DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents

Frank BowstringLeech Lake Veterans Services

• For 230 years, Americans in uniform have set aside their personal aspirations and safety to procure and protect the freedoms established by the founders of our great nation. Through their service, and, all to often, through their sacrifices, these brave men and woman have earned the gratitude and respect of the entire nation.

President Abraham Lincolnaffirmed our nations commitmentduring the civil war..

His eloquent words endure from his century to ours, and serve today as the motto of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the federal agency responsible for honoring our debt of gratitude to Americas patriots.

“to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan.”

• From the World Wars of the 20th Century to the 21st Century’s war on terror, VA benefits have evolved to meet the changing needs of veterans, because, while wars have beginnings and ends, caring for those who fought them never ends…..

• Whether you were injured on the home front in peacetime, or wounded overseas in time of war, you stood up for America in our time of need.

• Now it’s America’s turn, through the VA, to serve and honor you……

the “American Veteran.”

R. James Nicholson Secretary of Veterans Affairs

About the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “VA” for, Short, offers a wide range of benefits to our Nationsveterans, service members and their families.

What the VA Offers?

• Disability Benefits• Education & Training Benefits• Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment• Home Loans• Burial Benefits• Dependents and Survivors Benefits• Life Insurance• Health Care

Who is Eligible?

You may be eligible for VA health care benefits if you are a veteran.

You may be eligible for other VA Benefits if you are:• A veteran• A veteran’s dependent• A surviving spouse or child of a deceased veteran• A member of the military Reserves or National Guard• An active duty military service member

Veteran Eligibility

• Veterans of the United States Armed Forces may be eligible for a broad range of programs and services provided by the federal Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)

• These benefits are legislated in “Title 38 of the United States Code”. This booklet contains a summary of these benefits effective January1, 2006.

• For additional information visit the VA web page at http//www.va.gov./.

General Eligibility Requirements

• Eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than honorable conditions.

Active Service

• Active Service means: Full-time service other than active duty for training, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as commissioned officer of the following agencies:

• Public Health Service• Environmental Science Services Administration• National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration or its

predecessor; the Coast & Geodetic Survey.

Discharges

• Dishonorable and Bad Conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial may bar VA benefits.

• Veterans in prison and parolees must contact a VA Regional office to Determine eligibility.

• VA benefits will not be provided to any veteran or dependent wanted for an outstanding felony warrant.

Wartime Service

• Certain VA Benefits require wartime service. Under the law, VA recognizes the following war time periods…

Wartime Service continued

• MEXICAN BORDER PERIOD• May 9, 1916 through April 5, 1917, for

veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders or in adjacent waters.

Wartime Service continued

• World War I• April 6, 1917 through Nov. 11, 1918; for veterans

who served in Russia.• April 6, 1917 through April 1, 1920; extended

through July 1, 1921; for veterans who had at least one day of service between April 6, 1917 and Nov. 11, 1918

Wartime Service continued

• World War II: Dec. 7, 1941, through Dec. 31, 1946.• Korean War: June 27, 1950, through Jan. 31, 1955. • Vietnam War: Aug. 5, 1964 (Feb. 28, 1962, for

veterans who served “in country” before Aug. 5, 1964), through May 7, 1975.

• Gulf War: Aug. 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.

•Important Documents

• Those seeking a VA benefit for the first time must submit a copy of their service discharge form ( DD-214, DD-215, or for WWII veterans a WD form), which documents service dates and type of discharge, or give their full name, military service number, and branch and dates of service.

• **The veterans service discharge form should always be kept in a safe location.

Important Documents

• The following documents will be needed for claims processing related to a veterans death:

1. Veteran’s marriage certificate for claims of a surviving spouse or children.

2. Veteran’s death certificate if the veteran did not die in a VA health care facility.

3. Children’s birth certificates or adoption papers to determine children’s benefits.

4. Veterans birth certificate to determine parent’s benefits

VA HEALTH CARE & ENROLLMENT

For most Veterans, entry into the VA health care systembegins by applying for enrollment.

To apply, complete VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Health benefits, which may be obtained at any VAhealth care facility or regional office, or by calling1-877-222-VETS.

Once enrolled, veterans can receive services at VAfacilities anywhere in the country.

Disability Benefits?The VA administers two disability programs. Both pay monthly benefits to disabled veterans.• Disability Compensation: VA can pay you compensation if

you are at least 10% disabled as a result of your military service. (Service connected)

• Disability Pension: VA can pay you a pension if you are a wartime veteran with limited income and you are no longer able to work or are age 65 and older.

**Time Limits: There is no deadline for applying for disability benefits.

Education & Training

VA pays benefits to eligible veterans, dependents, reservists, and service members while they are in an approved training program. Major programs are:• Montgomery GI Bill: Person who first entered active duty

after June 30, 1985, are generally eligible. Some Vietnam Era veterans and certain veterans separated under special programs are also eligible. The bill also includes a program for certain reservists and National Guard members.

Education & Training Continued

• Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program, (VEAP) : This program is for veterans who entered active duty for the first time after December 31, 1976, and before July 1985, and * Contributed funds to this program.

• Survivors & Dependents’ Educational Assistance: Some family members of disabled or deceased veterans are eligible for education benefits.

Education & Training cont.

• Time Limits: Generally, veterans have ten years from the date they were last released from active duty to use their education benefits. Reservists generally have 10 years from the date they became eligible for the program unless they leave the Selected Reserves before completing their obligation. Spouses generally have 10 years from the date we first find them eligible. Children are generally eligible from age 18 until age 26. These time limits can sometimes be extended.

