. Answer whether you claim children who are 18 years of age or older, unmarried and enrolled in a college or university. Your benefit will increase for each child you claim as a dependent. If yes, continue to step 11. If no, the calculator will show you your final VA back pay estimate.

  11. Indicate how many children 18 or older you claim as a dependent. The VA adjusts your benefit for each child 18 or older that you claim as a dependent.

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How the VA disability back pay calculator works

VA back pay is based on marital status, disability rating and type and number of dependents. Each of these factors affects your monthly benefit in different ways, and the calculator accounts for these differences.

The VA disability back pay calculator uses the VA’s most recent annual disability rates. The answers you enter in the calculator determine what is in your estimate.

The calculator also looks at your estimated effective date and multiplies your estimated monthly benefit by the number of months since that date. The result is your estimated VA disability back pay.

🤓Nerdy Tip

If your financial situation changed between your disability benefits effective date and now — for example, you became financially responsible for a child or a parent — you’ll need to use the calculator twice. Use it once with the information leading up to the financial change and write down the estimated benefit amount. Then use it again with the information from the financial change to now and write down that estimate. Add the two estimates together for your total estimated back pay.

Next steps: Learn more about VA disability benefits

Here are a few other NerdWallet articles about VA disability benefits:

If VA disability benefits are a major part of your monthly income and you are struggling to afford basic necessities such as food and shelter, you may be able to apply for other government assistance or organizational programs. These include:

You can see a list of additional government programs on USA.gov for a variety of support options.

Source: nerdwallet.com

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When the Canada-based BMO bank acquired Bank of the West, headquartered in the U.S., in 2021, American consumers gained access to BMO’s credit card portfolio, which includes personal and business cards.

As of this writing, BMO offers two cash-back cards, a travel card, a 0% APR/balance transfer card and a secured card. However, a BMO representative confirmed that the card offerings and current card benefits may change in early 2024.

Here’s what you need to know about these cards before deciding whether to apply for one.

🤓Nerdy Tip

While BMO offers business credit cards, this article covers only its personal credit card offerings.

For a break on interest: BMO Platinum Credit Card

If you need an extra-long reprieve from interest, your best option among the BMO cards is the Platinum Credit Card. For a $0 annual fee, cardholders get 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (as of this writing). There are two important caveats to these offers, though: You may lose the 0% APR benefit if you make a late payment, and the balance transfer must be completed within 90 days of account opening in order to get the 0% APR offer.

The balance transfer fee for all of BMO’s personal credit cards is $10 or 4% of the amount of the balance transfer, whichever amount is greater. BMO only allows balance transfers of credit card debt. And as is standard with most issuers, it doesn’t permit transfers between BMO accounts.

As balance transfer offers go, this is a decent one, but it’s possible to find credit cards with longer interest-free promotions. The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card, for instance, offers 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR .

🤓Nerdy Tip

All of BMO’s publicly available personal credit cards offer cell phone protection plans. Cardholders are eligible for up to $400 in coverage except for Premium Rewards cardholders, who get up to $600 worth of coverage. To qualify for cell phone insurance, you must pay your cell phone bill with a qualifying BMO credit card. A $50 deductible is required for each claim.

For building credit: BMO Boost Secured Credit Card

BMO’s lone secured card requires a $25 annual fee and a minimum $300 security deposit. Those numbers are on the higher end compared with other secured cards. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card, for example, has a $0 annual fee and a $200 minimum security deposit — and it earns rewards, which the Boost Secured card does not.

However, the Boost Secured does offer two benefits rarely found in other cards for people with bad or limited credit: cell phone insurance and rental car insurance.

For travelers: BMO Premium Rewards Credit Card

The only travel card in BMO’s credit card portfolio, the Premium Rewards card, offers some solid perks for a $79 annual fee, which is waived the first year. Some highlights:

  • 15% bonus points on your account anniversary (15% of total purchases made in the previous year). 

  • A sign-up bonus of 35,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 within 3 months of opening your account (as of this writing).

  • Access to over 850 airport VIP lounges worldwide with Priority Pass Select, plus two complimentary visits to participating lounges.

  • No foreign transaction fees.

  • Lost or damaged luggage insurance.

By comparison, the venerable Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card awards a 10% points bonus on each account anniversary and doesn’t come with lounge access, and its annual fee is slightly higher than the Premium Rewards card. However, unlike the BMO Premium Rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card features travel partners to which you can transfer your points, often for outsize value.

The Premium Rewards card also earns the following rewards in BMO’s proprietary currency, Flex Rewards:

  • 3 Flex Rewards points per $1 spent on eligible dining, hotels and airfare (on up to $2,500 in combined spending each quarter), and 1x on all purchases after that.

  • 1 Flex Rewards point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases. 

Flex Rewards points may be redeemed for flights, hotels, merchandise, gift cards and statement credits, among other options. Point values vary depending on the redemption; cardholders can check the redemption value at www.bmoflexrewards.com.

Flex Rewards points don’t expire, assuming your account remains in good standing with BMO.

For cash back: BMO Cash Back Credit Card and the BMO Platinum Rewards Credit Card

Two BMO cards would be good picks as cash-back cards. One earns direct cash back as a percentage of each purchase; the other earns BMO’s proprietary currency, Flex Rewards, which can be redeemed for cash back in the form of statement credit.

BMO Cash Back Credit Card

For straightforward cash-back rewards, the aptly named BMO Cash Back Credit Card is probably the better choice. It has the higher rewards rates, and the rewards categories represent a range of everyday spending. The $0-annual-fee Cash Back card earns:

  • 5% cash back on eligible streaming, cable TV and satellite services.

  • 3% cash back on eligible gas and grocery purchases, up to $2,500 in combined quarterly spending (1% after that).

  • 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

The only redemption option is a statement credit. Rewards never expire as long as the account is open and in good standing.

As of this writing, the card also comes with the following sign-up bonus: Get a $200 cash-back bonus when you spend $2,000 within 3 months of opening your account.

BMO Platinum Rewards Credit Card

The Platinum Rewards card, like its Cash Back sibling, earns rewards on gas and groceries, but the rewards rates on the Platinum Rewards card are a hair lower. It earns:

  • 2 Flex Rewards points per $1 spent on eligible gas and groceries, up to $2,500 in combined spending each calendar quarter (1x on all purchases after that). 

  • 1 Flex Rewards point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

Redemption options for the Platinum Rewards card are the same as the Premium Rewards card because both cards earn Flex Rewards.

In favor of the Platinum Rewards card, its annual fee is also $0, and it has a good welcome offer: Get 25,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 within 3 months of opening your account. It also gives cardholders a points bonus every account anniversary equal to 10% of the total points earned in the past year. The Cash Back card doesn’t award an annual bonus.

These are both decent options for cash back. But if you’d prefer a simple, high flat rate back on everything, without the need to keep track of bonus categories, you could consider a product like the Citi Double Cash® Card. It earns 2% cash back on every purchase: 1% back when you buy, 1% back when you pay it back.

The card has a $0 annual fee, and it also offers a 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months, and then the ongoing APR of 19.24%-29.24% Variable APR.

Who doesn’t want to be rewarded?

Create a NerdWallet account for personalized recommendations, and find the card that rewards you the most for your spending.

Source: nerdwallet.com

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The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice. See Lexington Law’s editorial disclosure for more information.

Bankruptcy is a legal process that individuals and businesses can undertake to eliminate their debts under the oversight of a bankruptcy court.

Bankruptcy is a legal process that individuals and businesses can undertake to eliminate all or part of their debts under the oversight of a bankruptcy court. For individuals who have amassed debt beyond what they can reasonably pay, bankruptcy is a potential path toward a clean slate.

There are different types of bankruptcy, important terms to know and significant consequences to watch out for. If you’re wondering, “What is bankruptcy?” or you’re considering it for yourself, read on to get an overview, or you can use the links below to jump to a specific question.

How does bankruptcy work?

