How do I convert an older traditional guardsman to be recognized as a veteran?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 14:04:19 -0500

My coworkers father is in his 80's, unable to take care of himself. The son, 60's, tells me he served the national guard of PA for 20+ years and received an NGB form instead of a DD214. He does not qualify or register as a veteran because of this. What steps would i take to help him fix this issue? I would like to see if they can find some benefits for him and help his current situation as financial and property are now at risk. Thank you in advance!

Update: The soldier served 34 years, M-day guard, no deployments, no injuries on duty. Would he still be considered a veteran and receive official veteran status? My coworker was not clear on all details the first time I asked him, I apologize everyone.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Mar 5 at 2020 2:14 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 14:14:21 -0500

Go online and request a DD214. I believe the form you will fill out is an SF180. Just Google DD214 and find the link.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 5 at 2020 2:18 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 14:18:45 -0500

Contact the DAV.

Response by SPC Terence Q Burns made Mar 5 at 2020 2:35 PM

SPC Terence Q Burns — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 14:35:54 -0500

I helped a National Guardsmen here in CT with the same thing. At the VA, you have the benefits office. First thing to do is get your father registered at your local VAMC! Second, find the benefits office and bring all documentation with you. From that point on, they will provide him with a primary care doctor and everything else will fall into place. NG's and AR's are now allowed VA care! Keep me posted please!

Response by LTC Joe Anderson made Mar 5 at 2020 4:54 PM

LTC Joe Anderson — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 16:54:17 -0500

Since he wasn't injured he can't use VA Clinics... But as a vet as someone mentioned he should qualified for Tricare for life. Additionally the VA and other service organizations have retirement homes and care facilities he would qualify for. Contact Vet Centers in your/his state. This one is in MO but they can refer you to one near you. [login to see] , Vet Centers, 4040 Rangeline St, Columbia, MO 65202.
or

This is a MO based service organization but the Manager is really helpful and he may be able to refer you to a similar service in your state. When I visited to learn about my benefits he told me that MO has about 6 or 8 Military Retirement homes just for Vets, plus there's funding to get Vets in civilian retirement homes as well. Missouri Veterans Commission -Phone: [login to see] , 601 Business Loop 70 W #214a, Columbia, MO 65203. Hours: 8AM - 4:30PM - Opens 8AM Fri

or

Federal/VA:

Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling) - http://www.vetcenter.va.gov - myVA311 — Dial 1-844-MyVA311 ( [login to see] )
Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families.

It is sad reservist have to jump through hoops IOT get retirement pay, learn about benefits... This should be automatic for them!!!!

www.vetcenter.va.gov

Response by LTC Joe Anderson made Mar 6 at 2020 9:36 AM

LTC Joe Anderson — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 09:36:50 -0500

From 1SG Mark Flowers PDF Posting: Pension. VA pension is a tax-free benefit paid to Veterans with limited income and net worth who served during a wartime period (see the FAQ section for a list of wartime periods). Generally, you must have 90 days or 24 months of active service (depending on when you served) to qualify.

Do I qualify for VA benefits as a National Guard or Reserve member?
Yes, generally, all National Guard and Reserve members qualify for some VA benefits. Different VA
benefits may consider different factors to determine eligibility, such as length of service, type of service (such as under Title 10 or Title 32), wartime service, and/or service-related disability.

What is the difference between serving as a Traditional National Guard or Reserve member
and as an Active Guard Reserve member?
Traditional National Guard and Reserve members typically serve one weekend a month and two weeks a year. Active Guard Reserve members are full-time members of a Reserve component for which they are entitled to receive pay from the Federal government. As an AGR, you establish eligibility for certain VA benefits by your active service under either Title 10 or Title 32.

Where can I go to learn more about VA benefits for National Guard and Reserve members?
Go to http://www.ebenefits.va.gov, your one-stop shop to learn about and apply for your VA benefits, or
http://www.benefits.va.gov/guardreserve, a website tailored to help National Guard and Reserve members learn about your benefits.

Home - VA/DoD eBenefits

To restart your session, Click here or click the Login button in the top right corner of the Home page and you will be redirected to the DSLogon login page.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Mar 7 at 2020 1:19 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 01:19:58 -0500

One thing many are not aware of is on 27 Dec 2016 Congress passed a law that gave Veteran status to Guard and Reserve people that had served 20 years or more and had reached age 60 and were receiving Retired pay and benefits to include Tricare (Tricare for Life at age 65) for those that had NOT served at least 180 days of active Federal Military service for which a DD Form 214 would have been issued. This 2016 act however did NOT add any more entitlements other than officially being designated as Veterans.