OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE BENEFITS

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Disclaimer: I am not a service officer for any organization and I am NOT employed by the VA. This information is intended as an aid for fellow veterans and service members. Please verify all information with the VA or a veterans service organization.

OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE BENEFITS

Benefits for Special Groups

Benefits for special groups are listed in Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents pamphlet or on the web at www.va.gov/pubaff/fedben/00fedben.pdf

Homeless Veterans’ Services

· Outreach to veterans living on streets and in shelters.
· Clinical assessment and referral to medical treatment for physical and psychiatric disorders, including substance abuse.
· Long-term sheltered transitional assistance, case management, and rehabilitation.
· Employment assistance and linkage with available income supports.
· Supported permanent housing.

Homeless Veterans Programs

· VA’s Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.
· VA Assistance to Stand Downs.
· Homeless Chronically Mentally Ill (HCMI) veterans program.
· Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans (DCHV)
· Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residence (CWT/TR) Program.
· Department of Housing and Urban Development / VA Supported Housing (HUD-VASH).
· Drop-In Centers.
· Social Security Administration and VA Outreach Program
- Comprehensive homeless centers.
· VBA-VHA Special Outreach and Benefits Assistance
· VBA’s Acquired Property Sales for Homeless Providers
· VA Excess Property for Homeless Veterans Initiative.
· Program Monitoring and Evaluation
· Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education, and Networking Groups (CHALENG)

For more information on homeless services and programs, contact your nearest VA facility.

Overseas Benefits

Beneficiaries who live in foreign countries should contact the nearest American Embassy or Consulate for information and claims assistance. In Canada, veterans should contact an office of the Veterans Affairs Canada.

Records of Medals (Missing or Replacement)

Contact information is available in the Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents pamphlet or visit the website at www.va.gov

State Veterans Homes

Contact your state Veterans Commission and/or your county Veterans Service Officer.

Civil Service Preference

Point preference is given for federal job applications. States will vary in what veteran’s job preference is offered to job applicants.

State Benefits (these benefits are not available in every state)

· Free tuition for family members for state colleges and universities.
· Free camping privileges.
· Free hunting/fishing licenses.
· Free disabled veteran automobile license plates.
· Free boat trailer registration fees and taxes.
· Free handicapped parking card.
· Free watercraft registration.

For information on benefits available in your state, visit the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs website at www.nasdva.com and click on the state you live in.

The following is an excerpt from www.nasdva.com on the State of Colorado Veteran’s Benefits current as of 1/13/05.

A. Tax Exemption: There is excluded from gross income, retirement pay' received by members of the Armed Forces, to the extent it is excluded from Federal income tax and not to exceed $20,000 in any one taxable year.

B. State Veterans' Home: Admission preference is given to veterans, spouses, widows and mothers at State Veterans Center, Homelake, Colorado. With 40 operating beds in the domiciliary unit and 60 beds in nursing care service.

C. State Veterans Nursing Home: The Colorado State Veterans Nursing Home at Florence, Colorado with a bed capacity of 120 beds. Colorado State Veterans Nursing Home at Rifle, Colorado with a capacity of 100 beds. Colorado State Veterans Nursing Home at Walsenburg with a capacity of 120 beds. We have a new State Veterans Home. It is the Fitzsimmons State Veterans Home, located in Denver, CO. It has a capacity of 180 beds.

D. State Loan Program: None

E. State Bonus: None

F. Burial Allowance: County allowance of up to $50 for burial and up to $50 for setting markers for pauper veterans.

G. License Plates: The State provides plates at no cost to the veteran include: recipients of the Medal of Honor, recipients of the Purple Heart, to certain disabled wartime veterans, special disabled veterans license plates, and special license plates for former POWs. Plates for honorably discharged veterans may be purchased for nominal fee.Honorably Discharged Veteran Plate Colorado Revised Statute 42-3-115.5 Issued to any person who has received an honorable discharge from any branch of the U.S. Armed Services or who is retired from a branch of the Armed Services. Applicant must submit form DD214 or their honorable discharge documents to obtain this plate. This plate may be issued to a Light truck, or Farm truck, or Recreational Truck weighing 12,000 lbs., or a Passenger vehicle, Motorhome or Motorcycle (no weight restriction) upon payment of required fees and taxes. An additional one-time issuance or replacement fee of $25.00 is charged at time of registration. Disabled Veteran Plate Colorado Revised Statute 42-3-104 (5), 42-3-115.5 (5) ( c) The Disabled Veteran License plate may be issued to qualified applicants (50% or more permanent, service connected disability). One set of plates may be issued without paying specific ownership tax and license fees to a Light truck, Recreational truck, or Farm truck weighing 12,000 pounds empty weight or less, and to any Motor Home, Motorcycle or Passenger vehicle with no weight restriction. Applications for a no fee plates and authorizations for paid plates are made at:

In Person
Division of Motor Vehicles
Department of Revenue
1881 Pierce Street
Lakewood, Colorado

By Mail
Department of Revenue
Registration Section
Denver, Colorado 80261-0016

Additional plates may be obtained from the County Motor Vehicle office upon payment of a one-time $25.00 fee and the required fees and taxes for Light trucks, Farm Trucks, and Recreational Trucks with a weight of 12,000 lbs or less and to any Motor Home, Motorcycle or Passenger vehicle with no weight restriction. NOTE: This plate DOES NOT permit a disabled veteran to park his/her vehicle, or a vehicle in which they are a passenger, in designated disability parking spaces. If disabled veteran is handicapped, either a disability placard or a disability license plate must be obtained to park in designated disability parking spaces. Disabled Veteran Handicap Plate Colorado Revised Statute 42-3-104 (5), 42-3-115.5 (5)(a)(II) and 42-3-121This plate permits a disabled individual (mobility disability) to park their vehicle, or a vehicle in which they are a passenger, in designated disability parking spaces. Applicants must meet two (2) requirements (plus a 3rd requirement for a farm truck) for this plate. Qualified applicants (1) 50% or more permanent, service connected disability AND; (2) physical impairment verified in writing by a physician licensed to practice medicine in Colorado or a Commissioned Medical Officer, and; (3) (if purchasing a farm plate), must meet requirements for a farm plate. The plate may be issued to a passenger vehicle, light truck, recreational truck, farm truck, motor home or motorcycle. Only one set of these plates may be issued per applicant.Applicant may obtain one set without paying the specific ownership tax and license fee for a Farm Truck, Light Truck, or Recreational Truck that weighs 12,000 lbs or less or any Passenger vehicle, Motorhome, or Motorcycle (no weight restrictions).Applications for a no fee plate is made at:

In Person
Division of Motor Vehicles
Department of Revenue
1881 Pierce Street
Lakewood, Colorado

By Mail
Department of Revenue
Registration Section
Denver, Colorado 80261-0016

Additional Disabled Veteran license plates (not handicapped) may be issued upon payment of required fees and taxes.