NEXT18: Veteran Support Through Golf
Next18 Golf Camps offer training to disabled veterans and first responders, using golf as a medium to improve mental health. Learn more.
Benefits
This generation of veterans and servicemembers have access to the best benefits of any era in history. From the VA Home Loan program, to the GI Bill you can save you money, enhance your career opportunities and even change your life. Don’t miss out on any of the benefits you have earned.
LATEST:
The DoD Resource that National Guard and Reserve Families Need to Check Out!
The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program is a DoD program that was created in 2008 to help promote the well-being of National Guard and Reserve members, their families, and their communities.
Tricare Dental Premiums to Increase Soon
Beginning in May 2021, the premiums for Tricare Dental coverage will be increasing slightly. Service Members should start noticing the coverage increase during the May pay period. The increases will range from $0.05 to $0.47 depending on the Service member’s status and the number of dependents covered by the program. Learn more.
Guitars For Veterans (G4V)
G4V, or Guitars for Veterans, offers veterans 10-weeks of music lessons and a free guitar in a program designed to offer music therapy for veterans suffering from PTSD.
Status of COVID-19 Vaccination For Military Families
Military Families’ Covid-19 Vaccination Status The Defense Health Agency (DHA) has stated that staring in April, the COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be widely available to military families. During a virtual town hall hosted by Blue Star Families and the American Red Cross, Director of DHA Army Lt. Gen. Ronald Place discussed the coronavirus and the… Read more »
Joining Forces 2.0: Serving America’s Military Families
Joining Forces 2.0: Serving America’s Military Families In early January, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden announced the relaunch of the Joining Forces initiative, a program which aims to provide support for service members, veterans, and their families. Originally the brainchild of then-First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden during the Obama administration in 2011,… Read more »
VA Expects to Open Vaccine to All Veterans by May 1
VA Expects to Open Vaccine to All Veterans by May 1 In an article reported first by Military.com, The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is surging towards a goal of May 1st, 2021, to greatly enhance the possibility to vaccinate more than 24 million veterans, their spouses, or caregivers. This is a result of President… Read more »
VA Funds Adaptive Sports
VA Funds Adaptive Sports The Department of Veteran’s Affairs provides grant funding to organizations that offer adaptive sports and therapeutic recreation for veterans with disabilities and service members. In 2020, nearly $15 million were awarded to organizations serving approximately 13,000 veterans and service members. Programs provided services such as cycling, kayaking, archery, skiing, and equine… Read more »
Moratorium Extended on Evictions & Foreclosures
The VA has announced that it is extending the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until June 30, 2021 due to COVID-19.
3 Things to Know About the VA’s New Electronic Health Record
On October 24th, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implemented its new electronic health record (EHR) system at selected sites in the Pacific Northwest. The system is designed to improve how physicians store and manage patient information concerning visits, test results, prescriptions, and other crucial information. If it changes for our care providers, rest assured that it will change the way we access our health data online as well.
How to File VA Disability Claims
Filing a claim with the VA is notoriously difficult. Here are some tips on how to file your VA disability claim to help make it easier.
Legislation Improves Access to Care for Veterans
Phrases like “Access is Power” are burned into the ears of anyone who has ever waited on hold trying to schedule an appointment through the TRICARE system. Access to care is a profoundly important aspect of healthcare. Veterans’ Access to Care to Improve with New Legislation When healthcare services are not easily accessible, they are… Read more »
Disabled Veterans May Get Expanded Retirement Benefits
A bipartisan push in Congress could provide nearly 42,000 combat-injured veterans with expanded retirement benefits. They would be eligible to receive both disability compensation and retired pay. The bill, if passed, would allow disabled veterans who were medically retired before serving 20 years to receive their full military benefits.
Legislation Improves VA Caregiver Programs: TEAM Veteran Caregivers Act
The VA offers many resources for caregivers of veterans. These programs support some of the most important members of veteran’s clinical care teams – caregivers. Reports of veterans and caregivers losing access to these valuable resources have recently led to the Transparency and Effective Accountability Measures (TEAM) for Veteran Caregivers Act.
2022 Defense Budget Proposal: What It Means For You
NDAA 2022: Defense Budget Proposal and 2021 Updates The White House has requested almost $270 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs budget for 2022. This is a 10% increase from 2021. This does include a discretionary budget request of $117.2 billion with medical care collections, and a mandatory funding request of $152.7 billion. **… Read more »
Top Podcasts for Military, Veterans and Their Families
Popular Podcasts for the Military Community If this past year has done anything for the seeking of entertainment, it’s driven people to find new and interesting ways to occupy themselves. One such way to absorb yourself in a welcomed distraction, possibly learn new things, and potentially multi-task at the same time is to listen to… Read more »
3 Big Military Spouse Professional Advocacy Networks
Learn about some of the many advocacy groups on a mission to help military spouses break through these barriers and learn skills to advocate for themselves.
