TRANSITIONING OFFENDERS PROGRAM PO Box 900 Shelton, WA

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1 TRANSITIONING OFFENDERS PROGRAM PO Box 900 Shelton, WA INCARCERATED VETERANS Every VA Medical Center has a Homeless Veterans Service Coordinator (HVSC) who is responsible for helping homeless and at risk veterans. Inform all veterans if, it may take up to six (6) months for the VA to enroll them, possibly longer maybe shorter, for benefits. They need to take this in consideration before they exit prison. In order to be considered for any VA services, vets need to have their DD Form 214, 215, or for World War II veterans, their War Department Form (WD). If the vet does not have either, they will need to fill out and mail a DOD Standard Form 180. TOP keeps the SF 180 on file as well as other necessary forms. VA benefits are based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Active service means full-time service, other than active duty for training, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, Environmental Science Services Administration or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or its predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey. Generally, men and women veterans with similar service may be entitled to the same VA benefits. Dishonorable and Bad Conduct discharges issued by general courts martial may bar VA benefits. Veterans in prison and parolees must contact a VA regional office to determine eligibility. VA benefits will not be provided to any veteran or dependent wanted for an outstanding felony warrant. Employment Services Disabled Veterans Outreach Program and Local Veterans Employment Representatives work to help veterans find and keep jobs. Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program provides job search, counseling, job placement assistance, remedial education, classroom and on the job training, and referral to supportive services. VA Veterans Industries and Compensated Work Therapy Programs offers structured work opportunities and supervised therapeutic housing for at risk and homeless veterans with private industry and the public sector for work by theses veterans, who learn job skills, relearn successful work habits, and regain a sense of self-esteem. Veterans are paid for their work and given assistance with employment in the community. Homeless Services National Coalition for Homeless Veterans provides services to homeless veterans around the nation. Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans Program provides medical care and rehabilitation in a residential setting on VA medical grounds. Some health resources are available to all vets regardless of discharge. All vets will need to make contact with the local HVSC in their county for any other or new services. The following is a list of a few resources: 1. Mental health testing and screening. 2. Drug and Alcohol assessments and treatments. 3. Aids and HIV testing and screening. 4. Hepatitis C (HCV) screening and testing. 5. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) evaluations and Treatment. 6. For low income or no income veterans, there are some dental services provided. Again, the veteran will need to contact the local HVSC in their area. Our goal is to help transitioning offenders obtain a place to live, reliable employment a means of transportation, education, and community support by providing them with the resources available in their communities. TOP VA rev

2 Eligibility while Incarcerated The VA approved disability pension may be drastically reduced to 10%. However, if the incarcerated veteran has dependents, a hardship letter telling the reasons of why the income is needed should suffice. Note: All situations are different. The final decision is up to the VA. Any amounts not paid may be apportioned to eligible dependents. Payments are not reduced for participants in work release programs, residing in halfway houses or under community control. Failure to notify VA of a veteran s incarceration can result in overpayment of benefits and the subsequent loss of all VA financial benefits until the overpayment is recovered. VA benefits will not be provided to any vet or dependent wanted for an outstanding felony warrant. Persons convicted of a federal or state capital crime are barred from receiving VA burial benefits. Review of Discharges/Correction of Military Records The veteran will need to fill out a DOD Form 293 Application for the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States. However, if the discharge was more than 15 years ago, a veteran must petition the appropriate service Board for a Correction of Military Records using the DOD Form 149. A DOD Form 149 A Correction of Military Records, must be filed three (3) years after a discrepancy is found. However, an explanation telling why it was delayed will suffice. Both forms can be obtained from the nearest VA regional office or service agency. Replacing Military Medals and Records Requests for replacement medals or records should be submitted on Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records and mailed to the National Personnel Center in St. Louis. Or the veteran can obtain the forms at any VA offices. VA Forms 1. VA Standard Form 180 Military and Medical Records Request 2. VA Form Application for Compensation or Pension 3. VA Form Statement in Support of Claim 4. VA Form Authorization for Release of Information 5. VA Form 10-10EZ Enrollment for Medical Benefits 6. VA Form Vocational Rehabilitation for Disabled Veterans 7. VA Form Request for and Consent to Release of Information from Claimant s Record DOD Forms 1. DOD Form 293 Application for the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States 2. DOD Form 149 A Correction of Military Records Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Eligibility: VA educational benefits may be used while the service member is on active duty or after their separation with a fully honorable discharge. Discharges under honorable conditions and general discharges do not establish eligibility. Eligibility generally expires 10 years after the service member s discharge. However, there are exception for disability, re-entering active duty, and upgraded discharges. All participants must have a high school diploma, equivalency certificate, or completed 12 hours toward a college degree before applying for benefits. Previously, service members had to meet the high school requirement before they completed their initial active duty obligation. Those who did not may now meet the requirement and reapply for benefits. If eligible, they must use their benefits either within 10 years from the date of lat discharge from active duty or by Nov. 2, 2010, whichever is later. Additional information can be found at or by calling

