Veterans Report - Week of January 14, 2013

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Veterans Report - Week of January 14, 2013

VA Software Developer Contest
The Department of Veterans Affairs is challenging software developers to create new systems that schedule appointments in VA's nationwide health system. Through a Medical Appointment Scheduling System (MASS) Contest, hosted on the site Challenge.gov, VA will award as many as three prizes for the creation of an open-source and open application program interface (API)-based system to replace components of VA's 25-year-old scheduling software in its VistA electronic health system. Registration for the contest is due by May 13, 2013, and all entries must be finalized by June 13, 2013. VA will use the results of the contest to design final specification for an appointment scheduling system to be deployed nationally. For more information, visit the (http://vascheduling.challenge.gov/) contest website.


Vet Bonuses in Ohio
Veterans of the Persian Gulf War have only until December 31, 2013 to apply for a tax-free bonus from the state totaling between $150 and $5,700. The only requirements are that the veteran was an Ohio resident when he or she entered the service, is currently an Ohio resident and he or she served at least 90 days on active duty between Aug. 2, 1990, and March 3, 1991. It does not matter whether the applicant was in a combat zone. Veterans of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq wars are the only ones who are eligible at this time. For more information, called 1-877-OHIO VET (1-877-644-6838) or visit the (https://veteransbonus.ohio.gov/odvs_web/) Ohio Veterans Bonus Program website.
For more tips and guides for tax season, visit the (http://www.military.com/money/personal-finance/taxes) Military.com Tax Center.


Eucom Extends Civilian LQA Allowance
The Department of Defense is extending housing allowances by one year for DoD civilians employed overseas by the U.S. European Command who were mistakenly granted the benefit. DoD has directed all components with employees in the Eucom area of responsibility to audit their employees' pay files to determine who is affected. For affected employees, there will be a one-year continuation of living-quarters allowances (LQA) payments and a waiver of indebtedness. DoD policy does not allow blanket waivers, so each affected employee will have to file for a waiver of indebtedness. Each case will be weighed on its individual merits.
For more on housing allowances and other pay benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay) Military.com Pay Center.


Military Skills Translator: Civilian Jobs You Qualify For
Translate your military skills, experience and training to find career opportunities that best align with your capabilities. Enter in your MOS, MOSC, Rating, or Designator and we'll give you a list of civilian skills and equivalent job openings. (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/sk ... RC=mrvr.nl) Translate Your Skills and Apply for Jobs Now.


'Fiscal-Cliff' Deal Affects Paychecks
The legislation that President Barack Obama signed Jan. 2 that postponed the fiscal cliff means changes to military and civilian paychecks. The legislation increases Social Security withholding taxes to 6.2 percent. For the past two years during the "tax holiday" the rate was 4.2 percent. For military members, Social Security withholding is located on their leave and earnings statement in the blocks marked "FICA taxes". Active duty military personnel will see pay adjustments in their January mid-month paycheck and will be reflected on the January leave and earnings statement. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) stresses that all personnel should review pay statements carefully.
(http://www.military.com/money/personal- ... taxes.html) Read more about the changes to your taxes.


Updated: VA Loan Limits for 2013
The maximum guaranty amount of a VA loan is typically $417,000, but you may qualify for much more depending on the county where you live. VA has announced new loan limits for 2013 for certain counties, with some limits as high as over $1 million. These limits apply to all loans closed January 1, 2013 and afterwards. For the full chart of every county and contact information for regional VA loan centers, see this (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/ ... nties.html) updated Military.com article.


VA Updates Homepages
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has launched the first phase of the new look and feel of its homepage VA.gov. The Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, and National Cemetery Administration homepages have also been revamped. The redesigned webpages contain updated navigation, improved search capabilities, and more up-to-date VA content and information. Visit the newly updated webpages: (http://www.va.gov/) VA.gov, the (http://www.va.gov/health/default.asp) Veterans Health Administration, the (http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/) Veterans Benefits Administration, and the (http://www.cem.va.gov/) National Cemetery Administration. For more information, read VA's (http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8493/va ... k-and-feel) VAntage Point Blog.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


VA Program for Losing Weight in 2013
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a program called MOVE! that can help veterans successfully lose weight and change their lives. It is called MOVE! Find out how it can help you lose weight and keep it off. For more information, visit the (http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/20130103a.asp) VA website.
For military-level fitness training tips and programs from the experts, visit the (http://military-fitness.military.com/) Daily PT.


KCI is Hiring Veteran Talent
People Like You Are Our Most Important Asset. KCI offers the excitement and challenges of a growing and innovative company in the medical device marketplace of advanced wounded care solutions -- helping to heal patients, restoring them to active, and productive lives. At KCI, we refer to our employees as "Team Members" because we work together to provide the best products, service and outcomes to our customers. Diversity and prior-servicemembers are central to our hiring efforts and we believe success hinges on integrity, motivation and leadership found in U.S. Military Veterans. (http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employe ... RC=mrvr.nl) Learn More


Benefit Calculator: 2013 Benefits in One Place
The Military.com Benefit Calculator is designed to quickly and easily connect you with your benefits information based on service and status. Find Federal Benefits, State Benefits, National Guard State Benefits, Special Military Discounts and More. (http://benefits.military.com/reg/Vetera ... RC=mrvr.nl) Find Your Benefits Now.
(http://www.military.com/benefits?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Visit the Military.com Benefit Channel to access Pay Charts, TRICARE information, BAH, Survivor Benefits, Vet Benefits and More.


