Download the VSO VA Benefit Brief 2023 presented at the SW Division Conference on 06 May 2023.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 13, 2023

Starting Jan. 17, Veterans in suicidal crisis can go to any VA or nonVA health care facility for free emergency health care

WASHINGTON – Starting Jan. 17, Veterans in acute suicidal crisis will be able to go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost – including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit.

This expansion of care will help prevent Veteran suicide by guaranteeing no cost, worldclass care to Veterans in times of crisis. It will also increase access to acute suicide care for up to 9 million Veterans who are not currently enrolled in VA.

We would like to inform you that, later today, VA will announce it is publishing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for over $11 million in legal services grants for Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The funds, made available through VA’s new Legal Services for Veterans Grant Program, will help Veterans in several ways, including: · Providing representation in landlord-tenant disputes to prevent eviction. · Assisting with court proceedings for child support, custody, or estate planning. · Helping Veterans obtain mainstream benefits like disability compensation. · Defending Veterans in criminal cases that can prolong or increase their risk of homelessness, such as outstanding warrants, fines and driver’s license revocation. · Upgrading characterization of discharges or dismissals of former members of the Armed Forces.

The NOFO provides information about the grant program eligibility and award process. VA will host a technical assistance webinar for grant applicants in October 2022. Applications must be submitted by…