VA benefits VA benefits can affect can affect you now, you now,

andand for the for the restrest

Of your Of your life…life…

3

VETERANS CENTER #14d VETERANS CENTER #14d (page 11)(page 11)

PTSD, sexual trauma and bereavement PTSD, sexual trauma and bereavement counseling for veteran and familiescounseling for veteran and families

WWW.VA.gov/rcsWWW.VA.gov/rcs

Opened across the nation in Opened across the nation in 19781978

GWOTs satellite centers GWOTs satellite centers

VA HOME LOAN GUARANTY #15d (page VA HOME LOAN GUARANTY #15d (page 47)47)

No down payment Limitations on

closing costs The right to prepay

without penalty Funding Fee (Fee

ranges from .5% to 3.35%, depending on loan type and if first time or subsequent user)

Special assistance for veterans experiencing difficulty in making loan payments

Some Reasons for a Some Reasons for a VA Home LoanVA Home Loan

Buy a homeBuy a home Build a homeBuild a home Refinance existing loan Refinance existing loan Repair, alter, or improve a homeRepair, alter, or improve a home Use only for property located in the Use only for property located in the

US, its territories or possessionsUS, its territories or possessions

6

Some Requirements & Some Requirements & InformationInformation

Must occupy the property as your home within a reasonable period of time

Maximum loan – generally, lenders limit the maximum VA loan to 4 times the VA guaranty amount. Currently, this results in amounts ranging from $417,000 to $729,750 (These amounts can change yearly)

Veterans and some spouseswww.homeloans.va.gov

EligibilityEligibility

Generally, must serve 24 months of Generally, must serve 24 months of continuous active duty or the full period continuous active duty or the full period for which called or ordered to active for which called or ordered to active dutyduty

Service must be at least 90 days during a Service must be at least 90 days during a period of war (181 during peacetime), period of war (181 during peacetime), unless discharged earlier due to a unless discharged earlier due to a service connected disability*service connected disability*

Certificate of Eligibility (COE) required for Certificate of Eligibility (COE) required for home loan processhome loan process

* Currently-it is still the “Gulf War” period* Currently-it is still the “Gulf War” period

EligibilityEligibility

Must update Loan Certificate upon Must update Loan Certificate upon separation/dischargeseparation/discharge

Apply for COE by completing VA Form Apply for COE by completing VA Form 26-1880 and submitting to Eligibility 26-1880 and submitting to Eligibility Center at P.O. Box 20729, Winston-Center at P.O. Box 20729, Winston-Salem, NC 27120Salem, NC 27120

OR, have your lender apply online OR, have your lender apply online through the VA Portal – through the VA Portal – www.vip.vba.va.gov

(continued)(continued)

9

It’s a new generation.It’s a new generation.

1010

Department of Veterans Department of Veterans Affairs #17/#18bAffairs #17/#18b

Compensation for Service-Compensation for Service-Connected Disabilities (page 23)Connected Disabilities (page 23)Benefit paid for incurred injuries and Benefit paid for incurred injuries and

diseases while on active dutydiseases while on active duty PrimaryPrimary SecondarySecondary PresumptivePresumptive Form 21-256Form 21-256

http://www.vba.va.govhttp://www.vba.va.gov

A service-connected disability is a disease or A service-connected disability is a disease or injury incurred or aggravated while on active injury incurred or aggravated while on active

duty. The disability doesduty. The disability does not not have to be combat have to be combat or wartime related.or wartime related.

COMPENSATIONCOMPENSATIONIssues related to Iraq & Afghanistan Issues related to Iraq & Afghanistan ServiceService

TBI/Headaches

Heart Burn/GERD

Post traumatic stress (including the result of sexual trauma)

Positive TB Test

1313

VA DISABILITY VA DISABILITY COMPENSATIONCOMPENSATION

o Disabilities are rated from 0% to 100%

o VA rating is independent of any military rating

o Payments begin with 10% ratingso Additional allowance for

dependents with 30% or higher rating

Consider working with a Service Consider working with a Service Organization — VFW, AL, DAV, Organization — VFW, AL, DAV, MOPD, PVA, etc.MOPD, PVA, etc.

