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Justice Involved Veterans

The Justice Involved Veterans Network (JIVN) is a cross divisional effort at National Institute of Corrections (NIC), in partnership with the VA, working to improve outcomes for justice involved veterans. (click on the image to see the 88 page book) No address is given; you have to contact them through the websites, and each site contains different information.

NIC link: https://info.nicic.gov/jiv/

Veterans Justice Outreach Program(VA):                https://www.va.gov/homeless/vjo.asp

Justice Involved Fact Sheet (VA)

U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs:

https://www.va.gov/

Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255 (Press 1)

Site Map:  

https://www.va.gov/site_map.htm

Facility and Service Locator page:

https://www.vets.gov/facilities

Health Care for Re-entry Veterans Services and Resources (HCRV)

The HCRV program is designed to promote success and prevent homelessness among Veterans returning home after incarceration.

HCRV services include:

~ Outreach and pre-release assessment services

~ Referrals and linkages to medical, mental health, social, and employment services

~ Short-term case management assistance on release

Find your area HCRV Specialist here:

 https://www.va.gov/homeless/reentry.asp

Forms you may need:  

Many of the links including an informational video.

Application for Education Benefits (22-1990)

https://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/aid_attendance_housebound.asp

Examination for Household Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance (Form 21-2680) 

https://www.va.gov/vaforms/form_detail.asp?FormNo=21-2680

Request for Change of Program (22-1995)

https://www.va.gov/vaforms/form_detail.asp?FormNo=22-1995

Statement in Support of Claim (21-4138)

https://www.va.gov/vaforms/form_detail.asp?FormNo=21-4138

Veteran’s Group Life Insurance (VGLI) Application

https://www.benefits.va.gov/INSURANCE/apply-for-VGLI.asp

Documents you might find helpful:

Yellow Ribbon Pamphlet

https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/yellow_ribbon.asp 

Stress and Homelessness

https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf/

Employment Opportunities

FREE TECH EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY!  Microelectronics and Nanomanufacturing Certificate

Penn State PA Shields Building, 201 Curtin Rd, University Park, PA 16802

Rio Salado College AZ 2323 W 14th St, Tempe, AZ 85281

Southwestern College CA (San Diego area) 900 Otay Lakes Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91910

Tarrant County College TX SERS 1103B
5301 Campus Drive  Fort Worth, TX 76119

Tompkins Cortland Community College NY 170 North Street, P.O. Box 139 Dryden, N.Y. 13053 (the program may also be available in Albany…but their website did not indicate that it was free.)

This is a federal program, so get it while you can!

Helmets to Hardhats

If you’re looking for a career, you’re in the right place. Helmets to Hardhats connects quality men and women from the Armed Forces with promising building and construction careers.

https://helmetstohardhats.org/

O*NET OnLine (Occupational Information

Network)

https://www.onetonline.org/

O*NET is a web–based application that can provide military personnel with a crosswalk of jobs worked in the military to jobs in the civilian workforce that have similar job requirements.

Veterans Guide to Getting Hired

http://www.learnhowtobecome.org/veterans-guide-to-getting-hired/

This is an informational site to assist veterans in their job search: Resources, Tips and Advice for Veterans Returning to the Workforce.

Veterans Health Identification Card

http://www.va.gov/HEALTHBENEFITS/vhic/index.asp

The VHIC is issued only to Veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system. The card provides:

• Increased security for your personal information
• Unique Member Identifier — Department of Defense assigns an electronic data interchange personal identifier (EDIPI) that allows VA to retrieve the Veteran’s health record.
• A salute to your military service – The emblem of your latest branch of service is displayed on your card. Several special awards will also be listed.
• Accessibility – Braille “VA” helps visually impaired Veterans to recognize and use the card
• Anti-Counterfeiting – Microtext helps prevent reproductions

Wounded Warrior Project

The WWP mission is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors who incurred a physical or mental injury, illnesses, or wound, co-incident to your military service on or after September 11, 2001.

Veterans Services

and Benefits

Get the VA benefits you’ve earned: https://www.vets.gov/

Disability Benefits: https://www.vets.gov/disability-benefits/

You may be able to get VA disability benefits if you got sick or injured, or developed a mental health condition (like PTSD) while serving in the military.

Health Care Benefits: https://www.vets.gov/health-care/

Apply for VA health care, find out how to access services, and manage your health and benefits online.

Education Benefits: https://www.vets.gov/education/

We offer Veterans, Servicemembers, and their families education benefits like help paying tuition, help finding the right school or training program, and career counseling. Explore your benefit options.

Housing Assistance: https://www.vets.gov/housing-assistance/

Find out if you qualify for a VA home loan. If you have a service-connected disability, find out if you qualify for a housing grant to help you live more independently.

