Government Offered Veterans Benefits
It’s important that a variety of programs and services are offered to assist our veterans. The Veterans Benefits Administration, through the US Department of Veterans Affairs, was established to provide assistance in education, health care, home loans, pensions, insurance, disability, employment, and vocational training, and more. Below, we’ll explore some government offered veterans benefits that may be able to help you or a family member.
Transition
After you’re discharged from military service, the VA has a transition service to help you navigate your way through civilian life following service called TAP. Military Life Cycle (MLC) resources can help with the following: Benefits, social and emotional recovery resources, survivor and casualty assistance, education, home loans, life insurance programs, and more.
Education
There are quite a few training, tuition, and certification programs available through the VA. Some of the programs that can be taken advantage of are as follows:
- Montgomery GI Bill - Provides education assistance to veterans after service. This can include covering costs of college degrees or training in non-college degree programs, such as EMT and HVAC Repair.
- Entrepreneurship Training - Offers assistance and educational resources to start a business after service.
- Licensing and Certification - Assistance by way of covering testing costs is offered for those wishing to be licensed or certified as a therapist, med tech, mechanic, and more.
Home Loans
The VA offers assistance in obtaining housing in a variety of programs. Below are some of the programs that can be utilized for assistance:
- VA Home Loans - This program can offer 100% financing to veterans seeking to secure a mortgage to purchase a home and assist in refinancing a current home loan.
- Specially Adapted Housing Grant - With this grant, veterans with disabilities can secure housing that fits their needs, develop land to fit their needs, or remodel existing homes to fit their needs.
- Native American Direct Loan - This program assists Native American veterans and their families in using their home loan guaranty benefit on Federal Trust Land. Purchase, construction, and improvement of homes can be obtained through this program.
Life Insurance
Veterans who are looking for life insurance and even financial counseling and will assistance for beneficiaries can utilize the VA for assistance. Below are some of the programs available:
- Life Insurance - Life insurance benefits can be obtained for veterans, active duty, and related families through this program.
- Beneficiary Financial Counseling and Online Will Preparation Services - No cost beneficiary and will preparation services are made available through the VA.
Employment
Various programs though the VA have been established to assist veterans in finding employment following service. Below are some programs that can help:
- Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) - Through this program veterans can get the training needed to find employment and access services earned. Businesses are also encouraged to hire veterans through this program.
- Independent Living - For veterans who are unable to seek employment due to service-related injuries, the Individualized Independent Living Plan can help with counseling, education, medical coordination, home modifications, and more.
Pension
Supplemental income, or pensions, are available for veterans and their families to help with financial burdens.
- Veterans Pensions - With this program veterans and their families can receive supplemental income if they were active during wartime. Pension income is tax free.
- Survivors Pensions - Also known as the Death Pension, this is a tax free supplemental income benefit that is made available to low-income spouses and children of deceased wartime veterans. Benefits are only available to the spouse and children while they remain unmarried.