If so, there is a new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Labor's (DOL) education benefit program that helps train Veterans in high demand occupations.
As an eBenefits user we would like to share information about a new benefits program that is underway due to the enactment of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 last November. Included in this law is the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) for unemployed Veterans, which VA begins accepting applications May 15, 2012.
Under VRAP VA may provide 99,000 eligible Veterans with up to one year of training assistance, equal to the full-time monthly payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty program (currently $1,473 per month) in order to help you earn training and certifications in high-demand job. In order to receive these benefits, you must attend a VA approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school.
You can begin applying May 15, 2012, but cannot start any education or training until July 1, 2012. Up to 12 months of training assistance may be used through March 31, 2014. Sign up early as participation in the program is limited to a total of 99,000 Veterans with only 45,000 Veterans allowed to participate prior to October 1, 2012. The remaining 54,000 must apply between October 1, 2012 and October 1, 2013.
To apply or learn more information about VRAP including how to apply and eligibility requirements please visit www.benefits.va.gov/VOW
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
DFAS to host first Facebook town hall meeting
CLEVELAND (May 2, 2012) – Questions and proposed topics have been pouring in for Defense Finance and Accounting Service retired pay experts who will host a live Facebook town hall meeting with military retirees May 8, 3 – 5 p.m. Eastern.
DFAS, the agency that pays the nation’s more than 2 million military retirees, is getting ready for its first live social media event by pulling together a team of retired pay experts and preparing to answer as many questions as possible during the two-hour meeting.
DFAS polled military retirees last month to find out what they want to talk about during the event. Forty-five percent of respondents said they wanted to know more about Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) and Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC), while nearly 20 percent were interested in issues regarding waiving military retired pay in order to receive Department of Veterans Affairs compensation.
One Facebook user, for example, said she wanted to discuss "Medical retirees who cannot draw CRDP because they are short of their full 20 years." Another said, "I would like to talk about how my retired pay will affect my social security, if at all."
The town hall will be available online at www.facebook.com/DefenseFinanceandAccountingService. While anyone can view the town hall page, retirees and other interested guests must have a current Facebook account to submit questions or make comments.
DFAS representatives will not answer account-specific questions or issues during the town hall as these often involve revealing personal information and require time away from those questions of interest to most participants.
For more information about the event, visit www.dfas.mil/facebooktownhall. This page serves as a home base for town hall information and soon will be updated with bios and photos of the retired pay experts who will be online during the event.
DFAS launched its Facebook presence in May 2010 and now has more than 65,137 "likes." The agency regularly responds to inquiries and customer service requests via Facebook with an average turn-around time of two to three business days.
DFAS experts plan to answer as many questions as they can during the two-hour town hall meeting. Any retirement questions they can’t answer during the event will be answered within the normal two to three business days. Non-retirement related questions submitted during the live town hall session will be held until it is over and answered within the normal time frame.
Original Article: http://www.dfas.mil/pressroom/dfasnewsreleasearchive/Release0512001.html
DFAS, the agency that pays the nation’s more than 2 million military retirees, is getting ready for its first live social media event by pulling together a team of retired pay experts and preparing to answer as many questions as possible during the two-hour meeting.
DFAS polled military retirees last month to find out what they want to talk about during the event. Forty-five percent of respondents said they wanted to know more about Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) and Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC), while nearly 20 percent were interested in issues regarding waiving military retired pay in order to receive Department of Veterans Affairs compensation.
One Facebook user, for example, said she wanted to discuss "Medical retirees who cannot draw CRDP because they are short of their full 20 years." Another said, "I would like to talk about how my retired pay will affect my social security, if at all."
The town hall will be available online at www.facebook.com/DefenseFinanceandAccountingService. While anyone can view the town hall page, retirees and other interested guests must have a current Facebook account to submit questions or make comments.
DFAS representatives will not answer account-specific questions or issues during the town hall as these often involve revealing personal information and require time away from those questions of interest to most participants.