Careers and Employment: https://www.vets.gov/employment/

We can support you in all stages of your job search – from returning to work with a service-connected disability, to getting more training for new job opportunities, to starting or growing your own business. We can also connect you with Department of Labor resources for more career advice, help building your resume, and access to employers who want to hire Veterans and military spouses.

Life Insurance: https://www.vets.gov/life-insurance/

If you’re a Servicemember or Veteran—or the spouse or dependent child of a Servicemember—you may be able to get life insurance through VA. Explore your options, manage your policy, and file claims.

Pension Benefits: https://www.vets.gov/pension/

If you’re a wartime Veteran who meets certain age or disability requirements, and your income and net worth are within certain limits, you may qualify for monthly payments through our Veterans Pension program.

Burials and Memorials:  https://www.vets.gov/burials-and-memorials/

We can help service members, Veterans, and family members plan a burial or memorial service. Find out how to get burial benefits.

Family and Caregiver Benefits:  https://www.vets.gov/families-caregivers/

Find out if your family qualifies for benefits like health care, VA-backed home loans, life insurance, or money to help pay for college. If you’re caring for a Veteran with disabilities, find out if you can get added support.

Veteran Justice Outreach (VJO) Initiative

https://www.va.gov/homeless/vjo.asp

The VJO initiative is designed to help Veterans avoid unnecessary criminalization of mental illness and extended incarceration by ensuring eligible justice-involved Veterans receive timely access to VA health care, specifically mental health and substance use services (if clinically indicated) and other VA services and benefits as appropriate.

VA Benefits for Homeless Veterans

https://www.benefits.va.gov/PERSONA/veteran-homeless.asp

Homeless Veterans may be eligible for a wide-variety of benefits available to all U.S. military Veterans. VA benefits include disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial. See our Veterans page for an overview of the benefits available to all Veterans.

Health Care

The VA Health Care Network provides care to Veterans across the nation at VA Medical Centers, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers. Many of these facilities offer health care programs for homeless Veterans, including mental health services.

Learn more about health care and mental health services for homeless Veterans.

Housing Assistance

There are many federal housing programs that can support homeless Veterans and their families. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and VA Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) partner to provide permanent, supportive housing and treatment services for homeless Veterans.

Learn more about HUD-VASH.

Employment Assistance

VA has many employment and training programs that provide homeless Veterans and Veterans at-risk of homelessness the opportunity to return to healthy, productive lifestyles within their communities.

Learn more about VA employment programs.

Foreclosure Assistance

If you have a VA loan but are having trouble making your mortgage payments, it is very important that you take steps to avoid a foreclosure. VA may be able to help.

Learn more about Foreclosure Assistance.

How to Apply

Each VA Regional Office has a Homeless Veterans Outreach Coordinator who is a direct point of contact for you to learn more about what benefits you qualify for, assist you with applying for those benefits, and refer you to other organizations and resources that will help you get back on your feet.

To find your local Homeless Veterans Outreach Coordinator, please visit the nearest VA Regional Office or call VA’s National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838).

More Resources

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

TAP was established to meet the needs of veterans during their period of transition into civilian life by offering job-search assistance and related services. The guide books below were created specifically to support you by applying considerations from your service life to your job seeking. Check in with your local TAP program to find out about jobs that are available near you. To locate your local support office, click on this link:

http://www.benefits.va.gov/vow/tap.asp

Personal Appraisal & Career Exploration

Job Search Strategies & Interviews

Reviewing Job Offers & Support and Assistance

Maryland

Military to Federal Jobs Crosswalk

http://www.dllr.state.md.us/mil2fedjobs/

Identify federal jobs available in Maryland related to your military occupation.

How Incarceration Affects Eligibility for VA Benefits

https://www.benefits.va.gov/PERSONA/veteran-incarcerated.asp

VA can pay certain benefits to Veterans who are incarcerated in a Federal, State, or local penal institution; however, the amount depends on the type of benefit and reason for incarceration.

Disability Compensation

VA disability compensation payments are reduced if a Veteran is convicted of a felony and imprisoned for more than 60 days.

Pension

Veterans in receipt of VA pension will have payments terminated effective the 61st day after imprisonment in a Federal, State, or local penal institution for conviction of a felony or misdemeanor. Payments may be resumed upon release from prison if the Veteran meets VA eligibility requirements.

Education Benefits

Convicted felons residing in halfway houses, or participating in work-release programs, can receive full monthly benefits.

Additional Information

Each VA Regional Office has a Homeless Veterans Outreach Coordinator who assists justice-involved Veterans. They are a direct point of contact for you to learn about  benefits you qualify for. To find your local Homeless Veterans Outreach Coordinator, please call VA’s National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838).