3 VA Medical Centers (VAMC): 1660 S. Columbia Way, Seattle Veterans Dr. SW, Tacoma N. Assembly St., Spokane East Fourth Plain Blvd, Vancouver Wainwright Dr., Walla Walla VA Medical Clinics: 925 Adele Av., Bremerton SE 36 th St. Suite 110, Factoria Pacific Hwy S., Kent Richland, 948 Stevens Dr., Suite C, Tri-Cities Fruitvale Blvd., Yakima Vet Centers: 3800 Byron Av. Suite 124, Bellingham th Av., Suite 210 Seattle N. Mullen Rd., Suite 102, Spokane Center St., Suite E, Tacoma N. First St., Yakima Regional Office: Federal Bldg nd Av., Seattle Home Loan Guaranty VA home loan guaranties are issued to help eligible service members, veterans, reservists and unmarried surviving spouses obtain homes, condominiums, residential cooperative housing units, and manufactured homes, and to refinance loans. A VA Form Request for a Certificate of Eligibility, a good credit rating, sufficient income, and a condition of service discharge are the eligibility requirements. The vet will have to speak with a VA representative after their release for further information. A VA guaranty helps protect lenders from loss if the borrower fails to repay the loan. Reserve and National Guard Eligibility: Reservists who served on active duty establish veteran status and may be eligible for the full range of VA benefits, depending on the length of active military service and a discharge or release from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable. In addition, reservists not activated may qualify for some VA benefits. National Guard members can establish eligibility for benefits if activated for federal service during a period of war or domestic emergency. Activation for other than federal service does not qualify guard members for all VA benefits. Reminder: It may take up to six months for enrollment!!! All information is from the Department of Veterans Affairs pamphlet Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents. For a copy, mail to: Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Public Affairs (80D), 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20420

4 BENEFITS AT SEPARATION E... Eligible NE... Not Eligible Honorable DD Form 256A General Under Honorable Conditions DD Form 257A 4 TBD... To be determined by Administering Agency DV... Eligibility for these benefits depend upon specific disabilities of the veteran Other than Honorable 6 Bad Conduct Discharge Dishonorable Discharge (General Court-Martial) 6 Army Administered Authority and References 7 1. Payment for Accrued Leave E E NE NE NE 37 USC ; DODPEM Par.40401a 2. Death Gratuity (six months pay) E E E E NE 10 USC 1480; DODPEM Par b 3. Wearing of Military Uniform E E NE NE NE 10 USC 771a, 772; AR Admission to Soldiers Home 1 E E NE NE NE 24 USC 49, Burial in Army National Cemeteries E E NE NE NE 38 USC 1002; AR Burial in Army Post Cemeteries 2 E E NE NE NE AR Army Board for Correction of E E E E E 10 USC 1552; AR Military Records 8. Army Discharge Review Board E E E NE 9 NE 10 USC 1553; AR Transportation to Home 3 E E E E E 37 USC 404; JTP par. U Transportation of Dependents and E E TBD 8 TBD 8 TBD 8 37 USC 406; JTR par. U5225, par. U5370 Household Goods to Home Transitional Benefits & Services Pre-separation Counseling E E E E E 10 USC Section Employment Assistance E E E E NE 10 USC Section 1143, Health Benefits E E NE NE NE 10 USC Section Commissary/ Exchange E E NE NE NE 10 USC Section Military Family Housing E E NE NE NE 10 USC Section Overseas Relocation Assistance E E NE NE NE 10 USC Section Excess Leave/ Permissive TDY E E NE NE NE 10 USC Section Preference for USAR/ARNG E E NE NE NE 10 USC Section Montgomery G.I. Bill E NE NE NE NE 38 USC Section 3011 (Additional Opportunity) Department of Veteran Affairs Dependency and Indemnity E E E E NE 38 USC 410(b) Compensation 2. Pension for Non-Service E E TBD TBD NE 38 USC 521; 38 USC 3103 Connected Disability or Death 3. Medal of Honor Roll Pension E E TBD TBD NE 38 USC 562; 38 USC Insurance E E TBD 11 TBD 11 TBD USC 711, 773; AR Vocational Rehabilitation (DV) E E TBD TBD NE 38 USC 1502, Educational Assistance E NE NE NE NE 38 USC Survivors & Dependents E E E E NE 38 USC Educational Assistance 8. Home and other Loans E E TBD TBD NE 38 USC 1802, Hospitalization & Domiciliary E E TBD TBD NE 38 USC 610; 38 USC 3103 Care 10. Medical and Dental Services E E TBD TBD NE 38 USC 612; 38 USC Prosthetic Appliances (DV) E E TBD TBD NE 38 USC 614; 38 USC 612(b); 38 USC Guide Dogs & Equipment For E E TBD TBD NE 38 USC 614; 38 USC 3103 Blindness (DV) 13. Special Housing (DV) E E TBD TBD NE 38 USC 801; 38 USC Automobiles (DV) E E TBD TBD NE 38 USC 1901; 38 USC Funeral and Burial Expenses E E TBD TBD NE 38 USC 902; 38 USC Burial Flag E E TBD TBD NE 38 USC 901; 38 USC Burial in National Cemeteries E E TBD TBD NE 38 USC Headstone Marker E E TBD TBD NE 38 USC 906; 38 USC 310

