Links for Veterans

Military.com  The military resource maintains a Benefits Directory for veterans.

The Military Wallet  The Military Wallet lists many military discounts along with benefits and advice.

Home Depot and Lowe’s:  Both home improvement stores offer 10% military discount to military members, veterans, and retirees.  Additionally, discounts should be available online at Lowes.com and  HomeDepot.com.

New York State Veterans’ Nursing Homes   “The New York State Veterans’ Homes are skilled nursing facilities owned and operated by the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and State University of New York (SUNY) for Veterans and their dependents. They exist to provide quality care to all eligible Veterans and dependents in need of skilled nursing care and rehabilitative services.”  See the website for eligibility, locations, and more information.

New York Military Service Credit Law (2016):

Union Veterans Council “The Union Veterans Council brings union members who are veterans together to speak out on the issues that impact veterans most, especially the need for good jobs and a strong, fully funded and staffed VA. Additionally, the UVC holds private enterprise and elected officials accountable for their words and actions.”

Veterans and Mesothelioma Due to exposure to asbestos, veterans run a high risk of developing a rare cancer called mesothelioma. As a group, veterans account for 30% of all diagnoses in the U.S. The Mesothelioma Group provides free up-to-date information and support, specifically focused on helping veterans. The Website includes information about asbestos use in the military, asbestos exposure by branch, recent asbestos exposure, and VA benefits for mesothelioma.

VeteranAid.org. The mission of VeteranAid.org is to help veterans learn about and receive Aid & Attendance (A&A) benefits which are part of an “improved pension” that is largely unknown. “This Improved pension allows for veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, undressing, medication dosing, or taking care of the needs of nature to receive additional monetary benefits. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an assisted living facility also qualifies.

Veterans Aid and Attendance Council (VAAC). “VAAC is an association of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, personal care providers, eldercare attorneys and financial advisors working together to provide the best health care for our veterans. The VAAC mission is to educate and make veterans and healthcare providers aware of the benefits afforded veterans under the Improved Pension Benefits of the Veterans Health Administration.”

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

Amend the NY State Military Service Credit Law in 2014.  From the introduction:  current NY State law  “allows  only a limited portion of our honorably discharged veterans to purchase military service credit for New York state pensions.”  This site explains the issue and lists the Senate and Assembly bills that could amend it.

The American Veterans and Servicemembers Survival Guide. This is a 605-page guide  to veterans issues, from educational help to vocational rehabilitation, from housing to citizenship.  It is free and available online.

Military Friendly Schools

USERRA (The Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act):

Summary of New York State Civil Service Law.

New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs:  The NY Patriot Plan III.  The Patriot Plan is a package of benefits and protections for service members.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

New York State Department of Civil Service: Memoranda of Special Note regarding Military Leave.

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

Disabled American Veterans.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

Vietnam Veterans of American.

Korean War Veterans.

Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The American Legion.

America’s VetDogs. Providing guide and service dogs for veterans.