This page is dedicated to web sites and links that are of particular interest and value to active duty, veterans, and their families. While the links may be of interest, the American Legion does not endorse the links on this page.

If you know of others, or find broken links, notify: legion83854@yahoo.com and they will be updated appropriately. Check back often as this list continues to grow.

Table of TOPICS

General Veteran Assistance

Veteran's Crisis Line - 1-800-273-8255 press #1 veteranscrisisline.net/	Connect (Call, eChat, Text) with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves.
IDAHO Division of Veterans Services www.veterans.idaho.gov/	This is the link to Idaho state Division of Veterans Services: Lots of very useful links here too
VA: Department of Veterans Affairs www.va.gov/	Access and manage your VA benefits and health care
VA: Veterans Legal and Benefits Information: www.va.gov/ogc/legalservices.asp	VA Office of General Counsel Legal resources for Veterans
National Resource Directory (NRD) www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov/	The National Resource Directory (NRD) provides access to services and resources at the national, state and local levels that support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration.
Manage VA Debt va.gov/manage-va-debt/	Use our online tool to check the status of your VA debt and find out what options you have to resolve it. (Requires VA Login)

VA Benefits - General

Questions? VA has Answers. Call 1-800-MyVA411 (698-2411)	The number to call when you don’t know who to call. Live Assistance VA HealthCare Community HealthCare National Cemeteries Veterans Crisis Line Debt Management Facility Locator Benefits Assistance Homeless Veterans Line COVID-19 Information
Veterans Benefits Administration benefits.va.gov/benefits/	This link is to the US Government VA Benefits site.
VA Welcome Kit va.gov/welcome-kit/	VA benefits Welcome Kit. Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.
VA: Benefits List A-Z benefits.va.gov/atoz/index.asp	Alphabetical List of Veteran Benefits.
E-Benefits www.ebenefits.va.gov/	A Gateway to Benefit information. A Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.
VA Benefits: Special Groups benefits.va.gov/ - Select Special Groups tab	Special Group Benefits are addressed by the VA. Groups include: Elderly, Gulf War, Homeless, Incarcerated, Korean War, LGBT, Minority, Native American, Former POWs, Living Overseas, Women, Vietnam War, and WWII Veterans.
VA Health Care CoPay Rates va.gov/health-care/copay-rates/	CoPays for Urgent Care, Inpatient Care, Outpatient Care, Medications, Geriatric & Extended Care based on Priority Group and sometimes Income Level.

Forms, Records & Regulations

Web Automated Reference Material System (WARMS) benefits.va.gov/warms/	The Web Automated Reference Manual System (WARMS) includes manuals, directives, handbooks, Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations and more. The publications provide information about the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits policies.
VA: Find a Form va.gov/find-forms/	Search for a VA form by keyword, form name, or form number.
National Archives www.archives.gov/	Research National records, Veterans' Service Records, Educational Resources
VA: Healthcare Financial Hardship Forms va.gov/health-care/pay-copay-bill/financial-hardship/ Repayment Plan, Waivers, Hardship Determination	If you're struggling because of life situations like losing your job, having a sudden decrease in income, or having an increase in out-of-pocket family health care expenses, we can help. You can request financial hardship assistance to manage your current VA copay debt or request an exemption from future copays.

Disability Compensation

Disability Compensation www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/	Disability Compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service.
Compensation Rate Tables www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/rates-index.asp	Rate tables for several Benefits; Vet Disability, Special Monthly, Dependency Indemnity, Parents DIC, Allowances, Birth Defects.
Exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/	Disability compensation for illnesses due to contact or exposure to hazardous materials, such as Specific environmental hazards, Agent Orange, Asbestos, Mustard gas, Radiation, Gulf War Illnesses (SW Asia/Afghanistan).
Board of Veteran's Appeals www.bva.va.gov/	The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) is a part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), located in Washington, D.C. The Board’s mission is to conduct hearings and decide appeals properly before the Board in a timely manner.
VA: Decision Reviews and Appeals www.va.gov/decision-reviews/	If you disagree with a VA decision dated on or after February 19, 2019, you can choose from 3 decision review options (Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board Appeal) to continue your case. If you aren’t satisfied with the results of the first option you choose, you can try another eligible option.
KnowVA Knowledge Base. see Topic: Compensation www.knowva.ebenefits.vagov/	M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, Part 1 : Claimants' Rights and Responsibilities. Duty to Notify and Duty to Assist (Ch1), Due Process (Ch2), POA (Ch3), etc
VA Claim for Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exam benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/claimexam.asp	After you submit your claim, an important part of the claim decision process may include a VA claim exam, also known as a compensation and pension (C&P) exam.

