Bipartisan Support for Veterans | Returning OIF/OEF Veterans | Survivor Benefits | Assistance for Veterans and Their Families
The number of veterans in Arizona continues to grow. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), there are approximately 561,000 veterans in Arizona, approximately eight percent of our civilian adult population. And since Arizona is one of the fastest growing states in the nation, that number will continue to grow as veterans move to our state from other parts of the country, and as servicemen and women return to Arizona from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Bipartisan Support for Veterans
While many issues divide the American people, there is almost always broad bipartisan support among the public and Members of Congress for initiatives to serve the needs of our nation’s veteran population. For example, the Senate late last year gave unanimous approval to the following measures, which are now law:
- The Veterans Benefits Act (Public Law 111-275), which expands insurance options for disabled veterans, upgrades compensation benefits and employment protections, authorizes VA construction projects, and allows the VA to keep using private physicians to quickly and accurately provide veterans with disability evaluations.
Returning OIF/OEF Veterans
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-181), which I supported and which President Bush signed into law, extended the period of eligibility for health care benefits for those veterans who served in combat operations after November 11, 1998 in both Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). The extension provides five years of cost-free health care to OEF/OIF Veterans for any injury or illness related to their military service, regardless of income.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has set up a special website devoted to those veterans who have recently returned from military service. Click here for more information about the special benefits available to those who have recently returned from service to our country.
Survivor Benefits
I am often asked about the services and benefits available to the widows and dependent children of deceased veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides several different survivor benefits for widows and their children. An explanation of the benefits can be found on the VA website survivors’ portal.
Navigating through the federal bureaucracy can be very daunting, especially after losing a spouse. I encourage widows with questions about the benefits available to them to contact my Phoenix or Tucson offices for assistance. I also encourage veterans and their spouses to review the benefits available to survivors, and the eligibility requirements for these benefits, before they are needed, so that there are no surprises for the surviving family after a veteran’s death.
Assistance for Veterans and Their Families
Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to those who have served, and we rightly try to assist with disability and pension payments, GI Bill education benefits, VA home loans, vocational rehabilitation, health care, and other services.
There are a number of good resources that veterans can check to see what help might be available to them. The Department of Veterans Affairs administers a variety of programs which are outlined on the Department’s website. Those facing economic hardship might also check the website of the Arizona Department of Veteran’s Affairs; the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Services page; and the VA’s homeless programs and initiatives page. There are also a number of private veteran service organizations available to help veterans and their families. The staff in my Phoenix and Tucson offices are available to help find organizations to best suit veterans’ needs.
The federal government also funds a variety of worker retraining programs to help individuals transition to new careers after military service. The Department of Labor’s website, CareerOneStop, has more information about available federal programs. Maricopa County Workforce Connections, VetSuccess.gov, and local Vet Centers can also provide help for individuals seeking new work or a change in careers.
Of course, my office always stands ready to help veterans and their families with any questions or issues they may have. My staff in both Phoenix and Tucson who have expertise in matters such as veterans and military benefits, student loans and grants, Social Security, and more. For assistance with such matters, contact my Phoenix office at (602) 840-1891 or my Tucson office at (520) 575-8633.
