Federal
Benefits
Million
Veteran Program Enrolls 100,000th Volunteer
The
Department of Veterans Affairs Million Veteran Program (MVP)
recently enrolled its 100,000th volunteer research participant,
and now stands at more than 110,000 enrollees, marking a major
milestone in the nearly 90-year history of VA research.
VA
Adding Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors to Workforce
Secretary
of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki today announced that
the department would add approximately 1,600 mental health
clinicians – to include nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists,
and social workers as well as nearly 300 support staff to
its existing workforce of 20,590 mental health staff as part
of an ongoing review of mental health operations.
New VA Initiatives to Improve
Benefits Delivery to Veterans and Families
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today the national
deployment of claims transformation initiatives to 12 regional
offices in the remaining months of fiscal year 2012 to improve
benefits delivery to Veterans, families and their survivors.
Women
Veterans Task Force Draft Plan Released
The
Department of Veterans Affairs is releasing for public comment
a draft of its strategic report to address key issues facing
women Veterans. The plan outlines steps for improvements to
care and services for women Veterans that are sustainable,
accountable and a part of the department’s culture and
operations.
VA
Continues PTSD Outreach with AboutFace Campaign
In
observance of June as PTSD Awareness Month, the Department
of Veterans Affairs National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) has begun a new online initiative, AboutFace,
focused on helping Veterans recognize PTSD symptoms and motivating
them to seek treatment. “We must do all we can to help
Veterans identify possible indicators that they may be suffering
from PTSD,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric
K. Shinseki. “It requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted
approach to be effective. We hope that this initiative, while
just one aspect of our program, will play an important role
in that effort.”
A
Nucleus of Assistance
VA
takes services directly to homeless Veterans in Denver.
A Department of Veterans Affairs facility that brings services
directly to homeless Veterans in the neighborhoods they walk
opened in Denver on Feb. 10. The Community Resource and Referral
Center, one of 12 planned by VA and the first to open its
doors, was dedicated in a neighborhood close to shelters and
churches where homeless Veterans spend their days and nights.
VA Deploying 20 New Mobile Vet Centers
The Department of Veterans Affairs today deployed 20 additional
Mobile Vet Centers from the production facility of Farber
Specialty Vehicles to increase access to readjustment counseling
services for Veterans and their families in rural and underserved
communities across the country. “Mobile Vet Centers
allow VA to bring the many services our Vet Centers offer
Veterans to all communities, wherever they are needed,”
said VA Under Secretary for Health Robert A. Petzel. “VA
is committed to expanding access to VA health care and benefits
for Veterans and their families, and these 20 new vehicles
demonstrate that continued commitment.”
Rules
Liberalized for Veterans with Undiagnosed Illnesses
Application Window Extended for Five Years. Veterans
of the Persian Gulf War with undiagnosed illnesses have an
additional five years to qualify for benefits from the Department
of Veterans Affairs. “Not all the wounds of war are
fully understood,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Eric K. Shinseki. “When there is uncertainty about the
connection between a medical problem and military service,
Veterans are entitled to the benefit of the doubt.”
Retroactive
Traumatic Injury Benefits No Longer Just For OEF/OIF Injuries
TSGLI Payments
Will Be Made for Qualifying Injuries
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is extending retroactive
traumatic injury benefits to Servicemembers who suffered qualifying
injuries during the period Oct. 7, 2001 to Nov. 30, 2005,
regardless of the geographic location where the injuries occurred.
HUD, VA to Provide Permanent
Housing, Case Management to Nearly 700 Homeless Veterans
U.S. Housing and
Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced today
that HUD will provide $5.4 million to public housing authorities
in 18 states to supply permanent housing and case management
for 676 homeless Veterans in America. This is the fourth and
final round of the FY 2010 Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing
Program (HUD-VASH) funding to support homeless Veterans.
About the Post-9/11 GI-Bill
and its Upcoming Changes
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education
and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate
service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged
with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must
have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the
Post-9/11 GI Bill. As of August 1, 2009, the Post-9/11 GI
Bill is effective for training. Approved training under the
Post-9/11 GI Bill includes..
VA Reaches Out to Veterans to
Explain Upcoming Changes to GI Bill
Encourages Veterans to Visit VA Website to
Learn More. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
is reaching out to inform Veterans of recent changes made
by Congress to the Post 9/11 GI Bill that take effect in 2011.
General Allison Hickey, Under Secretary for Benefits, said
“The Post 9/11 GI Bill is incredibly important because
it reduces the financial burdens of higher education so that
Veterans have an opportunity to achieve their education goals.
VA believes it is important for Veterans to be aware of changes
to the GI Bill this year and learn more about how these changes
may affect them.”
Aid and Attendance for Veterans:
An Under-Used Benefit.
Throughout history, men and
women of the United States Armed Forces have selflessly served
our country. While some have paid the ultimate price, others
are now disabled or face health problems. In addition to war-related
injuries, veterans from World War II and the Korean War face
another challenge age-related illnesses and limitations.
