In the weeks just before Veterans Day, I talked to several companies’ Veteran groups about their benefits. Across the groups, I noticed five common questions. I am sharing these, with answers, below.
Question 1 – I am not happy with the results of my claim for disability compensation. What can I do?
The short answer is: Appeal the decision. I described this process in detail in this article.
When I asked each Veteran who posed this question, I learned that they filed the claim without help. That is, they completed the form and provided the supporting documentation. Most were unaware they could get no-cost assistance from a Veteran Service Officer (VSO). I describe more about that in this column.
The key point is that a VSO is trained in VA processes and may have helped dozens of Veterans with similar issues. Their learning and experience can help a Veteran filing for the first time avoid mistakes and ensure their application is complete. In addition, they may be able to enhance it, knowing the injuries of Veterans with similar military service.
Question 2 – I served in the National Guard. Am I eligible for benefits?
Generally, Veteran benefits are available to all Veterans, regardless of how they served. The key for those in the National Guard is how eligibility is determined.
For the purpose of benefits, service in the National Guard can qualify you as a Veteran if you served 180 days or more in federal status outside of training. It is very important to pay attention to how you are activated:
• State Active Duty – Governors often call up their National Guard to help during natural disasters, to support law enforcement, and other reasons. This “State Active Duty” is paid for by state funds and does NOT qualify as active service for Veterans status.
• Title 10 Active Duty – The President “federalizes” the National Guard, calling them to active duty. This time counts as active duty for Veteran status.
• Title 32 Full-Time National Guard Duty – The Governor, with the approval of the President, orders the National Guard to active duty for homeland defense purposes. This time counts as active duty for Veteran status.
You also qualify as a Veteran if you served in the National Guard for at least 20 years.
Question 3 – How do I find out more information about my GI Bill benefits?
One of the best ways to get help is to call the GI Bill hotline at 888-GIBill-1 (888-442-4551). You can obtain information about remaining eligibility, enrollment status, and many other education-related questions. One important issue that often comes up is the transfer of benefits to the Veteran’s dependents. Pay special attention to the dates of the reenlistment you committed to so your dependent is covered by your benefits.
Question 4 – I am purchasing a house, and my Real Estate Agent doesn’t understand a VA Loan. Can someone help me?
Awareness of the requirements for using a VA Loan has increased among Real Estate Agents, but some need help. You can talk to a VA home loan representative by calling 877-827-3702, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm ET. You can also call this number for help if you are having trouble paying your mortgage.
Question 5 – I saw a struggling Vietnam Veteran online set up GoFundMe page to help with daily living expenses. Isn’t there a VA benefit available to him?
Veterans spoke to me about older Veterans they knew or knew of who were struggling financially to meet their financial demands. Some were selling possessions or set up online requests for assistance. In response to concerns about their well-being, we discussed the VA benefit known as the Veteran’s Pension.
Under certain conditions, the VA provides a needs-based pension to eligible Veterans (and Survivors). The benefit is a tax-free monthly payment to those with limited financial resources, providing modest support that can be used without restrictions on their expenses. This benefit is not a true pension, which is really a retirement payout in its technical sense. Rather, VA pensions are a safety net payment for those in need.
If you know of such a Veteran, encourage them to reach out to the VA to see if they are eligible for this benefit. They can do this at VA.gov or by calling 800-827-1000.
About the Author Paul R. Lawrence
Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D., served as Under Secretary of Benefits at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from May 2018 to January 2021. He is the author of “Veterans Benefits for You: Get What You Deserve,” available from Amazon.
Read About Other VA Updates
If you enjoyed reading the article “Answer to Five FAQs from Veterans”, we invite you to read the stories of VA Updates on our blog. In addition to our profiles of celebrities who served, we share military book reviews, veterans’ service reflections, famous military units and more on the TogetherWeServed.com blog. If you are a veteran, find your military buddies, view historic boot camp photos, build a printable military service plaque, and more on TogetherWeServed.com today.
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