Scam Alert for Veterans
Do not pay for VA or Community Care Appointments up front.
Protect yourself from a recent scam targeting Veterans.
A Veteran recently received a fake letter claiming he had a VA appointment and was asked to pay for the visit.
- VA later confirmed he was not enrolled in VA health care, and no appointment had been scheduled.
- The letter and payment request were fraudulent.
Remember:
- Veterans should never pay for any VA or Community Care appointment before or at the time of the appointment.
- VA does not charge upfront fees for appointments.
- VA does not send payment requests by email, text message, or phone.
- Community Care appointments are authorized by VA and are free to Veterans except standard VA co-pays when applicable.
If you receive a suspicious letter, call, or message:
- Do not send money or share personal financial information.
- Contact your local VA medical center directly to verify any appointment.
- Report suspicious activity to the Integrity and Compliance Helpline at (866) 842-4357 or VHAOICHelpline@va.gov, VSAFE at 1-833-388-7233 or the VA OIG Hotline at 1-800-488-8244.
Your VA team is here to ensure your care is safe and legitimate.
Veterans who suspect they have experienced fraud can contact the VSAFE Fraud Hotline website at https://vsafe.gov/ or or call 833-388-7233.
Reports made to VA OIC or VSAFE may be referred to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for investigation into fraud or other wrongdoing or for its oversight of VA programs and operations.
VA celebrates National Nutrition Month
Discover the power of nutrition for your Whole Health
National Nutrition Month offers us a chance to rethink old habits and begin with new, healthy changes that focus on our Whole Health. This year’s theme is “Discover the Power of Nutrition,” which helps us learn and discover how food and beverage choices can help power your day.
To learn more about National Nutrition Month and how VA Nutrition and Food Services' support Veterans with evidence based nutrition care, check out VA Celebrates March and National Nutrition Month.
National Brain Injury Awareness Month
March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month, which was developed to increase public knowledge about the consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI), to promote services available to people living with brain injuries, and to provide education to prevent injuries.
The VA Polytrauma System of Care is an integrated and coordinated network of specialized rehabilitation programs dedicated to serving Veterans and service members with combat and civilian related TBI and polytrauma.
The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) is a Polytrauma/TBI Network Site, providing post-acute rehabilitation services across Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern California.
To learn more about Polytrauma and TBI, read the news article Brain Injury Awareness Month on the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System website.
Introducing Ambient Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System
 The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) is introducing Ambient Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scribe for use during Primary Care provider visits and eventually for use during all your clinical appointments at the SAVAHCS. Ambient AI Scribe is a new tool that securely helps your provider capture notes during your visit — so they can focus on you, not the keyboard.
You can expect:
• More one-on-one time with your provider
• Same high-quality VA care — with a focus on what matters most – your health
Your privacy is always protected, and participation is your choice. You may opt out at any time, without affecting the quality of your care or benefits.
To learn more, check out the YouTube Video Understanding Ambient AI Scribe Technology at VA.
VA Secure Messaging- Your Direct Link to Your Care Team
Veterans, did you know that you can skip the phone lines and message your VA providers anytime!
VA secure messaging lets you send non-urgent questions, request prescriptions renewals, and manage appointments- all from your My HealtheVet account on VA.gov.
Log in today at www.va.gov to message your care team from your computer, smart phone, or tablet.
To learn more about how to use secure messaging on the VA Health and Benefits App, you can watch the YouTube video- Secure Messaging: VA Health and Benefits Mobile App.
Free Tax Preparation for Veterans at the Tucson VA
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program of the United Way of Tucson is collaborating with the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System to provide Free in-person tax preparation services for Veterans by appointment only.
Limited appointments are available Tuesday and Friday from February 24 to April 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to schedule and view appointment times visit https://form.jotform.com/UWTSA_VITA/VA .
What is Out-of-Scope?
Per IRS regulations, our volunteer tax preparers can only prepare tax returns that are deemed to be “within scope” of our VITA program. You are considered Out-of-Scope if you...
- Have a yearly income of over $89,000.
- Are filing Married Filing Separately
- Have rental income
- Have solar installation tax credits
- Other, less common situations
To find the full list, please visit Tucson United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Required Documents
1.Social Security Card(s) for each person listed on the tax return.
2.Picture ID(s) for taxpayer (& spouse, if filing jointly).
3.Proof of income, like W-2 and 1099 Forms.
4.Documentation of expenses (if any).
