The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by Coleman A. Young Post 202, The Department of Michigan or The American Legion of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. Post 202 does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of Coleman A. Young Post 202 website, providing our members, Veterans and their families and active military with some information they might find helpful. Please let us know about existing external links which you believe are inappropriate and about specific additional external links which you believe ought to be included by emailing adjutant202@gmail.com
Help for our Post Members, Veterans and Active Military
File a Claim for Military Exposure
If you have an illness or condition related to in-service exposure, you may be eligible for disability compensation. VA is now processing service-connected disability claims for six new presumptive conditions related to exposure to hazardous materials and and encourages Veterans who were previously denied to file a claim.
Explore your career options and address any training needs you may have with the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program.
VR&E helps Veterans with service-connected disabilities and employment handicaps prepare for and find exciting employment opportunities.
Honorably discharged Veterans of all U.S. Armed Forces can shop online at any of the military exchanges! Access exclusive military pricing and offers, tax-free shopping, and more.
Check your eligibility and start saving today!
VA offers three grant programs to help Veterans and service members with service-connected disabilities buy, build, or modify a home to meet their needs and live more independently.
Find out if you’re eligible for a disability housing grant and how to apply.
MILTAX: TAX SERVICES FOR THE MILITARY
This tax season, start with MilTax from Military OneSource and the Department of Defense. MilTax free tax services include tax prep and e-filing software and personalized support that address the realities of military life – deployments, combat and training pay, housing and rentals, multistate filings, living OCONUS and more.
Free Tax Preparation for Veterans
Tax season is here again, and it can be particularly tricky for military families. VA has partnered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to ensure Veterans and service members receive free tax preparation and electronic filing services. Learn about the assistance services available to you!
Need a “starting point” for legal resources and services for military veterans?
Here’s a link to the Michigan Military & Veterans Legal Service Guide, by the State of Michigan’s Office of the Attorney General
Click on Link Below
What’s a “Veteran Navigator”?
Glad you asked. Veteran Navigators was created to assist veterans and military families of ALL eras and discharge types. They work to connect veterans and their families to federal, state, and local resources to ease issues regarding mental health, substance abuse, housing and other common issues that impact veterans in order to support healthier lifestyles and provide support.
Find one near you, or near a veteran you know, here MDHHS - Find a Veteran Navigator that services your area (michigan.gov) , and/or check out their 2020 year in review video.
Veteran Directed Care Program (Formerly VD-HCBS)
The vision is to have a long-term service and supports (LTSS) system that is person-centered and consumer-directed, and that helps people at risk of institutionalization to continue to live at home and engage in community life. The VHA will increase access to HCBS to serve the growing demand of veterans who prefer independence at home over living in a nursing facility.
The VDC program provides veterans with opportunities to self-direct their LTSS and continue living independently at home. Eligible Veterans manage their own flexible budgets, decide what mix of goods and services best meet their needs, and hire and supervise their own workers.
Through an options counselor, the Aging & Disability Network provides facilitated assessment and care/service planning, arranges fiscal management services, and provides ongoing counseling and support to veterans, their families, and caregivers.
Printer-friendly VDC fact sheet (PDF, 79KB)
Most veterans and their next of kin can obtain free copies of their DD Form 214 (Report of Separation) and other military service records by visiting the National Archives Web Site.
The gold standard for disability compensation evidence is your Service Medical Records (SMR). If you have clear, concise, and accurate documentation that an event occurred, the circumstances surrounding the event, and other treatment records of how the injury or illness was addressed at the time and then a record of any follow-up care or treatment, that evidence will be given significant consideration and weight by VBA personnel charged with evaluating the evidence and deciding a rating.
SERVICE MEDICAL RECORDS MORE INFORMATION
You have things to do. Searching endlessly for the government information you need doesn’t have to be one of them.
Passports. Social Security benefits. Tax forms.
Small business help. There are so many reasons to need government information and services, but finding them can be tough.
Let us help. USA Gov is the federal program that guides you to tips and tools in English and in Spanish from hundreds of government agencies, departments, and programs. Online and by phone or chat—we help make everyday life a little easier.
Are you looking to get help paying for your education? Does your non-profit organization need financial assistance to complete a community project? The government offers financial help, but you may not know what is available and where to find it.
There are two main types of help offered by the government: grants and loans. Use this quick guide from USAGov to explore the difference between the two and find out how to apply.
What’s the Difference Between Government Grants and Loans?
Click here to find out.
Visit us @:USA.GOV
Rocket Mortgage is dedicated to ending Veteran Homelessness.
We’re working with communities across the country to end veteran homelessness through the Built for Zero initiative.
