United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough speaks during a Senate committee hearing on the Department of Veteran's Affairs budget for fiscal year 2022. The VA on Friday said it launched a financial resources website for veterans. McDonough said financial issues are linked to increased suicide risk and increased risk of homelessness for veterans. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
March 8 (UPI) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs on Friday announced a new website to help veterans manage financial stressors, with the overall goal of reducing veteran suicides.
Developed by the the National Veterans Financial Resource Center, the website connects veterans to financial tools, information, videos, calculators and worksheets to help them meet their financial goals.
"We know that financial issues are linked to increased suicide risk in veterans, as well as increased risk of homelessness," VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in a statement. "With this new website, our mission is to empower every veteran to take advantage of financial tools and resources so they can earn more, save more and avoid financial distress that can lead to suicidal ideation."'
The website pools resources from over 25 government agencies, including the Department of Labor, Federal Trade Commission, National Park Service and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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The website launch follows the VA's announcement on Wednesday of its participation in the 4+1 Commitment, designed to help military spouses achieve and retain employment while growing their careers.
"Military spouses are some of the most talented and dedicated professionals in the public and private sector," VA Chief of Staff Kimberly Jackson had said. "By making these commitments, the VA will be better positioned to recruit and retain these public servants as we execute our nation's most sacred obligation: caring for veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors."
President Joe Biden in June signed an executive order to increase job opportunities for military families, who experience a 21% unemployment rate across the nation, according to White House officials.
In recent years, the VA has made several measures to expand support for veterans at risk of suicide, such as offering no-cost emergency suicide prevention care and launching the 988+1 veterans crisis line to more quickly connect veterans to qualified responders.
If you or someone you know is suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
- Topics
- Defense
- Joe Biden
- Federal Trade Commission
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FAQs
Fill out a Request for Hardship Determination (VA Form 10-10HS). Write a letter explaining why you're requesting a hardship determination. The letter should describe the financial issues that make it hard for you to pay your copays. Submit your completed form and letter to us.
What does 22 a day mean? ›
That number is 22 per day, as in, 22 veterans commit suicide daily in the United States. This number has been blasted across the outlets of the mainstream media as a call to action for the advocates of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans; the group that seems to be the most at risk.
How many Vietnam veterans committed suicide? ›
Almost all were men, and close to 2.5 million served directly (were deployed) in Vietnam during the conflict. Tracking rates of suicide between 1979 and 2019, Pullman's team found a total of 22,736 suicides among veterans who had been deployed to Vietnam.
What is the VA form for financial hardship? ›
The Request for Hardship Determination form is used to determine whether the veteran's projected income for the current year will be substantially below the VA means test threshold due to a loss of income or increase in allowable deductible expenses.
Does the VA lend money? ›
Yes. A VA guaranteed loan is not a gift. It must be repaid, just as you must repay any money you borrow. The VA guaranty, which protects the lender against loss, encourages the lender to make a loan with terms favorable to the veteran.
What is the 22 a day for veterans Day? ›
It's the number 22, as in, 22 vets take their lives each day. The number has become a rallying cry for advocates trying to call attention to suicide among vets, especially those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Twenty-two, not some vague, rounded-off number.
What does Til Valhalla mean? ›
“Valhalla” refers to a great hall where the souls of heroes slain in battle are received, so the phrase “Til Valhalla” essentially means, “Until we meet again in Valhalla.” It's the notion that something greater waits for those who fall in battle and that the fallen will be reunited with their fellow soldiers one day.
What is the average age of veteran suicide? ›
The total number of suicides differs by age group; 31% of these suicides were by veterans 49 and younger while 69% were by veterans aged 50 and older. As with suicides in general, suicide of veterans is primarily male, with about 97 percent of the suicides being male in the states that reported gender.
Which state has the most Vietnam veterans? ›
California houses the most Vietnam veterans, with approximately 531.3K veterans residing in the state. Following closely behind are Florida and Texas, with a Veteran population of 507.3K and 461.7K respectively.
What are Vietnam veterans dying from? ›
These include psychological stresses associated with war, infectious diseases prevalent in Vietnam, and exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange. Previous studies of Vietnam veterans reveal a similar excess of mortality from external causes among Australian Vietnam veterans (3).
VA benefits include disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, Veteran Readiness and Employment, and burial. See our Veterans page for an overview of the benefits available to all Veterans.
Can I get a personal loan from the VA? ›
No, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doesn't offer personal loans. However, it does offer VA home loans to eligible veterans. These programs generally help veterans qualify for more favorable rates.