Veterans Burial Benefits.
This article is about veterans' funeral benefits.
As with any thing else there is an easy way and a hard way
to do things in life. Lack of knowledge in this area unintentionally
leaves many veterans' loved ones hurting. You may be reluctant
to even think about your funeral because it causes you to
think about your mortality. However, as a veteran you must
know what your benefits are or run the risk of leaving your
loved ones in real pain.
Disabled Veteran Tax Credits.
Of course, when it comes to taxing and credits,
everyone is at an advantage given that they meet the requirements.
For veterans that have given a service for their country,
these benefits are even more important and that's why the
Federal government recognizes the disabled veteran tax credits.
This helps them to counter the many taxes that have to be
paid from state to state so that they will be able to lead
comfortable lives despite their own disadvantages.
Help ! I Lost My DD 214
I am a veteran applying for a home loan but I’ve lost
a copy of my DD214 after my recent retirement from overseas
duties. I have no idea how I am going to obtain a copy of
my DD214 form.
Disabled Vietnam Veterans Can
Receive Compensation.
Public laws and a number of regulations by the Department
of Veterans Affairs are intended to ensure that these persons
receive priority medical service at VA hospitals, or financial
compensation, or both.
President signs repeal of
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Dec. 22, 2010) -- President
Barack Obama signed the bill to repeal the "Don't Ask,
Don't Tell" policy on gays in the military. "No
longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked
to live a lie, or look over their shoulder, in order to serve
the country that they love," he said. "So this morning,
I am proud to sign a law that will bring an end to 'Don't
Ask, Don't Tell.' It is a law, this law I'm about to sign
will strengthen our national security and uphold the ideals
that our fighting men and women risk their lives to defend."
Financial Assistance for
Elderly Veterans and Their Widows Is A Well Kept Secret.
Ask an elderly Veteran if they are aware they
may be eligible for a pension from the Veteran’s Administration
and they will tell you “I’m not eligible because
I was not injured in the War.” This is a common misconception
which keeps many Veterans from tapping into a benefit they
well earned by serving our country. The fact is elderly, disabled
Veterans and their widows may very well qualify for large
sums of money, but they have to apply for the funds.
Veterans Benefits: Financial
Help For Veterans And Their Survivors
Rachel Caesar, the 1st American-born in her family
of immigrants from Trinidad, served within the National Guard
and Army Reserve for 14 years. Today, a few years following
coming back from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, she is out
of an apartment, not working, and even, on some days, ready
to "ready to give up"
Keeping the BUPA HM Forces
47% discount after retiring from the Military.
Many people are unsure about what happens to their
entitlement to the Military, currently 47% discount, once
they have left the military. The rules of the forces healthcare
scheme actually allow service personnel and their partner
to remain on the scheme until the service person reaches 65
years of age. It does not matter what future employment is
gained, if any.
Simple Tips to an Early Military
Retirement
It is more important now, than ever before in recent
years, that today's young members in the military achieve
financial security while they are young. By planning your
financial future early you can enjoy life now and financial
security later on.
Equal Rights For Disabled
Veterans: Because You Served
Veterans have provided a service to this country
and are entitled to receive certain benefits, including home
loan benefits from the VA loan program. Veterans who were
disabled as a result of their service in the military are
entitled to additional VA loan benefits, as well as fair and
equal protection under the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development's Fair Housing Act. VA loan benefits and
the protection they receive from this act can help veterans
find affordable housing and save money while allowing them
to live comfortable lives.
Michelle Obama Honors, and Rewards,
Military Families.
There are those who can understandably get
a little cynical at times about First Ladies and their pet
causes. But Michelle Obama, appears to be entirely sincere
in her advocacy for military families, which to her credit
has been relentless since her husband was elected two years
ago. Today, she talked proudly about the implementation
of the White House and Pentagon’s 50 – yes, 50
– new federal programs to assist members of the military
and their families. I have no doubt that she was actively
involved in helping formulate some of these government-wide
programs.
Free Education For Soldiers
And Their Families With The Post 9-11 GI Bill
Military moms who have been serving
the nation with unflinching dedication are set to receive
complete educational support through the post 9-11 GI Bill.
It allows them to avail of career advancements with complete
support. The bill states that financial support will be provided
for education as well as housing facilities for those who
have provided 90 days of aggregate service or more to the
military from or post 11 September 2001.
VA Launches Childcare Pilot
Program Provides Eligible Veterans Childcare While Visiting
Health Care Providers. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric
K. Shinseki announced the launch of free, drop-in childcare
service centers at three VA medical centers to an audience
of more than 700 participants attending the Fifth National
Summit on Women Veterans’ Issues July 15-17 at the Hyatt
Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. “We know that many
Veterans, particularly women Veterans, are the primary care
takers of young children,”
VA Creates Women Veterans Call
Center
Major Outreach Effort Launched. The Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) has embarked on a major initiative to reach out
to women Veterans in order to solicit their input on ways
to enhance the health care services VA provides to women Veterans.
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