Free Songwriting and Streaming | Winter Tire Discount | Free Tech Training

Veteran Benefits End-of-Year Update [] [US Department of Veterans Affairs]( [facebook](​[twitter](​[instagram](​[youtube](​[RP](​[Podcast](​[blog](​[website](​[contact us]( [#VetResources]( is a weekly newsletter for Veterans, their Families, Caregivers, and Survivors. [VIEW/SHARE]( | [EVENTS]( | [WELCOME KIT]( [two veterans performing music on stage]( Free Songwriting, Music Streaming for Veterans The CreatiVets songwriting program pairs Veterans with a hit songwriter and a Veteran mentor to create an original song based on the Veteran's experience. Learn how to apply and access their free streaming, music and art classes. [LEARN MORE]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [VA claims update]( Veteran Benefits End-of-Year Update Today, VA Under Secretary for Benefits Josh Jacobs posted a blog recapping the year in Veteran benefits – including highlighting a record number of claims applications and explaining the claims backlog. Veterans and their families applied for benefits 39% more this year compared to last, and the average claim is processed by VA in 149 days. Please continue to encourage your family and friends to apply for the benefits and services they’ve earned. [LEARN MORE]( Upcoming Events [VIEW ALL EVENTS]( RESOURCES [San Antonio, TX Military and Veteran Food Distribution – Dec 21]( [(Phone-based) Mindfulness Meditation Class – Jan 5]( [Crestwood, IL DAV Chapter 84 Veterans Meeting Event – Jan 5]( [(Online) Veterans Small Business Webinar – Jan 18]( --------------------------------------------------------------- VIETNAM WAR COMMEMORATION [dog tags illustration] [(Online, In person) Vietnam War 50th: Celebrate Character & Courage – Jan 13]( [Washington, D.C. Vietnam War 50th Legacy Reception – Jan 13]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [illustration with various data about the PACT Act]( PACT Act Performance Dashboard The PACT Act is a law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. VA publishes the PACT Act Performance Dashboard every other Friday to measure the implementation of this legislation and showcase its impact on Veterans and survivors. [VIEW THE DASHBOARD]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [woman in Santa hat]( Million Veteran Program, Housing Homeless Veterans, Coping with Holiday Stress and more In this episode of The BLUF, we welcome the holidays with exciting stories about VA's Million Veteran Program, Homeless Veteran Goals, the National Disabled Veteran Summer Sports Clinic, and resources for coping with Holiday Stress. [WATCH]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [hands raised up in celebration at a music concert]( Gift of Tickets on ShopVCS.com Veterans get exclusive discounts on hotel deals and admission to theme parks, sports events and more. Sign up for ShopVCS.com to verify your Veteran status and access ticket and travel deals. Don't book travel or entertainment without checking ShopVCS first! [SAVE NOW]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Listen to survivors of military sexual trauma discuss their experiences and how mental health treatment and support helped empower them on their paths to healing.Â]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [full health care coverage from VA]( We Need Your Help, Share this Outreach Kit With Veterans Many Veterans are eligible for life-changing health care benefits, but they may not know how to get them. Use this outreach kit to help Veterans get the health care benefits they've earned. [LEARN MORE]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [man providing instruction at front of classroom]( Calling Vetrepreneurs: Apply Today for DAV Patriot Boot Camp DAV's Patriot Boot Camp provides active-duty service members, Veterans and their spouses with access to mentors, educational programming and a community of experts and peers to help them innovate and build impactful businesses. [Apply now!]