Are You a Vermont Veteran?

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

I want to take this opportunity to inform you about some excellent benefits available to veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Unfortunately, figuring out how to access and enroll in VA benefits – or even what those benefits are in the first place – can be unnecessarily difficult and complex. Because of this, too many veterans don’t know about the benefits they’ve earned.

This is unacceptable and, as a member of the Veterans Committee in the Senate, something I’m attempting to address. In the meantime, I’m sending this note today to help get the word out to as many Vermont veterans as possible about what benefits are available and how to access them.

There are many important programs available, including:

• Free or very inexpensive, high-quality health care
• Top-of-the-line hearing aids for no more than $50, that would otherwise cost between $5,000 to $8,000
• Prescription drugs for no more than $11 each month
• $0 for all lab tests

Importantly, you do not have to choose between your private physician and obtaining VA health benefits. You can do both.

We’ve put together the following video and list of resources, which I hope will be useful to you or someone you know with prior military service. If you’re not a veteran, please send this email to someone who might benefit from this information. Vermont veterans can also find state and federal resources compiled on our website, here.

If you, or someone you know, needs help accessing benefits or resolving an issue with Veterans Affairs, please do not hesitate to contact my office through our website or by phone at 802-862-0697 or 1-800-339-9834.

Sincerely,

Ryan Lilly, who is in charge of VA health care for all of New England, recently talked with us about the type of benefits available to Vermont veterans and how to access them. I hope you'll watch below and hear what he has to say:

Health Care Enrollment and Disability Claims

The VA health care system provides excellent, high-quality care for veterans, covering most or all of their physical and mental health care needs. This includes a range of services from primary and mental health care to home health care, elder care, and appointments with specialists such as cardiologists, gynecologists, audiologists, dermatologists, and physical therapists. It also covers medical equipment, prosthetics, hearing aids, and the lowest cost prescription drugs anywhere in America. See below to learn more, and to find out how to apply for and manage the health care benefits you've earned.

• Eligibility: Don’t know if you’re eligible for VA health care? Check your eligibility here: https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility
  
  
• Enrolling: If you are eligible, you can apply to enroll in VA health care online here: https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction
  
  
• Vermont VA Care Locations: Vermont has eight VA care locations conveniently located around the state, including one VA hospital in White River Junction, five Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) in Burlington, Bennington, Brattleboro, Newport, and Rutland, and two Vet Centers located in South Burlington and White River Junction. Vermonters can also use two CBOCs based in New Hampshire, located in Keene and Littleton. Find the most convenient location for you here: https://www.va.gov/white-river-junction-health-care/locations/
  
  
• VA Patient Advocate: If you have concerns or complaints about your health care that you can’t resolve with your doctor, you can contact the patient advocate office in White River Junction at 802-295-9363 ext. 6293.
  
  
• Dental Care: At the present time, the VA only provides dental care for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability, a service-connected dental disability, and those in a limited number of other circumstances. If you qualify for VA dental care benefits, you may be able to get some or all of your dental care through the VA.
  • Find out how to get VA dental care here: https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/dental-care/
    
    
• Mental Health Counseling: In addition to primary and specialty mental health care provided at VA Medical Centers and CBOCs, Vet Centers offer confidential help for veterans, service members (including the National Guard), and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting. Their services include counseling for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST). Vet Centers can also connect you with more support in the VA and in your community.
  • Locations:
    • South Burlington Vet Center: https://www.va.gov/south-burlington-vet-center
    • White River Junction Vet Center: https://www.va.gov/white-river-junction-vet-center
      
      
• Caregiver Support Program: The VA Caregiver Support Program (CSP) offers clinical services to caregivers of eligible and covered veterans enrolled in the VA health care system. CSP is a national program with local offices and teams located within VA facilities. The program’s mission is to promote the health and well-being of family caregivers who care for our nation’s veterans, through education, resources, support, and services. Learn more here: https://www.caregiver.va.gov/
  
  
• Burn Pits and Airborne Hazards Exposure: The VA established a registry in 2014 to put data to work for veterans and help us better understand the potential health effects of exposure to airborne hazards during military service. By joining the registry, you can provide information that will help the VA provide better care to all veterans now and for years into the future.
  • Check if you’re eligible for the registry here: https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry/
  • Learn more about airborne hazards and how to receive care from the VA here: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/
    
    
• Disability Compensation: VA disability compensation offers a monthly tax-free payment to veterans who became sick or were injured while serving in the military and to veterans whose military service made an existing condition worse. You may qualify for VA disability benefits for physical conditions (like a chronic illness or injury) and mental health conditions (like PTSD) that developed before, during, or after service. Find out how to apply for and manage the veterans disability benefits you've earned, here: https://www.va.gov/disability
  
  
• Disability Indemnity Compensation: If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, you may be able to get a tax-free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC). Find out if you can get VA benefits or compensation. Learn more here: https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/
  
  
• VA Pension Benefits: The VA Pension benefit is a monthly cash benefit based on the veteran's income and net worth VA pension benefits are available to some wartime veterans and their survivors. Find out if you're eligible to apply here: https://www.va.gov/pension/
  
  
• Geriatric and Extended Care: State Veterans Homes are facilities that provide nursing home, domiciliary or adult day care. They are owned, operated, and managed by state governments. They date back to the post-Civil War era when many states created them to provide shelter to unhoused veterans and veterans with disabilities. Vermonters can learn about the Vermont Veterans Home at: https://www.nasvh.org/state-homes/statedir-info.cfm?id=116
  
  
• Burial Benefits: If you’re eligible, you may receive VA burial allowance for burial and funeral cost, VA plot or interment allowance for the cost of the plot (gravesite) or interment and VA transportation reimbursement for the cost of transporting the veteran’s remains to the final resting place. Find out if you’re eligible here: https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-special-burial.asp
  
  

Need Direct Assistance with Your Benefits Claim?

Our office strongly recommends that you contact an accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or veterans law specialist for information or assistance on how to build and argue your claim in the most effective manner. A VSO can help you figure out what documentation you need to submit to support your argument and can help you navigate the petitioning process. VSOs provide services free of charge.

• Vermont State Office of Veterans Affairs: This site contains information to help you understand what benefits and services are available for Vermont veterans. The site consolidates information from numerous federal, state, and private organizations in order to make it easier for you to find what you are looking for. One of the office’s most important functions is helping veterans apply for federal disability benefits and helping survivors apply for survivor benefits.
  • Visit the site here: https://veterans.vermont.gov
  • State of Vermont Veteran Service Officer Program (Travels Statewide): (802) 828-337
    
    
• Assistance with Claims: While a veteran can submit a claim without assistance, disability benefit claims can be difficult to navigate and an accredited service officer can assist with the claims process if you need help. Here is a list of accredited service officer programs in Vermont:
  • American Legion Veteran Service Officer (Office at White River Junction): (802) 296-5166
  • Disabled American Veterans Veteran Service Officer (Office at White River Junction): (802) 296-5167
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars Veteran Service Officer (Office at White River Junction): (802) 296-5168
    
    
• Vermont Veterans and Family Outreach: The Vermont Veterans and Family Outreach Program was created in 2007 through funding secured by Senator Sanders to help veterans and their families obtain the benefits they’ve earned through their service. Everyone on the outreach team has served in the military. They have a 24-hour resource line for crisis situations, and they operate in 12 different locations across the state. The members of the outreach team are experts at identifying potential needs and referring veterans and families to the appropriate service providers.
  • Learn more here: https://veterans.vermont.gov/benefits-and-services/transition-assistance/outreach
    
    

Education, Training, and Employment

Many veterans are eligible for education assistance through various education programs. Check your eligibility for VA’s education benefits, below:

• GI Bill: Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped qualifying veterans and their family members to cover all or some of the costs to get an education, including college, graduate school, and training programs. To learn more about GI Bill benefits, how to apply for them, or how much of your benefits you’ve already used, see here: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits
  
  
• Veteran Readiness and Employment: If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) can help. This program — also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E — helps you explore employment options and address education or training needs. In some cases, your family members may also qualify for certain benefits. Learn more here: https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation
  
  
• COVID–19 Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance: The Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) offers education and training for high-demand jobs to veterans who are unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, here: https://www.va.gov/education/other-va-education-benefits/veteran-rapid-retraining-assistance
  
  
• Don’t qualify for the above education benefits? You may qualify for education and career counseling to help you start the next chapter of your life. Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG), or VA Chapter 36, offers free educational and career guidance, planning, and resources to veterans and their dependents. Find out if you’re eligible and how to apply for this program here: https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/education-and-career-counseling
  
  

Housing

VA housing assistance can help veterans, service members, and their surviving spouses to buy a home, refinance a loan, address homelessness, or help build, improve, or keep a current home. Find out how to apply for and manage the veterans housing assistance benefits you've earned, here: https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/

• Home Loans: The VA helps service members, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners. The VA provides a home loan guarantee benefit and other housing-related programs to help you buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for your own personal occupancy. Learn more here: https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans
  
  
• For Renters: The Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program (VERAP) was created to help renters dealing with financial challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For eligible households, the program offers rental and utility assistance to help Vermonters avoid eviction or loss of utility service. The program can pay for rent and utility arrearages, as well as provide rental assistance going forward. It can also help with moving expenses, first and last month’s rent, and essential repairs. Learn more here: https://erap.vsha.org
  
  
• For Homeowners: The Vermont Homeowner Assistance Program helps prevent home foreclosure and homeowner displacement. This can include assistance with overdue mortgage payments, homeowners’ association fees, property taxes, and/or utilities. Learn more here: https://vermonthap.vhfa.org
  
  
• For Veterans Experiencing Homelessness:
  • White River Junction VA Homeless Veteran Care: If you are a veteran who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship, unemployment, addiction, depression, or transition from jail, the VA White River Junction health care can help you. The VA has multiple programs to assist veterans experiencing homelessness, including Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), operated in Vermont through the University of Vermont; the Grant and Per Diem Program; and VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH). Contact a homeless services care coordinator to get help and to determine which of these programs might be right for you. Learn more here: https://www.va.gov/white-river-junction-health-care/health-services/homeless-veteran-care
    
    

Legal and Financial Services

There are a number of resources available to veterans looking for financial and legal assistance, both through the VA and non-profit organizations. Learn more below:

Financial Services:

• Financial Planning: The VA makes financial planning and online will preparation services available at no cost to certain beneficiaries. Find out if you qualify and learn more here: https://benefits.va.gov/insurance/bfcs.asp
  
  
• Life Insurance: VA life insurance can offer financial security for veterans, service members, and their spouses and dependent children. Explore your options, manage your policy, and file claims to get the insurance benefits you've earned. Learn more here: https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/vgli

• Veterans Legal Assistance Project of Vermont (VLAP): VLAP was established at Vermont Law School in 2014 to provide pro bono legal assistance to Vermont’s military veteran population. Learn more here: https://www.vermontlaw.edu/academics/clinics-and-externships/south-royalton-legal-clinic/projects/vlap
  
  
• The Safely Home Program: The SAFELY HOME program provides comprehensive legal assistance to Vermont’s veterans facing hardships related to their home mortgage. Administered through the Veteran’s Legal Assistance Project (VLAP) of Vermont and open to all Vermont veterans regardless of income, SAFELY HOME is a Vermont Law School initiative that has been providing pro bono legal assistance to Vermont’s military veteran population since 2014. Learn more here: https://www.vermontlaw.edu/safelyhome
  
  
• National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP): NVLSP is a national nonprofit organization that has worked since 1981 to ensure that the government delivers to our nation's 22 million veterans and active-duty personnel the benefits to which they are entitled because of disabilities resulting from their military service to our country. Learn more here: https://www.nvlsp.org/
  
  
• Veterans' Legal Aid Society: A nonprofit, the Veterans’ Legal Aid Society helps coordinate access to legal services for veterans through direct referrals to attorneys and legal aid organizations; support veteran’s legal aid programs; and assist in the management of an OBRA Trust (also known as the Supplemental Special Needs Payback Trust) to benefit veterans and their families. They also provide pro bono assistance with VA pension applications and appeals. Learn more here: https://veteranslegalaid.org
  
  

Some Additional Resources

• Transitioning to Civilian Life: About 250,000 service members transition to civilian life each year. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information, resources, and tools to service members and their loved ones to help prepare for the move from military to civilian life. Service members begin TAP one year prior to separation, or two years prior to retiring. Learn more about TAP and how it can benefit you here: https://www.benefits.va.gov/transition/tap.asp
  
  
• Outdoor Programs and Adaptive Sports: Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports is a nationally recognized organization that empowers people of all abilities through inclusive sports and year-round recreational programming regardless of ability to pay. From alpine skiing and snowboarding, to kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, sailing, cycling, hiking, rock climbing, tennis, horseback riding, and more, Vermont Adaptive serves clients of all abilities with physical, cognitive and emotional/behavioral disabilities as well as providing programs designed specifically for veterans. Learn more here: https://www.vermontadaptive.org
  
  
• Vermont 2-1-1: Sometimes the benefits that can best help a veteran and their family are those not specifically created for veterans. To talk with a benefits specialist to find out what is available in your area, regardless of who provides the benefit, just dial 2-1-1 for a free call that is available 24 hours a day. Learn more here: https://vermont211.org/
  
  
• Hotlines: There are a number of different hotlines that are set up to serve veterans across the country. For example, the White House hotline began as a pilot program under direction of the Veterans Experience. Calls are answered by a live agent 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The White House VA Hotline conducts immediate warm hand offs for at-crisis risk veterans needing the services of the Veterans Crisis Line. Trends identified by the hotline will be used to rapidly respond to systemic inefficiencies and empower VA employees to resolve veteran concerns quickly. Learn more here: https://www.va.gov/ve/whvahotline.asp
  • White House VA Hotline: 1-855-948-2311
  • Veterans should also continue to use existing VA customer service hotlines:
    • Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255
    • Health Care: 1-877-222-8387
    • Benefits: 1-800-827-1000
    • MyVA411 (other): 1-844-698-2411