Veterans and military men in the United States have access to the most comprehensive system of assistance. According to a study conducted in 2006, 9.4 million military veterans receive Social Security benefits, amounting to nearly one in four Social Security recipients.
When serving in the uniformed services of the United States, including the National Guard Reserve, you may be eligible for VA benefits both during and after service.
Here is a list of benefits available to all military men. Make the most of your earned and deserved benefits.
Services For Relocation Assistance
To assist Soldiers and their families in adapting to rotations and transfers, the Army Community Service offers several unique programs. A Relocation Readiness Program, for instance, assists military families with challenges associated with relocating permanently. Through all phases of the relocation process, families are offered counseling, education, and training.
Health Care Services
Among the services offered are hospitalization, outpatient medical care, dentistry, pharmacy, and prosthetics. Women veterans can also receive specialized health care and alcohol and drug dependency treatment. In addition, a medical evaluation may be required for disorders related to Gulf War service, contact with Agent Orange, asbestos, radiation, or other environmental hazards.
For those veterans who have been exposed to asbestos and are diagnosed with a lifelong illness, Mesothelioma Veterans Center offers free support to them and their families. Whether they need help with VA benefits, treatments, or legal options, their VA-accredited claims agents will help you every step of the way.
Pensions & Compensation
If you are at least 10% disabled by your military service, VA can pay you monthly compensation. In addition, if you are a wartime veteran with a limited income, permanently disabled, or at least 65 years old, you can receive a monthly pension.
Services For Managing Money
Military personnel can receive financial education and counseling through financial readiness programs. Soldiers are taught money management, financial planning, and insurance, as well as consumer counseling.
Resources For Homeless Veterans
The Veterans Affairs Homeless Veterans Initiative was established to prevent and end homelessness among veterans. Some VA services for homeless veterans include health care, housing, job training, and education.
Loans And Mortgages For Homes
For eligible veterans and military personnel, as well as surviving spouses, the VA offers a variety of home loan services.
Military Family Support & Advocacy Services
Army spouses and families have access to a variety of family advocacy programs, from new parent support groups to abuse prevention classes.
Assistance With Legal Matters
All Army posts have a Legal Assistance Center where walk-in services are provided for free. In addition to providing legal advice, the attorney staff specializes in reviewing contracts and leases, and preparing wills, correspondence, and other legal documents. Tax centers run by Legal Assistance Centers offer free income tax preparation services and online filing for military personnel, their dependents, and retired military members.
Services Related To Deployment
Briefings are provided to soldiers and their families prior to deployment and during reunions as part of the Mobilization and Deployment Support program. The program offers classes on topics such as budgeting, communicating with children, and preparing wills. Families are urged to join Soldier and Family Readiness Groups and remain in contact with the deployed unit’s rear detachment.
Benefits To Family Caregivers
There are a number of VA services that can assist Caregivers in getting the support they need. Families of Veterans injured post-9/11 may qualify for additional services from VA, including stipends and comprehensive training. They also get medical coverage through VA if they do not already have insurance.
Parental Benefits
Providing parental benefits to soldiers improves the quality of life, promotes flexibility, and allows them to stay in the Army and advance their careers while raising a family. Some of the support options available are:
- Paid Leaves:
Up to 12 weeks of paid leave is available for first-time parents, including biological parents, same-sex couples, adoptions, and surrogates.
- Maternity Care:
Pregnancy, delivery, and six weeks postpartum are all covered under the Army’s medical services, treatments, and care.
- Fertility Treatment:
If a soldier or their spouse wishes to pursue fertility treatment, they are allowed to remain at their current base for a maximum of two years.
- Convalescent Leave:
When a soldier or their spouse suffers a miscarriage or stillbirth, they are entitled to 42 days of paid medical leave.
- Family and New Parent Support Program:
In addition to home visits, parenting classes, and playgroups, the program is staffed by nurses, social workers, and home visitation specialists.
- Lactation Accommodations:
Lactation breaks are provided in designated areas every two to three hours. This policy is applied as long as the soldier is nursing.
- Deferments:
After the birth, adoption, or long-term foster care placement of a child, parents may be excused from deployments, field training, and temporary duty assignments for up to a year.
- Additional Support:
Besides temporary exemptions from physical fitness and body composition tests, Soldiers are also entitled to temporary exemptions during pregnancy.
There are also special dress uniforms for pregnant women and postpartum women to ensure their comfort during these times. Additionally, both officers and warrant officers can take and graduate from Professional Military Education classes while pregnant.
Child & Youth Services
Child-care programs for Army families are provided by the Army Child and Youth Services. However, the Army generally charges child care costs according to rank and pay grade.
There are a variety of programs available, from daycare services to fitness and sports classes.
- For children between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years, child development centers offer full-day, part-day, and hourly care.
- Children are cared for in family child-care homes in government quarters and off-post residences on a full day basis, on an hourly basis, for extended hours, and for longer periods over time.
- School-age services also offer summer camps along with before- and after-school care.
- The middle school and teen program focus on sports, fitness, life skills, leadership, arts, recreation, mentoring, and education for youth in grades six through twelve.
- Programs include team sports, individual sports, fitness, and outreach for children up to 18 years old.
- In addition to school transition support, instruction programs, youth sponsorship, and home-school support, youth education support services are also available.
- Among the outreach programs are referrals to off-post child-care programs, parent co-ops, and trained babysitters for evening hourly care.
Army Morale, Welfare, And Recreation Program
Soldiers and their families are also provided with a variety of leisure and support services by the U.S. Army.
With the Army Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program, military members and their families can enjoy a wide range of activities, including sports, recreation, and travel.
Crisis Management
Whether you are a Veteran experiencing a crisis or you are worried about one, caring and experienced VA professionals are waiting to offer compassionate and confidential assistance.
PTSD
Similar to other service-related injuries and diseases, the VA provides monthly compensation to veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Vocational Rehab and Employment Services
Veterans with disabilities related to their service can receive assistance from VA in preparing for, finding, and keeping a job that is suitable for them. Additionally, they are also offered services aimed at making their lives as independent as possible.
GI Bill Educational Benefits
The VA provides benefits to eligible veterans, reservists, and active-duty service members during approved education or training programs.
Life Insurance Policies For Military Men
VGLI is a renewable life insurance policy for veterans interested in converting their SGLI to an amount equal to their separation benefit.
RH coverage is available to service-connected veterans who are disabled. The maximum amount of coverage is $10,000. However, depending on the level of disability, some may qualify for a $20,000 supplemental policy.
Resources For Dependents & Survivors
Certain survivors are entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
Conclusion
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides health care services to active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families.
The government provides valuable support services along with their salaries, education, and housing benefits. These include support groups, counseling, and training. Many services are available for free or at a reduced price.
Now that you’ve fulfilled your commitment, it’s up to the government to follow through.