( [LEARN MORE]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [woman and man in business suits smiling]( Free Tech Training and Certifications for Veterans NPower provides free tech training and certifications to Veterans, their spouses and young adults from underserved communities. The next NPower tech fundamentals course begins Feb. 5, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to apply by Jan. 26. [APPLY]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Veteran Peer Q&A Corner - If I decide to retire at 62, could I sign up for VA medical to bridge the gap until Medicare kicks in at 65? [Answers Here >](  - As an employer and Veteran, am I within my rights to question an applicant's discharge if they list Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD) as reason for leaving? [Answers Here >]( - How do you respond when someone says "Thank you for your service"? [Answers Here >]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Veteran Jobs Technology & Engineering [Tucson, AZ - Information Technology Specialist (City of Tucson)]( [Reston VA -Â]([Threat Analyst]([Lancaster PA - Software Engineer I]( [Fairfax VA - Advanced IT Security Specialist]( Business & Administrative [Nationwide - Franchise Opportunity: Veteran Service Brands]( [Baltimore, MD - Executive Director, Design & Construction (University of Maryland)]( Security & Technical [Cedar Park, TX - Quality Control Specialist]( [Owensboro, KY - Dry Dock Supervisor]( [San Antonio, TX - Security Control Validator]( Social Services & Medical [Nationwide - US Army TAP Roles]( Vacancies for Veterans & military spouses nationwide at [www.HireMilitary.us]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Post a free job to RallyPoint's community consisting of nearly 2 million Veterans, spouses, caregivers and survivors. [POST JOB]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Veteran and Military year round discounts]( [Firestone/Goodyear/Bridgestone]( Exclusive discounts on automotive tires from PatriotStoreDirect. [24 Hour Fitness]( $0 initiation and $5 off monthly dues. [Michaels]( 15% off entire purchase including sale items, some exclusions apply. [VIEW ALL DISCOUNTS]( VA News: - [Mississippi VA volunteers host Christmas Shoppe for Veterans]( - [VA’s remote temperature monitoring prevents diabetic limb loss]( - [Live Whole Health #200: Under pressure? Find relief for low back pain]( - [Don’t let winter woes weigh on your wellness]( - [Army Veteran given second chance, now gives same to others]( - [Bedford VA’s Women Veterans’ health clinic expands]( - [VA dietitian rooting for root vegetables]( - [Marine Corps Veteran embodies family, service values to role with VA]( - [VA Shark Tank competition winners announced]( - [CWV Book Corner, December: Army Veteran Shannon Huffman Polson]( - [What you need to know about primary care, according to our VA experts]( - [Veteran homelessness increased by 7.4% in 2023]( - [Thank You, Million Veteran Program participants]( - [Native American Veteran shares his story of recovery and healing]( - [Central Iowa Veterans build confidence through climbing]( - [VA recreational therapists help Veterans explore familiar environments]( [hello - welcome to VA - lets get started]( Download the VA Welcome Kit [VA WELCOME KIT]( Find a VA facility near you. [FACILITY LOCATOR]( VA is here for you. [1-800-MyVA411](tel:18006982411) ([1-800-698-2411](tel:18006982411)) is always the right number [Veterans Crisis Line](: [988](tel:988) and press 1, [Chat](, or Text 838255 [Vet Centers](: [1-877-927-8387](tel:18779278387) [Homeless Veteran Resources](: [1-877-424-3838](tel:18774243838) or [Chat]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [VA careers]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Tell us what you think of this newsletter]( Want to receive this newsletter or other VA updates? [SIGN UP]( [health care]([careers and employment]([life insurance]( [disability]([pension]([burials and memorials]( [education and training]([housing assistance]([records]( Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services on the part of the VA. Have a Veteran resource to share? Tweet it to @VetsExperience or tag it [#VetResources]( If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 988, then PRESS 1 or visit [(. Please remember the only secure way to ask personal questions is at [VA.gov/contact-us/](. You have received this message because you are subscribed to Veterans Affairs. Access your [Subscriber Preferences]( to make changes to your subscription or [Unsubscribe](. Get this as a forward? [Sign Up]( to receive updates from Veterans Affairs. Having questions or problems? Please visit [subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com]( for assistance. [choose VA]( [share]( Sent to {EMAIL} on behalf of US Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Avenue, NW · Washington, DC 20420