When it comes to serving our nation’s veterans, there are many organizations that aim to help make life after service easier for those men and women back in civilian life. No matter what branch they served in, for how long, what era, DAV (Disabled American Veterans) has a variety of programs available to get veterans the assistance they need.
“We keep our promises to the men and women who serve,” said Dan Clare, spokesperson for DAV. “We help veterans connect with the benefits they earn, first and foremost. We’re also going to be there with them, that benefits process, so we make sure that they get justice, if they were changed in military service. We also advocate for them on Capitol Hill, we’re a leading voice. And we’re one of the leading voices to make sure that that the systems are in place, the policies in place to take care of them. We also provide transportation to make sure veterans get to and from their hospital appointments at VA, and we help connect veterans.”
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Connecting with veterans can be difficult, and DAV does face some challenges where that’s concerned. One of those challenges can be that many see the word ‘disabled’ in the organization’s name, and may think the services it offers, aren’t for them.
“When people think of disabled veterans, sometimes they think of people who lost limbs in service. When we think of disabled veterans, we think of veterans who are changed as a result of their military service,” said Clare. “So DAV funded the research that led to PTSD being recognized as a condition. So if you’re changed, if that affects your ability to work and take care of your family, DAV wants to be there for you. Sometimes that’s things that happen in war. Sometimes that’s things that happen during war time, but not actually as a result of combat. You’re changing, you’re disabled by a certain percentage, DAV is going to fight for you.”
DAV is also working to get results for a group Clare said that tends to be underserved-- female veterans.
“Some women veterans, for years, had had the perception that they weren’t actually veterans, maybe because they weren’t in war, maybe because they just didn’t feel like they were invited into that club for whatever reason. And that’s really tragic,” said Clare. “Women veterans are historically underserved. And we know that their needs are different. And the system’s just got to change so that we can take care of them as well.”
Veterans who have been through the process to obtain their benefits know that sometimes it can be a difficult process. Many don’t want to be bothered by having to dig through their service records, their pasts, especially if there was any trauma associated with their time in the service. But that’s where DAV really comes in to support them.
“At DAV, one of our things is we have people who are veterans themselves, who have been through that process. We have them there in Orlando, and those folks are going to walk you through that process. They’re going to go through your records with you, talk it out with you, explain to you what’s going to happen next, and then be with you through every step of the way so we can make sure you get justice,” said Clare. “Sometimes veterans feel like if they’re getting benefits, that they’re taking away benefits from someone else. And what they’re doing is they’re probably shortchanging their families who also are eligible possibly for benefits. And this is what you were owed. You deserve this. This isn’t like any other social welfare program. This is part of the promise.”
DAV also has several assistance programs that go above and beyond just filing for your VA benefits.
VA Benefits Assistance
Disability benefits ensure veterans are made whole after being forever changed as a result of military service. These benefits also extend often to families and survivors. At DAV’s national service office in Orlando and throughout the country, professionally trained veterans who have been through the claims process themselves serve as attorneys in fact and represent veterans and family members so they don’t have to face the government’s red tape alone. Call 727-319-7444 to speak with a benefits advocate where Orlando claims are adjudicated or visit BenefitsQuestions.org to connect electronically.
Transportation
DAV operates a nationwide transportation network that has provided more than 30,000 rides to Orlando area veterans to and from their VA medical appointments at no cost. Without this service, many veterans would not get the care they earned and need. The program relies on volunteers, who often state that they get as much or more out of it as the veterans they help. For rides or to volunteer, call 352-331-0945 or visit VolunteerforVeterans.org.
Scholarships
Veterans need help and young people frequently need to volunteer hours to meet college admissions requirements. DAV Scholarships incentivize the development of relationships between those who sacrificed in service and future leaders. Every year, $110,000 are granted to deserving young people who volunteer at least 100 hours through DAV at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, through local initiatives or by creating their own projects or providing direct services to veterans. Volunteers frequently are introduced to careers in healthcare and other meaningful paths by donating their time to DAV. For more information, visit DAVScholarships.org.
Careers & Entrepreneurship
Until a veteran who is able finds a post-service mission, he or she has not successfully transitioned to civilian life. At DAV job fairs, veterans are connected in person or virtually with companies and federal agencies who are focused on hiring those who served and their spouses. Though DAV’s next in-person event in Orlando isn’t until Dec. 12, many regional events will be hosted digitally and others will be held in Tampa for companies hiring in the area. Visit www.jobs.dav.org to find scheduled career fairs and resources. DAV also recognizes companies that make hiring veterans and spouses part of their work force through the DAV Patriot Employer Program. Further, DAV PatriotBootCamp.org makes entrepreneurship accessible for veterans who wish to achieve their maximum potential as founders.
Clare also said that through their entrepreneurship program, they’ve been able to launch a caregiver program to connect them with resources.
“Many veterans have caregivers, and it’s a very thankless job, unfortunately. You’re taking care of a hero and that’s all the validation a lot of caregivers need. But they also need some respite. They need resources, they need to know who they can go to for help,” said Clare. “And DAV’s caregiver initiative is connecting them with that. It’s free, like everything we do, all the services we offer are at no cost or obligation to the people who participate. But we’re trying to get more veterans enrolled in that program. It’s kind of a concierge service. You go through kind of an intake process where we identify what your needs are, you get someone assigned to you who can help you develop a plan so that caregiving is something that’s sustainable, so that you last longer. Veterans who have caregivers lead a much higher quality of life, and they’re institutionalized much less frequently. So keeping veterans out of homes is important for their quality of life.”
To find out where a DAV Chapter office is located near you, click here.
