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What is the Ebenefits System

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Martin Ventura

Gateway to Benefits [1] [2] [3]

Accessing benefits can appear overwhelming, with numerous websites to navigate, and many logins and passwords to remember. eBenefits eliminates the hassle by acting as a gateway to benefits. eBenefits is a single sign-on, central access point to online benefits and related services.

eBenefits is a joint service through the Veterans Administration and the Department of Defense that consolidates processes such as the ability to:

• Apply for benefits.
• Download DD214.
• View status of benefits.
• Download VA letters
• Transfer Post-9/11 education benefits.
• Update direct deposit and contact information.
• Apply for VA home loan certificate.
• Link to sites that provide information on benefits.

A complete list of features can be found on the eBenefits Features List.

eBenefits Users [4] [5]

eBenefits is designed to serve veterans, service members, and their families. The concept for a benefits portal was established by executive order in 2007 to assist wounded, injured, and ill service members, veterans, their families, and their caregivers in accessing military benefits and services.

The basic eligibility requirements for registration with eBenefits are:

• You must be registered in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) to be eligible for a DS Logon.
• You must have a DS Logon (DoD Self-Service Logon) to log in to eBenefits.
• For a Basic DS Logon you can apply online through eBenefits.
• For a Premium DS Logon you must verify your identity in person.

eBenefits Accounts [6]

eBenefits is available to users through a Basic Account and a Premium Account. The Basic Account is easy to obtain but offers limited access to features. Basic Account holders will still be able to check for eligibility of benefits and apply for benefits through the Veterans Online Application (VONAPP). The Premium Account offers the highest level of access to features but requires in-person verification of identity at a VA Regional Office or TRICARE Service Center.

Some features exclusive to the Premium Account are the ability to:

• Check your compensation and pension claims status.
• Check your payment history.
• View your TRICARE health information.
• Obtain your Civil Service Preference Letter, Service Verification Letter, and more.
• Obtain your DD-214 and other military records.

Check the Account Comparison Chart for an overview of accounts.

Registration

eBenefits is the future of military benefits and services online and is:

• A single sign-on, central access point to online benefits and related services.
• Available to veterans, service members, and their families.
• Available in Basic Account and Premium Account formats.

Access to a world of health services and education benefits is only a step away, so
register now.

______________________________________________________________________________
[1] Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, “eBenefits.” 20 Dec. 2011

[2] Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, “About eBenefits.” 20 Dec. 2011

[3] Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, “Features List.” 20 Dec. 2011

[4] Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, “Registration Requirements.” 20 Dec. 2011
< https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal?_nfpb=true&_nfxr=false&_pageLabel=RegistrationRequirements>

[5] Department of Defense, “DoD Self-Service Access Center.” 20 Dec. 2011

[6] Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, “Account Comparison.” 20 Dec. 2011
< https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal?_nfpb=true&_nfxr=false&_pageLabel=AccountComparison>

Department of Veterans Affairs, “VONAPP.” 30 Dec. 2011
< http://www.gibill.va.gov/apply-for-benefits/application/

Filed Under: Active Duty Benefits, Benefits, DEA, REAP, Spouse Benefits, VEAP Tagged With: , , , ,

Military Families: A Presidential Priority

September 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

President Barack Obama and his Administration pledge to focus on the needs of service members and their families.

By Holly Regan

This January, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced steps the Department of Education will take to support military families. These steps are part of President Barack Obama’s initiative to provide and enhance educational opportunities for service members, as well as for their children, spouses, and military veterans.

The initiative is partially based on feedback from military families, who have expressed concerns about educational support. It will affect “families of Active Duty and Reserve Component Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard members; Veterans; and those who have fallen”. [1]

The U.S. Department of Education has pledged to provide quality educational opportunities for children of service members, especially when the parent is deployed or the child is in between schools.

For the first time, the Department of Education will also favor applications for grant programs that address the needs of military students and their families. It has adapted the financial aid process to better suit the financial circumstances of military families, as well as Reserve and Guard members. These steps will ease the financial aid application process.

In response to President Barack Obama’s previous directive for more effective federal support of military families, the National Security Staff and Domestic Policy Council compiled a report. In Strengthening Our Military Families: Meeting America’s Commitment, four goals were outlined:

      • Enhance the well-being and psychological health of the military family.
      • Ensure excellence in military children’s education and their development.
      • Develop career and educational opportunities for military spouses.
      • Increase child care availability and quality for the armed forces.

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Dr. Jill Biden also announced almost 50 commitments of support from federal agencies.

Through these actions, President Obama is helping the federal government not only to provide better opportunities, but to show what an important part of the community military members and their families are. In response to their service and sacrifices, military families deserve access to life-changing opportunities, and deserve a voice in government.

