Veterans Report - Week of January 05, 2015

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Veterans Report - Week of January 05, 2015

Get Ready to Use Your $0 Down VA Loan Benefit in 2015
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Michigan Veterans Trust Fund
For Michigan combat-era veterans with emergency financial needs such as high heating or electricity bills, the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF) provides emergency grants to state veterans and dependent family members to help them weather a short-term financial crisis. The fund is designed to help veterans with emergency needs. MVTF grants may be applied for online or at an MVTF county committee office, and all applications will be reviewed by the MVTF board of trustees. Most MVTF offices are located in local county government buildings. For more information on the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund or other veterans' assistance, call 1-800-MICH-VET or visit (http://www.michiganveterans.com/) www.MichiganVeterans.com (select "Emergency Assistance" under the "Quick Links" menu).
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Veterans More Susceptible to Hearing Loss
A new report has found that veterans are more susceptible to hearing loss. Hearing loss is the most common injury reported by new veterans. The annual report from the Veterans Benefits Administration shows more than 135,000 new veterans suffer from tinnitus, or a ringing in the ears. Around 80,000 are dealing with hearing loss. Experts say 20 percent of people who could benefit from a hearing aid don't wear one, which is a problem because detecting hearing loss and getting a hearing aid early is crucial to preserve cognitive function. Veterans in VA health care should ask their VA primary care provider for a referral to a VA audiologist by to obtain their hearing aid benefit.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Military Funeral Honors Program
The Army National Guard (ARNG) Military Funeral Honors program renders professional military funeral honors to all eligible veterans when requested by an authorized family member. The ARNG Military Funeral Honors program provides burial and memorial honors for service members and veterans in 52 of 54 states and territories. The ARNG program covers vast regions of the country that are difficult for the active component to cover with limited resources. The ARNG trains the Guard MFH team members to the ARNG program's professional ceremonial standards, established in conjunction with the (http://www.army.mil/info/organization/u ... heoldguard) Army's Old Guard, to certify Soldiers as MFH team members and trainers. For more information, visit the Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program webpage at (http://www.arng.army.mil/familyservices ... onors.aspx) www.arng.army.mil/familyservices/Pages/ ... onors.aspx. Contact your local funeral home director to initiate a request for Military Funeral Honors for a deceased veteran.
For more on memorial and burial benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/burial-and-memorial) Military.com Memorial and Burial section.


Veterans Choice Program
The Choice Program is a new, temporary benefit allowing some veterans to receive health care in their communities rather than waiting for a VA appointment or traveling to a VA facility. A veteran must have been enrolled in VA health care on or before Aug. 1, 2014, or be eligible to enroll as a recently discharged combat veteran within five years of separation. Also, a veteran must also meet at least one of the following criteria: (1) be told by his/her local VA medical facility that he/she will need to wait more than 30 days from his/her preferred date or the date medically determined by his/her provider; (2) the veteran's current residence is more than 40 miles from the closest VA health care facility; or (3) the veteran faces a geographic challenge that presents a travel hardship. To use the Choice Program, veterans must obtain preauthorization from the national call center at (866) 606-8198. For more information, visit the Veterans Choice Program website at (http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/) www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Recap of 2014 Military and Veteran Legislation
MOAA's government relations team spent 2014 educating and informing members of Congress on the unique aspects of military service and defending key pay and benefits in order to ensure the continued viability of the All-volunteer Force and appropriate recognition for military families who have shouldered the burden of more than 13 years of combat operations. With the recent passage by Congress and signing by the President of the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, it's time to recap some of the wins and frustrations and also provide a peek at what we expect will be driving our advocacy agenda for 2015.
For all the details, see (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... egislation) this article.


More Veterans Owning Businesses
A growing group of veterans are not looking for jobs; they are looking to create them. Veterans are 45 percent more likely to be self-employed than people with no military experience. Aging census data show that at least 2.4 million U.S. Businesses are veteran-owned, but experts say the number could be twice that. Exit surveys of new vets leaving the military found that nearly one quarter are interested in starting or buying their own small businesses. The percentage is even higher among women veterans. Across the country, universities, the government and nonprofits are beginning to focus on assisting veterans who want to begin start-ups. There is even a magazine called Vetrepreneur. For information on programs for veteran entrepreneurs in your area, contact your state department of veterans affairs.
For more veteran job news, job postings and transition advice, visit the (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs) Military.com Veteran Jobs Center.


AF Mentorship Program
All Air Force active-duty, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard Public Affairs officers, enlisted, and civilians, are encouraged to participate in the Air Force Mentorship program. Any individual or organization participating in the Air Force Public Affairs Mentoring Program, regardless of role, does so freely and without special pay or compensation from the Department of Defense or the United States Air Force.The program uses a mentoring platform that allows Airmen to advertise their skills, search for mentors, identify what mentoring topics are trending, set up conferences and publish material. For more information, read (http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/produ ... 6-2643.PDF) Air Force Manual 36-2643 and the (http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a424958.pdf) research report.
For more Air Force news updates, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com News Center.