Bankruptcy is a complicated legal process that involves several steps:

  • A debtor files a legal petition for bankruptcy in federal bankruptcy court.
  • The court appoints a trustee to oversee the case.
  • The trustee examines the debtor’s assets and liabilities and determines if they have any assets which can be administered by the trustee.

While it’s technically possible to file for bankruptcy on your own, working with a qualified attorney is recommended, as the amount of legal knowledge required is beyond what the average person possesses.

During the creditor’s meeting the trustee will examine the debtor and the case and file a report. What happens next depends on whether you filed for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. In both cases, your debt can be discharged, but the process for achieving that end varies.

What are the different types of bankruptcy?

For individuals, the two most common forms of bankruptcy are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Businesses and local governments can also file for bankruptcy, but we won’t cover those types of bankruptcy in detail in this article.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the most straightforward approach to filing for bankruptcy. Chapter 7 bankruptcy, also called liquidation bankruptcy or fresh start bankruptcy, sometimes involves the sale of assets to pay off debt.  In most cases a debtor’s assets are exempt and no assets need be sold. This is best for debtors who have no way to repay their debt.

When a debtor files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the following process takes place:

  1. The debtor provides the trustee with tax returns and other financial documents relevant to the case, plus a list of all their assets.
  2. The trustee evaluates the assets to determine which assets, if any, are nonexempt.
  3. The trustee sells all nonexempt assets to pay off creditors. Debtors can keep exempt property, which varies by state law. For example, in New York, a debtor can keep their car if they own it outright and it is worth $4,000 or less.
  4. The debtor meets with their trustee and creditors at a Meeting of Creditors, also called a 341 Hearing, to verify the information they’ve filed in their bankruptcy petition is accurate.
  5. The trustee might pay some of the debt using the proceeds from liquidating the debtor’s nonexempt assets.  However, this is rare.
  6. Any remaining debt is discharged. However, Chapter 7 does not eliminate all debt—debtors are still responsible for paying court-order alimony and child support, student loans and certain taxes.

The Chapter 7 process typically takes about four to five months from filing to final discharge of debt.

While Chapter 7 bankruptcy has powerful effects on debt, it also has consequences. The negative item from bankruptcy can remain on a credit report for 10 years.

A debtor can only file for this kind of bankruptcy once every eight years. For that reason, a condition of bankruptcy is always credit counseling and personal finance courses, which are aimed at supporting people to prevent them from ending up in the same financial situation again.

Chapter 13

Chapter 13 bankruptcy still leads to debt elimination, but it involves a debt payment plan. In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, debtors keep their property and pay debts over an agreed-upon period, usually three to five years. To qualify, a debtor must prove they have regular income. During the payment period, creditors are legally prohibited from collection efforts against the debtor. This type of bankruptcy is best for debtors who have steady income but still can’t afford to pay their debts in full.

If a debtor files a petition for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the following will occur:

  1. The court reviews the repayment plan. Typically, repayment plans last three to five years and may repay some or all of the debt owed. The debtor prepares and files the plan and creditors have a chance to comment on it, the trustee comments on it and the court makes a final determination as to whether to approve the plan. 
  2. A court-appointed trustee collects your payments. Over the course of repayment, a trustee will collect funds and disburse them to creditors. 
  3. After repayment, the bankruptcy is discharged. After the specified repayment period, the debtor becomes eligible for a discharge. If the debtor has complied with the trustee’s requests, has paid all required payments and takes a financial management course, then the remaining balance on debt (if any) is forgiven. 

The entire Chapter 13 bankruptcy process can take up to five years from the filing date to the end of repayment.

While Chapter 13 bankruptcy also has detrimental consequences for credit and general financial health, it tends to be less detrimental than Chapter 7 bankruptcy. 

Additionally, Chapter 13 bankruptcy remains on a credit report for just seven years, and the process can be repeated more often if necessary. Having debt discharged or reorganized can be a vital financial tool.

Other types of bankruptcy

While individuals file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 depending on their circumstances, there are other types of bankruptcy that farmers and fishermen, businesses and city governments can use in difficult financial situations.

Here’s a quick overview of other forms of bankruptcy:

  • Chapter 9 focuses on local governments and school districts that need to restructure debt in the wake of financial troubles. Similarly to Chapter 13, Chapter 9 utilizes a debt repayment plan.
  • Chapter 11 enables businesses to create a debt repayment plan in conjunction with a revised business plan that is aimed at increasing profitability. 
  • Chapter 12 is a narrowly focused form of bankruptcy that is exclusive to family farmers and fishers hoping to avoid liquidation.
  • Chapter 15 is an international provision that helps mediate bankruptcy proceedings that involve the United States and at least one other country. 

While all of these forms of bankruptcy are useful, only Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 typically directly affect individuals in financial distress.

What does it mean when bankruptcy is discharged?

A bankruptcy discharge means a debtor is no longer personally responsible for certain debts. Regardless of the remaining balance of a previous debt, once a bankruptcy discharge is entered, creditors can no longer collect on the debt.

  • With Chapter 7 bankruptcy, discharge usually occurs after the creditor’s meeting. There is typically a 60-day window after the meeting of creditors for creditors to file complaints, after which the discharge may take effect.
  • With Chapter 13 bankruptcy, discharge typically takes place after the repayment plan is completed.

However, not all debts are eligible for bankruptcy discharge. Depending on the type of bankruptcy filed, the following debts may not be discharged:

  • Alimony
  • Child support
  • Tax liens
  • Some federal, state and local taxes (depending on the age of the debt)
  • Student Loans.
  • Debts for willful and malicious injury to a person or property
  • Debts for death or personal injury caused by the debtor driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Any debt not listed in the bankruptcy filing

In general, a discharged bankruptcy is permanent, meaning creditors no longer have any claim to previous debt. In some cases, however, a bankruptcy discharge could be revoked if the party proves to the court that the initial petition was made fraudulently. The time period for taking an action in this way is limited to one year after discharge.

What is the benefit of filing for bankruptcy?

There are advantages to filing for bankruptcy for individuals who can no longer deal with overwhelming debt.

Some of the most important benefits of bankruptcy include:

  • The elimination of many types of debt
  • A fresh start with finances
  • An end to calls and letters from collection agencies
  • Relief from wage garnishment, foreclosure or repossession
  • Protection of certain kinds of property 

Bankruptcy courts exist for a reason, and bankruptcy serves an important financial function for many individuals whose debts significantly exceed their ability to repay. For those who have no other good options, bankruptcy provides important benefits and the chance for relief and a second chance at financial security.

How does bankruptcy affect your credit score?

Bankruptcy has a serious detrimental effect on your credit, though it is possible to rebuild credit after bankruptcy.

The negative item from bankruptcy will remain on your report for seven to ten years, depending on the type of bankruptcy. Any time you apply for credit, that negative item will be visible to creditors, who will factor it in when deciding whether to approve your application.

For those looking to rebuild credit after bankruptcy, a secured credit card is often the best starting point. A secured credit card is backed by a deposit, so creditors are usually willing to provide it even to those who have a bankruptcy on their record. Responsibly using the card and making payments on time can slowly lead to improved credit in the future.

Additionally, many people who have gone through bankruptcy choose to work with a credit repair company, which may be able to support the process of rebuilding credit.

What is bankruptcy fraud?

Bankruptcy fraud occurs when an individual withholds information about debts or assets from the federal bankruptcy court. In both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, information about your finances determines how your debt is handled, so providing false or misleading information could lead to a revocation of your bankruptcy discharge or criminal charges.

Here are some examples of bankruptcy fraud:

  • Hiding assets. During bankruptcy, you are forced to disclose all of your assets, which may be sold in order to pay creditors. Withholding information about your assets to try to protect them is not allowed.
  • Running up debt prior to discharge. If you use credit to purchase property or items with no intention of repayment simply because you believe the debt will be discharged, you are likely committing bankruptcy fraud.
  • Falsifying documents. Providing false information about property transfers, debts, assets or any other necessary information is forbidden during bankruptcy proceedings.

