Military Survivor Benefit Programs (SBP)
The DoD offers the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to provide financial protection for military families after a service member’s death. Learn more.
Veteran Benefits
VA Reforms Veteran Access to Community Healthcare
The Department of Veterans Affairs has made it easier for qualifying VA-enrolled vets to get healthcare from community providers. The VA announced the activation of a feature in the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, simplifying referrals for non-VA medical care. That law prohibits VA administrators from overriding a VA… Read more »
VA and Non-VA Services for Blind and Deaf Veterans
Veterans transitioning to civilian life must often cope with issues related to service-connected disabilities. Among these issues, vision and hearing impairments can affect a veteran’s ability to live and work independently. Fortunately, a support network exists through the Department of Veterans Affairs and private or civilian organizations to help these veterans. Department of Veterans Affairs… Read more »
GAO: VA Lacks Oversight on Mental Health Care
Behavioral health care is an important treatment option for veterans, especially those suffering from PTSD, anxiety, and any number of other common mental health issues. This includes services like talking to a therapist or getting medicine for these conditions. And not all veteran care is performed at VA facilities. Many veterans get this help from… Read more »
Big Box Retailers Supporting Veterans & Military Spouses
Veterans and military spouses getting ready to transition into civilian life may not know that many major companies and corporations have career transition programs and policies designed to make the move easier. If you’re unsure about your options as you prepare to embrace civilian life, some of the options below may help you pick a direction for your first post-military work. Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, and others offer post-military opportunities through the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge initiative for transitioning service members. Others have military-friendly hiring, training, and/or mentoring programs. Learn more.
National Guard and Reserve Career Transition Q&A
Are you a member of the Guard or Reserve? If you’re considering a career transition, here’s our Q&A about career transition for Guard and Reserve.
VA Loans for Mobile Homes & Manufactured Homes
There are VA mortgages for a variety of loan purposes. You can buy a condo unit, townhome, duplex, and multi-unit properties with a VA mortgage. You can also use a VA loan to buy a mobile home and even the land that home is to be placed upon. VA loan rules for manufactured home purchases are a bit different than for buying a typical suburban home, but some of those differences have to do with the unique nature of manufactured housing. Learn more.
Veterans Crisis Line Gets Remote Work Exemption After Media Scrutiny
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has granted an exemption from a 2025 return-to-office mandate for federal employees. The exemption goes to employees of the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL). It follows a season of media scrutiny over the proposed back-to-work effort and how it may affect VA operations like the VCL. Why Remote Work Matters… Read more »
What to Expect from a VA Disability Claim Exam
A veteran who files a disability claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs will be asked to submit medical evidence to support their claim and may be required to have a VA medical exam, formally known as a Compensation and Pension examination. This plays a crucial role in the VA’s decision-making process. It determines the… Read more »
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. State/Local Government Agencies Offering Veteran Benefits Most states have an office dedicated to veterans’… Read more »