(CONTINUED)(CONTINUED)

Specially adapted homes **Specially adapted homes ** $60,000$60,000 grant for cost of building, buying, remodeling, grant for cost of building, buying, remodeling, or paying indebtedness on home already acquiredor paying indebtedness on home already acquired Grant for actual cost, up to Grant for actual cost, up to $12,000$12,000, for adaptations to , for adaptations to residence determined by VA to be necessaryresidence determined by VA to be necessary

COMPENSATION - COMPENSATION - RELATED BENEFITSRELATED BENEFITS

**For certain types of disability**For certain types of disabilityFor certain cases of serious For certain cases of serious disability, and may be used while disability, and may be used while on active dutyon active duty

** For certain cases of serious disability, and may be used while on active duty

*** For 100% disability cases

Automobile grant Automobile grant ($11,000) and ($11,000) and adaptive adaptive equipment**equipment**

(CONTINUED)(CONTINUED)

COMPENSATION - COMPENSATION - RELATED BENEFITSRELATED BENEFITS

Military Military commissary & commissary & exchange exchange privileges***privileges***

PENSIONPENSION

PensionPensionEligibility RequirementsEligibility Requirements At least 90 days of active military service

(generally, 24 months for enlistments after September 7, 1980)

At least one day of wartime service (combat service not required)

Totally & permanently disabled, or attained age 65

Within income limits to qualify for this benefit

1818

VA Medical and Dental VA Medical and Dental #17#17

Veterans who served in the active military, naval or air service and

who were discharged or released under conditions other

than dishonorable

Former Reservists who served full-time and for operational or

support (excludes training purposes)

Former National Guard members if mobilized by a

Federal order

EligibilityEligibilityMost veterans who enlisted in the Most veterans who enlisted in the

Armed Forces after 9/7/80 must Armed Forces after 9/7/80 must have completed:have completed:

24 months continuous active 24 months continuous active service, orservice, or

the full period for which they the full period for which they were called or ordered to active were called or ordered to active dutyduty

A service-connected condition is A service-connected condition is not necessary to receive VA not necessary to receive VA health carehealth care

(continued)(continued)

Veterans of Operations Veterans of Operations EnduringEnduring

& Iraqi Freedom & Iraqi Freedom (page 3 & 4)(page 3 & 4)VA provides free health care VA provides free health care

for: for:

Veterans who served on Veterans who served on active duty in a theater of active duty in a theater of combat operations after combat operations after November 11, 1998, for November 11, 1998, for any illness possibly related any illness possibly related to their service in that to their service in that theater.theater.A veteran has five years from date of

discharge from active duty, if discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003.

Dental Dental (page 17)(page 17)

Care provided:Care provided: GenerallyGenerally, for any service-, for any service-

connected conditionconnected condition While participating in VA While participating in VA

vocational rehabilitation vocational rehabilitation programprogram

For veterans in some other For veterans in some other categories; e.g., former categories; e.g., former prisoners of warprisoners of war

DentalDentalFor recently separated veteransFor recently separated veterans

who served for 90 days or more, and who served for 90 days or more, and who apply within 180 days of who apply within 180 days of

separationseparation

Note: This is for one time treatment of dental conditions if the veteran’s separation document does not indicate that necessary dental care was received within 90 days prior to release or discharge

(continued)(continued)

2323

ENROLLMENTENROLLMENTTo receive VA health care, a veteran To receive VA health care, a veteran

must enroll must enroll in the VA health care in the VA health care system unless:system unless: veteran has a 50% or more service-

connected VA disability rating less than one year has passed since veteran

was discharged from the military for a disability that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty but VA has not yet rated the veteran is seeking care for a service-

connected disability

Once enrolled, veteran will be assigned to one of 8 priority Once enrolled, veteran will be assigned to one of 8 priority groups. Depending on veteran’s status, a co-payment for groups. Depending on veteran’s status, a co-payment for services may be requiredservices may be required

