Veteran Benefits End-of-Year Update





US Department of Veterans Affairs [ [link removed] ]



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*#VetResources [ [link removed] ] *is a weekly newsletter for Veterans, their Families, Caregivers, and Survivors.
*** VIEW/SHARE [ [link removed] ] *| EVENTS [ [link removed] ] | WELCOME KIT [ [link removed] ] **






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Free Songwriting, Music Streaming for Veterans

The CreatiVets songwriting program pairs Veterans with a hit songwriter and a Veteran mentor to create an original song based on the Veteran's experience. Learn how to apply and access their free streaming, music and art classes.



*LEARN MORE* [ [link removed] ]


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VA claims update [ [link removed] ]
Veteran Benefits End-of-Year Update

Today, VA Under Secretary for Benefits Josh Jacobs posted a blog recapping the year in Veteran benefits – including highlighting a record number of claims applications and explaining the claims backlog. Veterans and their families applied for benefits 39% more this year compared to last, and the average claim is processed by VA in 149 days. Please continue to encourage your family and friends to apply for the benefits and services they’ve earned.



*LEARN MORE* [ [link removed] ]






Upcoming Events

*VIEW ALL EVENTS* [ [link removed] ]


*RESOURCES*



San Antonio, TX Military and Veteran Food Distribution – Dec 21 [ [link removed] ]
*(Phone-based) Mindfulness Meditation Class – Jan 5* [ [link removed] ]
Crestwood, IL DAV Chapter 84 Veterans Meeting Event – Jan 5 [ [link removed] ]
(Online) Veterans Small Business Webinar – Jan 18 [ [link removed] ]



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*VIETNAM WAR COMMEMORATION*

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*(Online, In person) Vietnam War 50th: Celebrate Character & Courage – Jan 13* [ [link removed] ]
Washington, D.C. Vietnam War 50th Legacy Reception – Jan 13 [ [link removed] ]



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illustration with various data about the PACT Act [ [link removed] ]
PACT Act Performance Dashboard

The PACT Act is a law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. VA publishes the PACT Act Performance Dashboard every other Friday to measure the implementation of this legislation and showcase its impact on Veterans and survivors.



*VIEW THE DASHBOARD* [ [link removed] ]


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woman in Santa hat [ [link removed] ]
Million Veteran Program, Housing Homeless Veterans, Coping with Holiday Stress and more

In this episode of The BLUF, we welcome the holidays with exciting stories about VA's Million Veteran Program, Homeless Veteran Goals, the National Disabled Veteran Summer Sports Clinic, and resources for coping with Holiday Stress.



*WATCH* [ [link removed] ]


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hands raised up in celebration at a music concert [ [link removed] ]
Gift of Tickets on ShopVCS.com

Veterans get exclusive discounts on hotel deals and admission to theme parks, sports events and more. Sign up for ShopVCS.com to verify your Veteran status and access ticket and travel deals. Don't book travel or entertainment without checking ShopVCS first!



*SAVE NOW* [ [link removed] ]


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*Listen to survivors of military sexual trauma discuss their experiences and how mental health treatment and support helped empower them on their paths to healing.  [ [link removed] ]*

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full health care coverage from VA [ [link removed] ]
We Need Your Help, Share this Outreach Kit With Veterans 

Many Veterans are eligible for life-changing health care benefits, but they may not know how to get them. Use this outreach kit to help Veterans get the health care benefits they've earned.



*LEARN MORE* [ [link removed] ]


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man providing instruction at front of classroom [ [link removed] ]
Calling Vetrepreneurs: Apply Today for DAV Patriot Boot Camp

DAV's Patriot Boot Camp provides active-duty service members, Veterans and their spouses with access to mentors, educational programming and a community of experts and peers to help them innovate and build impactful businesses. Apply now! [ [link removed] ]



*LEARN MORE* [ [link removed] ]


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woman and man in business suits smiling [ [link removed] ]
Free Tech Training and Certifications for Veterans 

NPower provides free tech training and certifications to Veterans, their spouses and young adults from underserved communities. The next NPower tech fundamentals course begins Feb. 5, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to apply by Jan. 26.



