Guide To State Veterans Benefits

Did you know that every state in the U.S. provides its own benefits to veterans of all generations, including those who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan?

These benefits are available in addition to benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Each state also has its own version of the federal VA, These state departments of veterans affairs are designed to assist veterans who reside in their respective states and to administer state veterans benefits programs.

Here is an interactive state-by-state guide to veterans’ benefits, as well as information on how to contact your state’s veterans’ affairs agency.

Click Here To View The Guide To State Veterans Benefits

Disabled Veterans Should Have The Right To Work

United Spinal Association’s VetsFirst believes that every disabled veteran has the right to work. The honorable men and women who have become disabled through their service of our country deserve our support - not only for the purpose of restoring their health, but also to restore their livelihoods.
Most veterans gave up their jobs to serve their country. Many will now be discriminated against when attempting to re-enter the work force. Why? Because they have a disability.
The courts have set up a bizarre Catch-22 whereby an employer can say that a person is “too disabled” to do the job, but “not disabled enough” to be protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. This needs to change!
United Spinal Association VetsFirst along with Vietnam Veterans of America has from the onset made every effort to combat this injustice.
Take Action Now! Our disabled veterans must now have the support of people like you. A vote in the House is expected in April, after which the bill will go to the Senate. Tell your Senators and Representative to support the ADA Restoration Act. Click here to take action now.
Twenty two veterans and military organizations have signed letters to Congress supporting a bill that protects people with disabilities from discrimination on the job.
VetsFirst United Spinal Association Disabled American Veterans Jewish War Veterans Veterans of Modern Warfare Veterans of Foreign Wars Blinded Veterans of America Federation of Govt. Employees National Assoc for Uniformed Services Reserve Enlisted Association Naval Reserve Association Sergeants Association Enlisted Association of the National Guard	Vietnam Veterans of America Paralyzed Veterans of America AMVETS Military Order of the Purple Heart Military Officers Association of America National Association for Black Veterans Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America American GI Forum of the U.S.Air Force Non Commissioned Officers Association
Make the committment! Our disabled veterans are depending on you. Click here to Take Action Now!

VA Issues Updated Veterans Benefits Handbook

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently published an updated edition of the Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents handbook.

The handbook is revised every year to reflect the most current VA benefits and health care programs and services, as well as the rates for certain benefits payments. The 2008 version of the handbook also contains a state-by-state listing of VA medical facilities, including locations and contact information, an overview of programs and services for veterans provided by other federal agencies and a list of related Internet websites.

Some of the programs discussed in the handbook include disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities, VA health-care, burial benefits, home loan guaranties, special housing and automotive adaptations, educational assistance, training and vocational rehabilitation, income assistance pensions, life insurance and survivors’ benefits.

The handbook can be downloaded free from VA’s website at http://www.va.gov/OPA/vadocs/current_benefits.asp. Printed copies of the handbook may be ordered from the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). The GPO accepts credit card orders by calling 866-512-1800 (toll-free) for a cost of $5.00 per copy to U.S. addresses, or $67.00 for bulk orders of 25 copies. The handbook may also be ordered by mail from the GPO at Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 979050, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000 (stock number 051-000-00233-4), or on line at www.bookstore.gpo.gov.

Military Separation Guide for Active Duty Personnel:

Separating from the military can be a very complex and confusing process. Information may be hard to find. Regulations and procedures can be difficult to understand and at times very confusing.

VetsFirst now offers a helpful online guide to Separating From The Military.
You can read it at: http://www.unitedspinal.org/publications/vetsfirst/military-separation-guide/

Because of the complexity of the transition and VA benefits matters, having an experienced veterans service representative is always an advantage. Going it alone unnecessarily risks an unsuccessful outcome at virtually every stage of the proceedings. Professional representation enhances the chances of receiving a favorable results at the outset, thereby eliminating the need for time-consuming appeals.

VetsFirst, a program of United Spinal Association, offers the assistance of highly trained and experienced veterans service representatives absolutely free.

For assistance or advice please contact: vetsfirst@unitedspinal.org

Combat Vets Get Five Years of Free VA Care

Thanks to a change in the law, active duty veterans who served in combat since Nov. 11, 1998, including veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, are now eligible for five years of free medical care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

In January 2008, a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 went into effect. The new law extends eligibility for these veterans to receive health care in VA hospitals, outpatient clinics and nursing homes from two years to five years from their separation from military service. VA dental benefits were also extended from 90 days after discharge to 180 days. Read the rest of this entry »

Cheerios Honors Veteran Wheelchair Games Champion

U.S. Army veteran David Fowler, of Cinco Ranch, TX., was the gold medal winner in power soccer, power slalom, Power 200 and Power Chair Relay at the 2007 National Wheelchair Games held in Milwaukee, WI.

Fowler is one of 12 gold medal winners from last year’s National Veterans Wheelchair Games who will be featured on Cheerios cereal boxes. Photographs of these athletes in action will appear on the back and side panels of Cheerios boxes to be released this month.

The special edition Cheerios boxes, featuring top wheelchair athletes in events ranging from track and field, archery, swimming and basketball, will be sold in military markets and VA Veterans Canteen retail stores. The Veterans Canteen Service provides food and retail services to VA-enrolled veterans across the country.

Apparently, Cheerios really is the “breakfast of champions”.

Veterans Benefit From Economic Stimulus Package

As a result of the recently enacted economic stimulus law, about 130 million Americans will receive a tax credit in the form of a rebate check. However, the only way to receive a rebate from the government is to file a 2007 tax return. This includes recipients of veterans’ benefits who may, or may not, normally need to file returns.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently indicated that lower-income individuals, including veterans who are not required to file a return will be eligible to receive payments of $300, or $600 on joint returns, if they had at least $3,000 in qualifying income (which includes veterans’ disability compensation, pension and survivors’ benefit Paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)). The IRS plans to introduce a special version of Form 1040A on its Web site, http://www.irs.gov/, with instructions for veterans on how to fill out the form. Read the rest of this entry »

Vets can’t get access to essential services

The US Department of Justice is arguing that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have no right to specific types of medical care and that Congress and veterans don’t have any say in the matter.

The Administration’s argument comes in response to a lawsuit filed by Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans for Truth which alleges that veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are being denied access to critical services. The veterans organizations argue that:

• vets are arbitrarily denied access to mental health and other services,
• vets are kept waiting for months or years for treatment or compensation benefits, and 
• vets are denied fair procedures for appealing denials of their claims.

To support their argument, the veterans organizations cite the VA’s backlog of 600,000 disability claims and that “120 veterans commit suicide each week.”

Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are supposed to be provided five years of VA health care from the date of their discharge, but the Government is arguing that the law does not create an entitlement to any particular medical service.

Furthermore, DOJ lawyers are arguing that the VA should only provide needed medical services to the extent that funds are available.

There will be more arguments in this case on March 7, 2008. Stay tuned.

Vets Benefits Commission Finds Deep Seated Flaws In VA Claims Adjudication

The long anticipated report of the Veterans Disability Benefi ts Commission was recently released to Congress and the American people. The report is the culmination of a two-and-ahalf year comprehensive review of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs, processes, regulations, and policies. In its 544-page report, the 13member commission, made up of distinguished retired military officers and veterans advocates, presented 113 recommendations to attempt to cure the most deep- seated flaws in the VA claims adjudication process.

Read it all at Action Online. 

Challenges of Polytrauma Rehabilitation

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in thousands of cases of serious multiple injuries to American service men and women. They will need a lot of help coming home.

Read about it at Action Online.