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment

VA can help veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find and keep suitable employment. For veterans with serious service-connected disabilities, VA also offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment continued.

Some of the services VA provides for veterans are:• Job Search: Assistance in finding and maintaining suitable

employment.• Vocational Evaluation: An evaluation of abilities, skills,

interests, and needs.• Career Exploration: Vocational counseling and planning>• Vocational Training: If needed, training such as on-the-job

and non-paid work experience.

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment continued.

• Education Training: If needed, education training to accomplish the rehabilitation goal.

• Rehabilitation Service: Supportive rehabilitation and counseling services

Time Limits: You generally have 12 years from the date VA tells you, in writing that you have at least a 10 percent rating for a service-connected disability.

Home Loans!

VA offers a number of home loan services to eligible veterans, some military personnel, and certain spouses.

• Guaranteed Loans: VA can guarantee part of a loan from a private lender to help you buy a home, a manufactured home, a lot for a manufactured home, or certain types of condominiums. They also guarantee loans for building, repairing, and improving homes.

Home Loans!

• Refinancing Loans: If you have a VA mortgage, we can help you refinance your loan at a lower interest rate. You may also refinance a non-VA loan.

• Special Grants: Certain disabled veterans and military personnel can receive grants to adapt or acquire housing suitable for their needs.

*Time limits: There is no time limit for a VA home loan, except for eligible reservists. Their eligibility expires September 30, 2009.

Burial Benefits

VA offers certain benefits and services to honor our Nation’s deceased veterans.

• Headstones and Markers: VA can furnish a monument to mark the grave of an eligible veteran.

• Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC): VA can provide a PMC for eligible recipients.

• Burial Flag: VA can provide and American Flag to drape an eligible veteran’s casket.

Burial Benefits cont.• Reimbursement for Burial Expenses: Generally, VA can pay a burial

allowance of $2,000 for veterans who die of service-related causes. For certain other veterans, VA can pay $300 for burial and funeral expenses and $300 for a burial plot.

• Burial in a VA National Cemetery: Most Veterans and some dependents can be buried in a VA national cemetery.

Time Limits: There is no time limit for claiming reimbursement of burial expenses for a service-related death. In other cases, claims must be filed within 2 years of the Veterans burial.

Burial Benefits cont.

Time Limits: There is no time limit for claiming reimbursement of burial expenses for a service-related death. In other cases, claims must be filed within 2 years of the Veterans burial.

Dependents’ and Survivors’Benefits

• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), is payable to certain survivors of:

Dependents’ and Survivors’Benefits cont.

(DIC) is payable to certain survivors of:

• Service-members who died on active duty.• Veterans who died from service-related disabilities.• Certain veterans who were being paid 100% VA disability

compensation at time of death.

Death Pension

A death pension is payable to some surviving spouses and children of deceased wartime veterans. The benefits is based on financial need.

VA Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA)

CHAMPVA shares the cost of medical services for eligible dependents and survivors of certain veterans.

*Time Limits: There are no time limits to apply for thebenefits describe in earlier slides.

Health CareWe provide a number of health care services.• Hospital, outpatient, medical, dental, pharmacy and

prosthetic services.• Domiciliary, nursing home, and community-based

residential care.• Sexual trauma counseling• Specialized health care for women veterans• Health and rehabilitation programs for homeless veterans.• Readjustment counseling

Health Care continued.

• Alcohol and drug dependency treatment• Medical evaluation for military service exposure including Gulf

War, Agent Orange, radiation, or other environmental hazards.

“Combat Veterans”

VA will provide combat veterans free medical care for any illness possibly associated with service against a hostile force in a war after the Gulf War or during a period of hostility after November 11, 1998. This benefit may be provided for two years from the veterans release from active duty.

Life Insurance

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI)This is a low cost term life insurance for servicemembers and reservists. Generally coverage begins when you enter the service. It is available in amounts up to $450, 000. It generally expires 120 days after you get out of the service.

Life Insurance

Veterans Group Life Insurance, (VGLI)

This is a renewable five-year term life insurance for veterans. It is available in amounts up to $250,00. You may apply any time within 1 year from the date your SGLI expires.

Life Insurance

Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH

This insurance also called “RH” insurance, is life insurance for service-disabled veterans. The basic coverage is $10,000. If your premium payments for the basic policy are waived due to total disability, you may be eligible for a supplemental policy of up to $20,000. Generally, you have 2 years after being notified of your service-connected disability to apply for basic coverage.

Toll Free ServiceBenefits Information and Assistance

Each VA benefit has its own eligibility requirements. For more information about specific benefits, you may visit the nearest VA office or call 1-800-827-1000.

Toll Free Service Numbers for BenefitsHealth Benefits 1-877-222-8387Education Benefits 1-888-442-4551VA Life Insurance 1-800-669-8477Office of SGLI 1-800-419-1473CHAMPVA 1-800-733-8687Gulf War 1-800749-8387

Headstones (Status of Claims Only) 1-800-697-6947

Toll Free Service Numbers for Benefits

Telecommunication

Deaf for Deaf (TDD) 1-800-829-4833Direct Deposit 1-877-838-2778

Apply for Compensation, Pension, or Vocational Rehabilitation benefits on line at the following website.

http//vabenefits.vba.va.gov

VA Web-Site Addresses

For more information and links to VA regional offices, visit the VA web-site at; www.va.gov

Look at the VA specialty pages:• Compensation and Pension Benefits• Education – Environmental Exposure• Health Care – Home Loans – Insurance• Minority Veterans – Women Veterans• Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment