In 1990, Congress passed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. One of the provisions of the Act mandated the use of a single, free application form for all Federal student aid. That form (FAFSA) continues to be used today and is the key to obtaining all types of Federal student aid. Financial aid is offered in the form of grants, scholarships, student and parent loans and work-study programs.
Benefits
Arizona announced it has launched a new website to assist students of military families. The website, https://azmilitaryed.az.gov/ is the outcome of the State Council on the Education for Military Children, that Governor Jan Brewer created in 2012. Superintendent John Huppenthal announced the website on June 17, 2014. To read the article, go to: http://azednews.com/2014/06/17/arizona-to-launch-website-to-assist-students-of-military-families/
What is AZ ABLE?
AZ ABLE is a new state-run financial savings program for eligible people with disabilities who live in Arizona.
That Arizona Military Family Relief Fund was established to provide financial assistance to families of currently deployed Servicemembers and Veteran families for hardships caused by the Servicemembers deployment to a combat zone post 9/11. Assistance for the fund is determined by an Advisory Committee. More information about the Arizona Military Family Relief Fund can be found here http://dvs.az.gov/benefits/relief_fund.aspx.
History of the GI Bill
In the heat of World War II fighting, President Franklin D. Roosevelt turned his thoughts to what would happen at the end of World War II, when floods of American troops and sailors returned home to pick up the pieces of their civilian lives. He wanted to help those returning GIs, many of whom were only 17 or 18 when they left for war in 1941. He was determined that this time the U.S. Government would not fail the soldiers and sailors returning from war. Roosevelt had in mind the lessons of World War I. After that war, troops returned home to find that other people now had their jobs. Many were restless and without direction, unable to find a role in civilian life. They were given little help and fewer opportunities.
SMC is an additional tax-free benefit that can be paid to Veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses and parents. For Veterans, Special Monthly Compensation is a higher rate of compensation paid due to special circumstances such as the need of aid and attendance by another person or by specific disability, such as loss of use of one hand or leg. For spouses and surviving spouses, this benefit is commonly referred to as aid and attendance and is paid based on the need of aid and attendance by another person.
Those of us who have served in the military have a good, if general, understanding of what it takes to be classified as a veteran. Civilians, however, don’t always know or understand what veteran status requires. Are Reservists veterans? What about the National Guard? Heck, I’ve met people who think someone who took ROTC in college is a veteran. So, let’s discuss the issue. What is the definition of a veteran, and what types of veterans are there?
DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit generally payable to a surviving spouse, child, or parent of Servicemembers who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, or to survivors of Veterans who died from their service-connected disabilities. Parents DIC is an income-based benefit for parents who were financially dependent on of a Servicemember or Veteran who died from a service-related cause.
These days, most honorably discharged veterans are entitled to military funeral honors in recognition of their service to their country. Honoring active and former members of the armed services is a long-standing tradition, but it is only in recent years that veterans have been given a legal right to have their status recognized at death with military funeral honors.
DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit generally payable to a surviving spouse, child, or parent of Servicemembers who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, or to survivors of Veterans who died from their service-connected disabilities. Parents DIC is an income-based benefit for parents who were financially dependent on of a Servicemember or Veteran who died from a service-related cause.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes all same-sex marriages without regard to a Veteran’s state of residence. There are a variety of benefits and services dependent up a Veteran’s marital status including benefits for a ‘surviving spouse.’ The VA is encouraging all Veterans in same-sex marriages who believe they are entitled to benefits but were previously denied, based on a ground related to their marriage, to apply for benefits. If you have questions to fill out a form, call 1-800-827-1000. For more information, go to http://www.va.gov/opa/marriage/
Servicemembers and Veterans may be eligible for a variety of benefits ranging from health care, education benefits and financial compensation. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs handles these benefits. To learn more about the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs please visit their website http://www.va.gov/. To learn more about your local office please visit the website of the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services http://www.azdvs.gov/.
The U. S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs has a Center for Women Veterans (CWV) and Women Veterans Call Center to assist the many women who have served in the military. The site has links to health information, benefits, resources for women veterans and outreach. The call center provides assistance and resources to women veterans and their families. The Call Center’s phone number is: 1-855-829-6636 and is available Monday- Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET. An online chat service is also available Monday- Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET.
For information go to: http://www.va.gov/womenvet/. For information on the Dept. of Veteran Affairs Womens Call Center go to: http://www.womenshealth.va.gov/ProgramOverview/wvcc.asp
In order for a veteran to obtain the benefits to which he is entitled, he must first complete the correct form.
Before submitting a claim for any benefits, the veteran must have her Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or DD-214. Veterans or their family members can request a certified copy of this form by submitting Form SF- 180 to the National Archives. It is also easy to request the records online, at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/.
Social Security District Manager, Phoenix Downtown
In the United States, people do a lot to recognize and honor the heroes who serve in the Armed Forces and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. July is an appropriate month to recognize veterans and wounded warriors, as we celebrate our nation’s independence.