VA TAP Briefing

TAP Briefing on VA BenefitsBriefing for Transitioning Servicemembers

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Updated December 1, 2012

VA Local Information

» Briefer

» VA Regional Office

» Benefits Delivery at Discharge site

» VA Medical Center

» Vet Center

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Signed November, 2011: Section 221 mandates participation of members of the armed forces in the Transition Assistance Program

VOW Act requires, no later than November 21, 2012, the following components:

• Mandatory pre-separation counseling

• Mandatory TAP briefing on VA benefits

• Mandatory Department of Labor briefing

To meet VOW requirements, VA will provide the TAP briefing on VA benefits to 100% of Servicemembers

www.benefits.va.gov/VOW/

VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011

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» www.ebenefits.va.gov» One-stop shop for benefits-

related online tools and information• Transfer education benefit• Access online TAP briefing on

VA benefits• Download DD 214• Apply for benefits• View claim status and benefit

payments online• Print VA home loan guaranty

Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)4


www.va.gov

http://www.facebook.com/VeteransBenefits

http://twitter.com/VAVetBenefits

Or call us

1-800-827-1000 8:00 a.m. EST to 9:00 p.m. EST

Accessing VA

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Department of Veterans Affairs

» Veterans Benefits Administration• All non-medical VA benefits: Compensation, Pension, Education,

Home Loan Guaranty, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Life Insurance

• Administered by VA Regional Offices

» Veterans Health Administration• All VA health care services• Administered by VA Medical Centers, Ambulatory Care &

Community Based Outpatient Clinics

» National Cemetery Administration• National Cemeteries• Support to State Veterans Cemeteries• Headstones & Markers• Presidential Memorial Certificates

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DD-214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty

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Veteran Service Organizations

» Accredited Veteran Service Organization representatives are available to assist Servicemembers and Veterans in filing for benefits and services.

» To obtain a listing of Veteran Service Organizations, visit: http://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp

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Course Outline

» Compensation and Pension» Counseling and Treatment for Military Sexual

Trauma» Life Insurance» Health Care» Readjustment Counseling (Vet Centers)» Home Loan Guaranty» Education» Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment» Burial» Resources

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Compensation for Service-Connected Conditions

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Service-Connected Compensation

» Compensation is paid for a disability resulting from disease or injury incurred or aggravated while on active service. The disability does not have to be combat or wartime related.

» Examples:• Torn knee ligament• Hearing loss• Back condition• Post traumatic stress (including the result of sexual trauma)• Traumatic brain injury• Skin condition (psoriasis, eczema, scars)

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Pre-Discharge Program

» Types of Pre-Discharge Claims• Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD)• Quick Start• Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES)

» More information available at www.vba.va.gov/predischarge

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Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) Claims

» Servicemember must:• Have 60-180 days remaining in

service• Submit a copy of service

treatment records (STRs) or health treatment records

• Be available at point of separation to undergo VA exam(s)

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Quick Start Claims

The Quick Start program serves Servicemembers who do not qualify for BDD because they:

• Have less than 60 days before separation/retirement

And/Or• Are not available for VA

examinations at the point of separation

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Pre-Discharge Program How To Apply

» How to apply:• Submit VA Form 21-526c, Pre-

Discharge Compensation Claim, or other applicable forms

• Provide original or copy of STRs• Provide known date of

separation or retirement• Submit a permanent address,

phone number, and email address

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Rating Process

» VA life cycle of a claim » Disabilities are rated from 0% to 100%

• Combined overall rating

» Compensation is tax free• Compensation paid for disability rating from 10% to 100%• Additional allowance for dependents with 30% or higher

rating• The Department of Treasury requires new Federal

beneficiaries receive their recurring/monthly benefits electronically

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Compensation – Current Rates

Rating Vet Only Vet+S Vet+S+1C Vet+S+2C Vet+S+3C

10% $129 N/A N/A N/A N/A

20% 255 N/A N/A N/A N/A

30% 395 442 476 499 522

40% 569 631 677 708 739

50% 810 888 946 985 1,024

60% 1,026 1,120 1,189 1,235 1,281

70% 1,293 1,402 1,483 1,537 1,591

80% 1,503 1,628 1,720 1,782 1,844

90% 1,689 1,830 1,933 2,003 2,073

100% 2,816 2,973 3,088 3,166 3,244

S = Spouse C = Child(ren) Rates effective Dec. 1, 2012

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Related Benefits

» Free VA health care for all rated service-connected conditions

» Vocational rehabilitation & employment services may be available if a Servicemember is 20% with memorandum rating or proposed IDES rating OR Veteran with a VA disability rating of at least 10%