*APPLY* [ [link removed] ]


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*Veteran Peer Q&A Corner*

* If I decide to retire at 62, could I sign up for VA medical to bridge the gap until Medicare kicks in at 65?* Answers Here > [ [link removed] ]*  
* As an employer and Veteran, am I within my rights to question an applicant's discharge if they list Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD) as reason for leaving? *Answers Here > [ [link removed] ]*
* How do you respond when someone says "Thank you for your service"? *Answers Here > [ [link removed] ]*

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Veteran Jobs

*Technology & Engineering*

Tucson, AZ - *Information Technology Specialist* (City of Tucson) [ [link removed] ]
Reston VA -  [ [link removed] ]*Threat Analyst [ [link removed] ]
*Lancaster PA - *Software Engineer I* [ [link removed] ]
Fairfax VA - *Advanced IT Security Specialist* [ [link removed] ]

*Business & Administrative** *

Nationwide - *Franchise Opportunity: Veteran Service Brands* [ [link removed] ]
Baltimore, MD - *Executive Director, Design & Construction* (University of Maryland) [ [link removed] ]

*Security & Technical*

Cedar Park, TX - *Quality Control Specialist* [ [link removed] ]
Owensboro, KY - *Dry Dock Supervisor* [ [link removed] ]
San Antonio, TX - *Security Control Validator* [ [link removed] ]

*Social Services & Medical*

Nationwide - *US Army TAP Roles* [ [link removed] ]

Vacancies for Veterans & military spouses nationwide at www.HireMilitary.us [ [link removed] ]

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Post a free job to RallyPoint's community consisting of nearly 2 million Veterans, spouses, caregivers and survivors.

*POST JOB* [ [link removed] ]


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Veteran and Military year round discounts [ [link removed] ]

Firestone/Goodyear/Bridgestone [ [link removed] ] Exclusive discounts on automotive tires from PatriotStoreDirect.

24 Hour Fitness [ [link removed] ] $0 initiation and $5 off monthly dues.

Michaels [ [link removed] ] 15% off entire purchase including sale items, some exclusions apply.



*VIEW ALL DISCOUNTS* [ [link removed] ]






*VA News: *


* Mississippi VA volunteers host Christmas Shoppe for Veterans [ [link removed] ]
* VA’s remote temperature monitoring prevents diabetic limb loss [ [link removed] ]
* Live Whole Health #200: Under pressure? Find relief for low back pain [ [link removed] ]
* Don’t let winter woes weigh on your wellness [ [link removed] ]
* Army Veteran given second chance, now gives same to others [ [link removed] ]
* Bedford VA’s Women Veterans’ health clinic expands [ [link removed] ]
* VA dietitian rooting for root vegetables [ [link removed] ]
* Marine Corps Veteran embodies family, service values to role with VA [ [link removed] ]
* VA Shark Tank competition winners announced [ [link removed] ]
* CWV Book Corner, December: Army Veteran Shannon Huffman Polson [ [link removed] ]
* What you need to know about primary care, according to our VA experts [ [link removed] ]
* Veteran homelessness increased by 7.4% in 2023 [ [link removed] ]
* Thank You, Million Veteran Program participants [ [link removed] ]
* Native American Veteran shares his story of recovery and healing [ [link removed] ]
* Central Iowa Veterans build confidence through climbing [ [link removed] ]
* VA recreational therapists help Veterans explore familiar environments [ [link removed] ]





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Download the VA Welcome Kit

*VA WELCOME KIT* [ [link removed] ]


Find a VA facility near you.

*FACILITY LOCATOR* [ [link removed] ]






VA is here for you.

1-800-MyVA411 [ tel:18006982411 ] (1-800-698-2411 [ tel:18006982411 ]) is always the right number

Veterans Crisis Line [ [link removed] ]: 988 [ tel:988 ] and press 1, Chat [ [link removed] ], or Text 838255
Vet Centers [ [link removed] ]: 1-877-927-8387 [ tel:18779278387 ]
Homeless Veteran Resources [ [link removed] ]: 1-877-424-3838 [ tel:18774243838 ] or Chat [ [link removed] ]

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VA careers [ [link removed] ]
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*Disclaimer:* The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services on the part of the VA.

Have a Veteran resource to share? Tweet it to @VetsExperience or tag it #VetResources [ [link removed] ]

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Please remember the only secure way to ask personal questions is at VA.gov/contact-us/ [ [link removed] ]. 

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Sent to [email protected] on behalf of US Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW · Washington, DC 20420

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