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Though the US Department of Veteran Affairs provides a wide range of benefits and services, millions of veterans and their families underutilize what is available to them because they don’t know about them or think they won’t qualify — missing out on potentially tens of thousands of dollars in aid.
Education support and health care are some of the better-known services, but there are a bevy of lesser-known benefits from the VA and other military aid providers that go unused that military families are entitled to.
Here are four VA services and benefits that may help alleviate stress and worry of veterans, their families and their survivors.
#1- Veterans United Home Loans
A VA home loan is a mortgage that private lenders offer to veterans that the Department of Veteran Affairs partially guarantees. This partial guarantee reduces the risk a private lender makes and therefore offers lower interest rates than other types of home loan products.
These VA home loans offer certain incentives beyond low interest rates such as no down payment options and no mortgage insurance. Most veterans are not aware of the VA home loan program simply because it consists of a small percentage of the mortgage industry and therefore most loan officers are not familiar with its benefits.
It is important to work with mortgage professionals that are very familiar with the VA home loan such as United Services Veterans Mortgage so that as a respected service member you can get the best deal on your mortgage.
#2- Free Headstone Markers and Medallions
The VA provides, upon request, a government headstone or marker free of charge to any unmarked veteran grave anywhere in the world, regardless of date of death.
This program can save the survivors of veterans thousands of dollars whereas the average cost of burial markers ranges from $1,000 to $8,000 depending on location, engravings and international shipment.
For further information visit the VA’s National Cemetery Administration here.
#3 National Alliance on Mental Illness’s Veteran & Military Resource Center
Because of the profound correlation between PTSD symptoms and time in combat, veterans are more likely to suffer from PTSD than any other professional group.
It is estimated that 80-95 percent of military men and women will suffer from one or more symptom of PTSD in their lifetimes. Unfortunately, only 30 percent of veterans express an interest in receiving help.
“It was tough figuring out civilian life,” Afghanistan veteran Jake Mathis said. “I was super depressed and really angry. I always felt right on the edge of losing it. Without my boys to rely on and the responsibility of being there for them I didn’t have the structure I needed to deal. I didn’t want to be that guy who couldn’t hack it.”
Mathis’ mother talked him into checking out the VA’s “War on Stigma” where he learned about NAMI.
“It was good because I met some people who were thinking the same thoughts and going through what I went through,” Mathis said. “I learned you have to get it out of your head and learned some ways to control it. I hope people stop thinking it’s weak or whatever to get help.”
#4- Fun Military Freebies
Not all veteran benefits and services have to be as serious as those mentioned above and not all come exclusively from the VA. Community members nationwide extend a hand of thanks to those who are willing to fight for our country.
Everything from free annual passes to the National Parks to free gowns for military brides are available if you know where to look.
Some examples:
- Our Military Kids offers free online tutoring for military children
- Operation Love Reunited offers free military family photography sessions
- Green Care for Troops is an interstate group offering free landscaping for veterans
- Brides Across America offers free bridal gowns for military weddings
- Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks offers free admission to active military members and their families
