Veteran's Benefits

[sgtcall]

Just starting this one for anyone to add those odd little benefits to just in case someone else can use the information. This is not meant to be an argument thread just post what you know or about new things you learn.

[sgtcall]

Affordable Connectivity Program
https://www.fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program

Emergency Broadband Benefit
https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit

If you receive any of theses government benefits you can get free cell phone service for life and a discount on your internet service. The cell service is unlimited Talk Text and Data for free for life, one phone per household.

Lifeline
SNAP
Medicaid
SSI
Federal Public Housing Assistance
Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefits
Veterans Disability Pension / Rating

Just search 'Affordable Connectivity Program' on your phone and internet service providers site(s) and complete the enrollment. It takes about 20 minutes to complete and you have to upload some documentation.

You do have to provide your own phone and it has to be a smart phone or a flip phone that gets 5g. Once connected it works just like your current phone.

[sgtcall]

The PACT Act and your VA benefits
If you were deployed at any point and have not already recieved a VA rating or need to up your rating you should do a new claim with the VA. Even if you get a 0% service connected rating it may help you if you have issues down the road. You should also fill out the Burn Pit Registry to get started.

https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-a ... -benefits/

https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposur ... gistry.asp


"The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that we assume (or “presume”) are caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

This page will help answer your questions about what the PACT Act means for you or your loved ones. You can also call us at 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711). And you can file a claim for PACT Act-related disability compensation or apply for VA health care now."

[sgtcall]

A Veteran ID Card

If you don't have a retirement ID card (the blue card) you should get one of these. It makes it easier to claim you veterans discounts when they are offered at stores.

How to apply for a Veteran ID Card
A Veteran ID Card (VIC) is a digital form of photo ID you can use to get discounts offered to Veterans at many restaurants, hotels, stores, and other businesses. Find out if you’re eligible for a Veteran ID Card—and how to apply.

https://www.va.gov/records/get-veteran-id-cards/vic/

[sgtcall]

The Wounded Warrior Project.
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

The WWP offers great events for veterans to gather and have a little fun. You can sign your spouse or eligible children up too. The events are free and depending where you live they offer plenty to do. Last year I did Top Golf, Six Flags and a Flyers game all with dinner included.

Sign up here.
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/p ... gistration

[Tbeck]

Access to the base exchange. You just need to fill out the online application for the exchange. They'll ship goods to your home.

Just remember that ratings are not cumulative. So if you are 60% leg for example, an additional 10% for hearing or the pact act won't bump you up to 70%. However if your leg disability worsens you can apply for a higher rating. Or if you initially have a pact act rating of 10% but get diagnosed later with a related/presumptive condition that is say 80% rated, you'll just have to apply for the rating associated with the diagnosis.

[sgtcall]

Here is the link to a pretty good VA Disability Calculator. It makes sorting out the VAs redneck beer math easier.
https://goodcalculators.com/va-disability-calculator/

Once you have a rating this one makes figuring out how much you should be getting paid easy.
https://veteran.com/va-disability-calculator/

[sgtcall]

Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

Even if you got out years ago you may be able to get a claim for hearing loss or tinnitus if you can show that it is service related. Bonus on this is this year the regs changed and your MOS now plays a factor in the determination for either. So if you worked on jets or were a gun bunny you have a better chance of getting the rating.

Here is a little more info to look into and good channels to follow.
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[sgtcall]

Free Lifetime National Parks Passes Are Here for Veterans and Gold Star Families
https://www.military.com/daily-news/202 ... _230407.nl

All U.S. veterans and Gold Star family members can get a free lifetime entrance pass for federal parks and recreation sites nationwide starting Nov. 11, 2022.

The pass, an expansion on the annual free pass for currently serving troops and their families, grants free access to about 2,000 parks and lands managed by the National Park Service; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; Bureau of Reclamation; and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, according to an announcement on the park service website. It also gives discounted amenity fees in some locations.

