Employment, Housing and Financial Guide for US Veterans

As a society, we all owe your veterans a debt of gratitude for their service to our country. Sometimes, however, appreciation is not enough. Many veterans will require tangible assistance as they transition from a military career to civilian life.

Throughout this guide, we will discuss the many and varied support networks available to veterans of the American armed forces. No hero should return from active duty and struggle to make ends meet. These resources will ensure this is not the case.

Housing

Over 37,000 military veterans are homeless in the United States of America. While the numbers are decreasing from similar statistics in previous years, this is still completely unacceptable. After serving their country, the least a veteran can expect is a roof over their head. There are numerous resources available to ensure this is available.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities confirms that financial assistance with accommodation drastically reduces homelessness among the veteran population of the United States. Any veteran that fears for their housing status must seek the assistance they are entitled to.

Jobs and Training for Veterans

Military life leaves veterans with a wide range of skills and expertise. This makes veterans an asset to many employers. Finding work is tough for anybody though, especially in the current climate. Thankfully, there are resources available dedicated to aiding veterans that seek employment.

Veterans have plenty to offer the American workplace. It is the responsibility of us all to ensure these brave men and women continue to find employment and retain their personal independence.

Further and Higher Education for Veterans

After completing military service, a veteran may be interested in starting a completely new life and career. This will likely involve returning to school and kickstarting a new education journey. Several reputable colleges across the USA offer scholarship programs from veterans.

It’s never too late to enroll in college and start a new life. Veterans and their families deserve this opportunity more than most. Be sure to take advantage of any opportunity.

Self-Employment for Veterans

Some veterans may not be interested in a civilian role after a military career. Perhaps, after countless years of taking orders, the veteran in question is seeking some freedom. Alternatively, they may prefer to maintain the same rigid structure that has served them so well – a routine that does not match a conventional working pattern. In either instance, self-employment is a potential answer.

Self-employment can provide veterans with a welcome sense of security, purpose and freedom. This is an avenue that any veteran should seriously consider investigating to make a living.

Help for Veterans with Injuries and Disabilities

Personal injury, which could lead to eventual disability, is a constant occupational hazard for veterans. Anybody that sacrifices their body and health for their country and our safety deserves the utmost aid and support.

Injury or disability should not stand in the way of a military veteran living a full and happy life. With these support networks, we can all ensure that this is the case. 

Help for Veterans with Mental Health Conditions

Almost 30% of veterans report a diagnosis of at least one mental health disorder following their return to civilian life. The stigma surrounding mental health has thankfully long passed, and any veteran that experiences difficulty deserves as much help and support as we can offer.

  • Help Yourself to Help Others offers a self-assessment tool, which veterans can use to determine if they consider their mental health at risk.
  • The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) and the RAND Association offer tips for supporting and improving the mental health of veterans. UCLA Health and the American Public Health Association also discuss in-depth, intense programs to aid these individuals.
  • HelpGuide discusses the all-too-common phenomena of PTSD in veterans, including how to recognize – and overcome – this condition.
  • The Coming Home Project works with veterans to ease and assuage any mental health concerns, including troublesome adjustment to civilian life.
  • Operation Reach Out is an app devised by Military Community Awareness to provide support to any veteran experiencing mental health concerns, including bit not limited to suicidal thoughts.
  • ZocDoc lists out potential counsellors and therapists throughout the country for anybody that may benefit from such a service.
  • Operation Once in a Lifetime is the veteran equivalent of the Make a Wish foundation, helping combat veterans live out their dream upon completing service.

Veterans have experience enough mental and emotional hardship. Upon returning to civilian life, they deserve every opportunity to balance their mental and emotional equilibrium. These services provide that opportunity. 

Substance Addiction

The peer-reviewed journal Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation describes substance addiction as, ” significant problem among our nation’s military veterans.” When we consider the horrors that veterans are exposed to, and the challenges to adjusting to civilian life, this is not entirely surprising. Thankfully, help is available to manage any dependencies.

Substance addiction is an illness, no different from any other. Veterans living with this condition need our help and understanding, not judgment. If you or a loved one are concerned by substance use, seek help without shame or delay.

Help for Older Veterans

Many older members of society require a little more assistance. This is increasingly likely in veterans, who will have experienced a great deal in their lives and may experience limited mobility or capacity as a result.

  • aging.com is a one-stop shop for all matters and concerns pertaining to the senior population, with a dedication and understand of the unique challenged faced by senior veterans.
  • The Senior Veteran’s Service Alliance offers help and advice on the benefits available to older military veterans.
  • Veteran Aid discusses how funding can aid with the costs of care and support for senior veterans.
  • Visiting Angels provides senior veterans with company and home help.

Age is something that catches up with us all. Veterans are no exception to this. No veteran should ever allow pride to stand in the way of obtaining much-needed help and assistance. 

Financial and Debt Advice

When you are used to spending your days disarming bombs and avowing gunfire, basic things that we take for granted such as balancing a checkbook can take a backseat. It is important that no veteran experiences financial hardship or debt concerns upon completing their service.

No veteran should worry about whether they can afford to eat, stay warm or make their rent for the month. These financial assistance packages and charities will ensure this not the case.

Summary of Useful Links

There have been a great many links in this guide, and it’s easy to lose track of the important sites that may have caught your eye. For easy bookmarking and referencing, please see below for a list of all the sites that we recommend visiting.