Health Resources For Military And Veterans By Topic
Coping with Fear of Violent Attacks and Terrorism
Helping Children Cope During Deployment
Staying Connected with Family Members
Witnessing a Traumatic Event
Helping Children Cope During Deployment
Changing Lives by Integrating Mind and Body ® Podcasts
Managing Stress Kit
Self-Care Strategies after Returning from Military Deployment
Reintegration Process after Returning from Deployment
Self-Care Strategies after Returning from Military Deployment
Supporting Veterans Returning to Work
Fear and Anger in PTSD *
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder *
Suicide Risk Factors: Teens, Elderly, and Military Veterans
Yellow Ribbon Program
The Children Of Women Vietnam Veterans Health Care Benefits Program
If youre the biological child of a woman Vietnam War Veteran and youve been diagnosed with certain birth defects, you may qualify for VA health care benefits. These benefits may help pay for services needed to treat your covered birth defect and related medical conditions.Find out if you qualify for the Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Health Care Benefits Program and how to apply
Usaa Auto Insurance: Discounts And Low Cost Rates
- Low rates for military members and their eligible family members
- Great customer service reviews
- Discounts for keeping car on military base
- Doesn’t always offer the cheapest rates
Since USAA only offers insurance to people associated with the armed forces, it doesn’t explicitly offer a military discount, but its rates are nevertheless among the best available to military families.
If you plan on storing your car while deployed, USAA is the clear winner. USAA offers discounts of up to 15% if you keep your vehicle on a military base, and reduces your rate by 60% if you are deployed and store your car in a safe location.
If you take advantage of these discounts, you may only have to pay as little as $250 per year, which is cheaper than the alternative of letting your car insurance lapse.
These discounts, in combination with low yearly rates, mean deployed and active service members will likely end up paying the least for car insurance with USAA. You can see this for yourself by examining our sample quotes below:
| State | |
|---|---|
| $1,178 | $2,615 |
USAA is 30% cheaper than the average cost of insurance for the insurers we surveyed. It is important to note that while USAA has the cheapest average out of the five states we surveyed, there are states where Geico and State Farm offer the cheapest rates.
USAA car insurance also excels when it comes to customer satisfaction
Read Also: Can You Get Disability For Breast Cancer
The 8 Best Life Insurance Companies For Veterans In 2022
- Best for Customer Satisfaction: Northwestern Mutual
- Best for Living Benefits: Prudential
- Best for Active MilitaryUS: USAA
- Best for Disabled Veterans: VA Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance
Most companies below are listed by the VA as participating companies, meaning you can convert your existing SGLI, VGLI, or Family Servicemembers Group Life Insurance coverage to an individual life insurance product without undergoing an exam or answering health questions.
Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits
Reference:
The CPP provides disability benefits to eligible contributors and their dependent children.
Eligibility
To be eligible for disability benefits, a contributor must have been found to be disabled according to the terms of the CPP legislation and have made sufficient contributions to the plan. The contributor must also be under the age of 65 and apply in writing.
A contributor is considered disabled under the CPP if he or she suffers from a physical or mental disability that is both severe and prolonged. “Severe” means that the disability causes the person to become unable to regularly pursue any substantially gainful occupation. “Prolonged” means that the disability is likely to be long, continued, and of indefinite duration, or is likely to result in death.
Details
Regular and Reserve Force service is considered employment for the purposes of the CPP.
It is necessary to apply for CPP disability benefits in order to receive them.
Amount of Benefits
The disability pension is a monthly benefit, which consists of a flat-rate component and an earnings-related component. The earnings-related component is equal to 75% of a retirement pension under the CPP, calculated as if the contributor became 65 years of age in the month when the disability pension became payable.
Support for Returning to Work
The CPP Disability program encourages beneficiaries to work to their potential and offers the following return to work support:
Children’s Benefits
Contact
Recommended Reading: Does A Lump Sum Pension Affect Social Security Disability
Dependants Dental Care Plan
This section applies to Regular, Reserve, family and living members.
Purpose
The DDCP provides coverage for specific services and supplies that are not covered under a provincial health or dental care plan.
Eligibility
Serving Regular Force and Reserve Force Class C members may participate in the DDCP and obtain coverage for eligible dependants. Membership in the Plan ends automatically on the date of your release from the Canadian Armed Forces .
A survivor may opt for coverage under the Pensioners Dental Services Plan if they are entitled to an ongoing survivor benefit under the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act .
Details
The Plan covers only reasonable and customary dental treatment, necessary to prevent or correct dental disease or defect, provided the treatment is consistent with generally accepted dental practices.
Contact
Purpose
The purpose of EER is to provide eligible members with opportunities related to Professional Development, accreditation of military training, and preparation for career transition.
Eligibility
Serving members of the Regular Force and the Primary Reserve are eligible for EER. Regular Force and Primary Reserve members must have completed Basic Military Training or Basic Military Officer Training in order to be eligible for reimbursement .
