Are you familiar with Veterans’ Group Life Insurance? If you are transitioning out of the military soon and currently have Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI), then you are going to want to keep reading to get a better understanding of VGLI. We are going to cover the top 5 things you should know about Veterans’ Group Life Insurance.

#1 – What is VGLI?

Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is an insurance plan that allows you to convert your Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) to a renewable group life insurance plan after you leave service. As long as you pay your premiums, you will remain covered by the VGLI.

#2 – Who is Covered?

The VGLI covers Veterans and former servicemembers, but you must be able to meet certain criteria to qualify.
At least one of these must be true. You:

• Had part-time Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) as a member of the National Guard or Reserves, and you suffered an injury or disability (damage to your body or mind that makes it hard for you to do everyday tasks, including meaningful work) while on duty—including direct traveling to and from duty—that disqualified you for standard premium insurance rates, or
• Had SGLI while you were in the military and you’re within 1 year and 120 days of being released from an active-duty period of 31 or more days, or
• Are within 1 year and 120 days of retiring or being released from the Ready Reserves or National Guard, or
• Are within 1 year and 120 days of assignment to the Individual Ready Reserves (IRR) of a branch of service, or to the Inactive National Guard (ING). This includes members of the United States Public Health Service Inactive Reserve Corps (IRC), or
• Are within 1 year and 120 days of being put on the Temporary Disability Retirement List (TDRL)

#3 – What are the benefits of VGLI and how do I sign up?

The amount of benefits you can receive is based on the coverage you previously had through SGLI, but you can receive between $10,000 to $400,000 in life insurance benefits. When you leave the military, you can sign up through VGLI for coverage up to the amount you had through SGLI. You can also increase your coverage by $25,000 every 5 years—up to $400,000—until you’re 60 years old.

To sign up for VGLI you’ll need to apply within 1 year and 120 days of leaving the military.

If you sign up within 240 days of leaving the military, you won’t need to prove you’re in good health. If you sign up after the 240-day period, you’ll need to submit evidence that you’re in good health.
There are several different ways you can apply for coverage:

• Apply through the Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (OSGLI), using the Prudential website. Apply online through OSGLI
• Apply online through eBenefits
• Apply by mail or fax. Fill out the Application for Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (SGLV 8714). Download the Application for Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (PDF)

#4 – How much does VGLI cost?

Like a traditional commercial life insurance policy, the cost of your VGLI premium will vary based on your age and the amount of coverage that you’d prefer. As your age increases, the premium cost also increases. If you are 29 years old and seeking $400,000 in coverage your monthly premium will be $28; however, if you are 49 years old and seeking the same coverage your monthly premium will be $84.

The VA has a chart at VA.gov that breaks down the cost for each age range and premium amount.

#5 – Can I convert VGLI to a traditional commercial plan?

If you decide you would like to convert your policy to a commercial policy then you can easily convert at the standard premium rates without having to prove that you’re in good health. You will just need to choose your new insurance company, apply for coverage at their local office, and give your new insurance agent a VGLI Conversion Notice.

The policy you are converting to must be a permanent policy, such as a whole life policy. You can’t convert to other types of policies, like term, variable life, or universal life insurance. Also, supplementary policy benefits, like Accidental Death and Dismemberment or Waiver of Premium for Disability, aren’t considered part of the conversion policy.

If you are within one year pre- or post-transition and you have questions about VGLI or any other transition concerns, visit SAVIvets.org and connect with one of our SAVI mentors.

As you probably know, when you transition out of the military there are tons of decisions you’ll have to make about the future for you and your family. One of the most important decisions you will have to make is whether you are going to start a career or potentially plan on going back to school. Luckily there are tools and resources available to help you make this very important decision.

Have you heard of VA Chapter 36? If you are transitioning out of the military within the next six months or you’re within one year post-transition then you’ll want to keep reading to learn more about this amazing resource.

Chapter 36 is a Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG) service available to Veterans and their qualified dependents. This tool helps to make the decision process about school or career easier and the best part is it’s personalized to each individual because we know there isn’t a one size fits all approach to this decision.