» VA life insurance - $10,000» Veteran’s preference in Federal hiring» VA home loan guaranty funding fee waived» Possible state and local benefits

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Compensation

» Severance and/or Separation pay may be recouped (after tax amount)

» Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP)

» Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)

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VA Pension

Eligibility 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 and permanently disabled or attained age 65,

Social Security disability, or nursing home status» Disability need not be related to service» Within income limits and net worth to qualify for this

benefit

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Compensation & Pension How to Apply

» Complete an application

» Provide other supporting records; VA can help obtain them. VA Form 21-4142, Authorization and Consent to Release Information to the Department of VA

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Compensation & Pension How to Apply

Online through eBenefits at www.ebenefits.va.gov

-OR-Online through Veterans ONline

APPlication (VONAPP) at www.va.gov-OR-

Through a VA Regional Office (see Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents & Survivors,

“VA Facilities”, for locations)

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Compensation & Pension No Time Limit

» No time limit to apply for Compensation or Pension

» Compensation may be paid retroactive to the first of the month after separation/retirement if VA receives the application within one year of separation/retirement. Otherwise, benefits are generally effective no earlier than the date VA received the application.

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Social Security Disability Insurance

» Disability or Survivors’ Benefits• May be available to injured active duty• Regardless of where injury occurred• Expedited service for line-of-duty disabilities on or after

October 1, 2001

» How To Apply:• On-Line at www.socialsecurity.gov• Telephonically at 1-800-772-1213• In-Person at Social Security Office

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Counseling and Treatment for Military Sexual and Other Personal Trauma

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Military Sexual and Other Personal Trauma

» Definition: An event of human design that threatens or inflicts harm

» Examples: Rape, physical assault, domestic battery, robbery, mugging, & stalking

Anyone can be a victim of sexual or other personal trauma.

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Treatment & Counseling

» Veterans are eligible for health care and counseling resulting from sexual and other personal trauma even though the incident was never reported

» Care and counseling can be provided to Veterans who have qualifying military service and express a need for the care

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Compensation

» Physical or psychological disabilities from sexual or other personal trauma while on active duty may be considered service-connected for VA compensation purposes

» Evidence from sources other than the Veteran’s service records may be sufficient to corroborate the incident

» While DD Form 2910, Victim Reporting Preference Statement, and DD Form 2911, DoD Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Report, are proof of the trauma, VA will look to other evidence and indications if the trauma has not been reported

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Life Insurancewww.insurance.va.gov

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Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI)

» $400,000 maximum coverage» Free coverage for 120 days after Servicemember’s

separation from service » Convertible to Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI)

or commercial policy after separation from service (can split coverage)

» Insures active duty members, Ready Reservists, cadets at service academies, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Public Health Service (PHS)

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SGLI Disability Extension

» Member must request the extended coverage» Member must be totally disabled at time of

separation from service» Coverage may be extended for up to two (2) years

post-separation at no cost to the member» Member automatically converted to VGLI after end of

the disability extension period

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Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (TSGLI)

» Rapid financial assistance payable to members who suffer a qualifying loss due to traumatic injury

» Benefit of $25K—$100K depending on injury» Automatic for members with SGLI coverage» Traumatic injury need not be combat related» Traumatic injury must occur prior to separation from service» Qualifying loss must occur within two years of date of

traumatic injury» TSGLI coverage ends at separation from service.

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TSGLI How to Apply

» Claim form available at VA Insurance web site www.insurance.va.gov

» Three-part certification process:Member provides basic claim informationMedical professional provides medical dataBranch of service must certify eligibility

» Currently no time limit to file a claim» Denials can be appealed to the branch of service or

contested in federal court

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Family SGLI Coverage (FSGLI)

» Coverage ends on the earlier of:120 days after the member’s death120 days after member cancels their own

coverage or spouse's coverage120 days after termination of a dependent’s

status as an insurable dependent (e.g., divorce)120 days from the date the member is

separated or released from the uniformed services

» Spouses can convert FSGLI to a commercial policy without proof of good health within 120 days following termination of coverage.

