Veterans Report - Week of October 14, 2013

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Veterans Report - Week of October 14, 2013

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AF Updates Shutdown FAQs
The government shutdown is affecting quality of life, family support, and child and youth programs that servicemembers and families use. The U.S. Air Force has compiled a list of frequently asked questions on the effects of the current government shutdown will have on pay, benefits, support programs and commissaries to help airmen and their families understand and prepare for the impact. Check out the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... down-faqs/) Military Advantage blog to get the latest information.


Shutdown Halts Paperless Claims
The Department of Veterans Affairs progress toward a paperless records system was halted Oct. 8 when the partial federal government shutdown stopped all software development by the department. On Oct. 8, VA was forced to furlough more than 2,700 information technology employees, bringing a cessation (http://www.legion.org/veteransbenefits/ ... -paperless) of software development and halting VA's progress toward implementing its paperless Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS). Also, (http://www.legion.org/veteransbenefits/ ... -paperless) contractors no longer are allowed to develop any software patches to correct malfunctions within VA's electronic programs. The furloughing also impacted the (https://www.sep.va.gov/sep/web/guest/about-sep) Stakeholders Enterprise Portal, which allows veterans service officers to submit VA claims through a paperless system, as well as the (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits- ... its.portal) E-Benefits portal, which allows veterans to submit electronic claims to VA while choosing a veterans service organization to represent them.
For more details, see (http://www.legion.org/veteransbenefits/ ... -paperless) this American Legion article. For more updates on VA benefits programs, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


VA Home Loan Programs Continue
The Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA's) home loan guaranty and life insurance programs will continue operation during the appropriations lapse. However, Veterans seeking approval of VA home loans may be impacted, as access to Internal Revenue Service data used by private-sector lenders to verify income may not be available. For more information, visit VA's Home Loans webpage at (http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/) www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/ and VA's (http://benefits.va.gov/insurance/index.asp) Life Insurance website. The Department of Veterans Affairs (http://www.va.gov/opa/appropriations_lapse_plan.asp) Field Shutdown Guide outlines the impact of the appropriations lapse on VA activities.
For more VA loan information and guides, visit the Military.com (http://www.military.com/money/va-loans) VA Loan section.


VA Closes Regional Offices
The VA recently furloughed over 9,000 employees forcing the closure of VA regional offices nationwide as part of the (http://www.va.gov/opa/appropriations_lapse_plan.asp) VA's contingency plan. Because of these furloughs, a number of services were suspended, including: the Education Call Center; personal interviews and hearings at regional offices; educational and vocational counseling; outreach activities and programs; and VetSuccess on Campus. The shutdown of public access to VBA facilities also affects Veterans Service Organizations with office space in VBA facilities, as public access to these VSOs is also suspended. Individual veterans can still initiate claims or check on the status of a claim by dialing 1-800-827-1000.
(http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013 ... close.html) Read the full article on Military.com and (http://www.va.gov/opa/docs/Field_Guide_20130927.pdf) view the updated list of services currently suspended by the VA due to the government shutdown (in PDF format).


VA Creating Housing for Homeless Veterans
As part of a nationwide effort to end veteran homelessness by 2015, VA will convert five old buildings at Fort Snelling, Minn., into 58 apartments for homeless veterans and their families. VA's Building Utilization Review and Repurposing (BURR) is a Department-wide effort to identify empty buildings and land for repurposing. This contributes to two important VA goals: fighting veteran homelessness and decreasing VA's inventory of vacant and underutilized buildings. For more information, read the (http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2 ... milies.asp) 'VA Creating Housing for Homeless Veterans and Their Families' webpage.
For more updates on VA benefits programs, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Paralyzed Veterans of America's Mission: ABLE
Pennzoil will donate $250,000 to Paralyzed Veterans of America's Mission: ABLE program which helps veterans with disabilities get the (http://www.military.com/pennzoil-missio ... rvr1014.nl) care, benefits and jobs that they've earned and deserve.


Putting Your Military Experience to Work
"Leadership traits and knowing how to work effectively with a team to accomplish goals are two important factors for members of the military transitioning into the civilian workforce," says Alison, a Program Manager for (http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/ca ... rvr1014.nl) Aerojet Rocketdyne.