Tax Season is Just Around the Corner
As wage and earning statements will soon be available for Soldiers and civilian employees online at (http://www.mypay.dfas.mil) www.mypay.dfas.mil, base tax centers are gearing up to provide free tax-preparation and e-filing services. In January, the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, will train and certify tax filers. Military ID cardholders, including Soldiers, DoD civilians and retirees who wish to use the free tax-preparation and e-filing services should have all of their income documents, including prior year tax returns, W-2s, 1099s, mortgage statements, and receipts, along with social security cards, and bank account and routing numbers ready when they meet with the preparers. This is especially true for taxpayers with complicated returns, such as capital gains, rental real estate income or loss, foreign earned income or foreign taxes paid, or multiple state income tax returns. For more information, contact your servicing legal assistance office or tax center.
For more guides and tips for tax season, visit (http://www.military.com/money/personal-finance/taxes) Military.com's Tax Center.


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What Is a VA-Guaranteed Loan?
Veterans Administration-guaranteed loans are made by private lenders to eligible veterans for the purchase of a home, which must be their own personal occupancy. Veterans apply for a loan through a lender and if the loan is approved the VA guarantees a portion of the total loan. Lenders include banks, credit unions or mortgage companies. VA's guarantee allows the veteran to obtain a competitive interest rate without a down payment. The amount of the loan a veteran can be approved for depends on the property location and entitlement available, as well as credit and income factors. For more information, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans) VA Home Loans webpage on Military.com.


New Suicide Prevention Law
The new Jacob Sexton Military Suicide Prevention Act was recently signed into law by President Obama. It includes language that will require all members of the U.S. Military -- active, National Guard and reserve -- to receive annual mental health assessments beginning in 2015. The legislation also requires an evaluation of existing mental health practices and provides measures to keep the privacy of service members who seek mental health care. The new law was named for an Indiana National Guardsman who took his own life during a 15-day leave from Afghanistan. The text of the original bill is available at (https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s2300/text) GovTrack.us.
For more on legislation that affects the military and veterans, visit the (http://capwiz.com/military/home/) Military.com Legislative Center.


Vet Benefits Center in Florida
The American Legion will host a town hall meeting on Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. at American Legion Post 273 on 600 American Legion Dr. In Madeira Beach, Fla. A Veterans Benefits Center will also be at Post 273 and operate Jan. 13-15 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Local veterans, especially those currently receiving VA health care, are encouraged to attend. See more at the (http://www.legion.org/veteransbenefits/ ... nter-tampa) American Legion site.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Army Contract Writing System
The (http://www.eis.army.mil/programs/acws) Army Contract Writing System (ACWS) is envisioned as a single, enterprise-wide solution to replace the Army's existing contract writing and management systems. Primary systems include the Standard Procurement System (SPS), the Procurement Automated Data and Document System (PADDS), and the Virtual Contracting Enterprise (VCE). ACWS will comprise approximately 8,000 users at 280 sites in the CONUS and OCONUS. The Army will use the information gathered as an aid in influencing the final acquisition strategy and related decisions. This will result in a final RFP and contract award in FY15. More information about the ACWS can be viewed on the U.S. Army Contracting Command Capabilities Management Office SharePoint site. For more information, visit the U.S. Army (http://www.army.mil/standto/archive_2014-12-15/) Stand-To! website.


Explore Veterans Benefits
Learning about and applying for VA benefits is easy for Veterans and their families. (http://explore.va.gov) Explore.VA.gov lets you see all the benefits that VA has to offer to help veterans buy homes, earn degrees, start careers, stay healthy, and do so much more after service.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Camp Lejeuene H20 Contamination
A new law expands the water contamination dates for claims by family members affected by the historic water contamination on Camp Lejeune. Under the amendment, family members who lived on Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987, could be eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits. Family members who apply through the program for health benefits could receive out-of-pocket medical expenses reimbursed by the VA. The VA would be able to cover expenses related to one of 15 medical conditions: esophageal cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, multiple myeloma, renal toxicity, female infertility, scleroderma, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer, leukemia, Myelodysplastic syndromes, hepatic steatosis, miscarriage and neurobehavioral effects. For more information, call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or visit VA's (http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposure ... /index.asp) Camp Lejeune Past Water Contamination webpage and the VA (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8799/ca ... onditions/) VAntage Point Blog.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


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Scholarships in North Carolina
Scholarships from the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs and the North Carolina Association of Veterans Services Officers are available for eligible high school seniors who are the children of some North Carolina veterans. The deadline for both scholarships is March 1. The North Carolina Division of Veteran Affairs manages a scholarship for the children of certain categories of deceased, disabled, combat or POW/MIA veterans. The scholarship pays for four years of tuition and fees at a North Carolina college or university. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Applications are available online at North Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs website at (http://www.doa.nc.gov/vets/) www.doa.nc.gov/vets/ under the "Scholarships" tab. The North Carolina Association of Veterans Services Officers scholarship was established to honor deceased veterans services officers. Information and applications are available at your county veterans services officer's office.
For more on military education benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education section.


Security Breach at VA
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has sustained another data breach, putting more than 7,000 veterans at risk of identity theft. A potential flaw in one of VA's patient databases managed by a vendor to provide home telehealth services may have exposed personal information of veterans. The security flaw could have exposed veterans' data, including name, address, date of birth, phone number and VA patient identification number, via the Internet. VA has notified and offered credit protection to all 7,054 veterans in the database.
For more veterans benefits info and updates, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Did Congress go Too Far on Star-Rank Pay?
This week Tom Philpott reports that in 2006 Congress, at the urging of then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, took aggressive steps to raise pay and future retirement of currently serving general and admirals, particularly those serving beyond 30 years. The results have left some retired star-ranking officers getting more from their retirement than they did on active duty -- leaving some asking if Congress went too far. (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... tired-pay/) Read the full Military Update article to get the full story.