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The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA) continues to build better lives for veterans and their families living in Oregon. From helping veterans obtain earned medals and military awards to filing claims for education benefits, ODVA is here with you every step of the way. The wide array of programs and services are provided by a grateful nation and state.
Federal Benefits Checklist
  GI Bill
The GI Bill, an education assistance program administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, provides benefits to veterans, servicemembers, and some dependents of disabled or deceased veterans wishing to pursue an education. The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or “New GI Bill” has been enacted into law. (Factsheet)
GI Bill - 1-888-GI-BILL-1
Approved Education Programs
Combat Veteran Health Care
Under the "Combat Veteran" authority, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides cost-free health care services and nursing home care for conditions possibly related to military service and enrollment in Priority Group 6, unless eligible for enrollment in a higher priority.
VA Form 10-10EZ - Application for Medical Benefits (Enroll)
All veterans are potentially eligible, however a veteran must apply and enroll for VA medical benefits. Most veterans’ health benefits are based solely on honorable active military service in the United States Armed Forces. Reservists and National Guard members who were called to active duty by a Federal Executive Order may qualify for VA health care benefits.
Oregon VA Medical Facilities
VA provides eligible veterans a Veterans Identification Card (VIC) for use at VA health care facilities. Once your eligibility for VA medical benefits is verified and you have your picture taken at your local VA medical facility, your card will be mailed to you, usually within 5 to 7 days. If you lose your card or do not receive your card in the mail, contact the VA where your picture was taken to request a new card be sent to you. You may also contact 1-877-222-VETS (8387) to check on the status of your card.
VA Disability Compensation
Disability compensation is a benefit paid to a veteran because of injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, or were made worse by active military service. It is also paid to certain veterans disabled from VA health care. The benefits are tax-free. You may be eligible for disability compensation if you have a service-related disability and you were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. The amount of basic benefit paid ranges, depending on how disabled you are. You may be paid additional amounts, in certain instances, if:
- you have very severe disabilities or loss of limb(s)
- you have a spouse, child(ren), or dependent parent(s)
- you have a seriously disabled spouse
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21
Military Medals, Awards and Decorations
Veterans are entitled to one replacement set of military medals. Requests for the issuance or replacement of military service medals, decorations, and awards should be directed to the specific branch of the military in which the veteran served. Generally, there is no charge for medal or award replacements. The length of time to receive a response or your medals and awards varies depending upon the branch of service sending the medals. The eVetRecs is preferred for requesting medals and awards.
Military Personnel Records
The National Archives maintains a customized order form to request information from your, or your relative's, military personnel records. DD 214s are not available online. They are sent to the requester through the mail and like all other similar requests do require a written signature before the request is processed. Additionally, although our web site (eVetRecs) is set up to accept orders for DD 214s, it uses a secure, encrypted channel with the customer. You may use this system if you are:
- A military veteran, or
- Next of kin of a deceased, former member of the military
- The next of kin can be any of the following: surviving spouse that has not remarried, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother.
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment VR&E Program
 Education and Employment program for veterans with 20% or higher service-connected disability. Veterans generally have 12 years from the date they are notified of their entitlement to the program. Eligible veterans may be allowed up to 48 months of full-time benefits.
VA Home Loan Guaranty Eligibility Center
VA Loans can be used to obtain a loan to: Buy or build a home, Buy a residential condominium, Buy a residential cooperative housing unit, Repair, alter or improve a home, Refinance an existing home loan, Buy a manufactured home with or without a lot, Buy and improve a manufactured home lot, Install a solar heating or cooling system or other weatherization improvements, and Buy a home and install energy-efficient improvements. Call the VA Eligibility Center is 1-888-244-6711.
When serious financial troubles arise, it is obvious that living expenses must be cut to the bone. Most of the luxuries previously enjoyed, and even some things which may have been thought of as necessary, may have to be dropped for a time. In order to help veterans in serious financial trouble, VA Regional Loan Centers have technicians available to conduct financial counseling. This counseling is designed to help you avoid foreclosure. VA Regional Loan Centers have technicians available to conduct financial counseling. If you want this assistance, call 1-877-827-3702.
Home Loan Counseling and Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans
VA counselors at nine regional loan centers assist people with VA-guarantied loans avoid foreclosure through counseling and special financing arrangements. Counselors also can assist other veterans with financial problems. Depending on a veteran’s circumstances, VA can intercede with the borrower on the veteran’s behalf to pursue options -- such as repayment plans, forbearance, and loan modifications -- that would allow a veteran to keep a home. To obtain help from a VA financial counselor, veterans can call VA toll-free at 1-877-827-3702.
