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Upon leaving active military service, veterans have a wide
variety of resources available to them from both federal and state governments.
Many of these programs are administered through the Department of Veterans
Affairs; however, some individuals find the application process difficult
to complete the paperwork necessary to receive benefits.
Therefore, the state, through the Kansas Commission on
Veterans' Affairs (KCVA), provides 17 different service office locations which
provide individual assistance to veterans in completing the paperwork necessary
to receive benefits. For assistance in applying for benefits please call 785-296-3976 or
send an email to kcva007@ink.org or
click here to see a list of state service office locations (http://www.kcva.org/vs/office_locations.shtml).
The following is a list of services and benefits provided
by the State of Kansas and federal government:
- Disability Compensation: The State of Kansas
can assist you in filing the forms necessary to receive compensation.
- Disability Pension: The State of Kansas
will help you apply for a pension if you are a wartime veteran with limited
income and you are no longer able to work.
Time Limits: There is no deadline for applying
for disability benefits.
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Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is
payable to certain survivors of:
- Servicemembers who died on active duty
- Veterans who died from service-related disabilities
- Certain veterans who were being paid 100% VA disability
compensation at time of death.
The State of Kansas can assist you in completing these eligibility
forms.
Death Pension is payable to some surviving
spouses and children of deceased wartime veterans. The benefit is
based on financial need.
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- Headstones and Markers: The State of Kansas
can furnish a monument to mark the unmarked grave of an eligible veteran
if not covered by the federal government.
- Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC): The
State of Kansas can complete a request to provide a PMC for eligible recipients.
- Burial Flag: The United States Post Office
or the State of Kansas through the Kansas Veterans' Affairs Commission can
provide an American flag to drape over an eligible veteran's casket.
- Reimbursement of Burial Expenses: The State
of Kansas can assist in completing the forms necessary to receive a burial
allowance of $2,000 for veterans who die of service-related causes. For
certain other veterans, the VA can pay $300 for burial and funeral expenses
and $300 for a burial plot.
- Burial in a National or State Veterans Cemetery: Most
veterans, spouses and some dependents can be buried in a national cemetery
or one of the three state veterans cemeteries at no cost to the veteran
or their family.
Time Limits: There is no time limit for
claiming reimbursement of burial expenses for a service-related death. In
other cases, claims must be filed within 2 years of the veteran's burial.
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The State of Kansas can assist you in becoming eligible
for the following services:
- Hospital, outpatient medical, dental, pharmacy and prosthetic
services
- Domiciliary, nursing home, and community-based residential
care including two state veterans’ homes offering both domiciliary
and nursing home care available to veterans and dependents
- Sexual trauma counseling
- Specialized health care for women veterans
- Health and rehabilitation programs for homeless veterans
- Readjustment counseling
- Alcohol and drug dependency treatment
- Medical evaluation for military service exposure, including
Gulf War, Agent Orange, radiation, or other environmental hazards
Combat Veterans- the VA will provide
combat veterans free medical care for any illness possibly associated with
service against a hostile force in a war after the Gulf War or during a period
of hostility after November 11, 1998. This benefit may be provided for two
years from the veteran’s release from active duty.
Veterans Affairs Administration Civilian
Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA) shares the cost of
medical services for eligible dependents and survivors of certain veterans.
TRICARE eligibility is determined by the
various branches of the uniformed services and much like its predecessor shares
the cost of medical services for eligible dependents and survivors of certain
veterans.
Time Limits: There are no time limits for
applying for the benefits described above.
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Benefits to eligible veterans, dependents, reservists, and
service members while they are in an approved training program to include
approved university, high school, on the job training and apprenticeship.
The State of Kansas can assist you in applying for and approving your participation
in these major programs:
- Montgomery GI Bill: Persons who first entered
active duty after June 30, 1985, are generally eligible. Some Vietnam Era
veterans and certain veterans separated under special programs are also
eligible. The bill also includes a program for certain reservists
and National Guard members.
- Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP): This
program is for veterans who entered active duty for the first time after
December 31, 1976, and before July 1, 1985, and contributed funds to this
program.
- Kansas National Guard scholarships: available
for people who desire a commission in the National Guard.
- Survivors' & Dependents’ Educational Assistance: Some
family members of disabled or deceased veterans are eligible for education
benefits.
Time Limits: Generally, veterans have
10 years from the date they were last released from active duty to use their
education benefits. Reservists generally have 10 years from the date
they became eligible for the program unless they leave the Selected Reserves
before completing their obligation. Spouses generally have 10 years
from the date the VA first determines them eligible. Children are
generally eligible from age 18 until age 26. These time limits can sometimes
be extended.
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The State of Kansas can assistance in locating approved
lenders and completing applications for loan guarantees.
The VA and local banks offer a number of home loan services
to eligible veterans, some military personnel, and certain spouses.
- Guaranteed Loans: the VA can guarantee
part of a loan from a private lender to help you buy a home, a manufactured
home, a lot for a manufactured home, or certain types of condominiums. The
VA also guarantees loans for building, repairing, and improving homes.
- Refinancing Loans: If you have a VA mortgage,
the VA can help you refinance your loan at a lower interest rate. You may
also refinance a non-VA loan.
- Special Grants: Certain disabled veterans
and military personnel can receive grants to adapt or acquire housing suitable
for their needs.
Time Limits: There is no time limit for
a VA home loan, except for eligible reservists. Their eligibility expires
September 30, 2009.
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Servicemembers Group Life Insurance(SGLI) is
low-cost term life insurance for service members and reservists. Generally,
coverage begins when you enter the service. It is available in amounts up
to $250,000. Generally, it expires 120 days after you get out of the service.