For more information about the event, visit www.dfas.mil/facebooktownhall. This page serves as a home base for town hall information and soon will be updated with bios and photos of the retired pay experts who will be online during the event.
DFAS launched its Facebook presence in May 2010 and now has more than 65,137 "likes." The agency regularly responds to inquiries and customer service requests via Facebook with an average turn-around time of two to three business days.
DFAS experts plan to answer as many questions as they can during the two-hour town hall meeting. Any retirement questions they can’t answer during the event will be answered within the normal two to three business days. Non-retirement related questions submitted during the live town hall session will be held until it is over and answered within the normal time frame.
Updated May 3, 2012
Original Article: http://www.dfas.mil/pressroom/dfasnewsreleasearchive/Release0512001.html
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) and Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay (CRDP)
Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) and Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay (CRDP) are programs created by Congress to allow eligible military retirees to receive monthly entitlements in addition to retired pay.
CRSC is a special compensation for combat-related disabilities. It is non-taxable, and retirees must apply to their Branch of Service to receive it.
CRDP is a restoration of retired pay for retirees with service-connected disabilities, and it is taxable. No application is required. Eligible retirees receive CRDP automatically.
The purpose of these entitlements is to recover some or all of the retired pay that military retirees waive for VA disability compensation.
Monthly Payments
Like your retired pay, DFAS pays CRDP and CRSC monthly on the first business day of each month. You will receive your CRDP or CRSC payment in the same manner as your retired pay:
DFAS and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) manage the CRDP/CRSC Processing program (formerly known as VA Retro) to pay eligible military retirees any retroactive CRSC, CRDP and/or VA disability compensation they are owed.
A retroactive payment will include any money you may have been entitled to before you received your first monthly payment.
A retiree may be due funds from DFAS, the VA or from both agencies. DFAS and the VA remain in communication with each other to successfully establish and process CRDP and CRSC accounts.
DFAS will audit your account to determine whether or not you are due retroactive payment. An audit of your account requires researching pay information from both DFAS and VA. If you are due any money from DFAS, you will receive it within 30-60 days of receipt of your first CRSC or CRDP monthly payment.
If DFAS finds that you are also due a retroactive payment from the VA, we will forward an audit to the VA. They are responsible for paying any money they may owe you.
For more information from DFAS, call toll free at 800-321-1080. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (ET).
Questions concerning disability ratings or payments due from the VA should be directed to the VA at 800-827-1000.
CRSC is a special compensation for combat-related disabilities. It is non-taxable, and retirees must apply to their Branch of Service to receive it.
CRDP is a restoration of retired pay for retirees with service-connected disabilities, and it is taxable. No application is required. Eligible retirees receive CRDP automatically.
The purpose of these entitlements is to recover some or all of the retired pay that military retirees waive for VA disability compensation.
Monthly Payments
Like your retired pay, DFAS pays CRDP and CRSC monthly on the first business day of each month. You will receive your CRDP or CRSC payment in the same manner as your retired pay:
- If your retired pay is being direct deposited into your bank account, we will do the same for your CRDP or CRSC payment.
- If your retired pay is sent to you as a paper check, we will do the same for your CRDP or CRSC payment.
To verify your bank account information or check your mailing address prior to receiving your first payment, you may call 800-321-1080 or login in to your myPay account.
Retroactive Payments DFAS and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) manage the CRDP/CRSC Processing program (formerly known as VA Retro) to pay eligible military retirees any retroactive CRSC, CRDP and/or VA disability compensation they are owed.
A retroactive payment will include any money you may have been entitled to before you received your first monthly payment.
A retiree may be due funds from DFAS, the VA or from both agencies. DFAS and the VA remain in communication with each other to successfully establish and process CRDP and CRSC accounts.
DFAS will audit your account to determine whether or not you are due retroactive payment. An audit of your account requires researching pay information from both DFAS and VA. If you are due any money from DFAS, you will receive it within 30-60 days of receipt of your first CRSC or CRDP monthly payment.
