VA BENEFITS NEWSLETTER

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a web page. Veterans Benefits Newsletter January 2021   Tune into Our Upcoming Webcast Join Under Secretary for Benefits, Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D., for VBA's upcoming webcast on Jan. 14, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. ET. Dr. Lawrence will be sharing our accomplishments and challenges from the first quarter of 2021. Register online to receive a reminder!   Reduce Your Mortgage Interest Rate Are you looking to refinance your current mortgage? VA's interest rate reduction refinance loan (IRRRL) may be able to help. We recommend a personal financial health assessment to determine if refinancing your current mortgage is right for you. Learn if you're eligible and how to apply.   Benefits for Blue Water Navy Veterans Did you know? VA provides benefits to Blue Water Navy Veterans who served as far as 12 nautical miles from the shore of the Republic of Vietnam or in the Korean Demilitarized Zone and who have health conditions associated with herbicide exposure, such as Agent Orange.   DIC for Military Families If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member or Veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, you may be eligible for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), a tax-free monthly financial benefit. Learn about DIC eligibility criteria!   VA Career Counseling VA’s Personalized Career Planning and Guidance program, also called Chapter 36 benefits, can help guide your career and ensure the most effective use of your VA benefits. Learn how you can apply for VA career counseling services online.   Debt Payments Resume To ease financial difficulties during the pandemic, VA’s Debt Management Center suspended collections on debts established after April 3, 2020. Effective Jan. 1, 2021, benefit debt payments have resumed. If you have questions or difficulties making payments, please submit your request online!   GI Bill Training Benefits Did you know you could use your GI Bill benefits for a non-degree school? Programs, like HVAC repair or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training, can help you jump start your career in a new industry. Learn how to use the GI Bill to pay for specific training programs! AUSA Supports Military Families The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving Veterans, service members, and their families. AUSA's Family Readiness Directorate provides Army families with the support they need to help them manage the challenges of military life. From financial resources to employment opportunities, learn how AUSA can support you! Keep Benefits Safe with Direct Deposit If you receive VA benefit payments but do not have direct deposit, get a no- or low-cost account through the Veterans Benefit Banking Program (VBBP). Receiving your payments electronically is faster, safer, and more convenient than receiving a check or pre-paid debit card. Protect your finances and switch to direct deposit! Connect With Us           Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your subscriber preferences page. You will need to use your email address to log in. For questions or problems with the subscription service, visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.