Veterans' Recruitment Appointment
 Allows federal agencies to appoint eligible veterans to jobs without competition. These appointments can be converted to career or career-conditional positions after two years of satisfactory work. Veterans should apply directly to the agency where they wish to work.
http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei4.asp
Veterans' Employment Preference
Since the time of the Civil War, veterans of the Armed Forces have been given some degree of preference in appointments to Federal jobs. Recognizing their sacrifice, Congress enacted laws to prevent veterans seeking Federal employment from being penalized for their time in military service. Veterans' preference recognizes the economic loss suffered by citizens who have served their country in uniform, restores veterans to a favorable competitive position for Government employment, and acknowledges the larger obligation owed to disabled veterans.
Preference applies in hiring from civil service examinations, for most excepted service jobs, and when agencies make temporary appointments or use delegated examining authorities from the U. S. Office of Personnel Management. To be entitled to preference, a veteran must meet the eligibility requirements in section 2108 of title 5, United States Code. This means that:
- An honorable or general discharge is necessary.
- Military retirees at the rank of major, lieutenant commander, or higher are not eligible for preference unless they are disabled veterans.
- Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes does not qualify for preference.
- When applying for Federal jobs, eligible veterans should claim preference on their application or resume. Applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete form SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference.
Application for Veterans Preference - SF15
Veterans Preference Advisor
Office of Personnel Management
Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP)
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has an active role in Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP) throughout the United States and around the world. Since the implementation of TAP/DTAP through the original legislation VA has provided benefit information to separating service members and their families. VA encourages all separating service members to contact their respective Family Service Centers/Transition Center to determine when the Transition Assistance Briefings are scheduled for a particular site and attend.
Taps Slideshow
Turbo TAP - The official Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Personal Finance & Transition web site operated on behalf of U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
VA Pension
Pension is a benefit paid to wartime veterans who have limited or no income, and who are age 65 or older, or, if under 65, who are permanently and totally disabled. Veterans who are more seriously disabled may qualify for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits. These are benefits that are paid in addition to the basic pension rate.
Aid and Attendance
Aid and Attendance (A&A) is a benefit paid in addition to monthly pension. This benefit may not be paid without eligibility to pension. A veteran may be eligible for A&A when:
- The veteran requires the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, attending to the wants of nature, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting himself/herself from the hazards of his/her daily environment, OR,
- The veteran is bedridden, in that his/her disability or disabilities requires that he/she remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment, OR,
- The veteran is a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, OR,
- The veteran is blind, or so nearly blind as to have corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less, in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.
Housebound is paid in addition to monthly pension. Like A&A, Housebound benefits may not be paid without eligibility to pension. A veteran may be eligible for Housebound benefits when:
- The veteran has a single permanent disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling AND, due to such disability, he/she is permanently and substantially confined to his/her immediate premises, OR,
- The veteran has a single permanent disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling AND, another disability, or disabilities, evaluated as 60 percent or more disabling.
A veteran cannot receive both Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits at the same time.
Veterans Canteen Service (VCS)
Since 1946, the VCS has provided Veteran patients of the U. S. Armed Forces and those who provide for their care with quality merchandise, food, vending, and related services at reasonable prices in VA medical centers across the country. The VA VCS has partnered with Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) to offer more products and services for veterans. Veterans enrolled with the VA Healthcare system may enroll with VCS to shop online. To enroll, go online to www.vacanteen.va.gov or send an email to vcs.canteen@med.va.gov and use the subject line VAVCS Catalog.
Commissary and Exchange Privileges
Unlimited exchange and commissary store privileges in the United States are available to honorably discharged veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 100 percent, unremarried surviving spouses of members or retired members of the armed forces, recipients of the Medal of Honor, and their dependents and orphans. Certification of total disability is done by VA. Reservists and their dependents also may be eligible. Privileges overseas are governed by international law and are available only if agreed upon by the foreign government concerned.
Travel Reimbursement
Certain veterans may be eligible for reimbursement for travel costs to receive VA medical care. Reimbursement is paid at 28.5 cents per mile and is subject to a deductible of $7.77 for each one-way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, and a monthly maximum of $46.62.
