Veteran’s Information

Honoring Our PACT Act of 2021

Information is available on the PACT Act of 2021: New Provisions here.

New Veterans Benefit – discounted bus passes in Washington County

The Washington County Veterans Advisory Committee, working with the Washington County Transportation Department, has been successful in getting Veterans added to the category of individuals who are able to get discounted bus passes. Veterans must complete the WCT Reduced Fare Application found here to apply for the discount.

Hagerstown Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic

Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs

Martinsburg Veterans Administration Medical Center

Disabled American Veterans

Ernie Unger – DAV Service Officer Assists with Veteran’s Claims Available Mondays & Thursdays

24/7 Confidential Crisis Support

For Veterans and their loved ones. You do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. Chat online, or text 838255

Military Family Support

Understanding the needs of service members and military families is key. The scale of these needs far outpaces our ability of traditional support structures. An enormous number of government programs, military benefits, nonprofit agencies, and community groups have developed support for veterans, service members, and military families. These are military and veteran-focused programs:

Military OneSource – www.militaryonesource.mil

Military OneSource is a free service provided by the Department of Defense to service members and their families to help with a broad range of concerns including money management, spouse employment and education, parenting and childcare, relocation, deployment, reunion, and the particular concerns of families with special-need members. They can also include more complex issues like relationships, stress, and grief. Services are available 24 hours a day by telephone and online.

ALA Military Family Readiness Guide – www.alaforveterans.org

It can be difficult for anyone to keep track of all the agencies, organizations, programs, and services that help service members and their families. This Guide will help Auxiliary unites and members match military community members in need and who for any number of reasons come to the attention of the unit/member to resources designed to ease those needs.

Department of Labor – www.dol.gov

The Department of Labor website provides extensive information on employment rights of public and private workers in general. While this information is not specific to veterans, it can be exceedingly useful to those concerned with workers’ rights, hiring discrimination, disability compensation, and other topic areas that are often important to those with military backgrounds.

Department of Veterans Affairs – www.va.gov

The Department of Veterans Affairs, commonly known as the “VA”, is a Cabinet-level office of the federal government responsible for administering services to veterans and their families. The VA manages a number of programs in areas such as behavioral health, home ownership, education, and employment. The VA website contains a great deal of information about available financial and social services and should be one of the first steps for those seeking information concerning national veteran programs and benefits.

Veterans Benefits Administration – www.vba.va.gov

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is one of three main elements of the Department of Veterans Affairs concerned primarily with the management of federal assistance programs, including the disbursal of financial resources such as pensions, survivors’ benefits, reemployment, and educational assistance, home loan guaranties, and life insurance coverage. The VBA website provides extensive information on these benefits and may be of use in answering any questions you or your community may have.

Veterans Crisis Line – www.veteranscrisisline.net

The Veterans Crisis Line connect Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Veterans Substance Abuse And Mental Health Resources - www.https://www.floridarehab.com/resources/veterans/

Because of the high risk of addiction and mental health issues faced by veterans, access to quality resources to guide treatment is crucial. Veterans sacrifice their health and well-being to protect the safety and freedoms of the American people. Unfortunately, for many veterans, their service takes a toll on their mental health. Since many veterans encounter problems during and after their time in the military, they need access to a range of substance abuse and mental health resources.

VA Community Care Network Provider in New Jersey - https://www.southjerseyrecovery.com/resources/veterans-community-care-network/

The Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (CCN) was created to help provide better and more accessible care to veterans who can’t receive VA treatment. That could be due to a veteran’s location in some cases or because the VA doesn’t provide the needed treatment or care. Physicians, facilities and other healthcare practitioners are part of the CCN. They are external providers that may offer more services than the VA can deliver. This includes addiction and mental health treatment and services.

WOMEN - Military Sexual Trauma (MST) www.womenshealth.va.gov

Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is sexual assault or sexual harassment that occurred during military service

Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Guide for Contractors Military OneSource – www.bigrentz.com

In 1999, Congress passed the Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act. The new law directed that aid be given both to veterans and service-disabled veterans. As a result, the federal government now prioritizes contracts for veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB). What are these small businesses, and do you qualify?

Resources for Veteran Owned Businesses www.usaa.com

Running your own business can be challenging, but as a veteran entrepreneur, you get access to special benefits that can help your small business succeed.

Resources for Veterans’ Financial Security www.birchgold.com

The information in this link does not provide any financial advice, it does aspire to share resources to connect veterans and their loved ones with professionals who can provide assistance or further information. It also might help introduce the names of some programs and services to guide further inquiry.

Veterans' Guide to Assisted Living and Long Term Care Benefits for 2023 www.seniorcareadvisor.org

Whether you are a Veteran or not, long-term care costs can add up fast. Fortunately, help may be available for Veterans and their surviving spouses in need of in-home care or living in a facility. Much of your medical support will come from participation in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system, which comprises nearly 1,300 health care facilities, including medical centers and outpatient sites. Beyond the VA-paid services, payment for in-home or in-facility long-term care will come from several sources, starting with a Department of Veterans Affairs VA pension and its two “enhanced programs” called Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound. Depending on your chosen care solution, you may also need to look beyond VA-related sources and call on Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance and your own funds. This report aims to explain the available VA-related payment sources and the long-term care options available to Veterans and their surviving spouses.

Mesothelioma and Veterans Guide www.asbestos.com/

About 30% of annual mesothelioma claims come from veterans. You might have a high risk of asbestos exposure if you served in military occupations from 1930 to 1980. Every branch of the military relied on asbestos. VA benefits are available to veterans with mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Symptoms www.asbestos.com/

The most common mesothelioma symptom is pleural effusion. This type of fluid buildup occurs in 90% of cases. Symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or abdominal distress vary by tumor location. Fatigue, weight loss and fever can also occur.