VETERANS’ BENEFITS

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

    What benefits are available to veterans Who is eligible to receive veterans benefitsWhat effect your criminal history has on your ability to receive veterans benefits Whether you can apply for veterans benefits while incarcerated The effects of incarceration, if you were already receiving veterans benefits What to did if your veterans benefits are reduced or stopped What to do if you’re disqualified from VA benefits due to your discharge status

The federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides various benefits to U.S. military veterans, including: disability compensation, pensions, education benefits, vocational and employment services, healthcare benefits, insurance benefits, and survivors’ and dependents’ benefits.[1772] Here you will learn about how your criminal record and incarceration may affect your access to these benefits. For more detailed and comprehensive information, you should read:

VETERAN SERVICE ADVOCATE

In 2014, a new law requires some correctional facilities to refer veterans to a veteran service advocate to help them with reentrt community from certain correctional facilities prior to release and a referral to the county Veteran Services Office (VSO) with can assist veterans after release.

    The California Veterans Resource Book,[1773] an overview of veterans’ resources across the state; and
    The Guidebook for California Incarcerated Veterans,[1774] a practical resource for pre- and post-release planning. You can also call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 (TDD 1-800-829-4833) with questions and to obtain copies of all these resources.[1775] If you have Internet access, visit www.benefits.va.gov/benefits for further details and downloadable forms; and visit www.ebenefits.va.gov to view your status, access your documents, and apply for VA benefits.
  1. 1772

    See U.S.C. Title 38; Federal Benefits for Veterans Dependents and Survivors (2014), U.S. Dep’t of Veterans Affairs, www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book.asp; Your Right to Representation (2011), Prison Law Office, http://www.prisonlaw.com/pdfs/BenefitsLetter,Aug2011.pdf; Summary of VA Benefits, U.S. Dep’t of Veterans Affairs, www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/benefits-summary/SummaryofVABenefitsFlyer.pdf ↑

  2. 1773

    California Veterans Resource Book (2014), California Dep’t of Veterans Affairs, www.calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Documents/Veteran_%20Resource_%20book_2014.pdf ↑

  3. 1774

    Guidebook for California Incarcerated Veterans, 4th ed. (2013), U.S. Dep’t of Veterans Affairs, www.va.gov/HOMELESS/docs/Reentry/09_ca.pdf ↑

  4. 1775

    Federal Benefits for Veterans Dependents & Survivors (2014), U.S. Dep’t of Veterans Affairs, www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book.asp ↑

  1. Am I eligible for veterans’ (VA) benefits?

  2. Can my criminal history limit my ability to get VA benefits?

  3. How do I apply for VA benefits?

  4. Can I apply for VA benefits while incarcerated?

  5. I was receiving VA benefits before I got arrested. What happens to them while I’m incarcerated?

  6. My VA benefits were reduced or stopped while I was incarcerated. How do I restore or restart my VA benefits?

  7. I’m disqualified from VA benefits because of my negative discharge status. How can I have my discharge status reviewed for an upgrade?