5 Administered by Other Federal Agencies 1. Preference for Farm Loan E E E E NE 7 USC 1983(5) (Dept. of Agriculture) 2. Preference for Farm & other Rural E E E E NE 42 USC 1477 Housing Loans (Dept. of Agriculture) 3. Civil Service Preference 13 E E NE NE NE 5 USC 2108, , 3502, 3504 (Office of Personnel Management) 4. Civil Service Retirement Credit E NE NE NE NE 5 USC 8331, Reemployment Rights (Dept. of Labor) E E NE NE NE 38 USC Job Counseling & Employment E E E E NE 38 USC Placement (Dept. of Labor) 7. Unemployment Compensation for E E NE NE NE 5 USC 8501, 8521 Ex-Service members (Dept. of Labor) 8. Naturalization Benefits (Dept. of Justice E E NE NE NE 8 USC 1439, 1440; AR 608-3, par & Naturalization Service) 9. Old Age, Survivors & Disability E E TBD TBD NE USC 417 Insurance (Social Sec. Administration) 10. Job Preference, Public Works Projects E E TBD TBD NE 42 USC 6706; 13 CFR ( Dept. of Commerce) General Eligibility: The eligibility of benefits set forth are not the sole determining factors, but only list the various types of discharge. The states also provide various benefits that will be influenced by the type of discharge, but information on state benefits should be obtained from state agencies. Footnotes: 1 : The veteran must have served honestly and faithfully for 20 years or been disabled and excludes convicted felons, deserters, mutineers, or habitual drunkards unless rehabilitated or soldier may become ineligible if that person following discharge is convicted of a felony, or is not free from drugs, alcohol, or psychiatric problems. 2 : Only if an immediate relative is buried in the cemetery. 3 : Only if no confinement is involved, or confinement is involved, parole or release is from a US military confinement facility or a confinement facility located outside the U.S. 4 : This discharge category includes the discharge of an officer under honorable conditions but under circumstances involving serious misconduct. See AR : An Officer who resigns for the good of the service (usually to avoid court-martial charges) will be ineligible for benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). 38 USC : Including Commissioned and Warrant Officers who have been convicted and sentenced to dismissal as a result of general courtsmartial. See AR , Chapter 5 7 : Additional references include Once a Veteran; Rights, Benefits and Obligations, DA Form ; and Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents. (VA Fact Sheet 15-1) 8 : To be determined by the Secretary of the Army on case-bycase basis. 9 : Only if the Bad Conduct Discharge was a result of conviction by General Court-Martial. 10 : Benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs are not payable to (1) a person discharged as a conscientious objector who refused to perform military duty or refused to wear the uniform or otherwise comply with lawful orders of competent military authority, (2) by reason of a sentence of a general court-martial, (3) resignation by an officer for the good of the service, (4) as a deserter, and (5) as an alien during a period of hostilities. 38 USC 3103 A discharge (1) by acceptance of an other than honorable discharge to avoid court-martial (2) for mutiny or spying, (3) for a felony offense involving moral turpitude, (4) for willful and persistent misconduct, or (5) for homosexual acts, involving aggravating circumstances or other factors will be considered to have been issued under dishonorable conditions and thereby bar veterans benefits. 38 CFR A discharge under dishonorable conditions from one period of service does not bar payment if there is another period of eligible service on which the claim may be predicated (Administrator s Decision, Veterans Admin. No June 1945) 11 : Any person guilty of mutiny, spying, or desertion, or who, because of conscientious objections, refuses to perform service in the Armed Forces or refuses to wear the uniform shall forfeit all rights to National Service Life Insurance and Service member s Group Life Insurance. 38 USC 711, : Applies to Post-1957 service only. Post-1957 service qualifies for Social Security benefits regardless of type of discharge. Pre-1957 service under conditions other than dishonorable qualifies a service member for a military wage credit for Social Security purposes. 13 : Disabled and Vietnam-era veterans only Post-Vietnam-era Veterans are those who first entered on active duty as or first became members of the Armed Forces after May 7, To be eligible, they must have served for a period of more than 180 days active duty and have other than a dishonorable discharge. The 180 day service requirement does not apply to (1) veterans separated from active duty because of a service-connected disability, or (2) reserve and guard members who served on active duty (under 10 USC 672a. d. or g. 673, or 673b) during a period of war (such as the Persian Gulf War) or in a military operation for which a campaign or expeditionary medal is authorized. 14 : Transitional benefits and services are available only to soldiers separated involuntarily, under other than adverse conditions.