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Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI)

» Lifetime renewable term insurance» Premiums increase with age» Maximum coverage=amount of SGLI at time of

separation from service» Available in increments of $10,000» Convertible to a commercial policy at any time» VGLI-Buy-Up

• VGLI insureds can increase coverage by $25,000 up to legislated maximum every five (5) years from original coverage date

• Available to VGLI insureds under age 60 • No underwriting required to increase coverage • Apply by phone or online upon notification by Office of Servicemembers Group Life

Insurance

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VGLI Eligibility

» Servicemembers separated from active duty or members of the Ready Reserves who were covered by full-time SGLI

» Members of the Ready Reserves or National Guard with part-time SGLI coverage who incur or aggravate an existing disability that makes them uninsurable at standard rates

» Members of Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and Inactive National Guard (ING)

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How to Apply for VGLI

» A series of three mailings are forwarded to last known address after separation

» Apply online at eBenefits or VA Insurance website; hard copy application also available online

» Have one year and 120 days from separation to apply• Applying within 240 days from separation = no-health review• Applying from 241 days through the end of the VGLI application period (one

year and 120 days from separation) = must undergo health review

Veterans separating prior to November 1, 2012 still have only120 days with no-health review

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Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI)

» Maximum coverage is $10,000

» Eligibility for S-DVI coverage:• Discharged on or after April 25, 1951• Released from active duty under other than dishonorable

conditions• Must apply within two (2) years of notification of a new

service-connected disability• Must be in good health, except for any service-connected

disabilities

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Supplemental Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance

» Up to $30,000 available to totally disabled policyholders who have been approved for premium waiver on basic S-DVI

» Must be under age 65 to qualify for supplemental coverage

» Must apply within one year of approval of waiver of premiums on basic S-DVI coverage

» Same plans and premium rates as basic S-DVI» Premiums cannot be waived on the Supplemental

S-DVI coverage

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VA Health and Dental Care

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Overview

» VA health care system consists of 21 networks of care to meet local health care needs and provide broad access to care

» VA provides care at over 1,500 facilities:

153 hospitals

956 ambulatory care and community-based outpatient clinics

232 Vet Centers

134 community living centers (formerly known as nursing homes)

90 residential rehabilitation treatment programs

5 Poly Trauma Rehabilitation Centers

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Comprehensive Medical Benefits

» Screening exams for: Depression, Substance Abuse, PTSD, TBI

» Readjustment Counseling» Military Sexual Trauma» Preventive Care Services» Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment» Prescription Services » Women’s Health Care Programs» Prosthetic and Rehabilitative Devices

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Women Veterans

» Women Veterans are eligible to receive:• Complete medical benefits package and prescriptions • Complete reproductive health services including birth control,

maternity care and newborn services (VA pays up to seven (7) days of care for the newborn at private hospitals)

• Preventive health care

» VA services and programs for women Veterans include: • Comprehensive Women’s health care at every facility• Women Veterans Program Managers at every facility• Mental health services including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

and Military Sexual Trauma Treatment• Women’s benefits coordinators available to discuss gender-specific

conditions for disability claims• Women’s Trauma Recovery Program (Palo Alto)

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VA Health Care Enrollment

» Servicemembers not separated from active duty and/or on terminal leave may receive VA care through TRICARE under:• VA/DoD Medical Resource Sharing Agreements• TRICARE (180 days of TRICARE Transitional Assistance

Management Program (TAMP) to access VA care; or TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS))

» Veterans must be separated from active duty to enroll in VA health care services

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Eligibility for VA Health Care

» Veterans with active duty military service who were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable

» Reservists who served on active duty for operational and support missions(excludes active duty for training)

» National Guard members if mobilized by a Federal order (Title 10 or Presidential Executive Order)

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VA Enrollment & Health Care Combat Veterans

VA provides up to five years of free health care for enrolled Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations and are seeking care for conditions related to their combat service

VA has gone mobile! Learn more about PTSD Coach app at:

www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/PTSDCoach.asp

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VA Enrollment & Health Care Non-Combat Veterans

Veterans who have not deployed to a combat theater of operations may be eligible to enroll in VA health care:

• Veterans with a service-connected disability• Qualify under other eligibility factors, such as

being in receipt of VA pension or a Purple Heart recipient

• Qualify under VA’s national means test or geographic means test income thresholds

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Copayments

Veterans with a non service-connected illness/injury may be charged a co-payment for services at VA for treatment of conditions not from service, such as flu, colds, auto accident

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Dental Care

`

VA provides recently separated Veterans a free, one-time evaluation and treatment for service-connected dental conditions if:

• Served for 90 days or more on active duty• Applied within 180 days of separation• DD-214 indicates that a complete dental exam

and all appropriate dental treatment was not provided within 90 days of separation

(DD214 line 17 should be checked “No”)

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How to Apply

» Identify the VA medical center closest to your home

» Submit 10-10EZ to VA medical center staff, by mail, or electronically through www.ebenefits.va.gov or www.va.gov/healtheligibility

» You will receive a letter from VA confirming your enrollment

For additional information: Call 1-877-222-8387

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VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Health Benefits

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Sign Up Today

Health informationMedical RecordsOnline prescription refillsMental health resourcesSecure messaging to doctor and appointments

Military health historyHealth logsSelf-assessment tools

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Help Your Buddy

VA’s Veterans CrisisLine

1-800-273-8255www.veteranscrisisline.net

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Vet Center

Vet Center Services to ReturningCombat Veterans and Their Families

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“To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.”

Abraham Lincoln

Vet Centers serve Veterans and their families by providing a continuum of quality care that adds value for Veterans, families, and communities…..We welcome home war Veterans with honor by providing readjustment counseling in a caring manner.

Vet Centers understand and appreciate Veterans’ war experiences while assisting them and their family members toward a successful post-war adjustment in or near their community.

“Walk on in”

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What is the Vet Center• A safe and protected place to

talk• Confidentiality – no stigma• Flexible hours• Easily accessible community-

based setting• Network knowledgeable about

the resources available • Vet Center staff are >65%

combat Veterans• Veterans serving Veterans• All family members are

welcome• No cost….ever

What we Offer• Individual Counseling

• Group Counseling

• Military Sexual Trauma Counseling

• Marital/Family Counseling

• Bereavement Counseling

• Drug and Alcohol Referral

• Liaison with VA and Community Resources

• Benefits Assistance Referral

• Community Education and Career Referral

www.vetcenter.va.gov

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Eligibility

» Veterans, National Guard, and Reservist who served in a combat or hostile zone and received a campaign or expeditionary ribbon* Must be reflected on DD-214

» Military Sexual Trauma

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Vet Centers provide Bereavement Counseling services to surviving parents, spouses, children, and siblings of Servicemembers who have fallen while on active duty, to include Federally activated Reserve and National Guard personnel.

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Vet Center Outreach

Current conflict Veterans serve as outreach specialists in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

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Fifty (50) mobile Vet Centers, distributed nationally, are utilized to provide access to returning Veterans via outreach to demobilization sites, active military bases, National Guard, and Reserve locations. The vehicles also support Vet Center services to rural areas geographically distant from VA services.

Mobile Vet CentersMobile Vet Centers

Vet Center CombatVet Center CombatCall CenterCall Center

Veterans or family members can call a national call-in service, at any time, to talk to another combat Veteran or spouse regarding any readjustment issues related to military service. The person on the other end of the call will be a Veteran or spouse who understands and values the military experience of serving in a combat zone, is trained as a Vet Center counselor, and has knowledge of VA and other resources that may assist the Veteran, spouse, or family in obtaining needed services.

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Welcome Home!

Contact Information:Looking to connect with a fellow warrior or family member, call:1-877-WARVETS (927-8387)

Looking for your closest Vet Center?

www.vetcenter.va.gov

VA Welcomes All Combat Veterans With Honor

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Home Loan Guarantywww.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/

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VA Home Loan Guaranty

» Lenders make the loan and VA guarantees it» VA guaranty usually means no downpayment

required of Servicemember or Veteran» Servicemember or Veteran must qualify for loan with

sufficient income and satisfactory credit» Limitations on closing costs» The right to prepay without penalty» Negotiated interest rates» Individuals having problems making payments may

call 1-877-827-3702 for assistance

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» Buy a home» Build a home» Refinance existing loan » Use only for property located in the US, its territories

or possessions» Must occupy the property as your home

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act is intended to ease economic and legal burdens

www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/scra.asp

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Loan Limits

» There is no maximum loan amount

» There are maximum loan “limits”• Loans above this “limit” may require a downpayment

» Loan limits vary by county

www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/loan_limits.asp

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Native American Direct Loans

» VA makes direct loans to Native Americans living on Trust Land (reservations, homelands)

» Maximum loan limit is the same as for guaranteed loans

» Veterans must meet credit qualifications

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Funding Fee

» Law requires funding fee to be paid on VA loans

» Fee ranges from .5% to 3.3%, depending on loan type and if first-time or second-time user