Right now, nearly 40,000 veterans struggle with homelessness. That’s why Rocket Mortgage® is partnering with Community Solutions and their Built for Zero movement. With this partnership, communities are proving that they can bring that number to zero.
See how you can get involved in your community here.
In the military, you learn discipline, leadership, strategic thinking, efficiency, and in many cases, highly technical skills. All of those skills have real-world applications that are valuable in the civilian workforce, but it’s not always easy to see how.
As you start the search for a civilian job, it’s important to know that there are several significant benefits to your veteran status, beyond the financial and other perks you got with your discharge.
The skills, character training and abilities you learned in the military will give you a distinct advantage in your job search. The key is knowing how to highlight them well.
The truth is that programs assisting both veterans and employers are helping to make a difference. The key is to help veterans connect with those programs so they can find the training they need and the available jobs that are hiring people with their skill sets.
Returning Servicemembers Employment Tips & Information
Even though money or personal data may have been stolen, many scam victims do not file a report. If a scammer has contacted you, it’s still important to report them whether you lost money or not. When you report fraud, investigators can use the information you provide to build cases against scammers to stop them from defrauding others in the future. See how you can help by filing a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Learn more about their consumer alerts to stay safe year-round.
Important Military Helplines
Military life can present many unique challenges. Whether you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis, needs deployment or reintegration assistance, or require special care services, it’s important to contact the right expert who can answer your questions and get you help. Keep these useful phone numbers on hand:
COVID-19 Military Support Initiative
Together, in light of the current worldwide crisis, the Association of Defense Communities (ADC), Blue Star Families, and participants of the White Oak Collaborative have formed the COVID-19 Military Support Initiative (CMSI) to provide resources and expertise to support communities, states, and military families
A comprehensive resource that veterans with disabilities might find useful - “Financial Relief & Discount Guide For Veterans With Disabilities” at
https://dealaid.org/do-good/disabled-vets-finguide/. This guide, updates and lists the latest government, non-profit and private resources that offer financial assistance to veterans with disabilities. It covers housing, health care, education, career, business, COVID-19 and other available financial relief programs for disabled veterans and their families.
The GI Bill is a great education benefit for service members and veterans that helps pay for college, graduate school and approved training programs.
First introduced in 1944, the GI Bill has evolved several times, most recently in 2017 under the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, better known as the "Forever GI Bill." It includes payment of tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, and a stipend for textbooks and supplies for up to 36 months.
Visit VA’s Website for more information:
https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/
GI Bill Covers Training Programs
Did you know you can use your GI Bill benefits to receive on-the-job training or apprenticeships?
If you are a Veteran or currently in the Guard or Reserve, VA can help you pay for books, supplies, and housing while training for a new career.
Find out if you're eligible and how to apply.
The American Legion College Search Engine.
Find the college that’s best for you – and American Legion Posts closest to campus.
https://www.legion.org/education
They salute the brave and dedicated patriots who have worn the uniform of the United States, and celebrate the extraordinary military families whose selfless service and sacrifice make our military the finest in the world. Best Colleges realize the fact that It is often overlooked that veterans make our country stronger by applying their military experience in their post-service lives.
In order to help military servicemen and women, as well as their families, navigate post-service life, the team at BestColleges.com created an accessible and streamlined series of what to expect during and after a military career. Their guides delve deep into career pathways, educational opportunities post-service, and scholarships for military dependents and spouses. Take a look below:
Career Guide:
https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/military-career-guide/
College Guide:
https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/college-guide-servicemembers-and-veterans/
Scholarship Guide:
https://www.bestcolleges.com/financial-aid/scholarships-for-military-dependents/
Assists and provides support to victims of asbestos and mesothelioma.
For more information visit their WEBSITE
Provides Veteran’s care in the areas of Homelessness, Drug Rehab, PTSD, Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, TBI and is part of the VA Community Care Network.
For many people, buying a home requires a pile of cash, putting home-ownership out of reach. However, for those who qualify because of their military service (or spouse’s military service), it’s possible to get help buying a home with little or no money down through the VA loan program.
BANKRATE VA HOME LOAN INFORMATION
Veterans & Addiction
Veterans often cope with stress after returning from multiple deployments. They may also suffer from illnesses and injuries that can contribute to a substance use disorder. Addiction delays an already complex social reintegration process and can have negative repercussions. Useful information on this subject can be found by visiting the below listed Website:
COVID-19 Military Support Initiative
Together, in light of the current worldwide crisis, the Association of Defense Communities (ADC), Blue Star Families, and participants of the White Oak Collaborative have formed the COVID-19 Military Support Initiative (CMSI) to provide resources and expertise to support communities, states, and military families
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