Survivors of Veterans

VA Benefits for Spouses, Dependents, Survivors. and Family Caregivers www.va.gov/family-member-benefits/	As the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for certain benefits, like health care, life insurance, or money to help pay for school or training. As the survivor of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for added benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation. If you’re caring for a Veteran, you may also be eligible for support to help you better care for the Veteran—and for yourself. Find out which benefits you may qualify for and how to access them.
Survivor Quick Start Guide va.gov/files/2020-11/survivor-quick-start-guide.pdf	This guide will help you identify VA Survivor benefits and services you may be eligible for after your Veteran loved one has passed. It provides information about the different VA survivor benefits and programs available, contact information, required forms, application process, and where to find assistance.
Summary of VA Dependents' and Survivors' Benefits VA Benefits Booklet	VA honors the sacrifices of Servicemembers’ and Veterans’ dependents and survivors through many benefit programs, which may be available to a surviving spouse, dependent child(ren), and/or parent(s).
NCA: National Cemetery Administration www.cem.va.gov/	Burial benefits available include gravesites, a Government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, all at no cost to the family. Find a Cemetery. Grave Locator.
NCA: Planning Your Legacy: VA Survivors and Burial Benefits Kit VA Cemetery Booklet	The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers this survivors and burial benefits kit as a source of pre-need planning information and record storage for Veterans and their families.
North Idaho American Legion Honor Guard TBD	North ID Honor Guard: Contact your local American Legion.
Patriot Guard www.patriotguard.org/	Patriot Guard's main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives: 1) Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities. 2) Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protester or group of protesters.

Health Resources

VA: Health Care Benefits VA Benefits chapter 01: Health Care Benefits	Basic Eligibility, Enrollment, Priority Groups, Recently Discharged Combat Vets, Special Access to Care, etc
VA: Financial Hardship va.gov/health-care/pay-copay-bill/financial-hardship/ Repayment Plan, Waivers, Hardship Determination	If you're struggling because of life situations like losing your job, having a sudden decrease in income, or having an increase in out-of-pocket family health care expenses, we can help. You can request financial hardship assistance to manage your current VA copay debt or request an exemption from future copays.
VA: HealthCare sites My Health-e-Vet:myhealth.va.gov/ DoD Patient Portal:patientportal.myhealth.va.gov/	Website to manage healthcare through the VA Health; Appointments, Pharmacy, Messages, Health Records. May require 2-Factor Authorization (2FA).
Veterans Health Administration Publications www.va.gov/vhapublications/	This site contains information regarding VHA-wide policies, procedures, requirements and other information of general applicability.
VA: Community Care va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/	VA provides care to Veterans through community providers when VA cannot provide the care needed. Community care is based on specific eligibility requirements, availability of VA care, and the needs and circumstances of individual Veterans. Includes Emergency & Urgent Care.
VA: Geriatrics and Extended Care va.gov/geriatrics/	Topics include: Home & Community Services, Residential & Nursing Homes, Paying for LTC, Rehabilitation, Planning, Memory Loss, and Caregivers
VA: Pain Management va.gov/painmanagement/	Pain management resources for Veterans, Veterans' family members, caregivers, VA administrators, clinicians, and researchers.
VA Public Health: Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/	Certain illnesses are associated with Gulf War service in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations from August 2, 1990 to present.
VA: Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence (MSCoE) www.va.gov/ms	MSCoE is dedicated to furthering the understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS), its impact on Veterans, and effective treatments to help manage MS.
AmLegion: Vet Health Care www.legion.org/veteranshealthcare/	Legion site addresses Health conditions such as PTSD, Tramatic Brain Injury, and Suicide Prevention
MedicareAdvantage Licensed Insurance Agents www.medicareadvantage.com/medicare-enrollment	Our experienced licensed agents can help you at any stage of your Medicare journey, whether you are planning for retirement, enrolling in Medicare for the first time, or simply trying to get a better deal. (Disclaimer: The Post does not provide endorsements.)
Medicaid Overview www.helpadvisor.com/medicaid/medicaid-overview	A Guide to Medicaid: Eligibility, Enrollment and What It Covers.
Mesothelioma Group www.mesotheliomagroup.com/veterans/	A team of healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and communication specialists concerned with Mesothelioma.
Legal: Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries brainandspinalcord.org/	BrainandSpinalCord.org was created and sponsored by the Swope Rodante law firm as a knowledge-base for brain injury and spinal cord injury survivors. Their mission is to be the most reliable, timely and complete resource on the internet for brain injury and spinal cord injury for veteran survivors. These injuries can be devastating, causing physical and emotional distress, as well as loss of wages.
Lung Cancer & Veterans lungcancercenter.com/who-lung-cancer-affects/military/	For active duty military personnel, National Guard and Reserve servicemembers, veterans, and their families, the risk of lung cancer is higher than civilians.

