We all owe an immeasurable debt to all our active duty and retired members of the military and reserves. We also understand that mistakes and poor choices can be made by anyone of us. This site is set up to provide quick access to the many benefits and opportunities available to veterans through local, state, and national government, and public service organizations.
Please refer to the links below for quick reference in the areas of benefits, services, and support/advocacy assistance in all areas.
NATIONAL RESOURCES
The VA has founded the Veterans’ Crisis Line to ensure Veterans in crisis have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. Veterans can call the Crisis Line number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and press “1” to be routed to the Veterans Crisis Line.” The website provides information regarding crisis, mental health, after deployment, and caregiver support. To learn more, go to www.mirecc.va.gov/coaching/index.asp
This is an EXCELLENT 3rd Edition pdf document which is a one-stop web source of veterans' resources, benefits, opportunities, etc regarding jobs, medical care, financial assistance, education, spouses, etc.
MAJOR STATE OF TENNESSEE PORTALS FOR VETERANS
CRISIS HOTLINE:
The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) also runs a National Call Center for Homeless Veterans hotline to ensure that homeless Veterans or Veterans at-risk for homelessness have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. The hotline is intended to assist homeless Veterans and their families, VA Medical Centers, federal, state and local partners, community agencies, service providers, and others in the community. To be connected with a trained VA staff member call 1-877-4AID VET (877-424-3838).
VETERANS BENEFITS
This link to the Tennessee Veterans Site provides information, contacts, and links to apply for Veterans Benefits, Veterans Education Assistance, Employment Assistance, as well as Mental Healthcare and Group Life Services. You can also gather great information in the 2012 Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, and Survivors from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
For More Information:
VA website for eBenefits: www.va.gov www.ebenefits.va.gov
VA Benefits Homeless Hotline: 1-800-827-1000 1-877-4AID-VET
If you're a homeless veteran, the Veterans Administration offers safe housing, job opportunities, and health care options. You can learn more online or by calling 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838). Service members, veterans, and their families can also find services and resources in their communities with the National Resource Directory.
Also, here's a great resource from the Department of Veterans Affairs called the National VA Homeless Resource Guide MS Word / PDF
EMPLOYMENT
Veterans Reemployment portal (CareerInfoNet.org). Also, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 made changes to the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). The Act added two new categories to the existing qualified veteran targeted group and made the WOTC available to certain tax-exempt employers as a credit against the employer’s share of social security tax. The Act allows employers to claim the WOTC for veterans certified as qualified veterans and who begin work before January 1, 2013.
You can also click on the U.S. Department of VA link for information regarding the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program and employer incentives for hiring veterans, including a tax credit of up to $9,600 and a 50 percent wage match. The felony is just one characteristic of ex-offenders. Estimates indicate that approximately 10 percent of ex-offenders may be eligible for Veterans services.