The consequences of bankruptcy fraud can be serious, especially if a party proves to the court that your efforts were intended to deceive creditors and prevent them from receiving their just payment. You could be denied a bankruptcy discharge. Fines and even prison time are possible outcomes for bankruptcy fraud, so it’s important to be truthful throughout the entire process.

Bankruptcy terms you should know

A bankruptcy score is used by financial institutions to predict the likelihood that an individual will file for bankruptcy within a certain period of time. Similar to credit scores, bankruptcy scores are calculated using a wide variety of factors. Unlike credit scores, however, bankruptcy scores are not available to consumers, so you can’t know your own score or make efforts to improve it directly.

Still, regardless of your bankruptcy score, the same financial habits that support a strong credit score are also likely to help prevent you from needing to file for bankruptcy:

  • Create and maintain a budget. Spending within your means and prioritizing essential expenses is an excellent way to maintain financial health.
  • Make full and on-time debt payments. Make timely payments for loans and credit cards, and avoid keeping a credit card balance from month to month.
  • Avoid unnecessary lines of credit. While credit is a valuable tool, it’s important to avoid opening too many lines of credit and letting debt become overwhelming. 

Bankruptcy scores are important tools for financial institutions making lending decisions, but they are largely unimportant to consumers. As long as you are making wise financial decisions over time, creditors will continue to recognize your efforts and your risk of bankruptcy will remain low.

Bankruptcy terms you should know

As you navigate bankruptcy, you’ll come across a variety of terms that may be unfamiliar. Understanding all of these terms makes navigating the process of bankruptcy much easier, and fortunately, none of them are difficult to understand.

Here’s a list of terms that you should know if you’re trying to understand bankruptcy better.

  • Assets and liabilities: An asset is anything you own, whereas a liability is anything you owe.
  • Chapter: A chapter is simply the specific type of bankruptcy being declared under Title 11 of the United States Federal Bankruptcy Code.
  • Discharge: A discharge means the associated dischargeable debts no longer need to be paid. 
  • Lien: A lien is a claim against a piece of property from a creditor who is owed a debt, such as a mortgage lender or a car creditor. 
  • Liquidation: Liquidation is the process of selling assets, usually to pay debts—for instance after filing Chapter 7.
  • Means test: The means test is used to determine who is eligible to file for Chapter 7 by accounting for income and debt. 
  • Repayment plan: An approved repayment plan is a court-authorized plan to give creditors back some or all of what they are owed. At the completion of a repayment plan under Chapter 13, remaining dischargeable debt is typically forgiven.
  • Secured and unsecured debt: A secured debt has some sort of valuable property as collateral—for instance, an auto loan is secured by the car itself. An unsecured debt has no associated collateral—for instance, a credit card is unsecured.
  • Trustee: Appointed by the court, the trustee is responsible for reviewing the debtor’s financial situation and documentation relation thereto, conducting the meeting of creditors and collecting and liquidating non-exempt assets or ensuring payments are made according to the repayment plan.

Armed with knowledge of these terms, you’ll have a much greater understanding of bankruptcy moving forward.

What does it cost to file for bankruptcy?

The cost to file bankruptcy can be broken down into two parts: court fees and attorney fees. According to the U.S. Court, you’ll pay a $78 administrative fee and a $15 trustee fee to file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, plus any additional relevant fees. The total filing cost is generally under $500.

If a debtor cannot pay the fees associated with filing for bankruptcy, the court may break the fee payment into up to four installments or waive them altogether. Debtors who wish to have the fee waived must submit Form 103B.  Bankruptcy filing fees are not typically waived, even for the most destitute.

That said, most people will also require an attorney for bankruptcy proceedings, and fees can vary significantly. According to All Law, fees for Chapter 7 typically range from $1,000 to $3,500, whereas fees for Chapter 13 are a bit higher, ranging from $2,500 to $6,000. Depending on your location, fees may be lower or higher, so you’ll want to consult a local lawyer to determine a more accurate cost before proceeding.

Should you declare bankruptcy?

Deciding whether or not to declare bankruptcy can be difficult, so make sure you think about all of the alternatives first. People often consider bankruptcy due to unexpected or overwhelming debt—like a medical bill that has ballooned through interest or a handful of loans that have become unmanageable.

There may be ways to deal with these debts before resorting to bankruptcy. For example:

  • Negotiate with your creditors. Ultimately, creditors are looking for you to repay your debt. By contacting your creditors, you may be able to work out a favorable payment plan or have some of your debt erased in order to make it more manageable. 
  • Get a debt consolidation loan. A debt consolidation loan enables you to simplify and often reduce your debt payments by lowering your interest rate or extending your payment timeline. 
  • Work with a credit counselor. A credit counselor may be able to help you evaluate your entire financial picture and create an action plan to make debt more approachable.

Still, even after these alternatives, there are some people for whom bankruptcy is the best available option. If you have no means to pay back your debts and you’ve exhausted other options, contact a bankruptcy attorney to determine your best next steps.

Overall, bankruptcy exists to protect individuals from long-term financial ruin. Though the credit consequences of bankruptcy are long-lasting, the benefits of freedom from debt are absolutely essential in some cases.

Note: Articles have only been reviewed by the indicated attorney, not written by them. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only. Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client or fiduciary relationship between the reader, user, or browser and website owner, authors, reviewers, contributors, contributing firms, or their respective agents or employers.

Reviewed By

Vince R. Mayr

Supervising Attorney of Bankruptcies

Vince has considerable expertise in the field of bankruptcy law.

He has represented clients in more than 3,000 bankruptcy matters under chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Vince earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Government from the University of Maryland. His Masters of Public Administration degree was earned from Golden Gate University School of Public Administration. His Juris Doctor was earned at Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, California. Vince is licensed to practice law in Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado. He is located in the Phoenix office.

Source: lexingtonlaw.com

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

Veterans who are unable to work because of a service-related disability may qualify for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. They receive the same benefits as veterans with a 100% disability rating (even if they don’t have that rating)

.

  • To qualify for TDIU, you must be unable to work and have a minimum level of service-related disability rating.

  • The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reviews claims and provides benefits for TDIU.

How much is TDIU?

In 2024, TDIU benefits range from $3,737.85 to $4,433.39

. Monthly compensation might be higher for eligible veterans with multiple children.

Veterans who qualify for TDIU are eligible for the same benefits as someone who has a 100% disability rating with VA disability benefits. The VA adjusts the rates based on the SSA’s annual cost-of-living adjustment

.

Receiving TDIU comes with enhanced eligibility status for VA health care benefits. That isn’t a guarantee that you’ll receive them, but the VA says you are more likely to be approved for them if you receive TDIU.

.

How to qualify for TDIU

To qualify for TDIU, a veteran must:

  • Have a service-related disability rating of 60% or higher, or two service-related disabilities: one with a rating off 40% or higher, and a combined disability rating of at least 70%

    .

  • Be unable to work in a job that supports them consistently because of the service-related disability.

🤓Nerdy Tip

If you have one service-related disability, it must have a rating of at least 60%.

If you have two service-related disabilities, at least one must be rated 40% or higher — but together, they must have a combined rating of at least 70%.

The VA assigns the percentage ratings for disabilities.

You meet the unemployed requirement if you are unable to earn enough to support yourself, also known as substantial gainful activity (SGA). Generally, this means you are unable to work consistently and pay for necessities such as food and shelter.

  • The Social Security Administration (SSA) determines the monthly income limit to qualify for TDIU. The substantial gainful activity limit for 2023 is $1,470 per month ($2,460 if you’re blind). In 2024, the limit is $1,550 per month ($2,590 if blind). If you earn more than the monthly income limit, you are unlikely to qualify for TDIU.