VA Benefits for Family Members, Survivors, and Family Caregivers
Do you know about all of the VA benefits you and your loved ones may qualify for? This list can help you make sure you’re not missing out on health care, life insurance, or financial assistance. If you’re receiving benefits, there are resources to help you learn more about how to manage those benefits.
Financial Assistance for Your Military Child’s Remote Learning
Families who are still having to participate in virtual learning or the hybrid form have had to shift their expenses to include the extra costs for their children. These expenses may include laptops, tablets, headphones, or other supplies. If you and your family need assistance, it’s best to check if you are able to receive financial support through the military relief society.
Top 10 Most Affordable States for Veterans
Whether you retired out of the military or separated before retirement you will want to make sure to live in a state where your money will go far. So, we’ve compiled a list of the Top 10 most affordable states to live after your military service.
IAVA Pushing For Reclassification of Marijuana
IAVA is bringing focus to the positive uses of marijuana, specifically in the potential therapeutic treatment of PTSD. In early October of last year, they refiled an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit urging the challenging of the DEA’s restrictive classification of cannabis.
VA Begins COVID-19 Vaccination
Vaccinating a huge population, like veterans, requires strategic planning and collaboration between organizations to ensure the vaccines are distributed safely and effectively. The VA released a COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to do just that in Dec 2020. Important aspects of this plan are summarized in the following article.
Solid Start: Helping Veterans Transition to Civilian Life
In December 2019, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implemented the Solid Start program aimed at providing “a consistent, caring contact between service members and VA to guide them through understanding and using the benefits and resources available to them.”
VA Offers Specialized Assistance for Transitioning Female Service Members
VA Offering Specialized Assistance for Female Service Members Transitioning to Civilian Life There is a long history of underrepresentation for women in the military. Even with the more recent creation of female-driven support and services, there is still a lack of utilization of those benefits. In collaboration with the Department of Defense, the VA has… Read more »
VA Auto Allowance for Adaptive Equipment
Allowance for Auto with Adaptive Equipment from VA Few things diminish your freedom and independence like being unable to drive. If a service-related (service-connected) disability has impacted your ability to drive, you may be eligible for an allowance to buy adaptive equipment designed to help you get back on the road. Find out if you… Read more »
Military Benefits Changes for 2021
Military and veterans’ benefits changes that have been announced for 2021 for TRICARE, military pay, BAH, BAS, COLA, Social Security, TSP and more!
New 2021 Military Retiree and VA Disability Pay Increase!
Military retirees who receive some disability or other benefit from the Department of Veteran Affairs will have a very pleasant surprise greeting them in the upcoming year. They will see a 1.3% increase in their monthly checks starting in 2021!
PREVENTing Suicide and REACH Public Health Campaign
PREVENTing Suicide September was Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This September, progress was made in several pieces of legislation addressing suicide prevention. Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act Veterans COMPACT Act The Brandon Act In an executive summary of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, a somber… Read more »
Veterans’ Other-Than-Honorable Discharge Lawsuit
The eras of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars has led to an increase of veterans with mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). And since Sept. 11, 2001, over 150,000 soldiers have been discharged from the Army with a less-than-honorable discharge. By receiving these discharges, these veterans no longer have access to government benefits that would help them with their mental health. Instead of assistance, many veterans have faced unemployment, substance abuse, or homelessness. A new lawsuit hopes to provide some of them with upgraded discharge statuses to get them the help and services they need.
Childcare Options for Military Families
Childcare: Today’s Hottest Commodity for Military Families In today’s chaotic world of pandemic shut downs, more and more Americans are trying to get back to work. Our military community, many of whom were deemed essential as civilians were furloughed, have also faced concerns over the waning availability of childcare. Last August, the Department of Defense… Read more »
National Parks Now Free for Veterans and Gold Star Families
The federal government, as of Veterans Day 2020, will grant free access to National Parks and other federal lands to veterans and Gold Star Families. Entrance fees and standard recreation fees will be waived allowing them access to 2,000 locations under a new initiative from the Department of Interior.