24

EDUCATION BENEFITSEDUCATION BENEFITS (page (page 33)33)

1-888-GI Bill 1 (1-888-442-4551)Information Is Available 24 Hours a Day/ 7 Days a Week

CHP 30 Montgomery GI BillCHP 30 Montgomery GI Bill

CHP 33 Post 911 GI BillCHP 33 Post 911 GI Bill

CHP 31 Voc. RehabCHP 31 Voc. Rehab

MGIB-AD - GeneralMGIB-AD - Generalo Eligibility based, in part, on active

military service

o Up to 36 months of benefitsUp to 36 months of benefits

o Benefits payable for up to 10 years following release from active duty

o Various education and training program Various education and training program ooptionsptions

o May be used while on active duty

(continued(continued))Required:Required:

Character of service must be Character of service must be honorable honorable

A high school diploma or A high school diploma or equivalent prior to applyingequivalent prior to applying

Benefits may be used for:Benefits may be used for:College courses leading to a College courses leading to a

degreedegreeBusiness/technical/vocational Business/technical/vocational

courscourseses leading to a certificate or leading to a certificate or diplomadiploma

MGIB-AD - GeneralMGIB-AD - General

Tests for a license or certificationTests for a license or certification Apprenticeship or on-the-job training Apprenticeship or on-the-job training

programsprograms Correspondence coursesCorrespondence courses Foreign schools Foreign schools (degree programs only)(degree programs only)

Entrepreneurship coursesEntrepreneurship courses

Flight training Flight training (need private pilot license (need private pilot license first)first)

Tutorial assistance Tutorial assistance (if shown to be (if shown to be necessary)necessary)

MGIB-AD - GeneralMGIB-AD - General(continued(continued

))

The Post-9/11 The Post-9/11 GI BillGI Bill

Chapter 33, Title 38Chapter 33, Title 38United States CodeUnited States Code

Eligibility CriteriaEligibility CriteriaIndividuals who served on active duty Individuals who served on active duty

after 09/10/01 will be eligible for the after 09/10/01 will be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill if the individual —Post-9/11 GI Bill if the individual —

Served at least 30 continuous days and was discharged due to a service-connected disability,

Served for an aggregate period ranging from 90 days to 36 months.or

Individuals will generally receive 36 Individuals will generally receive 36 months of benefits. However, months of benefits. However, individuals are limited to 48 months of individuals are limited to 48 months of combined benefits under educational combined benefits under educational assistance programs administered by assistance programs administered by VA. VA.

In general, individuals can receive In general, individuals can receive benefits for 15 years from the date of benefits for 15 years from the date of last discharge or release from active last discharge or release from active duty of 90 days or more.duty of 90 days or more.

(continued)(continued)Eligibility CriteriaEligibility Criteria

NOTE: Individuals transferring to the Post-9/11 GI Bill from the Montgomery GI Bill (chapter 30) will be limited to the amount of remaining chapter 30 entitlement.

Benefit PaymentsBenefit PaymentsIndividuals are eligible for the applicable percentage (based Individuals are eligible for the applicable percentage (based

on aggregate active duty service) of the lesser ofon aggregate active duty service) of the lesser of

Monthly Housing Monthly Housing AllowanceAllowance

– Amount determined by zip code of Amount determined by zip code of the IHL where the student is enrolledthe IHL where the student is enrolled

– Prorated based on the percentage of Prorated based on the percentage of the maximum benefit payablethe maximum benefit payable

– Active duty and anyone training at ½ Active duty and anyone training at ½ time or less, and those pursuing time or less, and those pursuing distance learning are not eligible for distance learning are not eligible for the monthly housing allowancethe monthly housing allowance

Equivalent to Basic Allowance for Equivalent to Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E5 with Housing (BAH) for an E5 with dependentsdependents

Books and Supplies Books and Supplies StipendStipend

Up to a $1,000 per year Paid proportionally for each

quarter, semester, or term attended Prorated based on the percentage

of the maximum benefit payable Active duty members are not

eligible

WWW.GIBILL.VA.GOVCall 1-888-442-4551

3434

DTAP OVERVIEW #18aDTAP OVERVIEW #18a (Page 79)(Page 79)

Provides information on VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program as well as other programs for the disabled.

