Tag Archives: GI Bill

Veterans Worldwide

Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)For Older Vets Is Pure Gold

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Now this is the kind of problem solving that makes America great.  It is the mature and middle aged men and women that are in dire need of training and retooling as much as youth.  With the number of jobs that were exported to foreign soils in the past 10 years, few if any that are returning, our only hope for a viable job market is to create one.  We have the talent and equipment to launch a 4th Wave Industrial Revolution in clean energy and medical technology. And the Veterans Administration is helping further this vision of an America that mends itself.

Yes there is good news out there. Unfortunately is not carried in the satchels of Presidential candidates who thrive on being nabobs of negativity.

Take a sabbatical from Cable TV news. Wake up every day and ask not what your opinion will be for that day, but what your offering will be.

Can you imagine the kind of workforce we could  show to the world if all the money  funneled to mind-washing and gerrymandering,  provided by the Citizens United decision, were to go to job training?

Between now and next Fathers Day, lets focus on fathering a nation not opining a nation.

By Art Sloane

Special for the Arizona Republic
The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) GI Bill offers up to 12 months of Montgomery GI Bill benefits for older unemployed veterans.
Unemployed veterans between the age of 35 and 60 may apply for education benefits worth as much as $17,600 ($1,473 a month). This new GI Bill program was created as a part of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011.

To be eligible for the VRAP GI Bill, you must be at least 35 but no more than 60 years old and unemployed as determined by Department of Labor. You also must not have a dishonorable discharge, be eligible for any other VA education benefit program, be drawing VA compensation due to being unemployed and be enrolled in a federal or state job training program.

Information: www.benefits.va.gov/VOW or 1-800-827-1000.

Veterans Benefits

VFW Endorses Representative Harry E. Mitchell

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For the record, I am not a member of either party.  Independent before it was popular. However I do find interest in whom the Fraternal Organizations endorse. Mitchell has clearly been a pal to veterans. For the record Senator McCain did not vote for the GI Bill.

My fellow Arizona Democratic Veterans:

Tempe – U.S. Rep. Harry E. Mitchell today earned the endorsement of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Political Action Committee for re-election to the House of Representatives.

“I’m honored to have the support of the VFW,” said Mitchell.  “The care of our veterans is not just a Democratic concern or a Republican concern – it is an American concern. Since coming to Congress, I have been working hard to deliver the benefits and care our veterans have earned.  I strongly believe that our returning veterans have the potential to become our society’s most productive, innovative and successful members — and together, will create the next greatest generation.”

In their endorsement letter, VFW-PAC Director, Salvatore Capirchio, said that their support of Mitchell was based on his “strong support for veterans, national security & defense, and military personnel issues.”

In 2008, Mitchell partnered with U.S. Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia to introduce and pass the 21st Century GI Bill. The New GI Bill is now providing significantly improved educational benefits to troops who served since 9/11, including thousands who served in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and will ensure that our returning heroes have access to a full, four-year college education, including stipends for housing and books.

In 2009, Mitchell was presented with American Legion Department of Arizona’s ‘Distinguished Legislator Award’ for his work on behalf of our nation’s veterans. Previous Distinguished Legislator Award recipients include Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl.

Mitchell serves as Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Mitchell’s most recent work has focused on increasing outreach to veterans who need mental health services and are at risk of suicide. [Source: The Arizona Republic, “Taking time to consider those who really matter,” August 20, 2010]

Earlier this year, Mitchell was also recognized by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) as someone who “went above and beyond, not just voting in support of our veterans but also working behind the scenes to bring crucial veterans’ legislation to the floor.” [Source: IAVA Congressional Report Card]

for more and a copy of the Official VFW Endorsement Release visit
http://azdemvet.com/2010/10/17/veterans-of-foreign-wars-vfw-pac-endorses-harry-mitchell/ Thank you,
Bob Stelling
Chairman: the Arizona Democratic Veterans Caucus
Cell: 480-298-9771
azdemvetmaricopa@azdemvetmaricopa.com

Politics, Veteran Legislative Update, Veterans Benefits, Veterans' Spouses, Partners & Families

GI Bill Update

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Subject: GI Bill Update – Transportation Assistance

Secretary Shinseki Announces Ability to Sign Up for Emergency Education Benefit Payments on VA Web-Site this Friday

Vans to Help Veteran-Students

WASHINGTON (Sept. 30, 2009) – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki today announced further outreach to Veteran-students eligible for a special emergency payment of their education benefits. Veterans can now apply online beginning Oct. 2. Veteran-students can also request courtesy transportation to VA regional benefits offices.

“Our Veterans went the extra mile for their country,” Shinseki said. “One of our top priorities in transforming VA is to be, first and foremost, the advocate for Veterans.”

Last week Shinseki announced that on Friday, Oct. 2, VA’s 57 regional benefits offices will begin providing on-the-spot emergency payments up to $3,000 to students who have applied for their education benefits but who have not yet received a government payment.

Citing the distance many Veterans would have to travel to apply in person at a VA benefits office, Shinseki announced Veterans can also apply online at www.va.gov, starting Oct. 2. The online application will guide Veterans through the process to supply needed information. Shinseki noted that online applicants will receive their emergency payments through the mail after processing.

“VA is adapting to meet the financial needs of our Veteran-students who are on campus,” Shinseki said. “They should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficulties.”

Students without their own transportation can also request free van service, provided by volunteers, to carry them to the nearest benefits office. To obtain this service, Veterans would have to call their nearest VA medical center and ask for the “Volunteer Transportation Coordinator.” Transportation will be on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. Veterans can find a map and list of medical centers at http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=1.

Whether traveling by personal vehicle or volunteer van, VA officials suggest students check their mail boxes and banking accounts before leaving home, since some Veterans will find their checks have already arrived. VA would like to recognize the volunteers and Veterans Service Organizations for partnering with the Department to ensure that Veterans’ needs are met.

The emergency checks are an advance on each student’s education benefits, and the amount will be deducted from future benefits payments. Checks will be written at the regional offices for Veterans who bring a photo ID and evidence of their enrollment. VA officials emphasize that $3,000 is the maximum payment, with many Veterans receiving smaller payments based upon their likely monthly education benefits.

A map and list of the participating VA regional benefits offices is available on the Internet at http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=3. The most updated information regarding VA issuing emergency checks will be available at VA’s web site www.va.gov starting Oct. 1.

Applications from approximately 25,000 Veterans are currently being processed for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefit payments to students or schools.

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Politics

The New GI Bill

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New G.I. Bill
New G.I. Bill

Combat can be complicated. Paying for college when you get home shouldn’t be.

Effective August 1, 2008, our military has a new GI Bill for servicemen and veterans, including reservists, who have served at least 90 days combat duty since 9/11.

Now that bill is going into effect, there are lots of questions and the VA’s system to claim GI Bill benefits is complicated.

IAVA wants to make sure all veterans know how to maximize their new benefits. That’s why they’ve launched a public outreach campaign anchored by the innovative website, www.NewGIBill.org.

IAVA intends to follow up with more updates on applying for the benefits.