Members of the VHA do not think about financial aide as long as they are working and in good health. Virginia has been lucky that not very many of our members have had to worry about this. The association has come up with a program to help a member in need. To be eligible, the member would have to be out of work for 30 days before he/she could collect any money. There are several other requirements that must be met before a member can be eligible for the program. Those requirements are as follows:

(1) Each individual wishing to participate must donate $25.00 to the program. A notice regarding open enrollment will be sent to each VHA member when program funds have been depleted. The member will have 30 days to submit payment to the VHA representative in order to be enrolled in the program. The VHA representative will maintain a list of members who have contributed to the program during the open enrollment period. They money taken in will remain in the program until a member submits a claim. At that time, all money in the program will be given to this individual. Open enrollment notices will go out again to request another $25.00. If a member chooses not to participate during the next open enrollment, they will not be eligible to submit a claim or receive any money from the program. Each time a claim is paid, all program funds are depleted and a new open enrollment form is mailed to all VHA members. When a member drops out of the program, they cannot collect from the program until such time as they decide to participate again.

(2) Any individual submitting in a claim must submit a medical document from their doctor stating that he or she will be out of work for 30 days. Each case will be reviewed by the VHA Board of Directors and the final decision rests with the Board.

Deane Cox is chairman of the committee for this program. It is designed to lend financial assistance until the member is able to either go back to work or collect disability insurance. This will at least help pay some of the bills when the income is suddenly stopped without notice. It is strictly a volunteer program and if a member does not wish to participate, that’s fine. If a member does not participate, they will not be eligible to receive any assistance from the program.

If you wish to file a claim, please contact VHA Secretary/Treasurer Connie Hockaday (540)582-5486. If you do not understand the program, please feel free to contact Connie and she will answer your questions.