Details
Education Reimbursement for the Regular Force
Education Reimbursement for the Primary Reserve
Skills Completion Program Regular Force
Contact
Home Insurance Requirements For Va Loans
If youre planning to buy a home as a military member or veteran, youre likely considering a home loan through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs . VA loans are mortgages offered exclusively to military members, veterans and their spouses.
These loans offer competitive interest rates and have no down payment requirement, making them the most competitive choice for most veterans. The VA partners with select lenders to offer these loans.
While the VA provides mortgages, it does not sell homeowners insurance. However, all VA lenders require you to purchase a home insurance policy. The VA can also connect you with reputable insurers such as the ones featured in this review and provide guidance on minimum coverage requirements.
Also Check: How To Qualify For Social Security Disability
Geico: Best Customer Service
Geico isnt exclusive to service members like USAA and Armed Forces Insurance, but the company does partner with military associations, like the Association of the United States Army, the Navy League of the United States, and the Armed Forces Benefit Association to offer a 15% discount to military members and veterans.
Geico is the only provider in this review that offers 24/7 customer service and provides a customer portal, online chat, and mobile app to round out the customer experience.
Pros and Cons of Geico Home Insurance
Has a customer portal, online chat, and mobile app for self-service Available in all 50 states Provides an option to pay your monthly premium through Geico
All insurance products go through an underwriter Customers must talk to a company representative to finish getting a quote
Aside from the military discount, Geico offers three additional discounts to customers:
- Having smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in the home
- Having home security systems
Note: Where you live will determine the underwriter for your Geico policy, and that underwriter may offer more discounts than the three provided by Geico.
Programs And Services Provided By The Canadian Armed Forces
Veteran Family Journal.Footnote40 provides a summary of available support for transitioning ill and injured CAF members and their families.
Personnel Support Programs Footnote41 are integrated within the military community, and comprise flexible, diversified, cost-effective and responsive programs and services for CAF members, Veterans, and their families. These include messes, CAF newspapers, golf courses, yacht clubs, curling clubs, cottages and campgrounds, and recreation programs and clubs. Transitioning CAF members can visit to learn about PSP programs and services in their local communities.
Service Income Security Insurance Plan Long Term Disability and Vocational Rehabilitation transition interview and support are accessible to all CAF members. Applicants are provided with professional case-management support, an initial telephone transition interview, and then a face-to-face meeting with their assigned vocational rehabilitation counsellor. Members are encouraged to bring their spouses so they have the opportunity to understand the future financial impact of the transition on the family. Focus is placed on developing a plan that will provide the member with the tools to support the family, engage in the community and successfully transition from the CAF with the opportunity for a long-term career.
Travel costsFootnote54 are reimbursed for the primary next of kin to visit CAF members who are hospitalized or receiving treatment.
Don’t Miss: What Mental Disorders Qualify For Social Security Disability
Best For Disabled Veterans: United Services Automobile Association
USAA
The company offers life insurance plans that cater to disabled veterans. It also has high ratings and online quotes.
-
Has been in business since the 1920s
-
Customers can add their children to their policies
-
Policies for disabled veterans
-
Medical checkup is required to rate the policy
With the highest rating available from AM Best of A++ , USAA has been in business since 1922 and offers a variety of life insurance policies for active military and veterans, including term, whole, and universal life.
Online quotes are available but you must create an account first. Otherwise, interested customers can reach out to the company over the phone Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST, and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.
You can also apply to get a policy in the company’s mobile app, with the process taking about 20 minutes. At that point, a free medical exam is required and will be scheduled at a time that works for you. This appointment can be done at your home or wherever you choose. Within a couple of weeks, USAA will review your eligibility and determine your premium.
Read the full USAA Life Insurance review.
Role Of Families During Transition
A successful transition from military service to civilian life is a key element in creating positive long-term outcomes for independence, financial security, health and social integration for military families.
When an ill or injured CAF member is notified that he or she will be medically released, the individual begins preparing to transition to a new life in the civilian world. If their illness or injury is of such severity that they are no longer able to work, the transition challenge is even greater. The success of the transition in either case often depends on how well the family can cope with and support the transitioning member. The transition from military to civilian life is not done in isolation the entire family unit is affected.
Families play a particularly important role when the transitioning member suffers from an operational stress injury .Footnote10 Often, members of the immediate family are the first to notice personality changes and uncharacteristic behaviours in their loved ones.Footnote11 Spouses, partners and parents can expend considerable effort supporting the transitioning member and maintaining family cohesion. As well, frequently it is a spouse, parent or other family member who assumes the role of caregiverFootnote12 to an ill or injured transitioning member.
Recommended Reading: Are Long Term Disability Insurance Payments Taxable
How Is Car Insurance Different For Military Members And Veterans
Car insurance policies for military members are generally the same as they are for everyone else. But certain car insurance companies offer distinct coverages or discounts to account for the fact that active-duty service members may use their personal vehicle less than most drivers.
For example, GEICO offers emergency deployment discounts for those service members deployed into imminent danger pay areas, as defined by the Department of Defense. So drivers who are deployed wont have to pay as much when they arent using their car.