  • You don’t have to be unemployable in every field to qualify for TDIU

    . You can still qualify for TDIU if you have marginal employment, which is a job that provides earnings below the current poverty threshold for an individual. Marginal employment can also include work in a “protected environment,” such as family business where you receive accommodations that other jobs cannot provide. In that case, you might still qualify for TDIU even if you earn more than the annual poverty threshold.

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TDIU qualification examples

Here are several examples of how people might qualify or not qualify for TDIU.

When determining TDIU benefits, the VA doesn’t consider the following information:

  • The applicant’s age

    .

  • How non-service-related disabilities affect the applicant’s ability to keep substantial gainful employment.

  • Reasons (other than the applicant’s service-related disability) the applicant left a job.

TDIU vs. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

The main difference between TDIU and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is that TDIU is for disabled veterans who are unable to work in a job that supports them consistently, and SSDI is for disabled people who are not able to work at all. Although the two programs have the same goal, they have several differences.

Veterans Affairs

Social Security Administration

Program contribution

Doesn’t require the beneficiary to contribute financially to the program.

Requires beneficiaries to have contributed financially to the program.

Disability type

Considers only service-related disabilities that prevent someone from working.

Doesn’t restrict disabilities to those related to military service.

Disability rating

Doesn’t require someone to have a VA rating of 100%.

Requires someone to be completely disabled (the equivalent of a VA rating of 100%).

Work ability

Only requires that an applicant be unable to work a job that meets the definition of substantial gainful employment.

Requires that an applicant be unable to work any type of job.

Veterans may qualify for both TDIU and SSDI, but the programs are from different federal agencies, which means you’ll have to apply to each program separately if you want to receive benefits for both

.

🤓Nerdy Tip

The SSA expedites veterans’ claims for SSDI benefits. You might need to self-identify as a veteran when you apply for SSDI and provide proof of VA-rated disability.

How to apply for TDIU

To receive TDIU benefits, you’ll apply for VA disability benefits and provide documentation such as medical records to show that you are unable to keep steady employment. You’ll also submit records of your work history and education so the VA understands what work you’ve done in the past and what you’re trained to do.

When filing a disability claim for TDIU, you’ll submit two forms that are unique to these types of benefits:

  • A Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability (VA Form 21-8940).

  • A Request for Employment Information in Connection with Claim for Disability Benefits (VA Form 21-4192).

The first form requires information about your disability and medical treatment, employment history and education

. You’ll need to provide dates that you were in the hospital within the last 12 months, the dates you last worked full-time and became unable to work because of your disability, the highest annual income you earned during your career and the time lost at each job you’ve held during the past five years due to your service-related disability.

Your most recent employer will fill out and submit the second form

. They will send it directly to the VA after they’ve filled it out, so you only need to provide them with the form.

3 things to know about TDIU

  1. The forms require a lot of information. Because TDIU requires two additional forms, you’ll have to provide a lot of information about your disability and work history. It might take you a while to collect all of this information, so be prepared to gather everything in advance.

  2. Your most recent employer needs to submit a form. Your employer must fill out the Request for Employment Information in Connection with Claim for Disability Benefits — you can’t do it. The employer’s HR department should know how to handle the form. Once you’ve provided the form, ask for an estimate of when they’ll submit the form to the VA, and ask for an email confirming that they’ve submitted it.

  3. You can also receive additional government assistance. Because VA benefits are separate from SSA benefits and those offered through individual states, such as Medicaid, you can also apply for other assistance programs. However, qualifying for TDIU does not guarantee that you are eligible for other benefit programs.

Source: nerdwallet.com

Apache is functioning normally

REDDING — 

To the native Wintu people it was Bohem Puyuik, the “Big Rise,” and no wonder. Mt. Shasta towered above everything else, her loins delivering the natural springs and snowmelt that birthed a great river.

The Sacramento River provided such an abundance of food that the Wintu and many neighboring tribes — the Pit River, Yana, Nomlaki and others — had little to fight over. They thrived in pre-colonial times, on waters that ran silver with salmon, forests thick with game and oaks heavy with acorns.

But centuries of disease, virtual enslavement and murder wrought by European and American invaders scrambled the harmony that once reigned along the Upper Sacramento River.

Today, three tribes here are locked in a bloodless war. At issue is a proposal by one Indigenous group to expand and relocate its casino and whether the flashy new gambling hall, hotel and entertainment center would honor — or desecrate — the past.

The Redding Rancheria is pressing to replace its current Win-River Resort & Casino with a nine-story casino complex with more than double the number of slot machines and more than triple the hotel rooms.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The casino envisioned by the Redding Rancheria and its 422 members would rise nine stories on 232 acres along Interstate 5. The rancheria — home to descendants from three historic tribes — began planning the development nearly two decades ago, envisioning a regional magnet for tourists and gamblers.

But the proposal has been buffeted by influential opponents, including the city of Redding, neighborhood groups and the billionaire next door — who happens to be the largest private landowner in America. The naysayers list a cavalcade of complaints against the new Win-River casino complex, saying it would despoil prime farmland, exacerbate traffic, increase police and fire protection costs and threaten native fish in the Sacramento River.

Those complaints have helped stall, but not kill, the project, whose fate rests almost solely in the hands of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. And now the BIA’s obscure bureaucrats have been confronted with an explosive new charge from two neighboring tribes: that construction of the casino would desecrate what the tribes say should be hallowed ground — the site of an 1846 rampage by the U.S. Cavalry that historians say probably killed hundreds of Native people.

The Sacramento River massacre has not received the attention of other atrocities of America’s westward expansion, such as the one in 1890 at Wounded Knee, S.D., where U.S. troops killed as many as 300 Lakota people. Estimates of the carnage, recorded over the decades from witness accounts and oral tradition, range from 150 to 1,000 men, women and children slaughtered along the banks of the Sacramento River.

If the higher estimates of the death toll are correct, it would rank as one of the largest single mass killings of Indigenous people in American history.

Gary Rickard, chair of the Northern Wintu tribe, contends the Redding Rancheria’s proposed new casino would desecrate the site of a 19th century massacre of native people.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

“In my heart, I find it hard to believe that there are Wintu people that are willing to build a casino on … the blood-soaked dirt of the massacre site,” Gary Rickard, chair of the Wintu Tribe of Northern California, told a state Assembly committee in August. “There are dozens of other places along the I-5 corridor and the Sacramento River.”

Redding Rancheria Chair Jack Potter Jr., himself part Wintu, called the claim that his tribe would build its casino on the massacre grounds “a slander that will not be easily forgotten.” He told state lawmakers that the real massacre site is miles away. Rancheria leaders said their opponents have manufactured the controversy for a less honorable reason: to block what would be a sparkling new competitor.

“Gaming in Indian country can be a tide that raises all of our canoes,” insisted Potter, who appeared at times to fight back tears as he spoke at the Sacramento hearing. “We should not battle against one another, in that spirit.”

Column One

A showcase for compelling storytelling from the Los Angeles Times.

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Friendships that go back decades and tribal ties of a century or more have been imperiled by the casino furor. Native people normally aligned against a hostile or indifferent U.S. government — “We’re all the children of genocide,” as one elder put it — have watched sadly as their conflicts turn inward.

It’s a dynamic that has played out before. Robbed of their ancestral lands, tribes now sometimes fight when one tries to claim new territory, often as a base for a lucrative modern endeavor: gambling.

The friction is exacerbated by the peculiar history of the Redding Rancheria — and by opponents’ eleventh-hour invocation of the Sacramento River massacre, 19 years after the rancheria began to assemble parcels for the project.

The casino envisioned by the Redding Rancheria would rise nine stories on 232 acres along Interstate 5 near the Sacramento River.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The Redding Rancheria refers to a nearly 31-acre stretch of land near the south end of Redding that the federal government bought in 1922 for “homeless Indians” who came to the area as seasonal workers for ranches and orchards. The rancheria sits in a relatively obscure location compared with the interstate-adjacent site of the proposed casino, more than three miles by car to the northeast.