VA Caregiver Program Expanded
Expansion of VA Caregiver Program Now Includes Caregivers from All Eras Originally available only to caregivers of post 9/11 veterans, the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) began its first phase of expansion on October 1st, 2020. Over the next two years, this VA service will become available to caregivers of veterans from… Read more »
VA Support and Resources for Caregivers
Playing the role of a caregiver – and the mountain of responsibilities that come with it – can be overwhelming. Caregivers of veterans can easily identify resources through the VA Caregiver Support Website and Caregiver Support Coordinators. A plethora of resources for caregivers is summarized here.
Free Starbucks Coffee for Veterans & Military on Veterans Day
On November 4th, Starbucks announced that they will offer a free cup of coffee for all veterans and military members and their spouses this Veterans Day, November 11th, 2020.
8 States with Underused Outdoor Recreation Benefits for Veterans
If you are a member of the military community, and you love hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation, then you do not want to miss these awesome state benefits! The following states report that these state benefits are the most unused each year.
4 States to Find Untapped Land & Housing Benefits
If you are a veteran and you are from, or live in, one of the following states, then you may have overlooked some really great state benefits dealing with land and housing.
These 4 States Offer Licensing Benefits for Veterans
The following three states have programs for veterans that either revolve around occupational licensing or veteran designations on their drivers licenses. Unfortunately, many veterans are not taking advantage of them. Take a look.
Overlooked Financial Benefits for Veterans in These 6 States
I don’t know about you, but it seems like we can all use some help these days. With the pandemic still affecting huge swaths of our country, money has been tight. For this reason, I’d like to call your attention to 6 states that offer overlooked financial benefits to their resident veterans.
Celebrate the National Day of the Deployed
National Day of the Deployed is a day which honors the sacrifices that deployed service members and their families have made and continue to make in defense of our country. This day is celebrated yearly on October 26th.
USPS Holiday Shipping Dates 2020
Many in our military community have just moved or are moving overseas, which can further complicate shipping times when it comes to sending gifts and care packages. The best guidance available is from the United States Postal Service (USPS), who have just published their recommended holiday shipping dates to best ensure deliveries before December 25, 2020.
How Does VA Healthcare Compare to Non-VA Healthcare?
Did you know that the VA is the largest healthcare provider in the US? In any health care system – especially one that serves millions of Veterans – ensuring timely access to high-quality healthcare services is extremely important. Recent research shows that VA healthcare is comparable to healthcare provided at non-VA hospitals.
VA Tackles Backlog of Claims Inventory
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) has improved procedures by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce the time it takes to process in-coming mail from 10 days down to one.
VA Moves Its Travel Reimbursement System Online with AccessVA
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is making it easier for veterans and eligible beneficiaries to submit travel claims for traveling to receive medical care. AccessVA will be online filing system for travel reimbursement moving forward.
New DoD ID for Families and Retirees
Beginning on July 31, 2020, the Department of Defense (DoD) began issuing a new form of ID for family members and military retirees to access service benefits and privileges. They are transitioning away from the paper-based ID card to a more secure one similar to the Common Access Card (CAC) issued to active military, Selected Reserve, members, and Defense civilian employees.
VA Evaluates Environmental Hazards and Cancer Risk
It’s no secret that hazards exist during military service. The VA continuously evaluates the link between environmental hazard exposure and risk for diseases. They do this by compiling data in six Environmental Health Registries. Learn more about these registries.
VA Partners with OnStar in Suicide Prevention
VA Partners with OnStar in Suicide Prevention The VA recently announced a new partnership with OnStar emergency services. The goal of the partnership is to improve access to suicide prevention resources for Veterans. Suicide among our Veteran population produces alarming statistics. Over 6,000 Veterans die by suicide each year Suicide rates among Veterans are 1.5… Read more »
Military Gets Free Assistance Finding Child Care
Military Gets Free Assistance Finding Child Care The demands of military service pose unique challenges when it comes to raising kids. Covid-19 has added another layer of challenges. Whether your family is preparing for a deployment, resettling after a PCS move, moving your child into new age level of care, or are among the many… Read more »
Free Yoga for Veterans
Did you know that yoga has the potential to improve chronic low back pain, PTSD symptoms, and insomnia? As a veteran, you likely have access to free classes and can benefit from yoga – which may aid your general well-being even if you don’t suffer from back pain or PTSD.
TRICARE to Provide Free Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain
TRICARE beneficiaries in select states who have a documented diagnosis of low back pain will receive three free physical therapy visits. The goal of the demonstration is to determine whether waiving physical therapy cost-sharing will incentivize more beneficiaries to attend physical therapy, which may in turn reduce overall healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.
VA Partnership to Expand Lung Cancer Screenings
The VA recently announced a new partnership to increase awareness and expand resources for lung cancer screening for veterans. This is big news because cancer is more prevalent among veterans than the general population.