Mental Health Resources

VA Vet Center Eligibility - Readjustment Counseling Services www.vetcenter.va.gov/	Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families.
VA Mental Health Program www.mentalhealth.va.gov/	VA has a variety of mental health resources, information, treatment options, and more — all accessible to Veterans, Veterans’ supporters, and the general public. Explore the pages below to learn more about a specific mental health topic or to find information specifically tailored to your needs.
HELP.ORG www.help.org/	Help.org exists to help individuals and families make safer and smarter choices. From finding an addiction center that is best for you to providing fact-based research and resources, Help.org provides everything you need to know in order to make the best decisions for your life.
Veteran Addiction Withdrawal & Detox Guide detoxlocal.com/resources/veterans-addiction-alcoholism-guide/	Every day, substance use disorder (SUD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mental health issues, and suicide threaten veterans in civilian life. Here we will examine some of the unique challenges faced by veterans as well as some resources and solutions.

Education & Training

VA Veteran Training veterantraining.va.gov/	From Resources, to News Media Coverage, to Feedback, we aim to help you improve the quality of your life and well-being. The Veteran Online Self-Help Portal offers free online courses that were designed specifically for Veterans, service members, and their families. These courses teach skills and tools to help users enhance different aspects of their lives.
VA Education & Training (aka GI Bill) benefits.va.gov/gibill/	Information on Applying for the Benefit, School Locator, and Payment Rates.
VA Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/	VR&E (Formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) services to help with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching.
VONAPP online benefits.va.gov/benefits/vonapp.asp	Veterans ON-line Application (VONAPP) is retired. This page provides links where some application forms are available.
Spokane Community College Veterans One-Stop Student-Resources: Veterans-One-Stop	Community Colleges of Spokane: Spouse Benefits, Veteran Contacts, Work-Study, GI-Bill
FEMA: An Indepth Guide to Citizen Preparedness Pamplet www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/areyouready_full.pdf	This is the FEMA disaster preparedness booklet in pdf format. It is so much more than just a list of supplies.
CPT James Ahn Memorial Scholarship rotcconsulting.com/cpt-james-ahn-memorial-scholarship/	In James’ honor, ROTC Consulting is sponsoring an annual scholarship of $1,000 to a Special Forces Veteran who is working towards the completion of a higher education degree.

Veteran Housing

VA Homeless Veterans Assistance http://www.va.gov/homeless/	VA programs for Veterans who are homeless. *** National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838).
HUD: Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) HUD-VASH	The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA medical centers (VAMCs) and community-based outreach clinics.
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans nchv.org/	The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a 23-member board of directors – is the resource and technical assistance center for a national network of community-based service providers and local, state and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid and case management support for hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans each year.

Veteran Groups

VA: Center for Minority Veterans (CMV) www.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/	The Center for Minority Veterans is the Department of Veterans Affairs model for inter-and intra-agency co-operation, to ensure all veterans receive equal service regardless of race, origin, religion, or gender.
VA: Center for Women Veterans (CWV) www.va.gov/WOMENVET/index.asp	Mission: To monitor and coordinate VA’s administration of health care and benefits services, and programs for women Veterans. To serve as an advocate for a cultural transformation (both within VA and in the general public) in recognizing the service and contributions of women Veterans and women in the military. To raise awareness of the responsibility to treat women Veterans with dignity and respect.
Directory of Veterans Service Organizations va.gov/vso/	This is published as an informational service by the Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Inclusion of an organization in the directory does not constitute approval or endorsement by VA.
VA: Transition and Care Management (formerly OEF/OIF/OND) oefoif.va.gov/	VA benefits offered to Post 9/11 Veterans; 5 yrs Healthcare for any conditions related to service in combat theater.
Defense Health Agency: GulfLINK gulflink.health.mil	GulfLINK was established in August 1995 to provide on-line access to medical, operational, and intelligence documents from the 1990-1991 Gulf War.

Resource Newsletters

VA: VetResources
www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/vetresources/

Weekly Newsletters with Resources for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.

General Info

Huffington Post: Veterans: What are Your Desires, Your Dreams? www.huffpost.com/entry/veterans-home_b_1823620/	Here is a good article on veteran well-being and statistics, and also an informational site for veterans:
Need a lift? ... Armed Forces medley Nat'l Memorial Day Concert 2010 (with lyrics) www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1VZNtlyEII	A medley of the Armed Forces songs, from the National Memorial Day Concert, in Washington D.C. 2010 (includes lyrics)
Genealogy: Military Records by Ancestry www.fold3.com/	Fold3 is a very interesting site for those who would like to find information on ancestors who fought in our military from the Revolutionary War through the Vietnam War. It's a searchable site and very interesting even if you aren't looking for military records.