VA Travel Reimbursements
Need a Ride to a Medical Appointment? Check the DAV Van Schedule
Military Service and Social Security
Earnings for active duty military service or active duty training have been covered under Social Security since 1957. Social Security has covered inactive duty service in the armed forces reserves (such as weekend drills) since 1988. If you served in the military before 1957, you did not pay Social Security taxes, but we gave you special credit for some of your service. You can get both Social Security benefits and military retirement. Generally, there is no reduction of Social Security benefits because of your military retirement benefits. You’ll get your full Social Security benefit based on your earnings.
Social Security and Wounded Warriors
Military service members can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security. Benefits available through Social Security are different than those from the U.S. Dept. Veterans Affairs (VA) and require a separate application. The expedited process is used for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs.
Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)
CRSC may entitle you to additional funds which are designed to compensate you for the reduction of your military retired pay due to the receipt of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation (also known as the VA waiver's). With CRSC, you can receive either partial or full concurrent receipt of your military retirement pay and your VA disability compensation.
Even though you may not have qualified for CRSC in the past, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2003 expanded CRSC eligibility to retired military personnel who have a combat-related Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability rating between 10% and 50% effective January 1, 2004. Your branch of service will determine which disabilities (if any) qualify as combat-related.
Specially Adapted Housing Program
Veterans or servicemembers who have specific service-connected disabilities may be entitled to a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the purpose of constructing an adapted home or modifying an existing home to meet their adaptive needs. The goal of the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant Program is to provide a barrier-free living environment that affords the veterans or servicemembers a level of independent living he or she may not normally enjoy.
http://www.homeloans.va.gov/sah.htm
Small Businesses Economic Injury Disaster Loan
A special Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan is available for self-employed Reservists whose small businesses may have been damaged through extended absences of the owner or essential employee as a result of activation of the owner or essential employee to military active duty. The SBA also conducts important research in veterans’ entrepreneurship. A Veterans Business Development Officer is stationed at every SBA District Office. Contact SBA at 1-800-U-ASK-SBA (1-800-827-5722).
Life Insurance
Honorably discharged veterans with service-connected disabilities may qualify for insurance. The Insurance programs developed to provide benefits for veterans who may not be able to get insurance from private companies because of the extra risks of a service connected disability. Veterans with service-connected disability must sign-up within the first two years.
Life Insurance Benefits for Service-Disabled Veterans
VA Life Insurance
File a Death Claim
Department of Veterans Affairs
Regional Office and Insurance Center
P O Box 7208
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101
(888) 748-5822
Loans for Farms and Homes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides loans and guarantees to buy, improve or operate farms. Applications from veterans have preference. Loans and guarantees are available for housing in towns generally up to 20,000 in population. For further information, contact Farm Service Agency or Rural Development, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250, or apply at local Department of Agriculture offices, usually located in county seats.
Housing and Urban Development
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sponsors the Veteran Resource Center (HUDVET), which works with national veterans service organizations to serve as a general information center on all HUD sponsored housing and community development programs and services. To contact HUDVET, call 1-800-998-9999.
Naturalization Preference
Honorable active-duty service in the U.S. armed forces during a designated period of hostility allows an individual to naturalize without being required to establish any periods of residence or physical presence in the United States. A service member who was in the United States, certain territories, or aboard an American public vessel at the time of enlistment, re-enlistment, extension of enlistment or induction, may naturalize even if he or she is not a lawful permanent resident. Qualifying members of the armed forces who have served at any time during a specified period of hostility may immediately apply for naturalization.
Eye Glasses and Vision
Eye Glasses and vision examination at no charge for veterans with 10% or greater service-connected disability of any kind, including former POW's. This benefit is also available to veterans with a service-connected disability for an eye condition, 0% or greater. Veterans not eligible for eyeglasses will receive a copy of their eyeglass prescription which may be used to purchase eyeglasses from a private source at the veteran's own expense.
Burial and End of Life
Veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable, their spouses and dependent children can be buried in a national cemetery. Other burial benefits available for all eligible veterans, regardless of whether they are buried in a national cemetery or a private cemetery, include a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and a government headstone or marker.
Oregon Military Funeral Honors Program
A burial allowance (if receiving or entitled to receive USDVA benefits at time of death), burial flag, grave marker and, if desired, burial in a national cemetary.
Burial Flags
Veterans and family members are also eligible for Burial At Sea. Anyone desiring burial at sea should indicate that preference in writing (in a will or other legal document).
Burial At Sea Program
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