Veteran Resources – Knowledge Base

Veteran Resources

The following websites and books provide helpful information to veterans.

SUPER RESOURCE CLICK HERE – Transitioning Servicemembers Cheat Sheet by David Decker

WEBSITES

Assistive Technology for Injured Military Veterans This guide offers a comprehensive overview of the most common disabilities that military personnel acquire, and offers ideas and available resources for modifications and adaptive technology equipment that can help them adjust and reestablish their home life, career, and future. This guide also provides information on available financial assistance, and additional resources for service members and their families.

DVA Handbook of Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents (PDF)
http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book/federal_benefits.pdf
This is a handbook of information on veteran’s benefits, including healthcare, pensions, life insurance and education and training.

DVA’s Veterans Online Application Site (VONAPP)
http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp
Includes application forms, instructions for filling out the forms and FAQs.

Directory of Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)
http://www1.va.gov/vso/
The information in this directory can be viewed/searched in a number of ways.

Helmets to Hard Hats:connects quality men and women from the Armed Forces with promising building and construction careers.

Hiring Our Heroes: a nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment opportunities.

Military One-Source
http://www.militaryonesource.com/skins/MOS/home.aspx
All kinds of information for military personnel and their families.

Operation Enduring Freedom / Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Home
http://www.oefoif.va.gov/
Information on benefits for newly returned veterans.

Post 9/11 G.I. Bill – Handout (PDF)
http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH33/CH33_Pamphlet.pdf
Factsheet of information about the post 9/11 G.I. Bill

Resume Engine @ Hiring Our Heroes: TRANSLATE YOUR MILITARY EXPERIENCE FOR EMPLOYERS, SO THEY CAN TRANSLATE IT INTO SUCCESS.

State Veterans Affairs Offices

http://www.va.gov/statedva.htm
Links to Veterans Affairs Offices for each of the 50 states.

USO PathFinder: Resources for your transition to civilian life

United States Department of Veterans Affairs
http://www.va.gov/
Main site with many links, including information about Health Care, Benefits (including Education, Home Loans, Vocational Rehabilitation & Pharmacy Benefits), Business Opportunities and Partners.

VA Facilities Locator
http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp
A database of nationwide facilities serving veterans – it can be searched by keyword or a state can be chosen from a map.

VA Forms
http://www.va.gov/vaforms/
This site has links to VA forms, which can be searched with a number or keyword.

Wounded Warrior Project: Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001 and their families.

Additional Websites for Veterans:

Seniors:

Veterans Benefits for Seniors

Home Grants or Loans for Veterans

When you search online, there are many home financing options that you can choose from. However, there are some who may not understand the requirements, especially when the information provided is focused more on technicalities than explaining things. Those in search for home loans and grants offered for veterans need to check out what’s below.

VA (Veterans Affairs) Loan

A loan from the VA is available to U.S. veterans, service members and other eligible surviving spouses. In this loan, the VA will enable a lender to provide the entire loan while they guarantee a portion of it. The requirements for this loan may be confusing for many as the process may seem to have a lot of requirements. However, to get started you need to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility, that lets the lender know that you are in fact eligible for a VA backed loan.This certificate only makes a person eligible, it does not mean that you secure the loan.

What makes this a convenient option is that qualified applicants will not have to deal with a down payment as the VA does not require it. However, your capability of paying the loan will be checked to ensure that you can actually make payments for the loan.

VA Specially Adapted Housing Grant

Veterans who are facing challenges with their disabilities as a result of their military service, may need to have special accommodations or facilities in their homes. This Specially Adapted Housing Grant can be used for renovating their existing home, even if your home is still in the progress of construction. It also can be used to purchase land for the specific purposes of helping with the special accommodations that they need. Here is the VA’s Grant Fact Sheet that covers everything.

State and Local Grants

Depending on which state you live in, you might find that there are more grants that you’re eligible for. There are some states that provide down payment assistance in the form of 0% interest loans. Down payment assistance can reach $5,000, and it’s not repayable until your house is refinanced, sold, or transferred. For those considered as protectors: working in the military, police, firefighters and first responders, the amount may even rise up to $7,500.

It’s a given that veterans and even active duty military personnel are all facing troubles with how they can possibly obtain a home. With the possible financing solutions provided, you now have the opportunity to choose what financing options are available and fit your situation the best.

Websites You Should Check Out

Helpful information for more detailed information and assistance:

http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp

https://www.veteransunited.com/

http://www.military.com/money/va-loans/home-purchase/faqs-on-va-home-loans.html

http://www.zillow.com/mortgage-learning/va-home-loans/

Moving: