10 Veterans Benefits You May Not Know About

Many veterans know about the basic health care and education benefits available to them through the Department of Veterans Affairs: Tricare and the GI Bill.­­­ While these benefits alone are substantial, numerous other programs help provide more benefits to veterans and their families. Even within the health care and education programs are little-known benefits to improve the lives of veterans and help ease the financial burden of medical care or other expenses. Here are 10 veterans benefits you haven’t heard about that all veterans should see if they qualify for.

Long-term Care

Long-term care is expensive, but often necessary. Through the Aid and Attendance program, many veterans are eligible to receive money to cover the cost of nursing homes, assisted living programs and other long-term care options. With the ability for couples to receive up to $25,020 a year, the Aid & Attendance benefit will help take care of a significant portion of long-term care costs. Surviving spouses of veterans are also eligible to receive up to $13,560 a year to cover their long-term care costs.

Caregiver Support

If you choose to take care of an ailing Veteran at home, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a caregiver support program. While this program does not offer financial support to caregivers, it does provide access to a free support line and a caregiver support coordinator to help identify and navigate military benefits.

Death Benefits

When a veteran dies, families have a few unique benefits available to them. You can request a flag to drape over the casket and a Presidential Memorial Certificate to honor your loved ones’ service. The Department of Veterans Affairs also provides free headstones or grave markers.

Non-College Degree Programs/Certificates

You can use the Montgomery or Post 9-11 GI Bill to pay for college credits as well as vocational training or certification programs. These include:

• HVAC repair
• Truck driving
• Emergency medical training
• Cosmetology school
• SCUBA Divemaster certifications
• Flight School

Other non-college degree programs are available through the VET TEC program which offers “accelerated training in coding boot camps” or similar information science programs, software training, etc. Lastly, there are several free IT certifications available to veterans.

Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program

If you have a service-connected disability rating from the VA of at least 10% or are on active duty and waiting to be medically discharged, you may be eligible for the Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program.

The purpose of the VR&E program is to help veterans with service-connected disabilities obtain employment support and services. VR&E offers job and education benefits in addition to other programs you may be eligible for with the VA, including the GI Bill. VR&E services include job training, resume  development, apprenticeships and more.

Within the VR&E, some veterans may receive access to the VR&E Special Employer Incentives program, which pays employers an incentive to hire disabled veterans who face employment-related challenges. If you have a service-connected disability, you can apply for VR&E here.

Transferring GI Bill® Credits

You can transfer your unused GI Bill credits to spouses and dependents, as long as you meet certain service requirements.

Free Tax Preparation

Veterans and their family have access to free tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance offices on military bases. VITA’s tax professionals understand complicated tax issues related to the military lifestyle.

Life Insurance

Many veterans have trouble obtaining traditional life insurance, especially with a service-connected injury or disability. Through the Veterans’ Group Life Insurance program, veterans may be eligible to receive up to $400,000 in life insurance at competitive premium rates. You must apply within a year plus 120 days of leaving military service, according to the VA.  Don’t wait until the last day. If you sign up for VGLI within 240 days your separation, you don’t need to prove you’re in good health.

Mortgage Help

Veterans having trouble making their mortgage payments can receive repayment assistance through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Options for help include special repayment plans, loan forbearance and loan modification programs. Additional benefits are available for veterans with VA loans and for homeless veterans.

American Corporate Partners

American Corporate Partners connects veterans with top companies to help them obtain a job after their time of service. The program also provides one-on-one mentoring and other career development services.

Veterans Can Buy a Home with $0 Down

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FAQ

How do I get life insurance as discussed above?

Visit the VA’s Servicemembers’ & Veterans’ Group Life Insurance website. It provides everything you need to know.

Long-term Care, – “With the ability for couples to receive up to $36,387 a year, the pension;” does pension here mean a Vet must be receiving a military pension to be eligible for this benefit?

You must establish eligibility for basic VA pension first. However, this enhanced pension is based on a higher income limit so even if you’re not eligible for the VA basic pension you may still be eligible the the A & A program. The VA Pension for Veterans programs is a benefit paid to wartime Veterans who have limited or no income, and who are age 65 or older, or, under 65, and are permanently and totally disabled, or, a patient in a nursing home, or, are receiving Social Security disability payments.

Who should be contacted in regards to American Corporate Partners for job employment / training?

Here is the American Corporate Partners website link to contact them.