5.Form 1095-A IF anyone in the household has Marketplace Insurance (Obamacare).
6.AZ Form 201, completed by landlord IF you are a renter & filing for the Arizona Property
Tax Credit.
Fore more information on VITA Tax services, you can email vita@unitedwaytucson.org.
The information, resources, or references provided in this section are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Any mention of specific organizations, products, or services should not be interpreted as a VA recommendation or approval. Recipients are encouraged to evaluate all information independently and consult appropriate resources before making decisions.
Make Ahead Burrito Bowls
In honor of National Nutrition Month, try this nutrient dense recipe packed with protein and fiber to support heart health and blood sugar regulation!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked whole grain (e.g. quinoa, brown rice, bulgur)
- 1 (7-ounce) can diced green chiles
- 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added black beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup corn kernels (cooked from fresh, frozen, or canned; thawed if frozen)
- 4 cups lettuce or salad greens, shredded or chopped if needed
- ½ cup salsa (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup sliced scallions (green onions; about 3-4 stalks)
Directions
- Gather four microwave-safe food storage containers with lids.
- Combine the cooked whole grain with the green chiles. Divide this mixture evenly among the four containers.
- Divide the beans evenly among the four containers.
- Add 1 cup of the chicken and ¼ of the cup corn to each of the four containers.
- Add 1 cup of the lettuce or salad greens to each container.
- Top each container with 2 tablespoons salsa, 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt, and 2 tablespoons scallions.
- Cover the containers with lids and store in refrigerator until ready to eat, up to 3 days.
- When ready to eat, microwave each container on high power (default setting) until hot, about 1-3 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Recipe Notes
- The lettuce or salad greens, salsa, Greek yogurt, and green onion can be added after reheating the bowl if desired. To save time and keep the bowls portable, you can pre-portion them out into their own container(s).
- Substitute another cooked protein for the chicken such as pork, ground turkey, tofu, or steak if desired.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving: Calories 470, Total Fat 12 grams, Saturated Fat 2.5 grams, Sodium 440 milligrams, Total Carbohydrates 44 grams, Dietary Fiber 7 grams, Protein 45 grams
For more recipes, please visit www.nutrition.va.gov
Southern Arizona VA Health Care System Celebrates National Social Worker Month
Every March, we take time to recognize and appreciate the incredible work that social workers do to support Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors.
VA social workers play a critical role in our mission to deliver comprehensive care. Whether it's helping to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, providing support during difficult times, or advocating for a Veteran's rights and needs, our Southern Arizona VA Health Care System social workers are there every step of the way.
Their dedication to enhancing the quality of life for our Veterans is truly inspiring.
Thank you, social workers, for your extraordinary service, dedication and unwavering commitment to serving Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors.
To learn more about how social workers support Veterans, their families, and caregivers, check out the YouTube Video Southern Arizona VA Health Care System Celebrates Social Worker Month.
2026 Tucson Veterans Stand Down
The 2026 Tucson Veterans Stand Down will take place on Tuesday, March 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the GEM Center located at 222 South Freeway, 3234, Tucson AZ 85745 (Located by the Red Lion Inn and Suites Tucson Downtown)
There will be several community and VA resources on hand providing resources and information to Veterans, their families, and caregivers.
The information, resources, or references provided in this section are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Any mention of specific organizations, products, or services should not be interpreted as a VA recommendation or approval. Recipients are encouraged to evaluate all information independently and consult appropriate resources before making decisions.
Adaptive Recreation Clinic
 Veteran with amputation, spinal cord injury, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), or other disabilities are invited to join us at the SAVAHCS Sports Park basketball/tennis courts at the Tucson VA Medical Center for a FREE adaptive sports clinic on Wednesday, March 25, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
For more information and to RSVP, please call 520-629-4807.
Tucson Veteran Engagement and Resource Fair
Join us on Friday, March 27 at the El Pueblo Activity Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a Veteran Engagement and Resource Fair located at 101 West Irvington Road, Tucson, AZ 85714. There will be several VA and community resources on hand providing information on resources and services.
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) staff will be available to provide assistance, answer any questions about claims and provide information on the services VBA provides.
VA Resource Navigator
Are you a Veteran but you're not sure where to start with the VA?
Check out the VA Resource Navigator, a short, sweet combination of the most valuable resources to get you started on your way to VA benefits and health care.
VA is here for you
1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411) is always the right number.
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