WWI Centennial Commission in KC
The World War I Centennial Commission will be based in Kansas City. The commission will plan the U.S. Observance of the centennial of World War I, which will mark the 1914-18 conflict that the United States entered in 1917. A bill creating a centennial commission was approved by both the U.S. Senate and House. The commission will have twelve members. For more information on World War I, visit the (http://www.theworldwar.org/s/110/new/in ... unity.aspx) National WWI Museum website; (http://www.firstworldwar.com/) Firstworldwar.com, and a multimedia history of WWI the (http://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Main_Page) World War I Document Archive.


ESGR Freedom Award Nomination Deadline
Reserve-component servicemembers have until Jan. 21 to nominate their employers for a 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, which recognizes employers who go beyond what the law requires in supporting the National Guardsmen and reservists who work for them in their civilian lives. The Freedom Award is the nation's highest recognition for employers who support Guard and Reserve members, and employers of every size and industry are eligible to receive the honor. Guard and Reserve members, or a family member acting on their behalf, may nominate their employers at (http://www.FreedomAward.mil) The Freedom Award website.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.


Play Military Trivia and Win an iPod
Think you know military history and trivia? Test your knowledge with the Military.com Trivia Challenge. Here's how you win: For each question you answer correctly you'll receive one point, and for each point you'll earn an electronic raffle ticket. At the end of the month we'll have a random drawing of all the tickets and pull out one to determine the winner. Play as little or as much as you'd like during the month, but the more questions you answer correctly, the greater your chances of winning. (http://www.military.com/Trivia/Home?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Play Now.


Many to Lose TRICARE Prime
On October 1, 2013 more than 171K retirees will be pushed off TRICARE Prime -- the military's managed-care option. The policy change will affect retirees, their family members and military survivors who reside more than 40 miles from a military treatment facility or from a base closure site. Affected retirees will need to shift health coverage from Prime to TRICARE Standard, the military's fee-for-service health insurance option. For beneficiaries who use more than preventive health care during the year, the shift will mean higher out-of-pocket costs.
(http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,254518,00.html) Read the Military Update to get the full story.
(http://www.capwiz.com/military/issues/a ... d=62125486) Let your voice be heard! Click here to tell you elected officials know how you feel about this change in TRICARE benefits.


VGLI Too Much? Get $400k Coverage From $29 a Month
Is VGLI too much? Get affordable life insurance coverage for less. $400k Coverage starting at $29 a month. (http://www.military.com/insurance/?lpid ... =vr0114.nl) Get quality coverage now.


Website for Women Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs now has a website devoted strictly to women veterans. On the (http://www.womenshealth.va.gov/) Women Veterans Health Care website, visitors can find tools and resources for and about women veterans, include statistics, tips on wellness and healthy living, recent news, and links to publications, products, VA's Health Awareness and Culture Change campaigns, and links to VA's Facebook and Twitter pages. Also on the site is the recently developed Women Veterans Outreach Toolkit, which includes fact sheets on VA care and benefits, answers to frequently asked questions, brochures on VA services and health-care awareness materials.
For complete guides on veteran benefits, visit the (http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits) Military.com Benefits Center.


Encouraging Your Loved One
Family members are key resources for servicemembers and veterans. They know when something is wrong and can encourage each other to seek help. Unfortunately, sometimes misunderstandings, disagreements and conflicts get in the way of helping. For suggestions for working with your servicemember or veteran when you think he or she is troubled and experiencing depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or another mental health concern and needs mental health services, visit the (http://www.dcoe.health.mil/blog/13-01-0 ... vices.aspx) Defense Centers of Excellence webpage.
For more military family support resources, visit the (http://www.military.com/spouse) Military.com Family Center.


Military News and Benefits on the Go
Get military news and benefits on the go with the new free Military.com app! (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/militar ... RC=mrvr.nl) Download now.


Are You Eligible for a VA Home Loan in 2013?
In order to obtain a VA home loan, you must first fill out VA Form 26-1880, the request for your Certificate of Eligibility. This certificate is issued only through the Veterans Administration, and is the first step towards applying for your loan. Veterans, active duty, guard or reserve, and military spouses potentially qualify for this certificate. Keep in mind that the Certificate of Eligibility, while necessary, only allows an eligible individual to apply for a home loan; it does not guarantee a loan approval. Eligibility for the Certificate is based on an individual's (or a spouse's) military service. (http://www.military.com/money/content/v ... RC=mrvr.nl) Get specifics on Military.com.
(https://secure.military.com/leads/VALoa ... RC=mrvr.nl) Next Step: Find Lenders ready to help you use your VA Home Loan.


American Legion 'Salute to Heroes' Ball
Tom Brokaw, longtime news anchor for "NBC Nightly News" and author of "The Greatest Generation," will be The American Legion's special guest at its Jan. 21 Salute to Heroes Inaugural Banquet & Ball in Washington. Since 1953, The American Legion has hosted a presidential inaugural ball in Washington. This year, the event pays tribute to the 81 men who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, America's highest military honor. The Inaugural Ball will be held at the Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel at 999 Ninth St. NW. Tickets for both the banquet and ball are $250 apiece. Ball-only admission is $125 per person. To purchase tickets, contact Wanda Tallakson at (202) 861-2700.
For more on military-related entertainment events, visit the (http://www.military.com/off-duty) Military.com Off-duty Center.