In 1939, the Wintu, Pit River, Yana and other Indigenous peoples formed a rancheria government. It was recognized by the United States. But in 1958, an act of Congress “terminated” recognition of multiple California groups, including the Redding Rancheria, in an attempt to force Indians to disperse into the general population. It took a landmark 1983 court settlement to formally restore recognition of 17 rancherias, including the one in Redding.

The result is that there are Redding Rancheria members with Wintu blood, like Potter, 52, who firmly support the casino, while other Wintu descendants who are not descended from the original rancheria families, like Rickard, 78, adamantly oppose it. Rickard grew up with Jack Potter Sr. and has known his son since he was a boy.

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Cordiality prevails, at least outwardly, when Rickard and Potter meet today. But the bad blood between their groups has become fierce, exacerbated by the yawning wealth disparity between the rancheria and the Northern Wintu.

Rancheria members have thrived largely because of the success of their existing Win-River Resort & Casino, which operates 550 slot machines, a dozen table games, an 84-room hotel and an RV park.

Along with its existing Win-River Resort & Casino, the Redding Rancheria runs a Hilton Garden Inn and a marijuana dispensary in Shasta County.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The complex is the biggest income producer for the rancheria, which also owns a Hilton Garden Inn and a marijuana dispensary in Shasta County. Sources familiar with the tribe said each enrolled member receives a monthly “per capita” payment of at least $4,000 and perhaps as high as $6,000.

The rancheria’s chief executive, Pitt River descendant Tracy Edwards, 54, declined to discuss the amount of the payments.

That income, along with health clinics and other benefits, makes the Redding Rancheria members the envy of Indigenous groups with comparatively paltry assets. Rickard’s Northern Wintu claims roughly 560 certified members, but like many groups across America, the tribe has been laboring for years and still has not received formal recognition from the U.S. government. That means the tribe can’t put land into trust, a prerequisite to casino development and also a shield against federal, state and local taxes.

“We don’t have the resources in order to obtain the things we need,” said Shawna Garcia, the Northern Wintu’s cultural resources administrator. “We don’t have the revenue to assist our members with things like college, housing and other assistance.”

Historians and ethnographers say the Wintu were the predominant tribe around the site proposed for the casino complex, an expanse of meadow and scrubland that locals dub the Strawberry Fields because of its agricultural history. And Rickard questioned why the “pure-blood Wintu people” he represents have been left to struggle, while the rancheria — representing an amalgamation of tribal groups — stands poised to create an even bigger cash cow with its new casino.

Some area residents are wary of plans for a new and bigger Win-River casino complex in Shasta County, concerned it would despoil farmland and threaten native fish.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Before the arrival of European and American settlers, the Sacramento River provided such an abundance of food that the Wintu and many neighboring tribes had little to fight over.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Rancheria leaders like Edwards, a UC Davis-trained lawyer, have emphasized how the tribal group has supported Native and non-Native people, both as one of the largest employers in Shasta County and through its charitable foundation.

In just one year, 2018, the rancheria said it gave more than $1.2 million to community organizations, helping serve the homeless and victims of the Carr fire. During the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rancheria donated $5,000 each to 60 businesses struggling to stay afloat.

At a cost of $150 million, the rancheria’s new casino would feature 1,200 slot machines — more than double the number at its current casino — and with 250 rooms, the new casino hotel would be more than triple the size of the existing hotel. The tribal group has pledged to close its current Win-River casino when the new one opens.

The rancheria’s outsized community presence has created substantial goodwill around Redding, but a portion of residents have stepped forward — via petitions and ballot measures — to express disdain for large developments they feel could harm the rural character of their community.

Among the more powerful opponents is Archie Aldis “Red” Emmerson, president of logging giant Sierra Pacific Industries, whose sprawling estate looms along the Sacramento River, just south of the casino site.

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In 2020, an Emmerson-allied company purchased property from the city of Redding that included a portion of a road that would be the north entry to the casino site and created an easement that would have barred access to the rancheria land for all but agricultural purposes. The easement effectively would have thwarted the casino by blocking vehicle access to the development.

But in 2022, a Shasta County Superior Court judge voided the deal, saying that in selling the land (for just $3,000 to the billionaire) the city had violated its “own processes, procedures and the relevant law.” The ruling nullified the easement, preserving the rancheria’s unrestricted access to the property.

Todd Giles lives close to the Redding Rancheria’s proposed new casino complex. He worries about the effects on traffic and crime.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The Redding City Council and neighboring homeowners have maintained their opposition to the project for years, while a new conservative majority on the Shasta County Board of Supervisors recently reversed the county’s earlier objections. The supervisors supported the casino, despite admonitions from the sheriff, fire chief and county counsel that the agreement with the rancheria did not provide sufficient compensation to cover the increased costs of serving the big development.

The rancheria agreed to make one-time payments totaling $3.6 million to support Shasta County, the Sheriff’s Department and fire and emergency services. That initial infusion would be supplemented by recurring payments: $1,000 for each police service call and $10,000 for each fire/emergency service call.

No issue has unsettled intra-tribal relations, though, like the debate flowing out of the terrible events along the Sacramento River 177 years ago.

Oral histories of the Wintu and neighboring tribes recall how Native families and elders had gathered along the river known as the Big Water each year in early April for the spring salmon run. Traditionally, the season signaled rebirth.

But Capt. John C. Fremont had other ideas.

Fremont diverted his men from their ordered assignment: completing land surveys in the Rocky Mountains. The Americans instead went adventuring to California, where, in the spring of 1846, they responded to sketchy claims from settlers that they were endangered.

About 70 buckskin-clad white men set upon the Native people, the locals far outgunned by the invaders, each toting a Hawken rifle, two pistols and a butcher knife, according to UCLA historian Benjamin Madley‘s detailed account of the massacre.

The horsemen completed their grisly work with such evident pride that legendary frontiersman Kit Carson later bragged that the coordinated assault had been “a perfect butchery.”

The feud over a proposed new casino has sparked debate over precisely where the 1846 Sacramento River massacre occurred. Two area tribes contend this meadow was a key location in the atrocity.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The massacre marked the beginning of “a transitional period between the Hispanic tradition of assimilating and exploiting Indigenous peoples and the Anglo-American pattern of killing or removing them,” according to Madley’s “An American Genocide: The United States and the California Indian Catastrophe.”

Fremont (later a U.S. senator from California and a Republican presidential candidate) would say that his party attacked the natives because of reports of an “imminent attack” upon settlers. But the “battle” was one-sided, with the federal troops suffering no known casualties. Afterward, according to Madley’s account, Fremont’s men feasted on the Native people’s larder of fresh salmon.

In the nearly two centuries since, the tragedy would be more forgotten than remembered. There is no historical marker around Redding noting the event.

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The Wintu people believed to have been the principal victims have preserved memories of the mass killing in their oral history. But no ceremony marks the atrocity. And at the Wintu cultural resource center in Shasta Lake City, a wall-size timeline of the group’s history makes no mention of the 1846 bloodshed.

There’s also the now-pressing question — pushed to the fore by the casino feud — about precisely where the massacre occurred. The Northern Wintu and another outspoken opponent, the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, insist that the Strawberry Fields property was a key location in the atrocity.

Proceeds from its existing Win-River Resort & Casino have allowed the Redding Rancheria to offer tribal members a healthy monthly stipend, as well as healthcare clinics and other benefits.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The Paskenta commissioned a study by a retired anthropologist from Cal State Sacramento that drew on research from the late 1800s by a linguist from the Smithsonian Institution who, in turn, got much of his information from a Wintu elder who survived the massacre. The report, by Dorothea Theodoratus and a colleague, said that the “center” of the massacre was “opposite the mouth of Clear Creek” in the Sacramento River, a point roughly two miles south of the proposed casino location.

But other accounts from participants and witnesses said Fremont’s soldiers chased down victims after the initial assault, leaving the exact range of the bloodshed unknown. The Theodoratus report says that six villages, including two on the proposed casino property, were so thoroughly intermingled that all “would have had some direct involvement with that massacre.”

