NewsFlash | Financial Readiness

Financial Readiness

American Red Cross Emergency Services — The Department of Defense (DoD) and the American Red Cross have partnered since 1881. The American Red Cross Hero Care Center is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The American Red Cross delivers verified messages to deployed service members during emergencies at home. Service members eligible to receive emergency communications regarding an immediate family member include:

• Active-Duty Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force and Space Force
• Activated members of the National Guard and Reserves of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces
• DoD civilians and contractors stationed OCONUS
• Service Academy Cadet or Midshipman; ROTC Cadet on orders for training
• A Merchant Marine aboard a U.S. Naval Ship

The purpose of the American Red Cross is to meet the immediate disaster-caused needs of individuals, families, and communities. Explore how American Red Cross responds to disasters big and small, across the country.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Unmet Needs Financial Grant — The VFW program provides financial aid grants of up to $1,500 to assist with basic life needs in the form of a grant - not a loan - so no repayment is required. To further ease the burden, VFW pays the creditor directly. The needs of our veterans, service members and their families should never go unmet. The VFW Unmet Needs Financial Grant helps America's military families who have run into unexpected financial difficulties as a result of deployment or other military-related activity or injury.

Making₵ents Smart Money Strategies — Personal Finance Knowledge Center for military life providing step-by-step information and education for navigating auto loans, saving for retirement, paying for college, buying a home and much more. From expert advice to budget calculators, our tools and resources can help you achieve your financial goals. Saving and budgeting work together to help you enjoy a better today and build a more secure tomorrow.

NCUA Financial Well-Being of Servicemembers & Their Families — Servicemembers and military families face unique financial challenges, whether on active duty, returning to civilian life, or living as a veteran.

Financial Wellness: Sound Principles For Successful Money Management — Free eBook (MP3 Audio Version) published in collaboration with nonprofit Guideposts for military service members, veterans, and families. Advice from trusted mentors who work to help those with financial difficulties. These principles help obtain a more secure financial future through more careful spending and improved saving and investing habits.

FDIC Money Smart — First released in 2001 and regularly updated since then, Money Smart has a long track record of success in reducing stress and improving financial readiness of Veterans. NW MIRECC started with the FDIC Money Smart program through the 'Helping Veterans #GetBanked and Manage Their Money' training program. The training program provided resources to Veterans Service Organizations, VA special Outreach Program Coordinators, and others who provide direct services to U.S. Veterans and have a direct interest in increasing Veterans’ financial capability. As a member of the Money Smart Alliance, NW MIRECC helps promote financial capability to strengthen the financial education efforts of Veterans, Servicemembers, and their families.

Prudential Pathways Seminars for Veterans — Prudential Financial, Inc. provide Veterans, transitioning Servicemembers and their families with access to financial wellness resources to improve their economic well-being and financial stability at no cost. The resources are designed to help individuals manage their money more effectively, improve their financial resiliency, and reach their financial goals.

VA Home Loans — The home loan guaranty program was originally conceived in 1944 as a part of an attack on the harsh aftermath associated with wars. The overall objectives of this attack were to diminish to the greatest possible extent the economic and sociological problems of post war readjustments of millions of men and women then serving in the Armed Forces. The program was one of the major innovations and a most important part of the original Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, Public Law 78-346. The first legal framework was set forth in Title III of that Act. State Veterans Affairs located in VA's VISN 20 region provide mortgage financing, emergency financial assistance, and property tax relief that directly support Veterans:

• Alaska — Alaska Housing is proud to offer several loan programs for veterans.
• California —  CalVet is a California state agency authorized to provide home loans to California veterans and their families as a thank you for the sacrifices made for our state and country.
• Idaho — Veterans may request a relief grant for food, fuel, shelter, and other necessities of daily living in a time of temporary emergency need.
• Montana — The Montana Disabled Veterans (MDV) Assistance Program helps disabled veterans or their unmarried surviving spouse by reducing the property tax rate on their home.
• Oregon — Veterans may apply for the Oregon Veterans Home Loan (ORVET) program for mortgage financing for owner-occupied, single-family residences.
• Washington — Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) created the Veterans Innovation Program (VIP) to provide assistance to veterans facing emergency financial hardships.

VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL) — If you have an existing VA-backed home loan and you want to reduce your monthly mortgage payments an IRRRL may be right for you. The VA IRRRL can be used to refinance an existing VA loan to lower the interest rate. Refinancing lets you replace your current loan with a new one under different terms. VA encourages you to contact multiple lenders to determine the best loan option to fit your needs. The VA Home Loan program has helped generations of Veterans, Servicemembers, and their families enjoy the dream of homeownership and the opportunity to retain their homes in times of temporary financial hardship. If you currently have a VA loan and are having issues repaying your mortgage, you should call a VA loan technician at (877) 827-3702 to explore potential options that can assist you.

The Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA) — Founded in 1959, AMBA is a not-for-profit association of banks operating on military installations, banks not located on military installations but serving military customers, and military banking facilities designated by the U.S. Treasury. The association’s membership includes both community banks and large multinational financial institutions, all of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Army Emergency Relief — Charged with relieving undue financial stress on the force, AER serves the enduring priorities of the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. Company commanders or first sergeants can approve immediate financial assistance. Through zero-interest loans, grants, and educational scholarships, AER ensures no Soldier faces financial hardship on their own.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society — Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society provides financial assistance and education, as well as other programs and services, to active duty and retired Sailors, Marines and their families in financial need. The long-term mission is to help Sailors and Marines become financially self-sufficient by learning how to better manage their personal finances and prepare for emergency expenses.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance — Supporting and offering aid to the entire Coast Guard family; Active-duty and retired military personnel, civilian employees, commissioned officers of the Public Health Service serving with the Coast Guard, Reservists, Auxiliarists, and their families. One of the main purposes of Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is to provide financial assistance to clients caught in emergency, short-term, financial situations beyond their control that endanger personal well being.

Air Force Aid Society — The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) works to support and enhance the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force missions by providing emergency financial assistance, educational support, and community programs to Air Force and Space Force families. When unexpected emergencies arise, there is a financial need and help is needed, AFAS provides no-interest loans and grants to help Airmen, Guardians, and their families meet immediate needs and make a positive step towards a lasting financial solution.

Armed Forces Financial Guide — Now all in one place, this guide provides key information on important financial issues like qualifying for and accessing service member and military family benefits, reading your LES, everyday finances, planning for the future and much more. Created in collaboration with DCUC and AMBA, the guide was developed with the input of seasoned military leaders with education and experience in military personal finance.

Military Consumer — A joint initiative to empower active duty and retired servicemembers, military families, veterans and civilians in the military community. Use these free resources as the first line of defense against fraud and make better-informed decisions when managing your money.

AnnualCreditReport.com — The only official site explicitly directed by Federal law to provide free online credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

OptOutPrescreen.com — The official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website to accept and process requests from consumers to Opt-In or Opt-Out of firm offers of credit or insurance.

Disability Grants for Veterans — VA provides housing and automobile grants for Veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities. VA provides a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) program for Veterans with certain permanent and total service­-connected disabilities purchase or construct an adapted home, or modify an existing home to accommodate a disability. Veterans can buy, build, or change your permanent home using VA's Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant program. Home Improvements and Structural Alterations: VA provides up to $6,800 in lifetime benefits for service-connected Veterans and up to $2,000 in lifetime benefits for nonservice-connected Veterans to make home improvements and/or structural changes necessary for the continuation of treatment or for disability access to the Veterans home and essential lavatory and sanitary facilities. For application information, contact the prosthetic representative at the nearest VA medical center. VA's Automobile Allowance and Adaptive Equipment grant changes a vehicle so it has features like power steering, brakes, seats, windows, or lift equipment to help you get into and out of the vehicle. Additionally, VA provides Veterans with a clothing allowance to replace clothes damaged by a medicine or prosthetic or orthopedic device related to your service-connected disability.

American Legion National Emergency Fund (NEF) — Since the early 1920s, The American Legion has been actively involved in meeting the needs of both the community and individual Legion Family members in the wake of disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and wildfires. Created in response to Hurricane Hugo in 1989, American Legion NEF has provided more than $8 million in direct financial assistance to family members and posts. By providing this emergency funding, NEF has prevented damaged posts from closing and enabled American Legion Family members to recover from tragedy. The fund provides up to $3,000 for qualified Legion Family members and up to $10,000 for posts.

United States Department of Justice’s Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative — The Department of Justice protects servicemember and veteran rights through a wide range of federal laws and resources. The Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative also identifies current legal issues affecting servicemembers and veterans and coordinates with Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Offices of the United States Attorneys, other federal agencies and bureaus, and legal assistance providers to resolve those issues.

Helping a Hero — Helping a Hero provides specially adapted homes for qualifying service members through partnerships made with the builders, developers, communities, and the veteran. Ordinarily, homes are built in master-planned communities where the developer donates the lot and the builder builds at cost.