» Fee can be included in the loan

» Fee is waived for Veterans entitled to VA disability compensation and certain surviving spouses

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Below are various steps involved in obtaining a VA home loan:»

Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (online)

»

Obtain pre-approval from a lender

»

Find property to buy

»

Lender obtains a VA appraisal

»

Close the loan and move in

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Eligibility

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

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

» Certificate of Eligibility (COE) shows Servicemember’s or Veteran’s eligibility for the benefit - COE must be updated upon separation/retirement

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How To Apply

Servicemembers or Veterans can obtain COE through eBenefits www.ebenefits.va.gov

OR Ask your lender to apply online through the VA

Portal – https://vip.vba.va.gov, OR

Complete and mail VA Form 26-1880 to: Atlanta Regional Loan Center ATTN: COE (262)

P.O. Box 100034 Decatur, GA 30031Eligibility can be restored if VA loan is paid in full and

property is no longer owned by Servicemember/Veteran.

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Education Benefits

www.GIBILL.va.gov

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Post-9/11 GI Bill

» Eligibility: At least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service- connected disability after 30 days. An Honorable discharge is required to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Benefit:» Up to 36 months of benefits; payable for approved training on or after August

1, 2009.» Determined by the length of active duty service (40% up to 100% per length

of active duty service).» Expires 15 years after last period of active duty service of at least 90 days.» Usable for any program at an institution of higher learning (IHL) approved for

MGIB-AD.» Effective October 1, 2011, usable for NCD, OJT, flight programs, and

correspondence training.

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Service Requirements (after 9/10/01 an individual must serve an

aggregate of)

Payment Tiers Percentage

At least 36 months 100%

At least 30 continuous days on active duty(Must be discharged due to service-connected disability)

100%

At least 30 months, but less than 36 months 90%

At least 24 months, but less than 30 months 80%

*At least 18 months, but less than 24 months 70%



*At least 90 days, but less than 6 months 40%

*Excludes time in Basic Military Training and/or Skill Training

Post‐9/11 Payment Tiers


Tuition and Fees

» Active Duty and Veterans: Full tuition and fees (based on length of active duty service) for public, in-state students• Private and foreign schools cap at $18,077.50 academic

year• Exception: Active Duty are not eligible to participate in the

Yellow Ribbon program

» Paid directly to the school on student’s behalf

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Monthly Housing Allowance

» Must attend more than half-time» Prorated by rate of pursuit rounded to nearest tenth» Equivalent to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

for an E-5 with dependents based on school’s zip code

» Distance learners (e.g., online students) can receive ½ the national average monthly housing beginning October 1, 2011

» Active duty Servicemembers are not eligible

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Books and Supplies Stipend

» Pays up to $1,000 per year

» If taking classes at an IHL: Amount paid determined by number of credit hours, with full stipend paid for 24 credit hours per academic year

» If taking a non-college degree, apprenticeship, or on-the-job training program: Pays $83/month up to $1,000 per year

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Yellow Ribbon Program

» Institutions voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to share tuition and fee costs that exceed the tuition and fee cap of $18,077.50 at non-public schools and for out-of-state charges

» VA matches each additional dollar that an institution contributes, up to total cost of tuition and fees.

Training atprivate

institutions

Out-of-statetuition

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Yellow Ribbon Program

» Payable to school when student’s tuition and fees exceed the cap:

Based on schoolparticipation

Based onstudent

qualification

Veterans only at100% benefit

level

Spouse ofVeteran (transferof entitlement)

Dependentchildren (transferof entitlement)

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Transfer of Entitlement

» Serves as a retention program for Department of Defense (DoD)

» Must be member of Uniformed Services and

» Agree to serve at least from one to four additional years per rules established by DoD/Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The Secretary of Defense may grant the Secretary of each of the uniformed services the ability to authorize transfer of entitlement for benefits.