Andrew Alejandre, chair of the Paskenta Band, told the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee in August that his tribe is seeking to have the state and federal governments designate the Strawberry Fields a sacred site, off-limits to development. Alejandre, 35, said his tribe vehemently opposes building a casino “on top of men, women, children and elders. The spirit of these ancestors … Let them rest!”

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In rebuttal, Potter and rancheria CEO Edwards note that during the many years that they and others have pursued developments in the region, the rival tribes never mentioned the massacre. Divisive fights over a proposed auto mall and a sports complex (both scrapped) came and went without any discussion about desecration of a mass grave site.

“I would never disrespect the remains of my ancestors,” Potter said.

Fifty miles south of Redding in rural Corning, the 288-member Paskenta Band opened the Rolling Hills Casino and Resort two decades ago. The luxe gaming hall is just one part of an economic surge by the tribe, which has also opened an equestrian complex, an 18–hole golf course, a 1,400-acre gun and hunting center and a 3,000-person amphitheater, where Snoop Dogg performed in May.

The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians operates the Rolling Hills Casino and Resort in Corning, along with an equestrian complex, amphitheater, golf course and hunting center.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Potter charged that the fight over the historic massacre is really a ploy by the flourishing Paskenta to squelch the Redding Rancheria’s hopes for a shimmering destination casino “because of the mistaken belief that it … will cut into the profits of their gaming facilities.”

Paskenta’s Alejandre, a designer who once ran a clothing company, denied that is the case.

While representatives for the Paskenta and Northern Wintu tribes bashed the casino proposal at the August hearing, representatives of at least eight other California tribes argued in support of the Redding Rancheria. One said the Redding group had proved itself a good steward of cultural resources.

Another speaker at the hearing was Miranda Edwards, the 28-year-old daughter of the rancheria CEO. The Stanford-educated Edwards and her mother spoke about the importance of moving the tribal group forward for the “Seventh Generation,” future descendants whose livelihoods must be planned for today.

“We work hard every day to provide for this rural community and make it the best that we can for everyone that lives there,” Miranda Edwards told legislators. “It’s disheartening to hear from those that choose not to see that. But it will not stop our work.”

Redding Rancheria CEO Tracy Edwards, left, and her daughter, Miranda, say the tribal group’s proposed new casino is part of a larger effort to look out for the livelihoods of future descendants.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Potter, the rancheria’s chairman, had a sardonic take on the dispute.

“We always talk about crabs in a pot,” Potter said. “We are like all these crabs, stuck in a pot. When one tries to get out of the pot, all the others reach up and pull him back in.”

Will arguments about the Sacramento River massacre sway the final outcome of the Redding Rancheria’s casino quest? A BIA spokesman said only that “these issues are under review.” Nearly two centuries after representatives of the U.S. military decimated a civilization here, the federal government still retains ultimate authority over the fate of Native people.

Watch L.A. Times Today at 7 p.m. on Spectrum News 1 on Channel 1 or live stream on the Spectrum News App. Palos Verdes Peninsula and Orange County viewers can watch on Cox Systems on channel 99.

Source: latimes.com

Apache is functioning normally

Most of us have experienced getting fired from our jobs at some point in our lives. Some were for petty and weird reasons, others were valid—whichever it is, here are the 18 reasons people get fired!

Caution! Some were so crazy and hilarious that you won’t believe they really happened.

1. Exchanging Alcohol for Shrimp

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One person shared, “I gave the fry guy an alcoholic beverage from the bar in a kids cup. He used to hook me up with coconut shrimp and fiesta rolls. They fired both of us lol. I wonder how Jamaar is doing nowadays.”

The second person replied, “I drank alcohol from a kid’s cup and got fired. I just wanted to try Angry Orchard. It wasn’t even good. I made the mistake of leaving the cup amongst other employee cups and a manager found it. I don’t even like drinking and it was just extra. But I am glad I am not the only person let go for drinking alcohol from a kid’s cup out there! Lol.”

2. Manager Scheduled Me During Class

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Somebody commented, “My manager kept losing my class schedule. Worked at a subway. I had class two days a week. Several times he put me on those days anyway. I gave him multiple copies every time. Owner took me off the schedule for ‘Calling out too much’. When I showed the owner proof he said it was too late and they already hired someone else. This was 12 years ago. I’m still mad.”

Another Redditor replied, “I always hated the ‘taken off the schedule’ bull. Just fire me officially instead of taking the cowards route. This happened to me as well when I did not tell the general manager about a floor manager switching a product display TV to football one day. To be clear, she asked me, ‘Why did you not tell me?’ So she already knew it happened and was mad that I did not say anything. So I got ‘taken off the schedule’ because the other manager did something against policy and I did not narc.”

3. They Fired Me Before I Started

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“A business I went to long ago was hiring, and I got the job. Right after I signed all the paperwork, the department manager comes in and asked who I am. I tell him I was just hired as a temp. Manager says he never authorized any hiring and fired both me and my boss on the spot. I did not work for this company at all, and they fired me,” said one.

The second person replied, “I had a similar experience. I was interviewing for a sales position and I made it all the way up the ladder through three different managers, to the advertising director. Had a great interview. He told me I would be the future of this industry shook my hand, led me to the HR manager’s office, clapped me on the back, and said to her, ‘We’re hiring him. Start the paperwork and I’ll see you Monday.’

“She was pregnant, tired, and annoyed. She looked at me with disgust and said, ‘We eliminated that position yesterday. We’re not hiring anyone.’ I asked if the director or managers knew that. She said they should. What followed was an embarrassing two weeks of promises that they would make a spot for me and weak apologies from the hiring managers. Ooof. Hired and fired within seconds.”

Finally, the third added, “They did you a favor. Working for a company that is broken and dysfunctional would be a nightmare.”

4. I Requested a Raise

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One user commented, “I was denied a raise by HR after consistently working 60-70 hours weeks, and my VP (who had supported and requested the raise for me) told me to stop putting in the extra time, work my 40, and spend that extra time applying to new jobs. Within a month, a meeting was called to ‘mutually part ways’ because my work wasn’t getting done. I was gratified to learn that they had to hire two people to do my job after I left.”

Somebody else added, “Bet that felt good knowing they had to pay two people for what you did all by yourself. Glad you got outta there though!”

5. Fired for Putting in My Two-Week Notice

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Somebody shared, “I got fired once for putting in my 2-week notice. The only other time I’ve gotten fired was working for a trade company during the first week. I was a supervisor, and there was a second supervisor on site. I got a call that my wife had been rushed to the hospital, which was literally less than a mile away. I asked the other supervisor if I could go to attend to her, and he said, ‘Sure, no problem, I’ve got things here. Go.’

“I returned to the job site later to find the boss there, and he let me go on the spot for leaving the team ‘Without a supervisor’. He knew what had happened, and still fired me. I won’t lie, that one kind of [made me mad].”

Then somebody else added with a similar experience with their wife, “Happened to my wife. She was due her first commission check, but they fired her on the spot when she gave notice. Literally about 100 bucks too.”

6. Fired for Sitting Down

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One user said, “For doing my job too quickly and sitting down the rest of the time. Gas station cashier 3rd shift.

“Me: ‘Why should I stand when I’m the only person in the store?’

“Manager: ‘It’s more professional to stand than sit.’

“Me: ‘Then why do you sit in your office?’”

Another one replied, “I never understood that. Not once have I walked into an establishment, seen an employee sitting, and gone, ‘Wow. He’s unprofessional.’ I literally don’t give a f-, as long as you do your job.”

“Especially gas stations. If anything, they’re the kind of jobs I would expect to see someone sitting,” added another.

7. “I’m Only Here Until Something Better Comes Along…”

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Somebody shared their hilarious job-related experience during the interview, “This isn’t why I got fired, but this is why I didn’t get a job. I was 16 and looking to work at a Dairy Queen as my first job. My mom drove me to the interview and I was super nervous.

