News & Info
VA extends moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures, as well as loan forbearance opportunities
COVID-19 Vaccination Criteria Expanded by North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System The COVID-19 vaccination is now being offered to enrolled Veterans who receive care from the VA in the following categories: • NEW!! Veterans under the age of 65 with high risk conditions that increase the risk of serious, lifethreatening complications from COVID-19: obesity, diabetes, COPD, sickle cell disease, kidney disease, smoking, cancer and heart disease • Veterans over the age of 65 • High risk Veterans: homeless Veterans, hemodialysis patients, solid organ transplant patients or patients enlisted for transplant, and chemotherapy patients • Veterans employed as essential workers: fire fighters, police officers, corrections officers, food and agricultural workers, United States Postal Service workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, and those who work in the educational sector (teachers, support staff and daycare workers). Documentation Required. Veterans who meet these eligibility criteria can schedule an appointment by calling 352-548-6000 ext. 103755.
Denis McDonough Will Oversee Veterans Administration With a new presidential administration in place, the Senate confirmed Denis McDonough as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) secretary. McDonough was President Barack Obama’s chief of staff and has an extensive career in government and political administration. Though he never served in the armed forces, McDonough has said he feels confident that he can solve the complex challenges faced by the VA. In a message to Veterans and other VA stakeholders, McDonough said “President Biden gave me a clear mission—to be a fierce, staunch advocate for Veterans and their families. His marching order to me is clear: Fight like hell for Veterans.” While some Veteran organizations expressed concern over a non-Veteran VA secretary, many have shared their eagerness to work with the new secretary to continue achieving positive outcomes for Veterans. McDonough pledged to “increase Veterans access to care and benefits.” He will ensure that Veterans are receiving the best assistance and treatment through the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to develop VA services that improve outcomes for all Veterans. He also established that the VA would sharpen efforts to support Veterans who were sexually assaulted while serving in the military. 14 | LibertyLifeMedia.Com | FEBRUARY 24, 2021 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 13
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has extended the COVID-19 related moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, as well as the deadline for VA loan forbearance requests, from March 31 to June 30. VA borrowers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 can call 877-827-3702 or visit Benefits.VA.gov and search for “guidance for VA home loan borrowers during COVID-19.”
Coast Guard offering two-year enlistments In addition to the three-year and four-year enlistment contracts, the Coast Guard is now offering a two-year active duty enlistment option for fiscal year 2021. The aim is to meet the needs of the service during the global pandemic, and to grow the Reserve Corps. Recruits who sign up for the two-year enlistment will have the option to remain on active duty by extending their contract, but will first need to be on the waiting list for an “A” school.
Patrol Coastal Ships USS Shamal (PC 13), USS Tornado (PC 14) and USS Zephyr (PC 8) Decommissioned Three Naval Station Mayport-based Patrol Coastal Ships (PCs) were recently decommissioned, having operated well past their designed service life. PCs were designed to patrol coastlines, provide interdiction surveillance, homeland security and work with the U.S. Coast Guard. Among their many accomplishments, USS Zephyr responded to the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and searched for survivors in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010; USS Tornado contributed to the disruption of more than 40 tons of cocaine and two tons of marijuana with an estimated street value of nearly 850 million dollars in 2020; and USS Shamal responded to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