Gary Sinise Foundation Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment (R.I.S.E.) — At the Gary Sinise Foundation, we serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. Through R.I.S.E., we’re building specially adapted smart homes for our most severely wounded heroes. We’re constructing one-of-a-kind specially adapted smart homes for our nation’s most severely wounded heroes.

Veterans Life Insurance — As part of the VA mission to serve Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families, VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your family is protected. Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI) provides low-cost coverage to eligible service members. The VALife program includes key dates and features impacting the Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) program. VALife is guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance. This means that if you meet the eligibility requirements for VALife, VA will automatically approve your application. You won’t need to prove you’re in good health. And you can keep your coverage for the rest of your life.

Thrift Savings Plan | #theSITREP — In these episodes of #theSITREP, Paul Corbett explores 32 different aspects of the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with Mike Jerue, U.S. Air Force Veteran and Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Thrift Savings Plan. Paul covers basic questions on what the Thrift Savings Plan is, when TSP started, and why military members and government employees may want to take advantage of TSP.

Blended Retirement System — The Blended Retirement System combined elements of the legacy retirement system with benefits similar to those offered in many civilian 401(k) plans. The opt-in period for the majority of service members closed Dec. 31, 2018.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) — The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a retirement savings and investment plan for federal government employees and uniformed services members, including the Ready Reserve. Most employees of the United States government are eligible to participate in the TSP.

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and Lifeline program — Opportunities and security of phone service includes being able to connect to jobs, family, and emergency services. Consumers may be eligible for the Lifeline program if they participate in a qualifying program including VA Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a U.S. government program that helps many low income households pay for broadband service and internet connected devices. Consumers may also be eligible for a one-time discount on a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet through ACP.

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Use of these Materials and Finding VA Health Care

Please note that the information provided in these materials is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a financial advisor for advice on savings and investments. Investing in your future means saving for retirement, college or a rainy day fund. If you're working with an investment professional, or someone is trying to sell you an investment, check them out before handing over your hard-earned money. As a Veteran, you have access to information about legal services and financial guidance from reliable sources including, but not limited to; VA, Vet Centers, and accredited Veterans Service Organizations. If you are looking for professional medical care, find your local VA healthcare center by using the VA Facilities Locator & Directory. This page may contain links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.

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Spanning 23% of the US land mass, VA Northwest Health Network (VISN 20) is the largest geographic region of VA. In the Pacific Northwest, VISN 20 serves Veterans in 135 counties in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Operating across three time zones over 817,417 square miles, VISN 20 is home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. VISN 20 also serves Veterans in Del Norte and Siskiyou counties of California and Lincoln County Montana. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) provides health care for Veterans from providers in the local community. VCCP includes General Community Care, Urgent Care, Emergency Care, Foreign Medical Care, Home Health and Hospice Care, Indian and Tribal Health Services, In Vitro Fertilization, State Veterans Home, and Flu Shots.

Browse facilities by state

Vet Centers in VISN 20

Vet Centers in the VISN 20 Health Care Network are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. 1-877-WAR-VETS is an around the clock confidential call center where Veterans, service members and their families can talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in transitioning after military service or trauma and get connected to their nearest Vet Center.

Vet Centers provide counseling to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling is offered in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services. If you can’t make it to a nearby Vet Center, VA offers satellite Vet Center locations and Mobile Vet Centers that may be closer to you.

Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran

The following four categories of Veterans are not required to enroll but are urged to do so to permit better planning of health resources:

1. Veterans with a service-connected (SC) disability rated at 50% or more.
2. Veterans seeking care for a disability the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but which VA has not yet rated, within 12 months of discharge.
3. Veterans seeking care for a SC disability only or under a special treatment authority.
4. Veterans seeking registry examinations (ionizing radiation, Agent Orange, Gulf War/Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) depleted uranium, airborne hazards, and Open Burn Pit Registry).

Find out how to apply for VA health care benefits as a Veteran or service member. For other mental health services, contact a VA medical center for information on eligibility and treatment options.

Plan your trip to VA

In 1946, Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) was established by law to provide comfort and well-being to America’s Veterans. With our many retail stores, cafés and coffee shops across the country, we serve those who have served our country. Our Canteens are whole health spaces for Veterans to connect, relax, share and care for themselves in an environment that is their benefit. We are proud to Serve America’s Veterans and those who provide for their care.

Hospital Service Directory

To find out whether there is a van near you use the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Hospital Service Coordinator Directory to contact your nearest HSC for information or assistance. Please remember that the DAV Transportation Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is unable to cover every community.