Veterans Benefits You May Not Know: How to Access Them

Rejoining civilian life after serving in the military for any length of time can be both daunting and challenging for our Veterans. The help of family and friends is vital for their success in transitioning back to normalcy.

Even with help, returning home can be a long uphill battle for these heroes. They’re faced with everything from post-traumatic stress disorder to new financial burdens to general anxieties about a new daily routine lacking the same structure that they have grown so used to. These concerns are valid. But by accessing the right tools, we can help our Veteran loved ones who are coming home to have an easier time settling down.

Here are a few Veterans benefits you may not know about and can plan for accordingly:

Healthcare Help for Veterans  

There are different types of healthcare benefits of which our Veterans can take advantage.

TRICARE: Those enrolled in TRICARE receive benefits such as dental, special programs for specific needs, a pharmacy program, and 11 health plan options.

Veterans Health Care Program: The Department of Veterans Affairs is required by law to provide necessary hospital and outpatient care services for eligible Veterans. This link includes a detailed explanation of what this may include and, more specifically, how each is accessed.

The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veteran Affairs (CHAMPVA): This Veteran assistance program shares the cost of healthcare and supplies with their beneficiaries. If a Veteran is not enrolled in VA healthcare, they can explore the benefits for which they are eligible on the VA Health Benefits Explorer.

Additionally, for female Veterans, it is important to note that there are Women’s Veterans Program Managers stationed at VA Medical Centers nationwide to both advocate and coordinate services on their behalf.

Financial Help in Many Forms

Financial problems are another area in which our Veteran loved ones should not struggle upon returning home. There are a few ways to access Veterans assistance programs in this regard.

Receiving a financial grant from the Veterans of Foreign Wars is one way to ease some of life’s burdens. If a Veteran is looking to purchase or refinance a home, they may be eligible for a VA Home Loan. Through the VA, eligible Veterans and spouses can also sign up for a home loan guaranty benefit and other housing programs.

Even the most organized and careful people become financially disorganized at times. For Veterans who fall behind on home payments, VA Regional Loan Centers offer financial counseling to help avoid foreclosure. If a Veteran is experiencing or on the brink of homelessness and is eligible for VA healthcare services, consider reading more about Housing Assistance For Veterans.

Beyond the VA and home loans, there are many programs that service members can access for financial benefits including Army Emergency Relief, The Armed Forces Foundation, and Rebuild Hope – all of which offer direct financial assistance and/or no-interest loans.

Signs Your Veteran is in Need

Aside from the pressures of securing healthcare, income, and a home, the everyday pressures of simply returning to the real world can take a toll on the mental health of a Veteran who is having a hard time re-adjusting their lifestyle. There are many warning signs for which these brave men and women should not be afraid to seek counseling, including:

• Hopelessness
• Anxiety
• Rage
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Isolation from family and friends

There are a number of ways a person can offer support to a loved one in these trying times. In any case, the best way to start is simply by sitting down with them, listening to their feelings, and expressing the desire to help them through it.

At Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care, one of our specialties is understanding the effects war can have on a person and how to provide them with the utmost care accordingly. It is a priority to ensure that our heroes are not only recognized for the sacrifices made for our freedom, but they are able to live the best life possible for their remaining years upon returning home.

To learn more about the unique care at Crossroads, which includes our Veteran Recognition program, visit our website or give us a call at 1-888-564-3405.

If you found this information helpful, please share it with your network and community.
Copyright © 2017 Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care. All rights reserved.