 

[1] “Education Secretary Arne Duncan Will Make Educational Opportunities for Military Families a Priority as Part of Presidential Initiative”. Ed.gov. U.S. Department of Education, 24 January 2011. Web. 9 September 2011.

Filed Under: Active Duty Benefits, Benefits, GI Bill Information, GI Bill News, Spouse Benefits Tagged With:

Military-Friendly Online Schools

September 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

By Holly Regan

September 10, 2011

For current or recently discharged military members, there are many advantages to online education. As opposed to the rigid structure of traditional schools, military-friendly online programs allow students the freedom to work on their own schedule and from their own location.

Campus-based schools require significant commitments in terms of a fixed schedule and travel. Students who are currently enrolled may not be able to leave their base to attend regular classes on a school campus. Students who have been recently discharged may be working civilian jobs, and unable to attend on-campus courses due to work schedules. Online education offers the benefit of flexibility to these servicemen and –women, regardless of their situation.

Once a potential student has located the military-friendly institution of his or her choice, there are a vast array of online educational programs and degrees available, just as they are in traditional schools. These programs include:

  • Associate’s degree
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Master’s degree
  • Doctorate degrees
  • Certificate and technical programs

The programs offer a variety of online course formats to meet different learning styles. They also feature flexible absence policies for active-duty students, benefits for spouses and other family members, tuition discounts, and transfer credits (“Accredited Online Military Friendly Colleges”, About-elearning.com)[1]. The Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits apply to online programs as well as traditional ones, and can provide assistance for currently enlisted or recently discharged service members.

Click here for an explanation of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

There are several ways of determining which schools are considered “military-friendly”.

Schools can claim this in their advertisements, but their claim may prove to be false (“Choosing a School”, gibill.va.gov)[2]. To help prospective students verify a school’s claim, the American Council on Education (ACE) has compiled a list of “military-friendly” criteria, including:

  • Transfer of credits from past schools or military service
  • Community support, including medical and mental health
  • Representation for, and involvement of, veterans in school administration
  • A specific point of contact for veterans on the school website
  • School housing designated for veterans

Click here for more information from VA on choosing a school.

Another great resource is Military Advanced Education, a bi-monthly magazine produced by KMI Media Group. In addition to providing regular information about schools, higher-learning programs and career opportunities for service members, the magazine features a special issue every year called “Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Schools.”

The institutions listed in this publication are selected through a careful survey process, conducted by leaders in the military as well as the higher-learning community. Schools make the listed based on programs and policies that favor military students. Concise but detailed information is provided about each of the schools and the programs they feature – including whether or not there is an online learning option.

Click here to go to the Military Advanced Education website, where you can download the top schools survey.

Another good resource for locating military-friendly educational programs is to look for schools that are part of the Service Members Opportunity College System (SOC). This is an organization that supports higher learning benefits for students in the service; its website provides a list of member schools, many of which also include online programs. The criteria SOC uses to determine whether or not a school is “military-friendly” are:

  • Reasonable Transfer of Credit
  • Reduced Academic Residency
  • Credit for Military Training and Experience
  • Credit for Nationally-Recognized Testing Programs

Click here to see the list of SOC member institutions. There are many institutions, both online and on-campus; the list is sorted by state.

No matter what type of program they are seeking, what their living situation is, or what their goals are, military-friendly online educational programs provide a valuable path to success for servicemen and –women. With the flexibility the programs allow, education does not have to take a backseat to serving America in the Armed Forces. Explore the links above to learn more about these exciting opportunities.

[1] “Accredited Online Military Friendly Colleges”. About-elearning.com. About E-Learning, nd. Web. 24 August 2011.

[2] “Choosing a School”. Gibill.va.gov. GI Bill Web Site, nd. Web. 24 August 2011.

Filed Under: Active Duty Benefits, Benefits, DEA, GI Bill Information, GI Bill News, home intro, REAP, Resources, Spouse Benefits, VEAP

What is Correspondence Training?

August 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

These days there are a ton of different ways of saying the same thing and some of the terms are getting confusing!

In the new GI Bill update for October 1, 2011, they mention that “Correspondence Training” is now eligible for up to $8500 in benefits for in-state tuition and fees per academic year.

We asked – what is the difference between Correspondence Training and Online Education?

The answer is that Correspondence Training differs in how the course is actually taught and delivered to you, the student.

Usually you would received books and other materials in the mail and study on your own time. You would be responsible for taking exams and sending info back via mail to the school or teacher. Online courses tend to be on the computer and have more set schedules for studying.

 

Filed Under: Active Duty Benefits, Benefits, DEA, GI Bill Information, GI Bill News, REAP, Resources, Spouse Benefits, VEAP