Free Resources to Aid Veterans, Military, Their Families Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

Check out where you can find support for your health and finances

Aaron Kassraie,

AARP

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En español

Published November 12, 2020

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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other aid organizations have mobilized resources specifically for veterans to stay safe during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Veterans Health Administration recently received $17.2 billion from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. With this money, the VA increased access to telehealth and has said it will serve even those veterans not enrolled in the VA system.

Below is a list of resources that veterans, active-duty military and their families can receive if they need assistance during the pandemic. If you know of other programs available for veterans, let us know in the comments section below.

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Caregiving

Emergency Veteran Caregiver Respite Program with CareLinx: Family caregivers of wounded, ill or injured veterans may access no-cost, short-term relief from CareLinx in-home care professionals. The program was recently expanded to provide support to caregivers nationally. Services include help with bathing, cooking, exercising, transportation and companionship. If there is a positive COVID-19 diagnosis in your household, CareLinx will work with you to schedule care once it’s safe to do so. This resource was created by a partnership between the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and the Department of Veterans Affairs, in collaboration with AARP.

Education

Tutor.com: On-demand, online tutoring and homework is offered at no cost to eligible service members and their dependents.

Financial

AARP Job Board and AARP Resume Advisor: Filter your job search for opportunities seeking veterans as employees. Get a free expert resume review and discounted resume-writing packages.

AARP Veteran Fraud Watch: Refresh yourself on scams targeting veterans and heed the warning signs. Sign up for free “watchdog alerts," review our scam-tracking map, or call our toll-free fraud helpline if you or a loved one suspect you’ve been a victim.

Red Cross: Veterans may contact their local Red Cross chapter to be connected with local, state and national resources. Military family support can submit an online request or call 877-272-7337. Medical assistance also is available.

Service relief organizations: Veterans in need of financial assistance may contact their respective aid organizations for help with loans, grants or a combination of both. Each branch has its own group: Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

Wounded Warrior Project COVID-19 Relief Program: Project participants who registered before April 8 are able to apply for assistance if they are in financial hardship, including inability to pay for food, housing or utilities. The organization committed $10 million to veterans and has asked other companies and groups to match its efforts.

Mental and Physical Health

Veteran Caregiving Strategies: AARP teamed up with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to offer strategies to help caregivers of military personnel and veterans tackle the most critical issues.

Cohen Veterans Network: Free and virtual mental health services to those who live in California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

Headstrong: Post-9/11 veterans and their families are offered free and confidential mental health treatment.

Tricare: The health care program for active-duty service members, military retirees and their families temporarily covers telehealth for applied behavior analysis, a therapy that focuses on improving specific actions, as well as parent or caregiver guidance services.

Vets4Warriors: The military community, family members and caregivers can seek help from the confidential peer support network that operates 24 hours a day. This includes immediate, free and long-term peer support through private chat, email, phone and text conversations.

Operation Family Caregiver: Offers free and confidential one-on-one virtual coaching to military and veteran caregivers across the country.

News and information

AARP Community Connections: Find or start a mutual aid group in your community that offers resources amid the pandemic. If you are feeling isolated, you may even request a call from a trained AARP volunteer.

Blue Star Families Pain Points Poll: Participate and view the results of this ongoing poll that is measuring the changing needs of the military community. Blue Star Families is using the information to alert military, government, and nonprofit leaders to challenges as they arise.

COVID-19 Military Support Initiative: The Blue Star Families organization is partnering with the Association of Defense Communities to provide information, expertise and resources to military and veteran families.

Military OneSource: The Department of Defense is coordinating with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide outbreak updates for the military community.

Elizabeth Dole Foundation caregiver information: Find tips and tools for healthy eating, stress relief and virtual volunteers. The organization is also working with the VA to activate local caregiving networks.

National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) FAQs on COVID-19 Procedures: The nonprofit collected information from the following institutions about changes in procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic: the U.S. Department of Defense, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Veterans Affairs services

AARP guidance for loved ones in a VA facility: If you have a loved one in a VA facility, ask these six questions about care during the pandemic.

Appeals and claims: Veterans are eligible for deadline extensions on claims and appeals, such as suspending actions on veteran debt under the Treasury Department and repayment on previous Veterans Affairs debts. Paperwork also may be submitted late for a variety of other claims.

Facebook Portal Smart Device: Active participants in VA caregiver support programs or VA geriatric services are eligible to receive the smart video calling device for free. Facebook donated more than 7,400 portals to the VA that are being distributed with the help of the American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network. The goal is to reduce isolation and improve social connectedness.

MyHealthEVet: Veterans can sign in to send a secure message to their doctors. Other telehealth options include VA Video Connect, an app available for Macintosh and Windows computers as well as Android and Apple mobile devices, which allows them to explain their conditions and receive a prompt diagnosis.

VA caregiver support: Caregivers can find specialized support and community connections through two programs. Local caregiver support coordinators can help you find services in your area, or call the Caregiver Support Line, 855-260-3274, to speak with a licensed professional.

Vet Centers: Veterans, active-duty service members and their families can seek out Vet Centers, an extension of the VA medical centers nationwide. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling plus care coordination are available. Its call centers are always open at 877-927-8387.

Transportation: The VA has a formal partnership with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) for transportation to VA health facilities. Veterans should call 844-698-2311 or contact their DAV service office.

VA hotlines

• 24/7 White House VA Hotline: 855-948-2311

• VA Benefits Hotline: 844-698-2311

• VA Caregiving Hotline: 855-260-3274

• VA Crisis Line for Mental Health: 800-273-8255

• VA Loan Center Hotline: 800-827-0648

• Health Care Debt Relief: 888-827-4817

Not enrolled?

Veterans not enrolled can call their local VA facility even if they haven't received previous services at a Veterans Affairs health center. Enrollment will be worked on after their health care needs are addressed.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to add new resources and information.

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Aaron Kassraie writes about issues important to military veterans and their families for AARP. He also serves as a general assignment reporter. Kassraie previously covered U.S. foreign policy as a correspondent for the Kuwait News Agency’s Washington bureau and worked in news gathering for USA Today and Al Jazeera English.