If you have ever tried to explore the options and benefits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers to former service members, you know how overwhelming it can be. Unfortunately, many veterans do not understand everything they could potentially be assisted with, which leads to some very helpful resources going unused. Here, I hope to shed some light on a few of those lesser-known ones, so that veterans and their families will understand where to find and utilize these benefits.

Understanding VA Benefits

The VA has a guaranteed benefits package for a veterans including things such as healthcare, education, housing and employment benefits. Far too often, however, these robust programs are underutilized due to their complexity. Approximately 40 percent of veterans are unaware of any of the benefits available to them, according to the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics1.

Perks Over Basic Healthcare

Most veterans are aware of VA healthcare services, but not all of them may realize just how broad the categories of specialized care REALLY are. As an example, the VA offers substantial mental health services that include PTSD and substance use disorder counseling- key services for many veterans transitioning to life outside of the military. VA is the largest provider of health care services in the state, and also one of the largest providers of dental care benefits, which many veterans do not realize they are eligible for if certain conditions are met, like service-connected dental problems2.

Opportunities for Education and Training

The GI Bill is commonly known about, but other educational benefits go unnoticed. Other programs are geared toward helping veterans live their best lives post-service; for example, the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program helps veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for employment and helps veterans with the service-connected disabilities to find and maintain suitable employment. This program provides, among other things, career counseling, education, and training, all of which can be instrumental in increasing a veterans chance of success in their career4.

Housing and Loan Assistance

Home purchasing may be one of the largest menaces that veterans will be on the lookout for, so make use of this advantage. But the VA also provides grants for home modifications to suit disabilities, like the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant. For veterans who have to modify their homes to meet their mobility needs, this can be life-changing.4

Burial and Memorial Benefits

The VA burial and memorial benefits are some of the most underused benefits. The VA also offers burial allowances, headstones, markers, and medallions and provides for perpetual care of a spouse or dependent buried in a national cemetery. These benefits are put in place to honor veterans for their service and reduce the financial strain for their family members5.

Gaining Access and Getting the Most Out of It

To receive the most benefits possible, veterans should begin at their eBenefits portal, which provides a tailored snapshot of benefits and services you may be eligible for. It also helps to reach out to a veterans service organization (VSO). Many VSOs have trained representatives who can assist veterans in the application process while ensuring they receive the full range of benefits they are entitled to.

VA benefits: Understanding and access to the full gamut of benefits has a major impact on veterans and their families. We are shining a light on those underappreciated benefits in hopes of helping veterans to engage fully to the resources available to them. And veterans who have served the nation, whether through healthcare or education or housing or memorial services, these benefits are a sign not just of appreciation but of what the nation owes all of the people who served on its behalf.

References

• National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics
• VA Dental Care Benefits
• Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program
• VA Disability Housing Grants
• VA Burial and Memorial Benefits