Don't Leave Your Benefits Behind

Did you know if you served on active duty in the United States uniformed services, including active National Guard and Reserves, you may be eligible for VA benefits? The GI Bill and other educational benefits is one of the most important benefits. There are other VA benefits you may be eligible for: disability compensation, support for veteran-owned small business, veterans pension program, aid and attendance or housebound allowance, disability housing grants, pre-need eligibility determination for burial in a VA national cemetery. During the next few weeks, I will cover some of these benefits and what they entail.
If you served on active duty for at least 90 days, after September 11, 2001, you may be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. If you received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged you are eligible. If you served for at least 30 continuous days on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability, you are eligible. Lastly, if you have a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying Veteran or Service member, they are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The maximum time for benefits is 48 months, not including Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits. If you were discharged before January 1, 2013, the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits expire 15 years after your last separation date from active service. The Forever GI Bill went into effect after January 1, 2013. If your service ended on or after January 1, 2013, your benefits do not expire.
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Dr. Irene Dickerson is a retired Army Colonel living her best life in Big Sky Country.