While not every park or visitor area requires an entrance fee, many do. For example, Yosemite National Park in California charges a $35 entrance fee per vehicle, while Craters of the Moon National Monument charges $20. Other locations charge for entering museum or curation areas in the visitor center. For instance, the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center in the Chugach National Forest, Alaska, charges $5 per adult to access a film and exhibits.

Read Next: Veterans Day Free Meals and Restaurant Deals and Discounts

Those fees are waived for holders of the new lifetime pass, as well as those with the free active-duty America the Beautiful military pass or other passes sold or awarded by the agencies. The new pass covers the holder and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle at sites that charge per car, or the pass owners and up to three adults age 16 and over at sites that charge per person.

[Herb]

NOW they came out with this, after I paid for a lifetime senior pass.

[sgtcall]

NOW they came out with this, after I paid for a lifetime senior pass.

They have actually had it for about 10 years if you were retired military but they just expanded it to all veterans.

[Herb]

NOW they came out with this, after I paid for a lifetime senior pass.

They have actually had it for about 10 years if you were retired military but they just expanded it to all veterans.

I think it was a year or 2 after I paid $20 that the free one came out and they raised the price of the lifetime senior one to $80.

[HARRIS]

I GOT A MARRIAGE VETERAN'S CARD ....

[Suzuki Johnny]

I bought a $10 card years ago when six of us rode to Big Bend National Park for a few days..
At the time that was the entry fee for each induvial to gain access to the park and the girl at the entry point told us about the card.
I've used it numerous times throughout my many travels and it doesn't expire. Still have it but haven't used it for a while now.

[sgtcall]

2023 Military Appreciation Month Discounts

https://www.military.com/military-appre ... _230505.nl

[wildwolf]

Here is the link to a pretty good VA Disability Calculator. It makes sorting out the VAs redneck beer math easier.
https://goodcalculators.com/va-disability-calculator/

Once you have a rating this one makes figuring out how much you should be getting paid easy.
https://veteran.com/va-disability-calculator/

This is the best calculator I've found if you have bilaterals:
https://www.hillandponton.com/va-disability-calculator/

Otherwise, I really like the Good Calculators one, too.

[wildwolf]

A Veteran ID Card

If you don't have a retirement ID card (the blue card) you should get one of these. It makes it easier to claim you veterans discounts when they are offered at stores.

How to apply for a Veteran ID Card
A Veteran ID Card (VIC) is a digital form of photo ID you can use to get discounts offered to Veterans at many restaurants, hotels, stores, and other businesses. Find out if you’re eligible for a Veteran ID Card—and how to apply.

https://www.va.gov/records/get-veteran-id-cards/vic/

You don't need a retirement ID card to qualify for most veteran's discounts at places. In fact, if you didn't retire, you don't even qualify for it.

[wildwolf]

Perhaps the best resource I've found in 1 location is Reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransBenefits/wiki/index/

[wildwolf]

NOW they came out with this, after I paid for a lifetime senior pass.

They have actually had it for about 10 years if you were retired military but they just expanded it to all veterans.

They had it for disabled folks for $10 as well. Just needed to provide any proof of disability. Got mine in 2011 at the entrance to Skyline Drive in Front Royal, VA. I took a disabled veteran letter to them as my evidence.

[wildwolf]

Access to the base exchange. You just need to fill out the online application for the exchange. They'll ship goods to your home.

Just remember that ratings are not cumulative. So if you are 60% leg for example, an additional 10% for hearing or the pact act won't bump you up to 70%. However if your leg disability worsens you can apply for a higher rating. Or if you initially have a pact act rating of 10% but get diagnosed later with a related/presumptive condition that is say 80% rated, you'll just have to apply for the rating associated with the diagnosis.

I bought our treadmill from the base exchange and had it delivered free. That made it $200 cheaper than Dick's Sporting Goods lower price, with paid delivery.

Oh, and the VA is going through some veteran's details now and automatically adding some PACT act ratings to them that were denied before, but are presumptive now. I was happy for some veterans after reading they were bumped w/o having to re-apply.