Get Your VA Loan Answers Here
Wondering how you can get the most out of your VA Loan? Follow the VA loan blog to stay up to date with tips and get the real facts about the benefits of using your VA loan. (http://valoan.military.com/?ESRC=mrvr.nl) Read More.


Stand Downs and Homeless Veterans
Stand Downs are one part of the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) efforts to provide services to (http://www.va.gov/homeless/) homeless veterans. Stand Downs are one- to three-day events providing health screenings, VA and Social Security benefits counseling and referrals to a variety of other necessary services, such as housing, employment and substance abuse treatment. Stand Downs are not VA programs per se. They are intended to be collaborative events coordinated between VA medical centers, other government agencies and community agencies which serve homeless Veterans. For more information, read the Veterans Health Administration's (http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2 ... s-Vets.asp) 'Stand Down's: VA and Partners Helping Homeless Vets' webpage.
For more updates on VA benefits programs, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


VA Drug, Alcohol Abuse Support Programs
Many Veterans are dependent on alcohol and drugs, which can lead to physical and mental health problems. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has programs that assure veterans they do not have to try to stop on their own. For information on resources available, visit the (http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2 ... Misuse.asp) 'VA Support for Alcohol or Drug Misuse' webpage.
For more updates on VA benefits programs, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


TRICARE and the Govt. Shutdown
TRICARE has issued a statement concerning the government shutdown and any potential effects on TRICARE coverage. The statement is available on the (http://www.tricare.mil/Welcome/MediaCen ... E633BED18D}) TRICARE website. If you have questions about your benefits, please contact your regional contractor or the appropriate contractor (i.e. pharmacy, dental, etc.). Visit the TRICARE (http://www.tricare.mil/ContactUs/CallUs.aspx) Contact Us page for a complete list of toll-free numbers.
(http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2 ... -shutdown/) Read the Military Advantage blog for more information.


VA Clinical Nurse Leaders
The Department of Veterans Affairs is introducing a new kind of nurse at its medical centers across the country: Clinical Nurse Leaders. These health care professionals absorb vast amounts of information every day and get that information to those who need it, when they need it. They help to ensure that the unit is performing at peak efficiency and that every patient's needs are being addressed. For more information, visit the Veterans Health Administration's (http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2 ... -at-VA.asp) Clinical Nurse Leaders Making a Difference at VA webpage.
For updates on veterans issues and benefits, visit the (http://militaryadvantage.military.com) Military Advantage blog.


Celanese Committed to Hiring Veterans
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Map Helps Vets Find Best Deal
The American Legion, (http://www.studentveterans.org/) Student Veterans of America (SVA) and (http://www.military.com/education/2013/ ... llege.html) Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) have created an (http://www.studentveterans.org/what-we- ... ition.html) interactive map that will help student veterans decide which states provide them the best deal on college. The (http://www.legion.org/education/217373/ ... al-college) Virtual In-State Tuition Map maps out the entire country and color codes each state according to whether it allows all veterans to attend state colleges at in-state tuition rates. The map will be updated regularly when new information and (http://www.legion.org/education/217373/ ... al-college) updates are verified. To find an SVA chapter near you, access SVA's (http://www.studentveterans.org/on-campu ... ctory.html) chapter locator.
For more on military education benefits and programs, visit the (http://www.military.com/education) Military.com Education section.


DoD Recalls Some Civilians
The Air Force has recalled most of the nearly 104,000 Air Force civilian Airmen placed on emergency furlough due to government shutdown. However, a significant number will not yet be able to return. The Pay our Military Act does not permit a blanket recall of all civilians. However, the law does allow the Department of Defense to eliminate furloughs for employees whose responsibilities contribute to the morale, well-being, capabilities and readiness of servicemembers. For current shutdown information, read the (http://www.af.mil/Portals/1/documents/n ... idance.pdf) Guidance for Implementation of the Pay Our Military Act, Defense Secretary Hagel's (http://www.defense.gov/releases/release ... seid=16293) Statement of October 5, 2013, the AF.mil's (http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/GovernmentShutdown.aspx) Government Shutdown page, the Air Force Portal and/or contact the Air Force Personnel Center Total Service Center at 800-525-0102.
To keep up with the latest updates about the government shutdown, visit the (http://www.military.com/daily-news) Military.com news section.