You have served the Country honorably and upon being discharged; now considered a Veteran. Having earning the title "Vet", you are eligible to receive a vast range of benefits and services. To ensure these benefits would be available to former serviceman, on July 21, 1930, President Herbert Hoover signed the executive order establishing the Veteran's Administration. Today, The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), a major cabinet post of the Executive Branch, is one of the largest federal agencies, with over 225,000 employees. When you include eligible dependents and survivors, over 60 million individuals qualify for VA benefits or services.
The mission of the Veterans Benefits Administration is:
To provide benefits and services to the veterans and their families in a responsive, timely and compassionate manner in recognition of their service to the Nation.
The following is a brief summary of the benefits and services a Veteran may qualify for.
COMPENSATION
If an injury that resulted as part of your military service has disabled you, you may be eligible to receive monthly compensation. The monthly amount paid ranges from $123 to $2,673 and is exempt from federal and state taxes. The amount you may receive depends how disabled you are. To qualify, you must be classified as at least 10% disabled.
PENSION
If you are a wartime veteran with limited income, permanently and totally disabled, or at least 65 years old, you may qualify for a monthly pension. The VA's pays the difference between your countable family's income and the federal established yearly income limits. Veterans with no dependents, their yearly income must be less than $11,830; Veterans with a dependent $15,493 (you may add another $2,020 for each additional child). There are many additional different situations which you may qualify for. Medical and Education expenses can be taken into account when determining your countable income.
HOME LOAN
As a veteran, the VA offer numerous home loans services. One of the most popular is VA guaranteed loan. This guaranty protects a lender up to a certain percentage of the loan. The loan can be used to buy, build or repair a home. It is a huge incentive for lenders to lend and for veterans to buy a home.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Eligible veterans who are in VA approved educational or vocational training may qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill. Depending whether the veteran was active duty or reservist will determine the qualifications they needed to have performed and amount of financial aid they will receive.
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION & EMPLOYMENTt
If the veteran has a service-connected disability, they qualify for vocational rehabilitation. This program is to help disabled veterans to achieve independence living becoming employable. This includes education, training, financial aid, job placement assistance and personal counseling.
HEALTH CARE
If a veteran has a service related injury or illness, they may qualify for hospital, outpatient medical, dental, pharmacy services. This can include readjustment counseling, alcohol and drug dependency treatment, nursing home and community-based care and treatment centers.
SURVIVORS AND DEPENDENTS
Under Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) program, eligible dependents of deceased servicepersons may qualify for a monthly financial payment. The basic rate is $1,154 per month for the surviving spouse and is increased for each dependent child.
BURIAL
The VA will provide a monument to mark the grave and an American Flag to drape the coffin of deceased veterans. It also pays reimbursements for veteran's burials and funeral costs. It will pay up to $2000 if the death is service-related. For others, it will pay $300 toward funeral expenses and $300 for the burial plot. The VA will provide a monument to mark the grave and an American Flag to drape the coffin.
This is just a brief summary of benefits discharged veterans may quailify for. To receive more information about specific benefits call 1-800-827-1000, visit your nearest VA regional office or visit www.va.gov. Remember, you have honorably served your country, this is your country showing its appreciation for your service.