USAA goes even further. If you are deployed and store your vehicle away so that it cant be driven, you can get a discount of up to 60%. This is particularly relevant for service members who dont have family members who need to use their vehicle. If you decide to garage your vehicle on your military base, you can still save up to 15% on the comprehensive insurance portion of your policy.
What Types Of Dental Care Does Vadip Cover And How Much Will It Cost
VADIP plans cover many common dental procedures. These may include:
- Diagnostic services
- Preventive dental care
- Root canals and other services to manage oral health problems and restore function
The costs for your coverage will depend on the insurance company and plan you choose.
Based on your plan, youll pay:
- The full insurance premium for each individual on your plan
- Any required copays when you get care
Read coverage details and compare VADIP plans and premium rates:
Read Also: How To Get Disability Benefits In Texas
What Does Life Insurance For Veterans Typically Exclude
Life insurance is no different than other types of insurance where it has noted exclusions. Suicide as a cause of death is commonly excluded from all life insurance policies. VGLI does not exclude for PTSD, TBI, or suicide, though that may not be the case for other providers. Be sure to read through the policy terms and take advantage of the free look period that allows you to read every line of the contract obligation-free.
Military Car Insurance Rates
USAA has the cheapest car insurance for veterans and military members on average, according to our 2021 rates analysis. These rates are for full coverage insurance, which includes liability, comprehensive, collision, uninsured/underinsured motorist protection and any additional state-mandated coverage. Although Liberty Mutual and Armed Forces Insurance offer military car insurance, they aren’t included in our analysis because they don’t provide rate data.
Geico was more expensive than USAA in our annual nationwide analysis of car insurance full coverage rates. However, it has the cheapest minimum car insurance rates from the insurers catering to military members, including USAA.
Here are the average annual rates for state-mandated coverage from companies offering military car insurance or a military discount:
|
Military insurance company |
|---|
Also Check: Is Long Term Disability Considered Earned Income
Reserve Dental Care Plan
This section applies to Reserve, family and living members.
Reference:
Purpose
As a part of the Reserve Health Benefit Plan, some Reserve Force members and their dependants are eligible to participate in the Reserve Dental Care Plan . The RDCP provides coverage for specific services and supplies that are not covered under a provincial health or dental care plan.
Eligibility
Serving Reserve Force Class A and Class B members may participate in the RDCP to cover themselves and/or obtain coverage for eligible dependants .
A survivor may opt for coverage under the Pensioners Dental Services Plan if he/she is entitled to an ongoing survivor benefit under the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act .
Details
A member who is enrolled in the Primary Reserve, who is not covered by any other dental plan or programme and is in good standing with the Unit, may request and be assigned a reserve dental plan certificate number and will be covered by the plan.
The Plan covers only reasonable and customary dental treatment, necessary to prevent or correct dental disease or defect, provided the treatment is consistent with generally accepted dental practices.
Contact
For more information on the RDCP, please refer to the above link and/or contact the unit Orderly Room.
Armed Forces Insurance: Best Endorsements
Like USAA, Armed Forces Insurance is only available to current or past military members and their families. The defining feature of AFI is its long list of endorsements. While USAA and Geico offer only a few endorsements, AFI offers 15 to customers, including coverage for earthquakes and floods.
Pros and Cons of AFI Home Insurance
Offers more discounts than USAA and Geico Provides endorsements for natural disasters Has over 130 years of home insurance experience
Doesnt offer 24/7 customer service Has fewer insurance products than big name insurance companies, like Allstate and State Farm
Heres a list of Armed Forces Insurance discounts:
- Central station burglar and fire alarm
- IBHS-fortified for a safer living home
Read Also: Palm Springs Social Security Office
Are There Military Car Insurance Discounts For Veterans And Families
There are beneficial military car insurance discounts for active duty service members, veterans and their families.
Carriers that serve this clientele offer premium discounts that specifically account for active-duty members who may use their personal vehicle less than average drivers. Additionally, some offer emergency deployment discounts when an active duty customer is sent overseas or on assignment, Friedlander notes.
Brian Martucci, finance editor for Money Crashers in Minneapolis, adds that, for active-duty military policyholders, insurers may also subsidize the cost of vehicle storage during emergency deployments.
I Am A Veteran What Do I Need To Know
There are three things veterans should know about their health care options.
Additionally, enrollment in VA health care means you can receive:
- Immediate benefits of health care coverage. Veterans may apply for VA health care enrollment at any time.
- No enrollment fee, monthly premiums or deductibles. Most veterans have no out-of-pocket costs. Some veterans may have a small co-payments for health care or prescription drugs.
- More than 1,700 places to get your care. This means your coverage can go with you if you travel or move.
Veterans Enrolled in VA Health Care
For those currently enrolled in VA health care programs, your health care coverage meets the requirements under the Affordable Care Act. You do not have to take any additional steps to get health care coverage.
Depending on your income, you may also qualify for free or low cost coverage from Health First Colorado . Find out more on our I Need Health Insurance.
Veterans Not Enrolled in VA Health Care
Recommended Reading: What Are The Requirements To Collect Social Security Disability