Your benefit questions answered

EXPERT ANSWERS 7 COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT BENEFITS

By Christine Yaged

FINANCEBUZZ

Serving in the military comes with an array of benefits for you, your spouse, and your family, some of which you may not even be aware. Once you have left military service, these benefits are meant to provide financial assistance. From affordable home loans and healthcare to disability and pension payments for your lifetime, having an understanding of the benefits you may be entitled to is an important part of your discharge.

However, knowing what you may have access to and the process of getting the benefits you deserve can be daunting.

Below are seven common questions relating to benefits plus answers compiled by financial and benefits experts. This information should work as a guide to navigate what you are eligible for and how to begin receiving it.

1. What veteran benefits are available to me?

The types are widely varied, depending on your unique service and discharge situation as well as your needs. The most common benefits include the VA home loan program for eligible service members and veterans looking to consolidate debt with the help of a VA mortgage, purchase a home, or refinance an existing home loan.

In addition to the VA home loan, you may also have access to disability benefits that provide a form of monthly financial assistance, pension benefits if you served for an extended period, and healthcare benefits for you and your family. Other benefits include life insurance, employment services, and education benefits for certain veterans.

Determining the types of benefits available starts with connecting with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Use explore. va.gov to get started.

2. Do I need to be disabled?

While there are specific benefits for prior service members who have a disability or health issue linked to their time in the military, not all benefits offered by the VA are tied directly to being disabled. For instance, receiving a basic pension as a retiree does not require you to be disabled, nor does the VA home loan benefit. Job assistance, some healthcare benefits, and benefits extending to spouse or children are available even if you do not have a disability rating.

3. Does my spouse/exspouse have access to my veteran benefits?

The short answer is it depends. For a current spouse, benefits can range from educational and career counseling to education benefits through the GI Bill. Veteran spouses may also be eligible for a VA home loan in certain instances. Ex-spouses have fewer benefits, but depending on circumstances, pension benefits and healthcare access may be offered.

Veteran spouses and ex-spouses can also contact the VA to determine what services they have access to over time. This is an easier process when spouses and ex-spouses are registered in the military’s personnel system and have a valid military ID card.

4. How does the VA home loan work?

Access to affordable home loan programs is one of the most well-known but often misunderstood benefits available to veterans. The VA home loan program provides access to mortgage loans through a network of lenders. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not grant these loans itself but instead offers a guaranty on the loan to make qualification for a new mortgage easier for veterans.

For those who qualify, a VA home loan does not require a down payment like other conventional mortgage loans. It also does not come with private mortgage insurance, and these loans have competitive interest rates that make homeownership affordable for many.

The VA home loan program is available to many veterans, but it is important to check your eligibility before pursuing a home purchase. Do so by receiving your Certificate of Eligibility through the VA.

5. Can I appeal my disability benefits decision?

Veterans may receive disability benefits in the form of monthly income, based on their time in service, injuries or illnesses they incurred during that time, and the severity of their health issues once discharged.

Disability benefits are paid on a tax-free basis, and ranges between one veteran to the next. Many veterans apply for disability benefits before they are discharged, but there are instances where health issues are more severe than one originally thought. In these cases, veterans do have an option to appeal the disability benefits decision made by the VA.

Appealing your veterans disability amount takes place through a formal appeals process or by submitting a new application for disability benefits if your initial request was denied.

The appeals process and application resubmission can be challenging and time-consuming, but may be worth it. Contact the VA for assistance in getting your disability claim appeals, or work with an attorney or specialist in VA disability claims to determine your best plan of action.

6. How do I apply for veteran benefits?

Understanding available benefits is one thing; receiving them is another. The application process is based on the type of assistance you are seeking. As an example, many benefits including life insurance, vocational rehab, and employment benefits, disability compensation, and VA home loan benefits can be applied for through the online benefits system. Other benefits require specific forms, a visit to a regional VA office, or additional steps above and beyond going online. A guide at benefits.va.gov/benefits/ offers direction on where to go to apply for specific benefits for you and your family.

7. What’s the timeframe for receiving veterans benefits?

Veterans benefits come in many different forms, so any timeline can vary. For disability compensation, claims may not be paid for several months after an application is submitted. For a VA home loan the process for receiving a mortgage may take a week or two when you have paperwork in good order. Others claims, such as education and training services, pension payments, and memorial benefits may take a few days up to several months to receive.

This can be a frustrating process, especially when you are facing financial hardship because of delays. Staying in contact with the VA benefits office to ensure they have all the information to process your application in a timely fashion. You may also check claim status online after you have applied.

Christine Yaged is a co-founding partner and Chief Product Officer of FinanceBuzz.

VETERANS CHRONICLE BECOMING A PATIENT

Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center Spokane offers many options

CHOOSE VA FOR YOUR HEALTH

CARE NEEDS. With VA health care, each Veteran's medical benefits package is unique. You can apply for VA health care online from the comfort of your own home.

All veterans are encouraged to enroll in the VA Health Care System. To begin the process, please complete an Application for Health Care Benefits. At https://www. va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/

You can submit the form online, or you may print the form and mail it to:

Spokane VA Medical Center

Business Office / Eligibility 4815 N. Assembly St

Spokane, WA 99205

You can also bring the form to the medical center. The Eligibility Office is located on the 7th floor of the main building.

Whether mailing or bringing your application, please include the following items: • a copy of both sides of your current insurance card (including Medicare or Medicaid) • a copy of your DD214, 'Armed Forces Report of Transfer or Discharge' • (Purple Heart recipients only) a copy of your award letter if 'Purple Heart' is not noted on your DD214

To speak to someone in our eligibility office, please call (509) 434-7009 or (800) 325-7940.

Basic Eligibility

If you served in the active military, naval or air service and are separated under any condition other than dishonorable, you may qualify for VA health care benefits. Current and former members of the Reserves or National Guard who were called to active duty (other than for training only) by a federal order and completed the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty may be eligible for VA health care as well.

The VA encourages all veterans to apply in order to determine their enrollment eligibility.

Veterans Health Benefits Handbook

VA produces a personalized “Veterans Health Benefits Handbook” for each Veteran enrolled in the VA health care system. The handbook provides a current and accurate description of VA health care benefits and services. Your handbook will be tailored specifically to you with personal identifying information, and should be safeguarded as you would any other sensitive personal document. • The “Veterans Health Benefits Handbook” includes: • Eligibility and health care benefits, • Contact information for your preferred facility, • Information regarding copayment responsibilities, • Instructions on how to schedule appointments, • Guidelines to communicate treatment needs, • Patient rights, • Ways to obtain copies of medical records and other important information.

You will receive your personalized handbook via U.S. mail; therefore, you should have a current address on file with VA. Handbooks are mailed based on Priority Group, beginning with Priority Group 1 and ending with Priority Group 8. For more information, go to www.va.gov/ healthbenefits/vhbh. You may also call VA toll-free at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) if you need to update your address or receive more information.

Health Care Benefits Overview

VA publishes the "Health Care Benefits Overview" booklet, which provides general information and frequently asked questions about VA’s medical benefits package available for all enrollees, and other information such as eligibility for enrollment.

The publication is available and can be downloaded at https://www.va.gov/ healthbenefits/resources/epublications. asp.

We encourage you to refer to it whenever you have questions about your eligibility for specific health care benefits. More information is available at the following resources: • The Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center Enrollment Office • VHA Health Benefits Website www. va.gov/health-care/ • My HealtheVet www.myhealth. va.gov/mhv-portal-web/home • VA toll-free (877) 222-VETS (8387) Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST.

For more local help see “How Can I Get Help?” section on Page 5.

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