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By. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Benefits Assistance Service, VA Transition Assistance Program
Provided for the 2017 Transition Magazine
Whether you are an active duty service member years away from separation or transitioning tomorrow, Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and services are available to you at every stage of your military life cycle. It’s never too soon to learn more about resources you can tap into today.
VA’s mission is rooted in Abraham Lincoln’s famous words: “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.” VA carries out President Lincoln’s charge by providing health care and benefits to the men and women who have served the United States, and
some of this support begins long before they separate from the military and throughout their transition to civilian life.
VA BENEFITS FOR ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS
Some VA resources that are useful at every stage of the military life cycle include:
•EDUCATION: The GI Bill® covers the cost of education and training programs, including undergraduate and graduate studies, as well as vocational and technical training. These benefits may be used while on active duty. The Post-9/11 GI Bill allows service members (officer or enlisted, active duty or Selected Reserve), to transfer unused education benefits to immediate family members (spouses and children). The service member must have at least six years of service and commit to an additional four years of service in order to transfer benefits to a spouse or child. Additional information can be found at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/ post911_transfer.asp
• HEALTH CARE: Active duty service members may be eligible to receive VA health care services, especially in emergent or urgent cases. For routine care, VA may provide limited care to active duty service members in specific locations or with a valid Tricare referral. Information about transitioning from Tricare to VA health care can be found at https://www.va.gov/HEALTHBENEFITS/apply/active_duty.asp
• HOUSING: The VA’s Home Loan Guaranty program helps active duty service members secure competitive rates on home loans with little or no down payment. Service members with a permanent or total service connected disability may also be eligible for adapted housing grants. More information about VA home loans can be found at http://www. benefits.va.gov/homeloans/index.asp.
• LIFE INSURANCE: Active duty service members can purchase up to $400,000 of life insurance through VA’s low-cost Service members’ Group Life Insurance program.
• DISABILITY COMPENSATION: Service members with disabilities who remain on active duty may be eligible for many VA benefits. You can also apply for disability compensation prior to separating from service by using VA’s pre-discharge programs located at http://www.benefits. va.gov/predischarge/index.asp.
• VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT (VR&E): The mission of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) is to help veterans with service-connected disabilities and an employment handicap prepare for, find and maintain suitable careers. Eligibility information can be found at http://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/ eligibility_and_entitlement.asp. The National Defense Authorization Act(PL 110-181), NDAA 2008, establishes VR&E eligibility and automatic entitlement to VR&E benefits for severely injured active duty individuals before a VA rating is issued. Sec. 724 of Public Law 113-291 extends the sunset date of NDAA to Dec. 31, 2017.
• eBENEFITS: Through eBenefits, you can research, access and manage all of your VA and military benefits and personal information while on active duty and as a veteran. To register and explore the portal, visit www.eBenefits.va.com. It is important to engage with VA early in your career to gain a full understanding of the available benefits and services. VA Benefits Advisors, located at installations around the world, can support you throughout your military life cycle. They can help you learn about and access the VA benefits you are earning now.
VA TRANSITION ASSISTANCE
Whether you plan to leave the military in six months, six years or 26 years, you will eventually transition into civilian life. The first time you think about transition shouldn’t be right before you leave service; many decisions made earlier in your career can affect your post-military career success.
VA is ready to guide you through transition and connect you to helpful VA resources at every step of the way. VA offers:
• ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE: VA knows that every transition is unique, depending on a service member’s experience and interests, so VA provides tailored support. The VA Benefits Advisor on your installation is available to meet with you and your spouse — at any stage of your career — to talk through various VA benefits and resources available, your eligibility and how VA can help set you up for success.
• BENEFITS I AND II BRIEFINGS: VA Benefits Briefings are composed of two mandatory workshops, leveraging a mix of lecture, videos and individual activities. During these interactive sessions, VA Benefits Advisors provide service members with information on VA benefits and services, walk them through the application process and explain how to connect to VA for future assistance.
• CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT: We can support you in all stages of your job search. We have teamed up with the Department of Labor to give you career advice, help building your resume and access to employers who want to hire veterans and military spouses through www.vets.gov.
• WARM HANDOVERS: Transition can be a stressful time. In many cases, it can also mean a move across the country or to an entirely new homebase. Before your transition, VA can connect you with representatives from VA and other agencies in your new hometown — including the VA Regional Office and VA Medical Center — to make sure you’re never alone as you navigate civilian life. Whether your post-military goals include a college degree, a new home or a new career, VA is here to help.
For more information, visit www.vba. va.gov/tap or contact your local TAP Manager to be connected with a VA Benefits Advisor at your installation
| Date Taken: | 07.31.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 04.05.2018 13:30 |
| Story ID: | 271901 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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