{"id":8488,"date":"2016-02-19T16:36:11","date_gmt":"2016-02-19T22:36:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?page_id=8488"},"modified":"2016-02-19T20:56:19","modified_gmt":"2016-02-20T02:56:19","slug":"dallas-veterans-benefits","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/dallas-veterans-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"Dallas Veterans Benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dallas Veterans Benefits<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Veterans earn a lot of benefits in exchange for their military service, but accessing those benefits isn\u2019t always straightforward. Dallas-area vets have a number of local resources to help navigate the process of finding healthcare benefits (including substance-abuse and mental-health programs), job-search services, and housing programs. <\/span><\/p>\n

Dallas-area health benefits programs for vets<\/h2>\n

Some veterans aren\u2019t aware that they qualify for VA healthcare benefits. The VA says any veteran with active duty service and a discharge other than dishonorable\u2014along with Reservist and National Guard vets who completed a federally ordered service period\u2014may be eligible for VA healthcare enrollment. (Applications are sorted by <\/span>priority group<\/span><\/a>.) <\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Dallas VA Medical Center<\/span><\/a> provides geriatric care along with home-based care, hospice services, women\u2019s health programs, and support services for family caregivers of veterans. Dallas VAMC mental health services include geriatric psychiatry, treatment for memory problems, and trauma and substance-abuse programs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Housing benefits for veterans<\/h2>\n

Dallas County Veteran Services has a long <\/span>resource list<\/span><\/a> for vets and their families of half a dozen federal and state home, land, and long-term care programs. They include:<\/span><\/p>\n

Federal VA home loans and instructions on how to apply<\/span><\/p>\n

Texas VLB Veterans Housing Assistance Loan Program and searchable listings of approved <\/span>lenders<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Property tax exemptions for vets with certain service-connected disabilities<\/span><\/p>\n

Discounted home-improvement <\/span>loans<\/span><\/a> for qualified vets, and <\/span><\/p>\n

Texas State Veterans Homes (the nearest one to Dallas is located in Bonham)<\/span><\/p>\n

The county can also help you find emergency help if you or a veteran in your family is homeless, or is at risk for homelessness. Military spouses and widows can also get help with benefits applications through Dallas County. <\/span><\/p>\n

Another housing program for veterans with daily care needs is the VA\u2019s Medical Foster Home <\/span>program<\/span><\/a>. The Dallas VAMC administers the program for the region. Participants live in private local homes with caregivers who have been vetted and are willing to include the vet in family life, prepare meals, provide help with daily activities, and provide transportation.<\/span><\/p>\n

More Dallas-area resources<\/h2>\n

The Veterans Land Board of the Texas General Land Office prides itself on providing benefits to Texas vets that go above and beyond the standard national programs. Each year, the VLB hosts benefits fairs across the state where vets, spouses, and other family members can learn what\u2019s available to them and their loved ones. The 2016 Dallas Veterans Benefit Fair is scheduled for June 11 at the Dallas VA Medical Center. You can check the VLB Events <\/span>page<\/span><\/a> for the most up-to-date benefit fair schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other groups that can help you access veterans\u2019 benefits are the Dallas Veterans Resource Center, the Texas Veterans Commission, and the Texas Workforce Commission. Since 2012, the <\/span>Veterans Resource Center<\/span><\/a> has helped Dallas-area vets apply for healthcare, find housing, continue their education, and find jobs. Claim counselors from the <\/span>Texas Veterans Commission<\/span><\/a> work at the Veterans Resource Center and at the Dallas VA Medical Center.<\/span><\/p>\n

Older vets and their eligible spouses who want to work can get priority services from the Texas Workforce Commission. There are 3 Workforce Solutions <\/span>offices<\/span><\/a> in Dallas and more across the Metroplex that can help you with your job search.<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information on the Aid & Attendance Benefit and to learn how it can help pay for assisted living, please visit <\/b>VeteranAid.org<\/b><\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n

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Learn more about\u00a0Financial Assistance for Dallas Seniors<\/a>:<\/p>\n