18
JUNE 1, 2022
Smoke Signals
MARRIAGES IN TRIBAL COURT
SSI recipients eligible
for Internet service aid
Tribal Court is issuing marriage licenses and is able to perform marriage
ceremonies for a filing fee of $40. Contact the Tribal Court at 503-879-2303. 
Grand Ronde Head Start Preschool
Any household with an individual receiving Supplemental Security
Income is eligible to receive discounted Internet service through the
Affordable Connectivity Program recently launched by the Federal
Communications Commission.
Social Security does not count Affordable Connectivity Program
assistance as income or a resource for SSI purposes.
The program provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward
Internet service for eligible households and $75 per month for house-
holds on qualifying Tribal lands.
Eligible households also can receive a one-time discount of up to
$100 toward purchasing a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from
participating providers.
To enroll in the Connectivity Program, go to www.fcc.gov/asp for
more information. 
Apply now!
Applications due by June 10, 2022
Head Start nurtures the growth of you and your child.
Join our supportive community and give your child a
strong head start. Apply today!
For Kids:
For Parents:

Safe, quality early education

Connection to housing resources

Qualified teachers

Employment assistance

Healthy meals

Parent training & support

Cultural opportunities


Transportation may be available
Enrollment opportunities for pregnant
women

Resources for children with disabilities

Enrollment opportunities for all incomes
WAYS TO APPLY:
ONLINE at :
https://www.grandronde.org/services/education/early-childhood-education/
Email dawn.doar@grandronde.org for an application
Or Scan QR Code:
Enrolling ages birth to 4
To Learn More: dawn.doar @grandronde.org
503-879-1434
The TVSO is here to walk you through this process. You will not do this alone. Come see me!
2022
VA CLAIM TIMELINE
* Do you have an hour? It might change your life…
Step 5
Claim Decision:
This part is a waiting period. Try
to be patient.
Remember: You may be
scheduled for a phone exam, a
virtual exam, and/or an in-
person exam. Be prepared for all
options.
Helpful, but not required: Your
DD-214 & any documentation to
support your claim.
It is most important to just get
your claim filed!
Do not miss your exam
appointment. It will delay
your claim from being
processed.
Contact TVSO to
review your claim
results.
After the exams are complete,
everything goes to VA for review
and decision. This step in the
process can take as long as they
need to go through your service
records, your medical records, any
information you submitted, your
test results and anything else VA
needs to review.
Answer your phone: VA and/
or their contractors will call you
to schedule your exam(s), if
needed for your claim. Note:
You may get calls from
unknown or out of the area
numbers.
Most C&P exams are in-person.
However, you may be asked to
schedule a phone exam, or a
virtual exam. Choose which
exam type works for you.
VA will notify you of
their decision
regarding your claim
Claim Processing:
Compensation & Pension
(C&P) Exam Scheduling:
Have Ready: List of doctors &
their contact information, dates
conditions began and why (in-
service event), bank account &
routing number (required on the
claim form).
VA is processing your
claim and reviewing all
documentation.
90—120 days
Compensation & Pension
(C&P) Exam:
Filing A Claim:
With the TVSO, you will sign the:
21-22 & HIPAA Forms. Then, we
file a claim via a: 526EZ Form and
submit with 21-4142 / 21-4142a
form, along with any
documentation you provide.
60 – 90 days
Step 4
Attend your exam(s)!
Respond to any letters
from VA
Step 2
VA will schedule your
compensation & pension
exam(s)
30—60 days
Step 1
Meet with TVSO.
Sign a couple of forms.
File a claim for benefits
and attach any
documentation needed
for your claim.
30—45 days
Step 3
30 minutes to an hour *
The doctor has specific VA
guidelines for exams. Sometimes
the exams are very short with a
very specific set of questions and
tests.
Do your best to explain your
worst day in-detail and with all
honesty during the exam.
The information from the exam
is used to help VA make a
decision about your claim.
Answer any letters from VA.
Processing your claim takes time
to complete. It depends on so
many different factors. Try to be
patient. Notify TVSO if you
haven’t heard from VA by now.
Remember: No claim is exactly
alike.
VA will make a decision. It will be
an approval, a denial, or a deferral.
The letters VA sends will outline
their decision.
Make an appointment with the
TVSO to review any of these letters.
If approved we will go over your
benefits, your percentage and
payment information.
If denied, we need to meet to
review why and for you to decide if
you want to appeal that decision.
TVSO can help with the appeal as
well.