VA does not determine eligibilityto transferred benefits

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Transfer of Entitlement

» An individual (transferor) approved to transfer benefits may:

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The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

» Children of Servicemembers who died in the line of duty while on active duty after September 10, 2001

» Eligible for up to 36 months under the Post-9/11 GI Bill

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Montgomery GI Bill—Active Duty (MGIB—AD)

» Eligibility: Honorable discharge, a high school diploma or general educational development (GED), and served active duty after June 30, 1985. Plus, $1,200 military pay reduction

Benefit:» Up to 36 months of benefits» Monetary benefit ranging from $391 - $1,564 per month,

based on training time, paid to Veteran» Expires 10 years after release from active duty» Includes apprenticeship, on-the-job training, vocational

training, and flight training

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Other Benefit Programs

» Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve – Chapter 1606• Reserve components decide who is eligible, paid monthly to student• Generally, the benefit ends day of separation

» Reserve Educational Assistance Program – Chapter 1607• For members of the Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve called or ordered to active

service after September 10, 2001 in response to a war or national emergency, as declared by the President or Congress

» Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance – Chapter 35• Eligible dependents of Veterans permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition,

who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition, are hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and likely to be discharged for that disability. Are forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power or are MIA

• The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits

» Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program – Chapter 32• Active duty entry after December 31, 1976, and before July 1, 1985• Contributed money on active duty, original contributions made before April 1, 1987

» National Call to Service• Active duty for 15 months and additional 24 months in the Reserve (without break in service)

Eligible incentives: Cash bonus of $5,000, repayment of student loan up to $18K, 12 months of full benefits under MGIB-AD, or 50 percent of the less-than-three-year rate under MIGB-AD for 36 months

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Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)

» Program began July 1, 2012» VRAP offers 12 months of retraining assistance to unemployed Veterans. To qualify, a

Veteran must:• Be at least 35 years old but no more than 60 years old • Be unemployed (as determined by the Department of Labor) • Have an other than dishonorable discharge • Not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program (e.g.: the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery

GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Assistance) • Not be in receipt of VA compensation due to unemployability • Not be enrolled in a federal or state job training program

» Participants may receive up to 12 months of assistance at the full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program (currently $1,564 per month)

» Participants must be enrolled in a VA approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school. The program must lead to an Associate Degree, Non-College Degree, or a Certification, and train the Veteran for a high demand occupation

» Applications will be submitted through the Department of Labor and benefits paid by VA

http://gibill.va.gov/benefits/other_programs/vow.html

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Tutorial Assistance

» Tutorial assistance is available if receiving VA educational assistance at the half-time or higher rate and have a deficiency in a subject that makes tutoring necessary

» Reimbursement up to $100 per month up to a maximum of $1,200

» To apply for tutorial assistance, complete VA Form 22- 1990t, available online. The school certifying official and tutor must sign the form.

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Tips

» Factors to consider when choosing a school:

• How much will I earn with my degree?

• How well does the school support Veterans?

• Will I get credit for my military training?

• What is the school’s graduation rate?

» For a comprehensive guide on what factors to consider, please visit our website at:

gibill.va.gov/resources/education_resources/choosing_a_school.html

» Contact your State Approving Agency (SAA) if the program you wish to pursue isn’t currently approved. A listing of SAAs can be found at:

www.nasaa-vetseducation.com/contacts/

» The School Certifying Official certifies to VA that you are attending school

» The Department of the Treasury encourages Federal beneficiaries to receive recurring/monthly benefits electronically

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Educational and Vocational Counseling

COUNSELING IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE if you: » Are a Veteran or dependent eligible for educational benefits under

a program that VA administers;» Were discharged or released from active duty under other than

dishonorable conditions not more than one (1) year ago;» Are on active duty and six (6) months or less remain before your

scheduled release or discharge from service.

You may get counseling about career choice and preparation, school or job training, job selection and job search, training possibilities; sources of financial aid; and how to carry through on plans that you make.

Apply online with VA Form 28-8832 at www.vetsuccess.gov

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How to Apply

» Apply anytime online at www.ebenefits.va.gov OR www.va.gov through Veterans online application (VONAPP)

» Submit (scan) records electronically

• DD Form 214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty

• Copies of orders if activated from the Guard/Reserves

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Stay Updated

www.GIBILL.va.gov www.facebook.com/gibillEducation

Learn More

Contact us: 1(888) 442-4551

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Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E)

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VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011

» Signed by the President on November 21, 2011, provides increased VA Vocational Rehabilitation benefits for Veterans with disabilities including:• Expanded eligibility for payments to employers who hire or provide

on-the-job training to these Veterans• Additional training for Veterans who completed a VR&E program

and have exhausted state unemployment benefits• Assessments of military skills that transfer to civilian occupations

that can be used by VR&E to help Veterans plan how to achieve educational and employment goals

• Automatic eligibility for VR&E services is extended until December 31, 2014 for severely injured active duty military

