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November: a special month-long salute to you
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Welcome to the November edition of your bi-monthly GI Bill® Student newsletter. This month is National Veterans and Military Families Month. Established in 2016, we celebrate National Veterans and Military Families Month during the month of November in gratitude of you, the Nation’s 1.3 million active-duty members, 18.2 million Veterans and your families for your sacrifice and service.
This Friday is Veterans Day, a time to honor those who have served. Join the VA Outreach, Transition and Economic Development office for a Virtual Veterans Day Symposium: Remembering Our History and Honoring Our Future on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, noon-3:30 p.m. ET. The symposium will honor Veterans by remembering their legacy and service to our country, and will educate, inform and empower Veterans, Service members, family members, caregivers, and survivors about valuable VA resources. The event will concentrate on Veterans’ history through different eras and will provide information on current and future VA benefits, to include the Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. VA employees are invited to join and to share this flyer with any interested party.
Link to join online: https://veteransaffairs.webex.com/veteransaffairs/j.php?MTID=m8cd702b732cac83abc4da2c07691d1bd
Join by phone: 1-404-397-1596, Access Code: 2760-145-0095
Follow us on Facebook and make sure you add Veteransbenefits@messages.va.gov to your contacts list to so that you don't miss important email updates from us. If you found this edition helpful, please share with other Veterans and GI Bill beneficiaries!
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Veterans Day 2022 discounts, free meals and offers
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The PACT Act expands VA healthcare and benefits
The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. The law expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War and post-9/11 eras. It also adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation. The PACT Act requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA healthcare.
This law helps us provide generations of Veterans — and their survivors — with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve. To learn more, including eligibility and how to apply, please visit the PACT Act web page.
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#GIBillQuestion: “Why do I have to verify my info for ID.me?”
Have you created an ID.me account? By verifying your identity with ID.me, you will have access to an improved user experience on VA.gov. Over the coming months, you’ll start to see changes as we modernize VA.gov. Think of your ID.me account as a digital ID card. Being verified means you’ll not only get to benefit from VA’s modernization, but you’ll also be able to use the same login to access other government benefits and services. You can also have peace of mind knowing that your personal information is protected and won’t be used by any third parties without your discretion.
What are you waiting for? Check out this how to video for a tutorial on how to set up your account today. A simple, safe and secure way of accessing your VA benefits and enhancing your GI Bill experience is just a few steps away.
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Help to keep you on track during your GI Bill Journey
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Learn about the first Veteran to receive and automated eligibility decision
As of September 2022, applying for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits just got easier! Veterans and Service members applying to use their benefits for the first time may experience a simplified application experience that includes pre-filled information, access to downloadable decision letters, and a faster eligibility decision.
Eligibility decisions that could take up to 30 days to receive previously can now be received within minutes. It’s exciting to see Veterans and Service members already taking advantage of the simplified application.
Here's what the first Veteran to receive a real-time decision had to say about their experience, “I honestly didn't even realize the process had changed, it was so smooth and instantaneous! I've already told a few of my friends who are out/getting out soon how easy the process was to apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and get the go ahead to apply for classes.”
Check out this video to learn more about the simplified process and be sure to encourage your fellow Veterans and Service members to apply to use their benefits if they have not already done so.
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Gain valuable work experience with Work Study
Did you know that you can earn money and gain valuable work experience while you’re enrolled in a college, a vocational school or professional training program? Through the VA Work Study program eligible Veterans can earn while they learn. Visit the program page to learn how.
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Understanding MHA
Are you confused about how to calculate your Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)? Check out this Facebook post which helps break it down for you!
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Do you have a question or concern about your benefits? Contact us safely and securely with Ask VA!
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If you know a Veteran who is in crisis,
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