Veterans Benefits You Didn’t Know About

Suppose you are a veteran who served in any branch of the U.S. military or a surviving spouse, parent, or child of someone killed during service. In that case, there are many benefits available to you through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA strives to provide servicemen and women the opportunity for a smooth transition back to everyday life after fighting for their country on foreign or domestic land.

Particular benefits are available to veterans to help aid in this process by offering assistance in home loans, earning college degrees, ensuring proper health care, and much more. Each of the benefits available to veterans and their loved ones requires application forms and other documents to prove eligibility. Knowing the benefits available for eligible veterans can drastically improve the living condition of those who have served their country after their return back to civilian life.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

The Veteran Readiness and Employment program is designed to assist veterans in preparing for a new work line. This program offers services to help veterans start their businesses or locate work opportunities for veterans who are disabled due to their service in the military. Along with aiding in the education of the process of starting a business, other services are offered through VR&E, such as

• Job training
• Resume development
• Employment accommodations
• Skills coaching
• Personalized counseling and support

Additional services are available to family members of service people to help with the transition back home. To apply, veterans can submit their application through the eBenefits website, a partner with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Home – VA/DoD eBenefits

Disability Compensation

Disability compensation is tax-free payments given to veterans who developed a disability due to injury or disease during their service or had a persisting injury become worse. Veterans who had reduced working hours due to a post-service disability are also eligible to receive disability compensation benefits. Disability requirements for eligibility range along a broad spectrum with basic guidelines that the disability must have been caused during duty, as a result of off-duty training, or developed due to their service.

Disability compensation benefits can be provided to veterans suffering from post-service mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety.

Suppose you are a surviving spouse, child, or parent of someone who died due to their service or disability brought on by their service. In that case, you may be eligible to receive disability compensation benefits monthly based on your income level. More info can be found here:  VA Disability Compensation | Veterans Affairs

Veterans Pension Program

The Veterans Pension Program is designed to provide eligible veterans with monthly payments to help with living. Typically, veterans must meet age or disability requirements and service requirements based on their military time. Veteran eligibility requires that the person in question has not received a dishonorable discharge and has an annual family income combined with a net worth that meets Congress’s standards yearly. Service requirements pertaining to the Veterans Pension Program’s eligibility are as follows and require veterans to meet at least 1 of these requirements. 

• Began active-duty service before September 8, 1980, for at least 90 days with 1 day during active wartime.
• Began active-duty service after September 7, 1980, for at least 24 months or the duration of their call to duty with one day during wartime.
• An officer starting active-duty after October 16, 1981, hasn’t served in the previous 24 months.

Additional eligibility requirements must be met, including at least one of the following.

• Age 65 or older
• Living with a permanent or total disability
• Living in a nursing home or long-term care facility as a result of a disability
• Currently receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

Click here for more info:  Eligibility For Veterans Pension | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)

VA Healthcare

For veterans with underlying or persistent health issues, VA healthcare can help you live a comfortable and healthy life. While each healthcare plan differs between each eligible veteran based on their needs, VA healthcare is dedicated to treating illness and injuries, prevent future health problems, improve the ability to function normally, and other services to enhance overall life quality.

The complete list of coverage benefits per veteran is determined by several factors, including priority group along with the advice from the veteran’s VA primary care provider and medical practices that best suit your health conditions. In some cases, veterans can receive dental coverage, among other additional services. VA healthcare relieves some of the financial burden veterans face when returning home to start medical treatments or develop health issues post-service. Along with preventive services to counteract health issues brought on by outside forces, VA healthcare can also cover extensive inpatient hospital services such as

• Organ transplants
• Surgery
• Kidney dialysis
• Short-term treatment for illness or injury post-surgery
• Intensive care for mental and physical conditions

VA healthcare also covers walk-in clinical visits for common health issues such as minor illnesses or injuries. More info:  VA Health Care | Veterans Affairs

VA Home Loan

A VA home loan is a loan partly insured and backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs given to veterans looking to purchase a new home or refinance an existing mortgage. VA home loans require no down payment or private mortgage insurance (PMI), making them a great home buying option for low-income veterans.

Because the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs backs these loans, lenders can provide better interest rates for veterans, knowing that the VA will reimburse them if payments are not given. The VA also requires lenders to set reasonable closing costs as not to further burden veterans financially. For first-time homebuyers, a funding fee is typically owed at the beginning of the mortgage process, which can be paid upfront or lumped into the loan’s total sum to be paid off over time.

For more information on eligibility and qualification requirements to receive a VA loan, be sure to visit their website. VA Home Loans Home

Veterans Benefits: The More You Know

One of the greatest tribulations of veterans returning to a civilian lifestyle is not being aware of the available resources to aid in the transition. Researching government-funded benefits for your situation can improve your overall health and well-being for a lifetime to come. With many resources out there for veterans to immerse themselves in daily life functions, there is sure to be the perfect program for you.

Visiting the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can shed more light on the benefit programs available, along with detailed information regarding the application process and eligibility criteria.

You have already served your country; now let your country serve you.

Those who qualify for VA benefits may also qualify for other assistance programs like Lifeline. Check for eligibility in one easy click.  Free Cell Phone Service With Government Program | StandUp Wireless