Veteran Assistance

What is a Veteran?A veteran is defined by federal law, moral code and military service as “Any, Any, Any”… A military veteran is Any person who served for Any length of time in Any military service branch.

What is a War Veteran?

A war veteran is any GI (Government Issue) ordered to foreign soil or waters to participate in direct or support activity against an enemy.

What is a Combat Veteran?

A combat veteran is any GI who experiences any level of hostility for any duration resulting from offensive, defensive or friendly fire military action involving a real or perceived enemy in any pre- or post-designated theater of combat (war) operations.

NOTE:

• Veteran’s benefits are based on Congressional regulations determined by Honorable Discharge or Under Honorable Conditions status.
• Retirees (either 20+ years service or medical discharge status) are also Veterans. Retirees are usually eligible for supplementary federal benefits, privileges and access on military installations, but not necessarily all VA services (some services are maintained by the former military branch), as regulated by Congress.
• Wartime medals define various levels of individual combat involvement, sacrifice and/or valor.
• (Ret.) or (Retired) may be used by any veteran when stating or publishing his or her rank to indicate they are not on the active list.
  From: http://www.amervets.com/mypride/whatvet.htm

VA Mobile Medical Van

First Wednesday of the month: 10:00 am-3:00 pm at the Salinas One Stop Center

Last Wednesday of the month: 10:00 am-3:00 pm at the King City Agricultural Commission Complex

First Tuesday of the month: 1:00 pm-5:00 pm at the Hollister Veterans Memorial Building

Contact the VA

Telephone Care	(800) 455-0057
VAPAHCS	(650) 493-5000
VA Benefits	(800) 827-1000
Suicide Lifeline	(800) 273-8255
Billing Inquiries	(866) 347-2353
Women's Clinic	(888) 443-7182
ACT Addiction	(866) 717-1978
HVRP-Homeless	(800) 848-7254
Pharmacy	(800) 311-2511

The local VA office can help with many services click here for more information.

 

For a comprehensive listing of Veteran services:
California Network of Care for Veterans, for services by county

My HealtheVet
VA Home page

 *Please read an important message regarding the Veterans Support Organization (VOS) and Veterans Affairs Service (VAS).

Post-Incarceration Health Care

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will extend health care to eligible Veterans in halfway houses and other temporary, post-incarceration housing under a new program aimed at cutting back on repeat offenses. Contact the VA for more information.

Employment for Veterans

Army’s Army Career and Alumni Program webpage for employers interested in hiring transitioning soldiers (http://www.acap.army.mil/emp/employer_info.cfm).  It allows employers who join the network to find the type of talents they need for their companies. 

“Marine For Life” (http://www.m4l.usmc.mil/employer.html).  You’ll see a button at the bottom right corner that says “Employ a Marine” which will allow potential employers to provide contact information, after which the Marine Corps will engage to get more information and look to connect the employer with interested candidates.

DoD’s transition assistance website (www.turbotap.org/) has an employer hub that provides access to links that might also be helpful.

Resources for Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans:

United Services of Irag Afghanistan Veterans (USIAV)
Support Your Vet-A veteran’s experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan are unimaginable, and returning home isn’t always easy. As a family member or friend of a veteran, you have the power to help, but knowing where to start can be difficult.

VA Family Caregiver Program- VA now provides additional support to eligible post-9/11 Veterans who elect to receive their care in a home setting from a primary Family Caregiver. Eligible primary Family Caregivers can receive a stipend, training, mental health services, and access to health insurance if they are not already under a health care plan.

For Veterans, Active Military, and Family Member Services: 

Military OneSource is provided by the Department of Defense at no cost to active duty, Guard and Reserve (regardless of activation status) and their families. It is a virtual extension of installation services. Visit Military One Source online today or call 1-800-342-9647.

Military Pathways - is a free, voluntary, anonymous mental health and alcohol education screening program offered to military personnel and their families in all branches, including the National Gaurd and Reserve. The self-assessments are a series of questions that, when linked together, help create a picture of how an individual is feeling and whether they could benefit from further evaluation or treatment. The assessments are available online, over the phone, and at special events.

Virtual Family Readiness Program (vFRG) – Assists Service and Family Members in maintaining readiness by developing, coordinating, and delivering services which promotes self-reliance, resilience, and stability during war and peace. Provides a wide range of services designed to assist the unit in maintaining a high state of readiness for deployment at any time. The virtual FRG site (vFRG) promotes a community feeling within units by providing a place that is customized to the unit and contains content that is controlled by the unit.

Military Transcripts

Information about military transcripts and how to request the transcripts is available from each branch of the military.
• Army (AARTS transcript)

• Navy & Marine Corps (SMART Transcript)

• Air Force (CCAF Transcript)

• Coast Guard (CGI Transcript); download request application here.

ACE Military Guide

The ACE (American Council on Education) Military Guide (Guide to Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services), web version click here.

For a directory listing of additional resources please click here.