With everything going on in the world right now, you may not be thinking about things like getting a fishing permit or obtaining a veteran license plate for your car. But you probably are thinking about things like personal finances and how to make ends meet as we adapt to life amid an ongoing pandemic.
If you are a United States veteran, it may surprise you to find out that there are numerous state-provided opportunities that offer financial assistance to veterans and military families—but many of those opportunities go unused every year because people simply don't know about them.
For example, did you know that here in Arizona, eligible veterans and military families can apply for financial assistance through the state's Military Family Relief Fund? If you are experiencing financial hardship due to a recent deployment, you may be able to receive monetary aid, including a one-time emergency payment of up to $3,000.
In Kentucky, veterans have access to VA-accredited benefits experts who can help them identify and apply for state and federal benefits. This service is completely free and meant to help veterans navigate the sometimes confusing landscape of veteran-aimed benefits and opportunities. However, according to state officials, most Kentucky veterans have no idea this program exists.
If you are one of the more than 280,000 veterans living in the state of Louisiana and your family is experiencing financial hardship, you may be eligible for up to $10,000 in emergency relief through the Military Family Assistance Fund. The money, provided wholly by donations from businesses and individuals, can be used to cover expenses such as mortgage and vehicle payments, utilities, and food and clothing.
Thinking about relocating? In Alaska, veterans may be able to purchase land at a significantly discounted price through the Veteran's Land Discount program, provided that land is used for residential or recreational purposes.
For veterans residing in other states, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has put together a comprehensive list of the most underused benefits by state. You can check it out here.
Before you apply, make sure you have your DD214.
As with most other veteran assistance opportunities, taking advantage of these state-by-state benefits will require proof of eligibility during the application process. This typically means you will need a copy of your DD214, or Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
If you never received your DD214, or if it's been lost or damaged over the years, do yourself a favor and order a copy as soon as possible. With government agencies reopening and requests being addressed, it's important to get your name in the queue now, and the team at DD214Direct can help.
We work with 75 government agencies to get your records faster than you can do on your own—and in digital form. Not only do we make the process simpler for you, but for a limited time you can take advantage of our $20 COVID-19 discount.
Veteran-owned DD214Direct helps you get the documents you need, when you need them.
Our cutting-edge technology platform and keen knowledge of government protocol and procedure allow us to deliver your documents faster than you could get them on your own. First, we digitize both your request and the returned documents, using electronic signatures to avoid extra time with the postal service. We also integrate email and fax throughout our entire process, while many agencies do not.
To further expedite the process, our team ensures your initial request is filled out properly the first time and includes the necessary supporting documentation so that it doesn't bounce back. In addition, we break up multiple requests (DD214, OMPF, etc.) so that each piece is handled separately and one does not delay the other.
Once your request is processed, DD214Direct becomes your personal advocate, working directly with the agency that holds your records (currently there are about 75 independent agencies) and immediately responding to any agency issues on your behalf. In many cases, DD214Direct is able to advance your request to a higher-priority workflow. Finally, we have team members at many locations to drop off and pick up documents.
Much like paying a small fee to have your taxes done by a professional, DD214Direct provides the service and convenience you’ve been hoping for, plus we make it a lot easier. Once we locate your DD214, we can email you a copy immediately—a service not offered by the government. And tracking your request through us is simple, so you never have to worry about long hold times and inconclusive answers.
Ready to get started? Click here to begin the order process.
