Quantico - Buck Keyes Post 28
Triangle Virginia
The Commanders Corner
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Over a million eligible veterans will now see their mileage reimbursement more than double for travel to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. The 2008 appropriations act provided funding for VA to increase the travel reimbursement rate from 11 cents per mile to 28.5 cents per mile. The increase went into effect on Feb. 1. This is the first increase in the mileage reimbursement in 30 years. VA also increased the deductible amounts applied to certain mileage reimbursements. The new deductibles are $7.77 for a one way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, with a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month. However, these deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran. For more info go to http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,161138,00.html
The Defense Commissary Agency's (DeCA's) new and improved website at commissaries.com is a great way for commissary shoppers to discover their benefit and stay connected to what's happening in their commissary. The website includes a new section that promotes health and wellness and an "Ask the DeCA Dietitian" section where customers can exchange comments with the DeCA dietitian and other users. The website also lists what is on sale in the "Savings Aisle" under the "Shopping" tab. Customers can print a list of all items on sale at their local commissary and find Internet coupons on the "Links" page. The "Kay's Kitchen" section also provides lots of quick, easy and nutritional recipes.
Military Housing Assistance Fund (MHAF) helps military families to become homeowners. A nonprofit organization, the Military Housing Assistance Fund (MHAF), is offering a solution for our service members who want to buy a home, but cannot afford the down payment or closing costs. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development 69% of all Americans own their own home. Unfortunately, our men and women in uniform are being left behind. In a Rand Corporation study, it was found that only 27.3% of military families own their own home. In this same study, when asked why, nearly half said that it was because they could not afford to do so. For many others, credit issues preclude them from purchasing a home. That’s where MHAF comes in.
MHAF assists military families in two ways. We provide grants to service men and women to assist them with closing costs associated with purchasing a home. For service men and women with credit problems or even bad credit, we have a lease option program that helps them improve their credit, and afterwards, to own their own home. True gifts, that never need be paid back, are available to active duty military, guard, and reserve personnel.
MHAF is currently offering this program in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming and expect to be in all fifty states by Spring 2008. Call 720-932-8049 for more details.
University to Offer Spouse Discount
Kaplan University announced the launch of a 10 percent tuition discount
for military spouses. Kaplan, offers more than 100 academic programs
that can be completed from anywhere in the world. For more information,
visit Kaplan University's military spouse page at:
http://www.military.com/Deals/Home/0,13401,,00.htm
The American Soldier Foundation provides grants or interest-free loans for medical expenses, education, funeral expenses, marriage counseling, financial planning and a wide variety of other services. Through its website, the organization also offers resources for education, family life, employment, and personal finance. Military families can get advice on whether to buy or rent a home, check current mortgage rates or even determine how much a skill set is worth in different job markets. For more information, visit the American Soldier Foundation website. http://www.soldierfoundation.org/
Scholarships for Military Children Program. Applications for the Defense Commissary Agency's 2008 Scholarships for Military Children Program are available now in commissaries worldwide or online through a link at www.commissaries.com and directly at www.militaryscholar.org. The $1,500 scholarships are available to unmarried children under the age of 21 (or 23, if enrolled in school) of military active-duty, retired, and Guard and Reserve servicemembers. Applications must be turned in to a local commissary by close of business on Feb. 20, 2008. At least one scholarship will be awarded at every commissary location with qualified applicants.
Scholarship for Wounded Vets and Spouses. Operation Education Scholarship is a University of Idaho program designed to help veterans with severe and permanent injuries as a result of service since Sept. 11, 2001. The spouses of wounded veterans are also eligible for the scholarship. The program offers assistance with tuition, fees and books, on-campus housing, transportation, medical assistance, childcare, adaptive equipment, tutoring, and mentorship. Visit the University of Idaho Operation Education website or call 1-866-671-7041. http://www.uidaho.edu/OperationEducation
State Veterans Benefits. Veterans pursuing their educational goals are usually eligible for "educational assistance for students" in most states. Educational benefits for veterans and their dependents, particularly the children of deceased and disabled veterans, are also available in some states. Military.com has developed an on-line general summary of educational benefits for veterans and their dependents. View the full summary by state at:
http://education.military.com/money-for-school/state-veteran-benefits
VET BENEFIT EXPIRATION DATES: Many of your benefits have an expiration date. Below are a few important ones to remember so you don't lose out.
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Montgomery GI Bill for Active-Duty (MGIB): 10 years from date of last discharge or release from active duty.
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Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP): 10 years from date of last discharge or release from active duty.
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Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR): 14 years from the date of eligibility for the program, or until released from the Selected Reserve or National Guard. Some extensions available if activated.
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Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VocRehab): Generally, 12 years of separation from service or within 12 years of being awarded service-connected VA disability compensation.
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Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI): Coverage ends 120 days after separation or can be extended up to 1 year for totally disabled veterans. See details at:
Military.com http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/veterans-benefit-expiration-dates 28 Jan 08
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express or implied, with respect to the content,
information, or services provided herein.