Voc Rehab:Voc Rehab:

* * Service Connected DisabilitiesService Connected Disabilities

* * Employment Program/OutcomeEmployment Program/Outcome

Chapter 31 Preview:Chapter 31 Preview:

36

What Is Vocational What Is Vocational Rehabilitation?Rehabilitation?

(page 23)(page 23)

www.vetsuccess.gov

Vocational Rehabilitation / Chapter 31:Title 38, USCTitle 38, USC

Designed to assist disabled veterans in qualifying for and obtaining suitable, entry level employment.

37

Do you qualify?Do you qualify?Armed Forces service member who has a 20% or Armed Forces service member who has a 20% or

higher memorandum rating from the VA.higher memorandum rating from the VA.

Or a Veteran who has:Or a Veteran who has:– a 10% Final Rating from VA, or a 10% Final Rating from VA, or

– a 20% or higher Memorandum Rating from VAa 20% or higher Memorandum Rating from VA

– applied for and completed the VR&E program within 12 applied for and completed the VR&E program within 12

years of VA notification of eligibilityyears of VA notification of eligibility

– a discharge other than dishonorablea discharge other than dishonorable

A service member or veteran must also have an A service member or veteran must also have an

employment handicapemployment handicap

38

Use of two benefitsUse of two benefits

You may not use GI Bill and You may not use GI Bill and Chapter 31 at the same time. Chapter 31 at the same time.

Voc Rehab/Chapter 31 can Voc Rehab/Chapter 31 can make 48 months of make 48 months of entitlement availableentitlement available

39

HOW DO YOU GET HOW DO YOU GET VOC REHAB SERVICES?VOC REHAB SERVICES?

Entitlement is not automatic. Employment Handicap Serious Employment Handicap

If eligible, you must participate in an If eligible, you must participate in an evaluation with a counselorevaluation with a counselor

A VA counselor must make several A VA counselor must make several decisions related to aptitude, decisions related to aptitude, interests, abilities, education, current interests, abilities, education, current situations, history, etc…situations, history, etc…

40

VR&E ProgramsVR&E Programs

Five Tracks To EmploymentFive Tracks To Employment

41

RE-EMPLOYMENTRE-EMPLOYMENT

DoDo you want to return to you want to return to a former civilian job?a former civilian job?

CanCan you return to your you return to your former civilian jobformer civilian job

VR&E can help you understand your rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act (USERRA) of 1994

42

RAPID ACCESS TO RAPID ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENT

43

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT THROUGH LONG TERM THROUGH LONG TERM

SERVICESSERVICESFor those who need For those who need

specialized training and/or specialized training and/or educationeducationDo you need to be re-trained?Do you need to be re-trained?

OJT Apprenticeships Internships Job Shadowing Higher Education

VR&E provides valuable services such as:

44

SELF-EMPLOYMENTSELF-EMPLOYMENT

VR&E assistance varies based on severity of disability

VR&E assistance varies based on severity of disability

4545

INDEPENDENT LIVINGINDEPENDENT LIVING

For those who can’t go to work right now.

Are you so severely disabled that you can’t go to work right now?

VR&E can help!VR&E can help!

46

• Tuition and FeesTuition and Fees

• Books and SuppliesBooks and Supplies

• EquipmentEquipment

• LoansLoans

• Subsistence Allowance:Subsistence Allowance:– Single = $547.54

– 1 Dep = $679.18

– 2 Dep = $800.36

– Each additional dependant = $58.34

Financial BenefitFinancial Benefit

47

Other Services While Other Services While Participating In Voc Participating In Voc RehabRehab

MedicalMedical

DentalDental

OpticalOptical

Mental Mental HealthHealthTreatmentTreatment

Vet Vet CentersCenters

Specially Specially AdaptedAdaptedHousingHousing

Vocational/EducationalVocational/EducationalCounselingCounseling

Special Special HiringHiringAuthorityAuthority

48

QUESTIONS?