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Learn about the VA benefits available, types of benefits, team members, recommendations, and observations. Get tips on dealing with the VA, certifying officials, benefit types, and funding options. Benefit types covered include MGIB, Vocational Rehab, Post 9/11, DEA, Reserve Ed. Assist., National Guard EAP, Federal Tuition Assistance. Make the most of available benefits and resources for veterans. Contact the VA office near you and partner with them for presentations. Stay informed and connected with the VA for support.
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Benefits 101A Presentation for the PASFFA08 April 2014 Don Accamando Duquesne University School of Leadership Military Program Director 412-396-5366 accamandod@duq.edu
Overview • The Veterans Administration (VA) • Benefit types • Who’s on the team? • Recommendations from the players • Observations from a distance • Questions
The VA • Contact the VA office near you • Haven’t seen them yet? Problems will come. • Partner with them for presentations. • Any forum for veterans on campus is good • It is a Bureaucracy! • Some vets are leery of the system
The VA • That being said, they need the VA • Must have a Certificate of Eligibility, “COE” • Apply online VONAPP • http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/default.asp • Six weeks is the normal line…
Certifying Official tips • A good CO will explain what’s needed to get started and briefly explain the benefit options • Contact the CO once registered • Reconnect each semester • Don’t bill until after drop/add • Weigh the options • May want to use other funding for summer
Contact the CO • Drop / Add / Withdraw • Cancellation • Stop Attending • Graduating • Mitigating Circumstances • Change of Major • Change of Benefit
Benefit Types • Ch. 30 (MGIB) Old GI Bill: • Enlisted after 07of ’85, pay $1,200 up front • Monthly Payment approx. $1,600 • Ch. 31 Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab) • Service-connected disability requires rehab • Disability of 10% or greater. (hearing loss) • Covers tuition plus, a monthly COLA : $585.11
Benefit Types • Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) • Active Duty or Reserve Component • AD > than 90 days following 9/11/2001 • Based on months of service, • Entitlement ranges from 40% to 100% • Tuition and Fees, Book & Supply Stipend and Housing Allowance, $1,600
Benefit Types • Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) cont. • Transfer of Eligibility (ToE) • Dependent(s) and/or spouse of AD vets • Must transfer while still active! • Approved through the branch and DOD.
Benefit Types • Ch. 35 (DEA) Survivors and Dependents • As the name implies • Spouse and/or Children (ages 18-26) • 100% service connected disability • Their death was service connected • Monthly Stipend: Approximately $1,000
Time for a break • Keep in mind that Ch. 33 may be transferred, (ToE) • Think about the circumstances of the Survivor Benefit option. • Both cases, may not be talking with a vet, and think about the circumstances tied to the survivor. • Something to ponder.
Benefit Types • Ch. 1606 • 6-years Reserve Component after July1985 • Complete initial training and in good standing • Monthly Stipend: $362.00 (Kicker Available) • Ch. 1607 Reserve Ed. Assist. Pro. REAP • Reserve Component > 90 days post 9/11 • Response to a war or national emergency • Monthly Stipend: 2+ years $1,300, • 1 year but < 2: $988.80, 90 days <year: $659.20
Benefit Types • National Guard EAP • 6 year enlistment or reenlistment • Successfully complete Basic Training • Complete EAP form 1 and PHEAA Promissory Note • Fall & Spring Term app deadline June 30th • Pays 100% Tuition (Does Not Pay Fees!)
Benefit Types • Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) • Member of Guard or Reserves • Must be in the unit while using FTA • May use with MGIB (TA top-up) Pays 100% Tuition and Fees (cap 250$ per semester hour) $4,500 Fiscal Year Max Apply @ www.GoArmyEd.com
TA tips • Navy, USMC, USCG and USAF must submit TA forms to the and we bill • AD Army, Army Guard and Reserve students use the Go Army Ed portal. • Navy, USMC, and USCG invoices are submitted through the WAWF portal • Best to wait until after Add/Drop before invoicing, ensure, proper billing
TA tips • USAF Air Force portal as the Tuition Assistance forms are received. • Active Army, Army Guard and Reserve students, submitted through Go Army Ed portal quarterly; to ensure payment, we bill late in the quarter.
Observations • Plenty of benefits • Most new students are confused • Connect with the VA for help • Ensure your team is informed