If DFAS finds that you are also due a retroactive payment from the VA, we will forward an audit to the VA. They are responsible for paying any money they may owe you.
For more information from DFAS, call toll free at 800-321-1080. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (ET).
Questions concerning disability ratings or payments due from the VA should be directed to the VA at 800-827-1000.
Page updated February 9, 2012
Original Message: http://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/disability/payment.html
Monday, January 9, 2012
Recent Advertisement by DAV - Dec 2012
DAV membership is the fraternal arm of the organization, with over 1.2 million members based in nearly 1,500 communities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. For over 90 years DAV with the support of its members has never wavered in our commitment to serve our nations service-connected disabled veterans, their dependents and survivors by:
- Providing free, professional assistance to veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services earned thought military service;
- Providing outreach concerning its program services to the American people generally, and to disabled veterans and their families specifically;
- Representing the interests of disabled veterans & their families, before Congress, the White House and the Judicial branch, aw well as state and local government
- Extending the DAV's mission into the communities where these disabled veterans and their families live; and
- Providing a structure through which disabled veterans can express their compassion for their fellow veterans through a variety of volunteer programs.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP)
Last Day to File for Retroactive Stop Loss has Been Extended
LAST DAY TO FILE FOR RETROACTIVE STOP LOSS HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO October 21, 2011.
Was your enlistment involuntarily extended due to Stop Loss between
September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009? If so, and you have yet to file a
claim for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP), October 21, 2011, is a
very important date to you. That's the last day to file for payment.
Go to http://www.defense.gov/stoploss for links to the claim forms and
individual military service links with instructions on how to file claims.
Don't delay, do it today.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Scholarships & Free Tutoring
SCHOLARSHIP & FREE TUTORING for Dependents of Wounded Warriors and Fallen Heroes
Deadline: June 11, 2012
Professional Tutors of America is a veteran owned company with 29 years of history and is committed to supporting military, veterans and their families. They want to share educational/financial resources with Wounded Warrior & Gold Star Families. 1. Scholarship and FREE Tutoring for K-12 Children of OIF/OEF/OND Wounded Warriors & Fallen Heroes *Wounded Warriors must have at least 90% service connected disability *Up to $5000/yr *Extended Deadline: June 11th, 2012 2. Scholarship and FREE Tutoring for Dependents (including Spouses) of Fallen Heroes & Wounded Warriors Attending College *Wounded Warriors must have at least 10% service connected disability *Up to $5000/yr *Extended Deadline: June 11th, 2012 3. 10 Weeks of Free Tutoring for Children (K-12) of Deployed Reservists and Wounded Warriors of OIF/OEF/OND *Wounded Warrior must have at least 30% service connected disability *One (1) hour session per week *Deadline: While funding last -Qualified families may apply for all three resources. -Attached you will find flyers for dissemination Please contact Mr. Joseph Chang joseph@professionaltutors.com for additional information. Mr Chang can also be reached at, Toll Free: 1-800-TEACH-US and Direct: (714) 784-3430.Monday, April 21, 2008
COMBAT-RELATED SPECIAL COMPENSATION (CRSC)
veteran's military retirement pay that has been offset (reduced) by VA compensation when the veteran's disabilities
are combat-related. CRSC was enacted by Congress through Public Law 107-314, dated 2 December 2002, and later
expanded under Public Law 108-136, dated 24 November 2003. The Air Force Combat-Related Special Compensation
(CRSC) program is managed by the USAF Physical Disability Division of the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC). The
CRSC Board is made up of former military and civilian personnel whose experiences include war-time duties, flying
duties, and medical training. The review board conducts a detailed analysis of your application to determine if inservice
evidence exists to confirm your conditions were the direct result of a combat-related event or injury. If so, the
Board will authorize a special monthly payment to you called CRSC. Original Source [AFRNS]
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