There are a few qualifications you’ll need to meet in order to start claiming these benefits. You must:

• Be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable from active duty within 6 months, or
• Separated from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable not more than one year ago, or
• Qualify as a Veteran or service member for educational assistance under a VA educational program, or
• Are a service member, Veteran, or dependent currently eligible for VA education benefits

If you fit into one of these categories then there is a good chance you will qualify for some great benefits provided by Chapter 36. These benefits include:

• Career counseling to help you decide which civilian or military jobs you might want
• Educational counseling to help you find a training program or field of study that interests you
• Academic and adjustment counseling to help you address issues or barriers that get in the way of your future success
• Resume support and goal planning to help you put your best foot forward

So, you are probably asking yourself “how do I apply for Chapter 36?” Well, it’s easy. There are 3 ways to apply for these benefits. You can:

• Apply online using your ebenefits account, or
• Apply by mail using VA Form 28-8832, or
• Take your application to your nearest regional office or VetSuccess on Campus counselor

Once your application is reviewed you will receive an invitation for orientation if you’re determined to be eligible.

If you have any other questions you can check out this video from the VA that gives a little more information about Chapter 36.

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Have a question about your Veteran benefits? You can email us today! If you are within one-year pre to post-military separation, you can enroll in our FREE program by setting up a call with one of our transition coaches.

The VA offers a number of services to support family caregivers including monthly payment or stipend to designated caregivers of severely disabled veterans. Keep reading for more information on the VA Caregiver Support Program.

The first thing you are probably asking is “What is a Primary Family Caregiver Stipend?” Well, a Primary Family Caregiver stipend is monetary compensation paid to a Primary Family Caregiver for providing personal care services to an eligible Veteran enrolled in the Caregiver Support Program. The stipend benefit is not intended to replace career earnings, and receipt of the stipend payments does not create an employment relationship between VA and the Primary Family Caregiver.

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Have a question about your Veteran benefits? You can email us today! If you are within one-year pre to post-military separation, you can enroll in our FREE program by setting up a call with one of our transition coaches.

It’s important to note that not ALL caregivers can receive this stipend. Only the designated Primary Family Caregiver of an eligible Veteran is entitled to receive a stipend. There can be only one Primary Family Caregiver designated at a time. Also, important to know that the stipend is a VA enhanced service and is not considered taxable income.
To utilize this benefit the qualified Veteran will need to be evaluated to determine their level of personal care services. The Veteran’s Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) at your assigned VA Medical Center (VAMC) will make a determination after evaluating the eligible Veteran. The PACT provides a clinical evaluation of the Veteran’s level of dependency, based on the degree to which the eligible Veteran is unable to perform one or more activities of daily living, or the degree to which the Veteran is in need of supervision or protection, based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. As a result of the clinical evaluation and score, the eligible Veteran will be rated as follows:

• High Tier: Equates to a maximum of 40 hours of care per week.
• Medium Tier: Equates to a maximum of 25 hours of care per week.
• Low Tier: Equates to a maximum of 10 hours of care per week.

Once the PACT is able to determine the tier level of the eligible Veteran they will be able to determine the stipend amount for the Primary Family Caregiver. The stipend amount is based on the weekly number of hours of personal care services that the eligible Veteran requires during the month. It is calculated by multiplying the Bureau of Labor Statistics hourly wage for home health aides, Skill code 311011, for the geographic region in which the eligible Veteran resides by the Consumer Price Index Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), and then multiplying that total by the number of weekly hours of Caregiver assistance required (assigned tier level hours). This product is then multiplied by the average number of weeks in each month (4.35).

For example: If an eligible Veteran requires 10 hours of personal care services weekly (Tier 1) and the Caregiver’s hourly wage (including COLA) is $10 per hour, then the monthly stipend would be: (10 hours x $10) x 4.35 = $435.

Once the stipend total is calculated and approved it will be paid out monthly to the Primary Family Caregiver.

You can find more information about the Primary Family Caregiver Stipend from the VA by calling the Caregiver support line at 1-855-260-3274, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.

You can also visit the Caregiver website at http://www.caregiver.va.gov or email: https://iris.custhelp.com/app/ask

This is a great benefit for Veterans with service-related disabilities and their families. It allows the Veteran to still maintain a quality of life and provides a way for their families to be involved in their care.

Contact Us

Have a question about your Veteran benefits? You can email us today! If you are within one-year pre to post-military separation, you can enroll in our FREE program by setting up a call with one of our transition coaches.

Do you qualify for Compensation benefits? If you are a Veteran who was honorably discharged and have a service-connected disability then you probably do and you’ll want to keep reading to learn what you need to do to apply.