“She looked me in the eye and said, ‘Just be honest and be yourself, and you’ll do fine.’  I walked into that interview, and when he asked me, ‘How long do you think you’ll work here?’ I responded, ‘Until something better comes along…’”

“OMG. My parents had to coach me on how to get a job when I started hunting. They were wondering why none of the jobs I had applied to had called me back so they started asking questions about the application process. Turns out you shouldn’t be honest on those personality assessments, at least not to the extent I was. They basically told me to answer as if I were another person,” added the second person with a similar experience.

Then somebody else added, “Amazing! Around the same age I was asked, ‘How would your friends describe you?’ and honestly answered. ‘They say I’m the crazy one.’ Weirdly did not get that job.”

8. They Handed Me a Check and Walked Me Outside

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“I talked my way into a job at a software company when they put a hiring notice in a local paper. I had no idea what the software did. I still don’t. They hired me as a trainer and no one ever explained what the product was. I did a few weeks where I was trained on the software but literally none of it ever made sense to me. It was like they were speaking gibberish.

“One day I showed up, a lady I had never seen before gave me a check, and walked me out to the parking lot. No one even ever said ‘you’re fired’ or anything. It’s one of the strangest things that ever happened to me,” shared somebody.

“That reminds me of a time that I got escorted out early from a group interview. The company was a little suspicious altogether, and the interviewer was even more sus because he was just wearing all black (polo and jeans) and was absolutely decked out in gold jewelry. Looked like he stepped out of a mob movie or something,” the second person replied.

9. Because My Wife Was Ill

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One user said, “I missed a lot of work because my wife got brain cancer. They called me in for a meeting and said, ‘Sorry, we are downsizing and letting a lot of people go’. They didn’t fire anyone else, including a co-worker who was caught fabricating reports.”

Then another one added with a question: “They didn’t announce the layoffs over the intercom in alphabetical order, did they?”

10. Job Abandonment; But I Was at the ER

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Somebody stated, “I went to the emergency room instead of work. Came back with an ER note and they said, ‘We won’t be needing that. Can you come with us?’ I was 18 and it was my first full-time job.”

“I had pneumonia and a doctor’s note. Came back to work a week later wheezing and puffing an inhaler. Got fired the next week. Jokes on them. I still got unemployment benefits when they tried to fight it. Doctor’s notes are good things,” added another person.

Finally, the third added, “I went to a funeral and took the three paid days off and called off a fourth because it was my grandmother and we were very close. They called it job abandonment.”

11. Working With a Felony

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Somebody commented, “My parole officer wanted to make sure I actually had a job, so he went to my employer listed on my file to surprise visit me on the job. I did home wiring so I worked at different job sites and rarely in the office. He called me to say he was going to charge me with a violation for lying to him about my whereabouts (this could’ve landed me back in prison for my remaining 10.5 years sentence).

“The owner of the company had to speak with him and vouch for me. My parole office didn’t charge me, but the owner sure did fire me that day. Finding a job with a felony isn’t an easy thing, and it wasn’t long before my PO threatened to charge me with a violation if I didn’t find a job soon.”

The second person replied, “What a f- clown process. I’m sorry you went through that.”

12. Let Go to Hire the Manager’s Girlfriend

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Somebody said, “I was a kid and just started at a local pizza place. I was let go couple weeks later because a pizza chef from Chicago had moved into the area and needed a job so it was a business decision that I totally understood. Week later, went to go get my last check and asked how he was doing, the girl up front was like, ‘pizza chef from Chicago? The only new hire was the manager’s new gf.’”

Somebody else replied, “I got let go in favor of hiring the manager’s gf once too. Very irritating.”

13. Fired for Being 10 Minutes Early Instead of 20

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“I refused to come in 15-20 mins early unpaid for my shift. I was always 5-10 min early but they decided they wanted me there earlier. I carried on as normal as I’m not coming in if I’m not being paid. Turned up for a 12pm shift at 11:49, no one would look at me when I arrived, then was thrown in a meeting and fired for being ‘late’. Was out the door before it even hit 12. It was the only time I’ve ever been fired,” shared somebody.

14. Building a Snow Sculpture

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“I built a snow scorpion sculpture (I used ketchup for the red glowing eyes and everything) on a particularly miserable day at a ski resort. The guests enjoyed my sculpture very much, management weren’t so happy,” said one.

“Sounds like crap management. Sad. I’m glad to hear you made the guests happy, though,” the second person added.

15. For Sneezing

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One person stated, “They sent me home because I sneezed and I was forced to get tested for Covid. Then, when I tested negative, I was terminated for ‘Abusing pandemic policies to stay home.’”

“That has to be illegal in some form,” replied somebody.

16. The CNA Lied About What Happened

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“I asked the CNA I was working with to stay with a confused patient, while I went and put a new IV in another patient. The CNA left the patient alone. She fell out of bed and got a big bloody skin tear on her arm. After I took care of that, I went and found the CNA and told her the patient was injured because of her insubordination. The CNA cussed at me, and left the unit. I did not see her again that shift. She and another CNA decided on their own to trade assignments.

“I wrote the CNA up. The CNA went to mgmt and lied about me. She said I called her by a racial slur and yelled at her. I did neither. Mgmt fired me rather than deal with a false claim of racism. I collected unemployment.

“The CNA did something similar with another nurse a couple of weeks later, and was fired. My mgr asked if I could be rehired. HR said no. When my mgr quit to start her own nursing agency a year later, she hired me,” one person stated. 

“You can’t pay me enough to go back to work in a nursing home. I have so many stories of problems between nurses and CNA’s getting each other in trouble and the residents caught in the middle,” replied another.

17. They Lowered My Pay So I Slept During My Shift

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“They lowered my pay, so I started sleeping at work and did only half the task they wanted me to do. Took them 3 years to fire me,” shared one Redditor.

“I’m amazed at how long it can take sometimes to fire a person. I had a boss who got shoulder surgery and was wildly add*cted to pain meds. Dude would show up to work high as a kite and started at the ceiling for hours. He got away with it for about 2 years before anyone said anything,” the second person replied.

18. I Gave My Employee Meal to My Mother

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Somebody commented, “I gave my employee meal to my mother. That’s literally it. I didn’t like eating the food there, so I had my mom bring me lunch, and I just gave my employee meal to her. Apparently, that was considered theft, so I was fired.”

Wow, some of the reasons above for getting fired were just crazy! Did you experience the same? Let us know in the comments!

And if you want more of this content, simply hit the thumbs-up button and share it with your friends and family.

Source: Reddit

10 Actors Perfectly Cast for Their Character Roles

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

Have you ever watched a movie or show and been completely lost in it because of how well an actor or actress became their character? Check out this article for a whole list of actors who were perfectly cast!

11 Vampire Movies That Will Make You Thirst for More

Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures.

You know that feeling where you’re on a movie kick in a certain genre, but you seem to run out of good movies to watch? Well, if you’re down for a vampire movie or three, check out this article for the best ones out there!

10 Incredible Movies That People Rated 10 Out of 10

Photo Credit: Universal Studios.

It’s pretty hard to replicate the experience of watching your favorite movie for the first time, but we’ve put together a list of movies that people have rated at a perfect 10/10. Next time you need a good movie to watch, check this out!

10 Famous People Who Canceled Themselves With Their Own Stupidity

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We’ve all been there: you make a comment you haven’t thought through at all, and the whole room goes silent at what you’ve just said. But can you imagine doing that as a famous person—and getting canceled? Check out this list of celebrities who did just that!

13 Things You Shouldn’t Do When You’re in the US

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Are you planning a trip to the US? Culture varies a lot between countries, even countries that share borders. So if you’re headed to the good old U. S. of A, here are a few pointers to make your travels go more smoothly!



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Source: financequickfix.com

Apache is functioning normally

When your pet faces a medical issue, your vet may prescribe a special diet to help manage the condition. While prescription pet food can be a critical part of your furry friend’s treatment plan, it can also come with a hefty price tag. If you’re wondering whether pet insurance covers the cost of prescription pet food, the answer is: It depends on the provider.

