| How & Where To Get
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Issues & Help From This Site:
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How & Where To Get Help
Many people think that medical and other benefits are immediately
accessible to Veterans. This is a myth. Currently, all medical and other
benefits must be applied for by the Veteran. Many veterans are even under
the impression that their benefits are "automatic". They are not.
The reality is that ALL Veteran benefits require a separate and often
lengthy application process. For the untrained person AND for the veteran,
this can be a very confusing and frustrating challenge.
The resources listed here include both public and private agencies. No
matter how difficult the VA system is to traverse, there is NO other
option. Veterans deserve these benefits. If your veteran is too ill to
advocate for him/herself, then you should contact the American Legion, VFW
or Disabled American Veterans. Also, there are Social Workers at the VA
hospitals that you may call.
Do not give up and do not be intimidated by the process. Do not let
anyone minimize your challenge or your frustration. Do what you need to do
to get your veteran the benefits they need and see "How to Intervene to
Help your Veteran". If you are interested in pursuing change, please read
"About VFU" on this web site.
Agencies
- NEW!
www.esgr.mil
This web site explains the help that "Employer Support of the Guard and
Reserve" can give to returning Reservist and Guardsmen who may be having
employment disputes and/or are looking for civilian employers who
support our Guard and Reserve. It also has a link to Ombudsmen. This is
a group that helps resolve disputes or answers questions about
employment related problems for Reservist or Guardsmen.
- NEW!
www.USA4militaryfamilies.dod.mil This website has "10 issues"
identified that effect veterans and returning families. When you click
on the "issue" that you are interested in, it will have a "Map of the
States" so that you can find out what is going on in your area. This can
apprise veterans and families of many different types of services/help
available at a state level.
- Operation Home
Front -
http://www.OperationHomeFront.net
Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance and morale to our
troops, to the families they leave behind, and to wounded warriors when
they return home. A nonprofit 501(c)3 founded after September 11,
Operation Homefront leads more than 4,000 volunteers in 31 chapters
nationwide. Since its inception, Operation Homefront has provided
critical assistance to more than 45,000 military families in need.
- National Veterans Foundation - www.nvf.org
The National Veterans Foundation is a human service agency committed to
serving the crisis and information needs of all veterans and their
families. Staffed by a team of veterans (from Vietnam, the Cold War,
Desert Storm, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan) who are specially trained
in the delivery of crisis information and referral services, as well as
a team of licensed volunteer counselors to whom all crisis calls are
routed, more than 250,000 veterans in need of medical treatment,
substance abuse or PTSD Counseling, VA benefits advocacy, food, shelter,
employment training, legal aid, or suicide intervention, have now been
served by this unique, one-of-a-kind resource.
- www.giveanhour.org a
non-profit agency offering free mental health resources for families and
veterans
- www.americasupportsyou.mil
a comprehensive list of organizations that can help active duty,
veterans and family members. Resources can be accessed by state, type of
assistance needed, etc. All organizations listed on this website have
been approved and are non-profit, charitable organizations.
- A program to help injured
airmen -
http://www.military.com/military-report/air-force-palace-hart-program
Difficult to find detailed and contact information.
- VA Suicide Hotline and
other mental Health support and information
http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1363
http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Official site of the primary agency. Provides detailed information on
claims submission, appeals and local VA contact information.
www.va.gov
Similar pages:
VA Forms -
www.va.gov/vaforms/
Disabled Veterans -
www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/
Veteran Data -
www.va.gov/vetdata/
Health Care Benefits and Services -
www.va.gov/health_benefits/
More results from
www.va.gov
To register a soldier, you must have his Military ID, his DD214 (proof
of military service), and any medical records or exam reports that you
have available. Only the soldier can register
- American Legion at www.legion.org
then go to the "About Us" link and then to "Posts" to find an American
Legion office near you. You can also look at the "Veteran" link that shows
the services they can provide Veterans. American Legion can help you file
a disability claim and advocate for your soldier.
- Veterans of Foreign War at www.vfw.org.
Go to "Programs and Services" to find how they can help you apply for
Veterans benefits. They will also have a link that will tell you a local
office. VFW can help you file a disability claim and advocate for your
soldier.
- Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org
then go to the "Services" link. It will help explain how to file a
disability claim, but you will probably want to locate the DAV office and
service representative nearest you and that is also available on that
link.
- Military Onesource - www.militaryonesource.com. This source is a one-stop shop for all
branches of the military that includes legal matters, addition and
recover, readjustment information and a link to each military branch. They
also have a 24/7 phone number at 1-800-342-9647.
- National Center for PTSD - www.ncptsd.va.gov. This source has a lot of written material
about PTSD and how it can effect families and children. The information is
very good, however it will refer you back to VA related agencies.
- www.military.com has a lot of
accessible information about Federal and State benefits.
- www.nmfa.org - National Military
Family Association
- www.sofarusa.org - Strategic
Outreach to Families of all reservists
- www.vba.va.gov/benefit_facts/index.htm - U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs Benefits Facts Sheets
- APPEALING VETERANS
BENEFITS CLAIMS can be difficult. The following agencies may be able
to assist you in that process. U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
at www.vetapp.uscourts.gov
or (202) 501-5950. The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program may be able
to help with legal assistance at www.vetsprobono.org or (888) 838-7727. Finally, the National
Veterans Legal Services Program may be of assistance for qualified
veteran applicants at www.nvlsp.org
or (202) 265-8305.
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Readjustment and Mental Health Treatment Resources
- NEW!
www.nchv.org or 1-800-vet-help
Resources for homeless veterans and/or veterans facing homelessness.
- NEW!
www.returntohonorworkshop.com The Freedoms Foundation at
Valley Forge offers 2 ½ -day training for those who have suffered from
the emotional trauma of war – suggested for returning troops several
months after their return from "theater".
-
www.usvetsinc.org This
non-profit organization is dedicated to helping homeless and at-risk
veterans in their effort to reintegrate to civilian life. 12 locations
across the nation and a toll free number for veterans having challenges
with reintegration. Excellent resource.
- www.giveanhour.org a
non-profit agency offering free mental health resources for families and
veterans
-
www.seamlesstransition.va.gov help for veterans returning home
and having readjustment challenges
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www.nami.org/veterans
specific information about Veterans and mental health related illnesses
and information for resources for veterans and their families
-
www.Cog-Systems.com an
innovative treatment for mild traumatic brain injury and other
neurological injuries that can be done from home.
- www.spanusa.org - A national
suicide prevention organization that provides extensive information that
may be helpful for veterans and their families.
- www.uswelcomehome.org - A
non-profit organization for veterans and families to assist in social,
emotional and spiritual needs. Retreats and support offered.
- http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1363 and
http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ - VA Suicide Hotline and other
mental Health support and information
- www.healthjourneys.com - Resources by author Belleruth Naperstek for
trauma. Invisible Heroes: Survivors of Trauma and How They Heal is an
excellent book for PTSD/depression/anxiety and there are wonderful
healing CD’s available.
- www.emdr.com - Information about Eye Movement Desensitization
Reprocessing and it’s healing potential for Trauma victims.
- www.emofree.com - Information on Emotional Field Therapy and it’s
healing potential for Trauma victims.
- www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
- Information on the AA 12 step program
and path of recovery and meetings available in your hometown.
- www.na.com - Information on Narcotics Anonymous and the 12 step
program and path to recovery and meetings available in your home town.
- www.coda.com - Information on Codependents Anonymous – learning how to
live with an addicted person and meeting availability in your hometown.
- www.tara-approach.com - Information on an energy healing process that
can be helpful with trauma.
- www.valleyhope.com - Private
Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers in the mid-west that offer a variety
of treatment options.
- www.va.gov/rcs/ - Vet Centers –
Department of Veterans Affairs Centers offered in many locations and
separate from VA Hospital to offer readjustment counseling in a caring
manner
- www.katrenahart.com -
Psychodrama Training Institute and Psychotherapy that has been helpful
with Veterans issues.
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Mental/Emotional Healing Therapies Available
- NEW!
www.cominghomeproject.net
Counseling connections for OIF/OEF veterans through private therapists.
- NEW!
www.thesoldiersproject.org
Counseling services and connections for veterans and their family members
- NEW!
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org another link to immediate
intervention for suicide prevention. New Veterans Link.
- NEW!
www.trauma-institute.com the
use of Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy (IRRT) for use in
treating traumatic memories.
- www.usvetsinc.org This
non-profit organization is dedicated to helping homeless and at-risk
veterans in their effort to reintegrate to civilian life. 12 locations
across the nation and a toll free number for veterans having challenges
with reintegration. Excellent resource.
- www.giveanhour.org a
non-profit agency offering free mental health resources for families and
veterans
-
www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/assmnts/ptsd_checklist_pcl.html
To receive a checklist for PTSD, scroll to the bottom and click on
“request form”. You will be able to request specific checklists for PTSD.
- www.nami.org/veterans
specific information about Veterans and mental health related illnesses
and information for resources for veterans and their families
- www.spanusa.org - A national suicide
prevention organization that provides extensive information that may be
helpful for veterans and their families.
-
http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1363 and
http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/
- VA Suicide Hotline and other mental Health support and information
- www.ncptsd.org - Information on PTSD from the National Center for PTSD.
- www.nmha.org - National Mental
Health Association.
- www.nami.org -
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
- www.militarymentalhealth.org - This has a mental health
self-assessment screening and referral program offered to families and
service members affected by deployment or mobilization.
- www.fpc.wa.gov/Welcome%20Home.pdf - Welcome Home: How to make a
difference in the lives of returning war veterans. Washington Family
Policy Council.
- Vet Centers are
designed to help combat veterans and their families. There are over 200
community locations and all that is needed is a DD 214 and you don’t have
to be registered with the VA to get help. Locate the nearest Vet Center at
www.va.gov/rcs.
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Children and Youth Resources
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War Related Information
This section of the website contains the latest fact sheets and
literature on the war in Iraq. Important links from the site are:
For information on how the war may impact soldiers see:
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Connecting
Veterans and their Families to Compassionate Resources.
