The Good Life - Travel, Leisure & Fun for South Valley Adults

In this column, we will be discussing a benefit available to a survivor of a veteran. We will talk about Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). DIC is a benefit that is paid... — Updated 3/2/2023

This is the second column covering the PACT Act. To recap, the full name of the law is the Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive... — Updated 1/3/2023

This column is the first to cover the PACT Act; I will have at least one follow-up column covering another area of the changes. The full name of the law is "The Sergeant First... — Updated 11/7/2022

In a quick update to our last column, the Veterans Crisis Line has a new number: Dial 988 then Press 1. This option was added effective July 16, however, even after July 16, you... — Updated 9/8/2022

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeks to continue efforts to reduce the issue of suicide by veterans. To assist veterans who need someone to talk to, the VA developed the... — Updated 7/24/2022

Are you aware of the California College Fee Waiver (CFW) Program, an education benefit available to the spouses and children of U.S. veterans through the California Department of Ve... — Updated 5/14/2022

This issue we will look at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit called the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant. This program provides a grant to servicemembers and... — Updated 3/5/2022

Tulare County has a Veterans Court! Established in 2010, the court serves veterans of Tulare County in the criminal justice system. Several agencies and community partners,... — Updated 1/8/2022

When the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) decides on your claim, they will provide you with two important letters amongst all the paperwork they will send you. The first letter i... — Updated 11/9/2021

Are you aware that as a veteran you might be eligible for discounts at participating merchants that you might do business with? You have a few options to get a Veterans ID card to... — Updated 8/31/2021

Are you aware that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers burial benefits? One of these benefits is burial in a National Cemetery. National Cemetery burials include (at no... — Updated 7/8/2021

Are you aware of the California College Fee Waiver (CFW) Program, an education benefit available to the spouses and children of U.S. veterans through the California Department of... — Updated 5/1/2021

When you travel to get health care, you may be eligible for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Beneficiary Travel (BT) benefit. This benefit is provided to a veteran when... — Updated 3/3/2021

Are you in need of a copy of your official Military Service Records, which you now realize have been lost or misplaced? Many service members are unaware of the importance of the... — Updated 1/13/2021

In this column, I would like to pass on information that is not limited to just veterans. It is my hope that this information will assist others who might qualify as well. With all... — Updated 11/1/2020

In this column I would like to address a benefit that you might qualify for that is not a Department of Veterans benefit. This is a benefit that is provided through the Department... — Updated 10/11/2020

Before I get into this column’s topic, I would like to let everyone know that the Veterans Services Office is still closed to the public due to COVID-19. We are unsure when exactl... — Updated 7/24/2020

In this article, I would like to talk about the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) Veterans Homes. Currently, there are eight homes throughout the state with varying... — Updated 4/18/2020

Did you know that veterans’ survivors may continue Accrued Benefits claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)? Accrued benefits are benefits due to a beneficiary on a... — Updated 4/10/2020

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a Beneficiary Travel (BT) benefit. The benefit is provided to a veteran when there is a need to travel to a VA medical facility. VA is... — Updated 2/19/2020

Recently, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act (H.R.299) was signed into law. Last year, the House unanimously passed the bill only to have it stall in the Senate Veterans... — Updated 9/2/2019

In earlier columns, I discussed disabilities that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may consider as presumptive to where and when a veteran served. However, in this edition I... — Updated 8/11/2019

Former service members might remember hearing: “Just take the General Discharge; it will automatically be upgraded to Honorable in six months.” Most veterans who tried this... — Updated 6/11/2019