So, what is disability compensation? It’s a tax-free monetary benefit paid to Veterans who have a service-connected disease or disability. This can be anything that is a physical condition (chronic illness and pain) or a mental health condition (PTSD). You might also qualify if you have a post-service disability that can be directly tied to an injury or illness that you sustained while you were in service.

Are there any other types of disability compensation? Yes, there are also disability compensation benefits available to surviving spouses, children, or parents of service members who passed away during active duty or as a result of their service-connected disability. This is called Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Also, in some cases you might qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). This is an additional tax-free benefit that is provided for Veterans who require additional care or aid. An example of this might be a Veteran who lost a limb during service and requires a prosthetic limb.

How do you apply for disability compensation? You will want to start the application process as soon as you can, even before you are discharged from the military. You can apply online using your VA eBenefits account. A copy of your DD-214, medical evidence from your doctor, and records for your dependents will be required for processing your claim. You also have the option of mailing your application form directly into the VA.

How much compensation will I receive? This will be determined by your disability rating. The current 2021 rate for a Veteran with a 20 percent disability rating is $284 per month. If you have a 10 or 20 percent rating then your compensation doesn’t increase based on having dependents. If you have a 30 percent or higher rating your compensation level will vary depending on the number of dependents that you have living with you. There is a detailed breakdown of these compensation rates on the VA.gov website.

Are there any other benefits? As part of your VA compensation benefits, you might also be eligible for additional housing and insurance benefits. These include adapted housing grants, service-disabled Veteran’s insurance, and Veterans mortgage life insurance. All of these additional benefits will vary from Veteran to Veteran and will depend on your disability rating.

Disability compensation is a valuable VA benefit that every eligible Veteran should know about and utilize, so don’t wait, start your application today.

Contact Us

Have a question about your Veteran benefits? You can email us today! If you are within one-year pre to post-military separation, you can enroll in our FREE program by setting up a call with one of our transition coaches.

Mental health is an important topic, especially for Veterans. Sleep problems, PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression are four of the top five injuries and health problems reported among the Veteran population. This is such a prevalent topic that the VA even offers Mental Health Services for qualified Veterans that includes everything from professional counseling to working with a peer mentor.

In addition to these amazing resources that are offered for the Veteran community, there are also small steps you can take on your own to help improve your mental health on a daily basis. Here are our top three ways to improve mental health for Veterans.

#1: Take care of your physical health

Exercise has been proven to help improve your mood and reduce signs of depression.

While you’re in the military, you’re required to maintain yourself at a certain fitness level. There were tests and workouts that you were expected to be able to complete. After you leave the military you don’t have to let your physical health decline just because you are no longer required to pass physical fitness tests.

If you sustained a service-related injury, you might not be able to work out in the same ways that you did before, but there are modifications and equipment available that can still allow you to work up a sweat.

Take a little time each day, even if it’s just five or ten minutes, to workout and get your body moving any way that you can. You’ll be amazed how much better you feel after a little workout.

#2: Meditation and Relaxation

Taking just a few minutes to relax your body and your mind can make a big impact on mental health.

There are tons of apps or even videos online that will help guide you through a meditation or relaxation exercise. This process is great for helping you reduce your blood pressure, slow your breathing, and relax muscle tension. If you have trouble sleeping due this is a great way to relax as you get ready for bed.

The great thing is meditation can be done in any position, so you don’t need to be able to sit on the floor to experience the benefits.

#3: Connect with others

You aren’t alone in your experiences and you aren’t the only one feeling lost or unsure.

Talking about your feelings or your anxiety is one of the best ways to help relieve some of the pressure that it might cause you to feel. You don’t always have to talk to a professional, you can talk to a friend or a fellow Veteran. Talk to someone who has gone through the same experiences as you and will understand how they can have a lasting impact on your mental health.

You can also use social media to help you connect with other Veterans through Facebook groups or other social platforms. This allows you to surround yourself with others who will have a first hand understanding of what you might be going through.

These might seem like simple steps, but don’t underestimate the positive effect that they can have on your health. It doesn’t matter if you use just one or all of these tips, what matters is that you find a way that works for you to improve or maintain your mental health. Some days are better than others, and on the hard days it’s important for Veterans to know that they have options.

Contact Us

Have a question about your Veteran benefits? You can email us today! If you are within one-year pre to post-military separation, you can enroll in our FREE program by setting up a call with one of our transition coaches.