SERVING
Those That
SERVED
Navy Bonus
Did you know the Navy is offering an enlistment bonus of $50,000 to future sailors and any Navy veteran or other service veteran who signs up for the Navy? Also, the Navy’s other new incentive is a student loan repayment program, with a maximum of $65,000.
HUD-VASH Program
Did You know that using HUD-VASH, a housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the local public housing authority on behalf of the participating veteran? The veteran then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. The case management services facilitate the attainment of the veteran’s recovery goals. The HUD-VASH Program is for the most vulnerable veterans, and provides special services for women veterans, those recently returning from combat zones, and Veterans with disabilities.
New SSA Website
Did you know the Social Security Administration (SSA) has a new website design? Veterans receiving Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income are now able to update their telephone number online. SSA is providing more information under the Benefits and Payments section. In addition, veterans receiving Social Security benefits can change their address and direct deposit information under the My Profile tab. By selecting the appropriate links on the homepage, veterans can: Get an instant Benefit Verification or proof of income letter; request a replacement Social Security card; replace your SSA-1099/SSA-1042S tax forms, if applicable; and get your Social Security Statement.
Veteran Directed Care
Did you know if your loved one is a veteran, they may qualify for the Veteran Directed Care Program? This program is designed for veterans who need daily assistance and for caregivers who need extra help. Veterans or their family caregivers are given a budget to manage their care and help them age in place in their own home or community. With the budget, a veteran can hire a family member or another person to provide in-home care and buy the necessary items or services to help them manage their own care.
VA Provides Abortions
Did you know the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will provide abortion counseling and abortions in cases of rape, incest or if the pregnancy threatens the health of the pregnant veteran, at its federal health facilities throughout the country, including in states that ban or severely restrict the practice?
How To Increase Back Pay
Did you know if you are considering filing a VA claim for disability compensation or VA pension, but will not be filing your VA claim before the end of any given month, it is imperative that you submit an Intent to File (ITF) to preserve your back pay? Filing an ITF can be accomplished by either calling (800-827-1000) or submitting a one page Intent to File VA Form. If you have an account setup with the va.gov website, you can also start a claim online. Simply starting a claim online will automatically notify the VA of your intent to file a claim.
Service Dogs vs Emotional Support Dogs
Did you know service dogs differ from emotional support dogs in that a service dog is trained to perform a job that their owner cannot? Service dogs are protected by the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act, Fair Housing Act and Air Carrier Access (ACA) Act. An emotional support dog is a comfort animal that provides therapeutic benefits. Support animals do not have to be specifically trained. Emotional support dogs are protected under the Fair Housing Act and ACA Act but are not protected under the ADA Act.
Home Depot Grants
Did you know Home Depot gives a grant each year to a veteran that is 100% service-connected disabled in order to complete a home improvement project? More information on the Home Depot Foundation, the grants available for veterans and more can be found here.
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CRSC Not Included
Did you know military benefits that would be considered separate property in a divorce would include Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) and VA Disability Compensation? Reason being, these payments are considered separate property of the veteran and are not split upon divorce because they involve a service-connected injury or medical condition and are not retirement benefits.
VA Compensation Not Included
Did you know Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation benefits are not subject to shared property in a divorce since these benefits are viewed as a particular gratuity provided to veterans with disabilities related to their time in the military as recompense for any diseases or injuries they sustained while serving?
Deployed Veterans At Risk
Did you know deployed veterans may be at greater risk of long-term health effects from COVID-19 due to their deployment and exposure histories? Therefore, the War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) is planning a study to understand the health effects of COVID-19 specifically among deployed veterans.
Biden Signed New Act Into Law
Did you know President Biden recently signed into law the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2022? The Bill requires the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase the amounts payable for wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.
100% Rating Difference
Did you know the difference between a 100% rating and Permanent and Total (P&T) 100% disability is that the VA may schedule a reexamination for a veteran with a 100% service connection to see if the condition has improved? Whereas, a veteran who is 100% P&T is not expected to improve and, therefore not scheduled for further evaluations.
TSGLI Benefits
Did you know the military provides short-term financial assistance coverage known as TSGLI (Traumatic Injury Protection)? The purpose of these benefits is to aid active duty military personnel who suffered severe injuries while on duty and help them recover fast.
Benefits from TSGLI assist the injured and cover any additional expenses they may have while recovering or compensate for the cost of a permanent disability. Qualified service personnel can get short-term financial support from SGLI (Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Injury Protection) to aid in their recovery from a major injury. If you have SGLI coverage and a military injury, you are entitled to a TSGLI claim.
Court Invalidates VA Regulation
Did you know the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit invalidated a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulation prohibiting VA from reimbursing veterans with health insurance for certain out-of-pocket expenses for emergency medical care at non-VA facilities? The ruling marks the third time a court has invalidated a VA regulation prohibiting reimbursement of a veteran’s liability to non-VA emergency health care providers for copays not covered by insurance.
70 - 40 Rule
Did you know the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses the “70-40 rule” to determine the eligibility of veterans for disability compensation? The rule states that if a veteran has two or more service-connected disabilities, at least one of those disabilities needs to be rated at 40% or higher. After these ratings are factored for the other disabilities, the veteran’s combined disability rating needs to be 70% or higher. This rule is used to determine whether a veteran is eligible for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits, which provide compensation at the 100% rate even if the veteran’s combined rating is less than 100%. The VA uses this rule to ensure that veterans who are unable to work due to their service-connected disabilities receive adequate compensation.
Higher Education Made Easier
Did you know Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) recently announced the introduction of the Veterans Education Transparency and Training (VETT) Act, which will simplify the process for veterans enrolling in higher education? Specifically, the VETT Act will modify educational form requirements for veterans and establish an online portal through the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to serve as a comprehensive resource center for trainings available to veterans through School Certifying Officials (SCOs).