Other Resources
These resources might be helpful or interesting or at the very least be "food for thought."
Select a topic below to view information.
open all | close all
2-1-1: Online Resource Directory (Free 24/7)
2-1-1.org is a comprehensive resource directory of available services and programs near you which have registered with 2-1-1.org.
The search service is free to the public. If you have problems using this service, you can call: 2-1-1.
External Website: 2-1-1.org
311Vet: Veterans Benefits Information App
What is 311Vet?
311VET is VBA's new benefits app. It quickly provides information and answers a wide range of questions about veteran benefits, including what benefits you may be entitled to, how to apply for benefits, how different benefits are defined, and where to go to get more information about VA services. Information covers most VA benefits, including pension, education, health, disability, loan, burial, and career benefits.
311VET cannot answer questions about the status of specific benefits claims (use IRIS for that), other questions that require personally identifying information (PII) or protected health information (PHI), nor any questions that fall outside the scope of VA benefits.
How to Use 311Vet
- Send a text message to 311VET (311838) in plain language 24/7/365.
- Veterans, families, and caregivers can send a text message from iPhones or Android phones with Short Message Service (SMS} capability. You don't need to own a smartphone or install an app. 311VET answers and alerts are always free of charge (standard message rates apply).
- Ask as many benefit-related questions as you need, including follow-up questions.
- Receive periodic text Alerts on topics of interest: NEWS, BENEFITS, CAREER, HEALTH, EVENTS, TIPS. Anyone with an SMS-capable phone can sign up with a single text. Text 311VET (311838) with the word ALERT and the topic name, for example, ALERT HEALTH.
Links to App Information
General Information, Frequently Asked Questions, Alerts, Desk Support
Where to Ask Question 311Vet Cannot Answer
Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors Handbook, 2016 Edition (Department of Veterans Affairs)
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors handbook is updated annually to ensure all Congressional laws enacted since its last publishing date are included. This handbook covers all VA veteran benefits and the entire book or chapters can be downloaded and/or printed in English or Spanish.
Introduction and Acronyms
Chapter 1: Health Care Benefits
Chapter 2: Burial and Memorial Benefits
Chapter 3: Non-health Care Benefits
VA Facilities
The Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, and Survivors (2016 Edition) handbook is linked and attached below.
External Website: Department of Veterans Affairs "Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors Handbook (2016 Edition)
Mentorship Opportunities
Taking advantage of mentorship opportunities may help build communication and relationship skills, enhance confidence, successfully tackle professional challenges, and improve job searches and resume writing. These are some of the mentorship initiatives available to women with military service, spouses, and female military officer candidates.
Joining Forces for Women Veterans and Military Spouses Mentoring Plus
MyVA Community Network Initiative
What is MyVA Community?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) states that the VA "is working to engage with existing community Veterans groups to improve outcomes for Service members, Veterans and their families. In areas where there are no existing community Veterans groups, VA is facilitating the development of Veteran-focused community networks, using a model we call MyVA Communities.
The MyVA Communities model enables Veteran advocates, service providers, Veterans, and stakeholders to have a voice in identifying their community goals and work to improve service delivery for Veterans, Service members, and their families."
VA provides an online toolkit with the resources necessary to start a veteran community network.
Resources
MyVA Advisory Committee to the VA Secretary (Charter/Bios/Minutes)
External Website: Veterans Administration
National Resource Directory (NRD/Department of Veterans Affairs)
The National Resource Directory is a federal government website that connects wounded warriors, service members, veterans, families, and caregivers to thousands of services and programs at the national, state, and local levels to support them during recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
External Website: Department of Veterans Affairs National Resource Directory (NRD)
State/District/Territory Veterans At-a-Glance: Demographics & VA Expenditures (FY14)
Ever wonder how many veterans there are in your state, district or territory and how much the Department of Veterans Affairs spends there? This two-page summary provides a quick overview.
External Website: Department of Veterans Affairs State Summaries
State Veterans' Benefits: Quick Reference List
Military.com compiled a quick-reference state benefits summary for each state and territory with a direct link to the specific State Department of Veterans Affairs.
External Website: Military.com State Veterans' Benefits List
Best and Worst States for Military Retirees
John S. Kiernan's article offers the WalletHub "Best and Worst States for Military Retirees" perspective. WalletHub's rankings are the result of analyzing 20 key metrics. Mr. Kiernan noted: 'Military retirement is a far more complicated issue than one might initially assume, given the extent to which state tax policies differ when it comes to military benefits, the relative friendliness of different job markets to veterans, and a variety of other important socioeconomic factors.'
External Website: WalletHub: Best & Worst States for Military Retirees
2015 State Report Card for Military Families, Veterans, and Retirees
The Military Officer Association of America (MOAA) published the fourth edition of their annual "State Report Card." The quick-read article "tracks state-level policies across the nation benefiting current, retired, and former servicemembers and their families." They introduced a few new categories and expanded previous ones.
This publication is a free MOAA download special magazine.
External Website: Military Officer Association of America "State Report Card"
Visit this site's "Benefits & Services" pages for Education, Employment, Finances, Health Care, Housing and Legal information. The Organizations and Sites pages include links to hundreds of resources offering a variety of veteran, servicemember, family and caregiver assistance. Each organization determines eligibility for the services they offer.