Mental Health Bill For Transitioning Service Members
Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced VFW-supported S.4900, the Daniel J. Harvey Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act. This important legislation would create a pilot program to incorporate mental health counseling into the Transition Assistance Program. This new training would inform separating service members of the resources available at VA health facilities to help them meet the challenges of transition from military to civilian life. This proposal was generated by a 2019 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellow and shows the importance of grass roots advocacy. The VFW thanks Senators Brown, Blumenthal and Ernst for introducing this important legislation and for their efforts to improve the mental health of veterans.
Holiday Overseas Mail Deadlines Approaching
The U.S. Postal Service is preparing for more gifts to be mailed this year than usual as the COVID-19 pandemic forces many families to spend holidays apart. In order to ensure overseas packages are delivered before Dec. 25, USPS has the following guidance: Dec. 9 for the Air/Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office and Diplomatic Post office addresses in the 093 ZIP Code using Priority Mail and First-Class Mail; Dec. 11 for all other APO/FPO/DPO ZIP Codes, send by Dec. 11 using priority Mail and First-Class Mail; and Dec. 18 for APO/FPO/DPO addresses other than 093 Zip Code using USPS Priority Mail Express. The Postal Service has also created a “Military Care Kit,” which consists of the items most often requested by military families and it is free.
TRICARE Open Season
TRICARE Open Season is currently open through Dec. 14. This is the time beneficiaries can enroll in or change their health care coverage. Any changes will go into effect on Jan. 1. This year it is important to note that TRICARE Select Group A retirees will be required to pay an enrollment fee beginning on Jan. 1. Beneficiaries must set up an allotment with the regional contractors for the enrollment fee to begin Jan. 1. Individuals who do not set up their allotment by the deadline will be unenrolled due to non-payment.
The Armed Service Blood Program
The Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) is calling on all veterans with access to military installations to donate blood. The ASBP provides blood to active duty service members, veterans and their families. Donations can be made at 20 locations across the nation, all of which are located on military installations.
Need Help In Your Military Claim
The claims process can be confusing and one you should not try to navigate alone. The VFW’s National Veterans Service is a Nationwide network of VA accredited service officers and pre-discharge representatives who are experts in dealing with the VA and the key to your success. As skilled professionals, we assist in filing for disability compensation, rehabilitation and education programs, pension and death benefits, and employment and training programs. This is a service the VFW is proud to offer free of charge to anyone seeking assistance with the claims process. Find a VFW Service Officer in your area. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many VFW service offers remain in a telework capacity, but the VFW network of service officers have the capability to continue assisting our veterans safely without face-to-face contact.
VFW Post 516 Raffle Results
There were eight $50 winners in our Post 516 November Raffle. We thank all those that participated.
