Non-VA Veteran Benefits
There are plenty of benefits offered to qualifying vets through the Department of Veterans Affairs and state-level veteran agencies. Did you know there are other resources to find veteran benefits apart from those two resources? We examine some of them below.
Veteran Job Help from the Department of Labor
The Department of Labor provides veterans with employment assistance, including helping them enroll in job training programs focusing on in-demand skills, personalized career counseling to help them identify suitable career paths, and direct assistance with job searches. Other services may include resume building and interview preparation.
The department also administers the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which provides pre-separation counseling and workshops. A critical function of the DOL is enforcing the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
This law protects veterans from employment discrimination based on their military service and ensures their right to return to civilian jobs after deployment. The DOL’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) oversees these programs and works to reduce veteran unemployment and underemployment.
Veteran Business Support from the Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration supports veterans who want to explore their self-employment and/or small business entrepreneurship options. This support includes access to capital through SBA-backed loan programs, which you can find using the agency’s lender match tool.
The SBA also provides entrepreneurial training through programs, including Boots to Business, which offers workshops and online courses. Veterans are mentored by business professionals and receive counseling on developing business plans and navigating regulatory requirements.
The SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) coordinates these efforts. The SBA also advocates for veteran-owned businesses in federal contracting, implementing programs that give these businesses preference when bidding on government contracts.
Read next: Veteran and Military Retiree Benefits Guide
Veteran Disability Benefits from the Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration administers federal disability programs, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSDI provides benefits to Americans with qualifying disabilities who have paid Social Security taxes, while SSI provides benefits to low-income individuals with disabilities, regardless of work history.
The SSA expedites disability claims for veterans with a 100% disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The SSA also offers resources and information to help veterans understand and apply for disability benefits.
Housing Assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Department of Housing and Urban Development addresses veteran homelessness through various programs. The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program provides rental assistance vouchers to homeless veterans. These services may also include case management and VA medical services.
HUD also supports community-based initiatives that offer transitional housing and supportive services to veterans. The department works with local public housing agencies and non-profit organizations to increase veterans and their families’ access to affordable housing. HUD programs also address the specific needs of disabled and elderly veterans.
Read next: Veteran and Military Retiree Benefits Guide
Veteran Education Assistance from the Department of Education
The Department of Education administers federal student aid programs, including grants and loans, to help veterans and their dependents finance higher education. The department provides guidance and support in utilizing veterans’ education benefits, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
The DOE Federal Student Aid office provides information and resources on eligibility requirements and application procedures. The DOE also works with colleges and universities to ensure that they are providing adequate support services to veteran students and manages programs that help veterans get college credit for military training.
Financial Protection from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau protects veterans from scams and predatory practices. The bureau also provides educational resources on topics such as debt management, credit scores, and financial planning specifically tailored to veterans’ needs.
The CFPB also investigates complaints about lending and other financial products, including those targeting veterans. These enforcement efforts affect home loans, credit cards, and debt collection. The CFPB also collaborates with other federal and state agencies to address financial issues affecting veterans.
Read next: Veteran and Military Retiree Benefits Guide
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
