The American Legion Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation pillar is composed of programs, services and advocacy efforts that improve the lives of those who served, along with their families and dependents.
The Legion advocates on Capitol Hill for a well-funded, appropriately staffed VA that can handle benefits claims efficiently, quickly and accurately. Locally, Legion volunteers work individually with veterans to help them navigate the complicated benefits application process.
As the VA backlog continues, The American Legion is leading a national conversation about accountability to veterans and reforms aimed at veterans receiving timely appointments and the benefits they earned through their service.
The Legion works one-on-one with veterans to ensure they receive proper benefits. Accredited American Legion service office are specially trained to provide free expert expert assistance to veterans and their families.
The Majority of service officer work involves claims for VA disability benefits, but these compassionate professionals also provide information, referrals and resources on education, employment and business, death benefits and other topics.
The Legion fulfills a sacred duty by honoring the memories of U.S. veterans after death. Legion honor guards salute the fallen comrades at funeral services throughout the country everyday. Legion Riders provide motorcycle escorts and security at services for veterans. The Legion also works with the National Cemetery Administration, Arlington National Cemetery and the American … [Read more…]
Legionnaires donate around 1 million hours of service a year at veterans health-care facilities, working through the VA Volunteer Services program. Those volunteer hours save the federal government at least $18.5 million a year and connect Legionnaires with veteran patients and their families. www.legion.org/volunteers
The American Legion provides support for homeless veterans. Legion posts throughout the country build shelters or provide financial and volunteer support. AT the national level, the Legion works with VA to raise awareness and allocate funds to help reverse the problem. www.legion.org/homelessveterans
The American Legion offers free assistance to those applying to their service branches for corrections to military records and discharge statuses. Legion experts help veterans with claims for Combat Related Special Compensation and the procurement of accurate records. Email va&r@legion.org
The Legion hosts women veterans focus groups, works to address the unique needs of women veterans such as gender-specific healthcare, Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and child support. Email wmvo@legion.org
For veterans and families disputing benefits decisions by VA. The American Legion has staff representatives in Washington, D.C. who can help with the appeals processes or strengths a case, free of charge to veterans.
The American Legion was instrumental in the creation of the Harry W Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, providing veterans with education benefits that better meet today’s needs. The law builds on previous GI Bill revisions and adds improvements to the benefit, making it more helpful to National Guardsmen, reservists and those pursuing online … [Read more…]
The American Legion conducts, promotes and supports hundreds of veterans job fairs and career events nationwide each year. Thousands of veterans land jobs because of the efforts. Meanwhile, the Legion helps place hundreds of other veterans in job-training programs every year. Working veteran-to veteran with The American Legion Small Business Administration, Department of Labor, VA … [Read more…]
VA and The American Legion are working side by side to reverse the backlog of unresolved benefits claims. Through its System Worth Saving (SWS) and Regional Office Action Review (ROAR) initiative, the Legion travels the nation to pinpoint problems and identify best practices in VA medical centers. www.legions.org/veteransbenefits