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Program Objective

VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program (VR&E) helps active duty Servicemembers and Veterans who have service-connected disabilities become suitably employed, maintain employment, or achieve independence in daily living

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Rehabilitation Plan

The following service-delivery options may be provided under a Rehabilitation Plan:

• Reemployment• Rapid access to employment• Employment through long-term services• Independent living services• Self-employment

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Benefits and Services Available

» Veterans enrolled in an approved training program have the following expenses covered: • Tuition and fees• Books• Equipment• Supplies

» Veterans receive a monthly subsistence allowance, which is based on rate of pursuit and number of dependents

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Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvement Act of 2010

» Effective August 1, 2011, eligible Veterans enrolled in the VR&E program may elect the monthly housing allowance from the Post-9/11 GI Bill in lieu of the subsistence allowance

» Housing allowance based on BAH for E-5 with dependents

» Veterans must be eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill and have remaining entitlement under that program

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Eligibility To Apply

» Servicemembers may apply for the VR&E program with a 20% memorandum rating or proposed IDES rating

» Veterans are eligible to apply with a VA disability rating of at least 10%

» Veterans must receive an Honorable or other than dishonorable discharge

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Entitlement To Services

» Combined service-connected disability rating of 20% or more and an employment handicap resulting primarily from such disability

» Veterans rated as 10% disabled with a serious employment handicap may be entitled to VR&E services

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Pre-Discharge Program

Servicemembers may also apply for the VR&E program when applying through the Pre-Discharge Program, either Benefits Delivery at Discharge or Quick Start, or through IDES

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Counseling

A counseling appointment will be set for eligible Servicemembers and Veterans to accomplish the following:

• Evaluate the applicant’s interests, aptitudes, and abilities based upon testing and interviews

• Explore the applicant’s vocational goals and objectives

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Eligibility Period

The law provides a 12-year basic period of eligibility. The 12-year period begins on the latter of these dates:

• Date of separation from active military dutyOr

• Date VA first informed the Veteran of a qualifying service-connected disability rating

The period of eligibility can be extended for Veterans found to have a serious employment handicap

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VetSuccess.gov

» VR&E’s comprehensive employment web site for all Veterans

» Veterans can post resumes and search and apply for jobs

» Employers can post jobs and search resumes

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Disability Transition Assistance Program (DTAP)

» Servicemembers may be able to participate in DTAP, a supplemental session to the Transition Assistance Program that focuses on disability, rehabilitation, and employment

» During DTAP, participants:• Receive a comprehensive briefing on the

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program

• May apply for VR&E services

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How to apply

» Servicemembers, including IDES enrollees, should complete:• VA Form 28-0588, Memo Rating• VA Form 21-526c, Pre-Discharge Compensation Claim, or VA

Form 21-526, Veteran’s Application for Compensation and/or Pension, or other applicable form, and

• VA Form 28-1900, Application for Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits

» Veterans should complete:• VA Form 21-526 (If not already rated by VA for a service-

connected disability.) • VA Form 28-1900

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Burial Benefits

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Burial Benefits

» National Cemeteries» State Veterans Cemeteries» Headstone, Marker, or Medallion» Burial Flag» Presidential Memorial Certificates» Burial Cost Reimbursement» Gravesite» Opening and Closing» Assistance with Military Honors

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Burial Benefits Eligibility

» Veteran, spouse, and dependent children

» Listed below are some of the individuals eligible for burial in a National Cemetery:• Veteran with other than dishonorable discharge• Active duty service, not including Reserve active

duty for training• Retirement-eligible Reserve and National Guard

members

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Preparing in Advance of Need

To ease the burden on family members, Veterans should:

• Provide appropriate loved ones with a copy of their DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty

• Inform family members of their burial wishes• Visit the National Cemetery Administration

website at www.cem.va.gov

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Resources

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VA on the Internet VA by Phone

eBenefitswww.ebenefits.va.gov

VA Home Page

www.va.gov

Returning Servicememberswww.oefoif.va.gov

VA on Facebook

www.facebook.com/VeteransAffairs

VA on Twitterwww.twitter.com/DeptVetAffairs

Benefits information(800) 827-1000

Education Benefits(888) 442-4551

Health Care Eligibility(877) 222-8387

SGLI/VGLI(800) 419-1473

VA Life Insurance(800) 669-8477

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Thank you for your service.

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Date post:	18-Jan-2015
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