What is prescription food for pets?

Prescription diets are formulated to address specific health conditions in pets, ranging from allergies to kidney disease. Unlike regular pet food, these generally require a vet’s prescription, ensuring they’re fed to pets who genuinely need them.

Why might my pet need prescription food?

Your vet might recommend a prescription diet if your pet has conditions like:

  • Arthritis.

  • Food allergies.

  • Kidney issues.

  • Heart problems.

These diets cater to the pet’s unique nutritional needs and can help manage or treat their condition. They usually come with a higher price tag than standard pet food.

Does pet insurance cover prescription pet food?

Some pet insurance plans cover prescription food, but it’s important to read the fine print. Your policy might cover prescription diets under certain conditions or up to a specific limit.

Pet insurance company

Covers prescription food in standard plan?

Covers prescription food through add-on?

Sometimes.

Nationwide

Sometimes.

Sometimes.

AKC’s prescription food coverage

AKC won’t cover most pet food, but it makes an exception for prescription diets used as the sole treatment for a covered condition. So if your veterinarian prescribes a special diet to manage your pet’s condition, AKC will consider covering the cost.

Embrace’s prescription food coverage

Embrace generally doesn’t include prescription food coverage in its standard insurance plans. One exception may be if your vet prescribes a certain type of diet for hyperthyroidism in cats. But if you enroll in the optional Wellness Rewards program, you can get reimbursed for prescription diets purchased through your vet. The Wellness Rewards program also covers other routine expenses like wellness exam fees and vaccines.

Figo’s prescription food coverage

Figo offers optional “Powerups” that you can add to its standard accident and illness plan. One of them reimburses you for vet exam fees and will pay up to $250 per policy term for food prescribed as the sole treatment for a covered illness. So if your dog is diagnosed with an ailment that requires a special diet and your vet prescribes a therapeutic food as the only treatment, this rider can help offset the cost.

MetLife’s prescription food coverage

MetLife covers prescription pet food from a veterinary provider under its standard accident and illness plan in most states.

Nationwide’s prescription food coverage

Nationwide may cover prescription food under certain plans or with an extra rider. If it’s included, the food must be a therapeutic diet prescribed by a veterinarian to treat a covered medical condition. Your vet may need to provide Nationwide with details about the type of food, which condition it’s treating and how much you should feed your pet.

Pets Best’s prescription food coverage

Pets Best doesn’t cover prescription pet food or supplements.

Spot’s prescription food coverage

Spot’s core pet insurance plan includes coverage for prescription food and supplements when they’re prescribed by a licensed veterinarian to treat covered conditions. The policy reimburses actual costs for these prescription foods, up to the limits specified in your policy.

However, Spot doesn’t cover prescription food used for general maintenance or weight management, or any food you can buy without a vet’s prescription.

Trupanion’s prescription food coverage

Trupanion covers prescription pet foods for dogs and cats when they’re prescribed by a licensed veterinarian for the treatment of a covered illness or injury. This coverage reimburses 50% of the cost, minus any deductible. But the policy covers only the first two months of the prescribed diet. After that, you’ll pay the full cost out of pocket.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Pet insurance often excludes pre-existing conditions. So if your pet was already on a prescription diet before you bought your policy, it probably won’t be covered.

How does coverage for prescription food work?

First, check your policy details to make sure prescription food is covered and see what restrictions apply. To find this information, look in the fine print and read through your plan’s endorsements.

Typically, your vet must prescribe the food for a specific medical condition affecting your pet. It usually can’t be for general health or weight management.

If it’s covered, you’ll generally pay upfront for the food and then submit a claim to your insurance company. The insurer would reimburse you according to your plan’s terms.

For example, if your dog develops kidney disease, your veterinarian may prescribe a special low-protein diet. After buying the prescribed food, you’d submit the receipt and any other requested documentation to your insurer. Depending on your plan, you might be reimbursed for a percentage or up to a certain limit of the food’s cost. If you haven’t met your deductible, the insurer may subtract that amount from your claim payout.

Other ways to save on prescription food

Prescription pet food can be a game changer for pets with certain health issues. But if your policy doesn’t offer coverage, there are other ways to make these diets more affordable. Consider:

  • Buying in bulk or during sales.

  • Joining loyalty programs or subscribing to regular deliveries for discounts.

  • Exploring homemade diet options (with guidance from your vet).

Source: nerdwallet.com

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced new loan limits for 2024 this week, bumping up the “floor” on FHA loans to $498,257.

This represents a 5.56% increase from the current 2023 FHA loan limit of $472,030, which is based on home price movement over the past year.

There is also a ceiling loan limit for FHA loans for high-cost areas, which was increased to $1,149,825 from $1,089,300.

Together, this should boost access to the FHA’s low-down-payment home loan program at a time when affordability has rarely been worse.

FHA loans comes with various perks, whether it’s a cheaper mortgage rate or a lower minimum required credit score.

2024 FHA Low-Cost Area Floor Loan Limits

One-unit property: $498,257
Two-unit property: $637,950
Three-unit property: $771,125
Four-unit property: $958,350

For 2024, the low-cost area “floor” FHA loan limit will be $498,257 for a one-unit property.

It will rise as high as $958,350 for a four-unit property in these low-cost areas, which includes metros like Chicago, Tampa, and Tucson, Arizona.

The floor is set at 65% of the 2024 conforming loan limit, which also announced an increase to $766,500 this week.

It applies to areas of the country where 115 percent of the median home price is less than the floor limit.

Given the large difference in maximum loan amounts, roughly $250,000, it could sway the decision to choose a conventional loan instead of an FHA loan.

For example, if buying a $525,000 home with 3.5% down, you’d be forced to go with a conventional loan in these low-cost areas.

Or you’d need to come in with a larger down payment to make the numbers work.

You can search the FHA loan limits by state and county here to see where your area stands.

2024 High-Cost Area Ceiling Loan Limits

One-unit property: $1,149,825
Two-unit property: $1,472,250
Three-unit property: $1,779,525
Four-unit property: $2,211,600

Similar to the conforming loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-backed loans, there are high-cost loan limits for FHA loans.

These can vary based on the respective median home price in each area, but will be somewhere above the floor to as high as the ceiling.

Speaking of, that ceiling is a hefty $1,149,825 for a one-unit property, which sounds like quite a lot for an affordable home loan option. But I digress.

Some areas between the floor and ceiling include Atlanta ($649,750), Austin ($571,550), Boston ($862,500), Nashville ($943,000), Philadelphia ($557,750), and Phoenix ($530,150).

As you can see, there is quite a range in maximum loan limits, so those buying a particularly expensive property may not qualify for an FHA loan.

Cities at the ceiling include pricier places like Heber, UT, Jackson, WY, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.

The FHA noted that maximum loan limits will increase in 3,138 counties in 2024, with 96 county loan limits remaining unchanged.

These new mortgage loan limits are effective for FHA case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2024.

Ceiling in Special Designated Areas Even Higher

One-unit property: $1,724,725
Two-unit property: $2,208,375
Three-unit property: $2,669,275
Four-unit property: $3,317,400

Last but not least, the ceiling in specially designated areas including Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will be even higher.

And even I say higher, I mean way higher. We’re talking maximum loan amounts ranging from $1.7 million to over $3.3 million.

This is to account for higher construction costs in these regions, those with limits this high, I wonder how many home buyers are actually getting anywhere close.

Again, FHA loans are typically reserved for lower-income buyers, so it’s a bit of a head scratcher.

But this is just how the math formula works, prescribed by the National Housing Act.

Along with this announcement, the HECM (FHA reverse mortgage) maximum claim amount will increase from $1,089,300 in calendar year 2023 to $1,149,825 as of 2024.

Note that if home prices happen to fall in 2024, theses loan limits won’t decrease. They’d merely stay unchanged.

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com