The State of Kansas will cover the cost of this life insurance up to $250,000
for members of the Kansas National Guard while on Federal active duty in a
combat area.
Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is
renewable five-year term life insurance for veterans. It is available in amounts
up to $250,000. You may apply any time within 1 year from the date your SGLI expires.
Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance, also
called "RH" Insurance, is life
insurance for service-disabled veterans. The basic coverage is $10,000. If
your premium payments for the basic policy are waived, due to total disability,
you may be eligible for a supplemental policy of up to $20,000. Generally,
you have 2 years after being notified of your service-connected disability
to apply for basic coverage.
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In order for benefits of any type to be paid, appropriate
claim form(s) must be filed with the VA. Assistance is provided through the
KCVA in completing these forms and obtaining supporting records and documents
to include military medical records, marriage certificates, death certificates,
birth certificates, etc. at no cost to the veteran.
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Veterans and other claimants for VA benefits have the right
to appeal decisions made by a VA regional office. The KCVA in partnership
with national service organizations like the American Legion, Disabled American
Veterans and the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars represent veterans throughout
the appeals process.
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The State of Kansas sponsors "Operation Recognition" to
honor World War II and Korean era veterans who left school to join the military
and never received a high school diploma.
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The State of Kansas provides assistance to veterans in applying
for service medals listed on their DD Form 214.
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The State of Kansas maintains DD Form 214 files on veterans
released from service and showing Kansas as their home of record. Copies of
DD Form 214’s from 1988 to Present may be immediately available in the
Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs central office. The State of Kansas'
Adjutant General's Department has an Archives Office, 785-274-1099, which
can provide the following records of service: From 1946 to 1991, DD Form 214's
for all branches of the service are available; a Statement of Service on World
War II, 1941 -1946; and Kansas National Guard records from 1946 to the present.
As required by the Privacy Act and to obtain a copy of DD Form 214, a formal
request must be submitted to the Kansas Army National Guard by using Standard
Form 180 (1.03 MB PDF). The completed and signed Standard Form 180 should
be mailed to The Adjutant General's Department, Attn: Archives, 2800 S.W.
Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66611-1287 or faxed to 785-274-1004. The State's
Kansas State Historical Society, has military records which include some of
the following: Territorial, Civil War, Indian Campaigns, Spanish American
War, and World War I and II, Contact: 785-272-8681 x117.
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The State of Kansas can assist in completing the application
process to determine eligibility for VA provided medications for certain high
priority veterans, including those with low incomes (below VA pension thresholds).
Eligible veterans can receive free prescriptions or may be eligible for medications
with a low co-payment.
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The State of Kansas, through the Department of Commerce,
can help veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find and
keep suitable employment. Contact: 785-296-5202.
The State of Kansas through the Kansas Commission on Veterans'
Affairs can assist veterans with serious service-connected disabilities in
applying through the VA for services to improve their ability to live as independently
as possible. Some of the services provided are:
- Job Search: Assistance in finding and maintaining
suitable employment
- Vocational Evaluation: An evaluation of
abilities, skills, interests, and needs
- Career Exploration: Vocational counseling
and planning
- Vocational Training: If needed, training
such as on-the-job and non-paid work experience
- Education Training: If needed, education
training to accomplish the rehabilitation goal
- Rehabilitation Service: Supportive rehabilitation
and counseling services
Time Limits: You generally have 12 years
from the date the VA notifies you in writing that you have at least a 10 percent
rating for a service-connected disability.
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Governor Kathleen Sebelius has signed bills honoring our veterans by memorializing
highways in Kansas.
“Our state and nation have been shaped by those who were willing to risk their lives
for our country,” Sebelius said. “These designations will remind all those
who visit our state of the courage and sacrifice of our veterans.”
Governor Sebelius has designated the following highways:
- Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Highway
Interstate 135 from the northern boundary of McPherson County to the southern
boundary of Harvey County.
- World War I Veterans Memorial Highway and
U.S. Highway 36 from the eastern boundary of Smith County then west to the
western boundary of Smith County.
- United States Submarine Veterans Memorial Highway
Interstate 335 from the junction of Interstate 335 with Interstate 470 to
the junction of Interstate 335 with Interstate 35.
- Civil War Memorial Highway
Portions of US Highway 169 from the southern boundary of Anderson County,
then north to the southern city limits of the City of Olathe.
- Spanish-American War Veterans Memorial Highway
Junction of US Highway 160 with US Highway 83, then west on US Highway 160
to the Kansas-Colorado border.
- World War II Veterans Memorial Highway
Junction of US Highway 24 with US Highway 281, then west on US Highway 24
to the junction of US Highway 24 with US Highway 83.
- Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Junction of K-4 Highway with US Highway 281, then west on K-4 Highway to
the junction of K-4 Highway with US Highway 83.
- Persian Gulf War Veterans Memorial Highway
Beginning of K-96 from the west city limits of Great Bend, then west on K-96
Highway to the junction of K-96 Highway and US Highway 83.
- Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans Memorial Highway
K-156 highway from the western city limits of Larned to the eastern city
limits of Jetmore.
- Operation Enduring Freedom Veterans Memorial Highway
K-156 highway from the western city limits of Jetmore to the eastern city
limits of Garden City.
- Patriot Guard Highway
Hwy K-53
- Atomic Veteran’s Memorial Highway
East junction of US highway 400 with US highway 77 to US highway 54 east
to the eastern boundary of Butler County.
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