>> Graphic: Military to Civilian Transition Talk >> Nathan Williamson, Deputy managing director, VA Office of Transition and Economic Development: Hello, I’m Nathan Williamson – Navy Veteran and Deputy Director for Transition and Economic Development at the Veterans Benefits Administration. I’d like to welcome you to Transition Talk. Transition Talk is your resource for trustedand relevant information related to how the COVID-1 9 pandemic is affecting the transitionto civilian life for America’s armed households. Today, I am pleased to be joined by VA PrincipalDeputy Under Secretary for Welfare, Ms. Margarita Devlin. Ms. Devlin is not only a member of a militaryfamily herself; she is a tireless and trusted advocate on military to civilian transitionsand thanks to her leadership, we are able to continue to support the transitioning militaryfamily through this pandemic. Ms. Devlin, welcome. >> Margarita Devlin, Deputy Under Secretary for Assistance: Thank You Nathan, it’s my pleasure supposed to be here .>> Nathan Williamson: Ma’am, you know we are currently sheltering in place at VBA, hence why we were doing this from our own dwellings today. And I’d like to thank my daughter Amelia forgiving me her marker council to be able to facilitate this while were at home, but a good deal of folksin America are doing the same thing and they’re probably subjects of concern VA’s ability to continueto serve them during this time.Do you have any information you’d like toshare with transitioning military families on how we can serve them while we are shelteringin place or social distancing? >> Margarita Devlin: Yes, absolutely. It is really important for me to share withour military families, assistance members, and Veterans how VA is continuing to engage andmake sure that we are continuing to service them. While our positions in VBA are not currentlyopen to the public, for the protection of both our Veterans and our employees, we areall working.Our employees are working from home, theyare processing claims. In the Voc. Rehab world, we’re doing telehealth, usingtelehealth technology or counseling appointments, in the health care space we’re using telehealthtechnology for mental health and programme medical appointments. So we are here – the VA is open for business, and we are taking care of Veterans. >> Nathan Williamson: You know, there’s a lot of resources out there and I’d like to first begins with what VA sources are available to those who may have some financialdifficulties related to the current economy. And then, if you know of any other resourcesthat might be provided at the state elevation that transitioning Servicemembers and theirfamilies may be aware of. >> Margarita Devlin: During this period of a pandemic, clearly there are lots of financial stressors on countless beings. Veterans may be interested in filing for adisability compensation for any disorders or traumata that might have been incurredwhile in work, and if we can grant those benefits, and sometimes we can even withoutthe ability to do an in-person exam, we can go ahead and oblige those decisions and if wecan concession you the benefit we can get that started for you right away.Also, we have a Vocational Rehabilitationand Employment Program for individuals with service-connected disabilities who need toreturn to the workforce eventually and there are some financial assistance that can beprovided once we recruit you in a program, provided that you need retraining .>> On Screen Text: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employmenthttps :// http://www.va.gov/ careers-employment/ vocational-rehabilitation/ With respect to other services that mightbe available, Servicemembers who leave the military and are unemployed may be eligiblefor unemployment compensation .>> On Screen Text: Unemployment Compensation for Veteranshttps :// oui.doleta.gov/ unemploy/ ucx.asp So I would encourage those Veterans when they’veseparated from the military to look for the ability to apply for unemployment compensation.That is administered by the states, we’regoing to give you a URL now on the screen >> On Screen Text: State Unemployment Office Directoryhttps :// http://www.careeronestop.org/ LocalHelp/ UnemploymentBenefits/ find-unemployment-benefits.aspx to assist you navigate how to apply for unemploymentcompensation and likewise the State Departments of Ex-serviceman Affairs, which differ than the federal Department of Veterans Affairs ,>> On Screen Text: State Veteran Affairs Directoryhttps :// militarybenefits.info/ state-veterans-affairs-office-directory/ the states may be able to offer you additionalfinancial assistance and we will give you that URL so that you can access the statebenefits for your country. >> Nathan Williamson: You say we’re open for business ma’am, and for those who are transitioning, well, we’re getting a great deal of questions from family membersabout our ability to continue to service them as they go through transition, their abilityto be able to go through the Transition Assistance Program.But could you elaborate on what this virtualenvironment means for those as they go through TAP? >> Margarita Devlin: Absolutely. So for transitioning Servicemembers, theytypically would go to an in-person tap class with other transitioning Servicemembers, andwe would provide them with a full era of interactive classroom know-how. And we too benefit advisors who are availablefor one-on-one assistance outside of the classroom. In this current environment, what we’ve doneis we’ve enabled the online version of this class to be available for everybody basically, all transitioning service representatives. It’s available on the JKO, or Joint KnowledgeOnline Portal in DoD .>> On Screen Text: Joint Knowledge Online Portalhttps :// http://www.dodtap.mil/ virtual_curriculum.html And I would tell you that in this environmentwhere everybody’s at home and rehearsing social separation, I would encourage service membersto include their spouses or other important parties in “peoples lives” their parents, theirsiblings, whoever else they might want to include and do the online route with thempresent.It might cause some, some engaging conversationsaround how taken to ensure that you take the very best advantage of your welfares. >> Nathan Williamson: The online route at VA has created for TAP was originally intended for those operationally deployed in theater of operations. Can the family member have access to thatsame cloth so they can do this as a family? >> Margarita Devlin: Yes indeed, the family member can access the portal.You can get and view exclusively access to the portal, but I would encourage you to view this with your service member present if you if youcan, if you’re both in the same location. And if not, then utterly you can view itseparately and and have discussions about assistances. I find that sometimes our transitioning Servicemembersdon’t even realize that they’re really going to be Ex-servicemen when they leave the militaryand, provided that they have other than a disgraceful removal, they will be entitledto a really robust suite of advantages and I want to make sure that every transitioningServicemember is aware of those benefits and can take advantage of them .>> Nathan Williamson: Now, on that ma’am, when a member gets out that time of discharge, in normal circumstances VA has reported on transition ripens it’sgot to be exacerbated during this time when we are in this uncertain economy and environment. What is VA going to do to maintain that relationshiponce kinfolks do get out? >> Margarita Devlin: Right, that first year after segregation can be very stressful for the service member and their family, and quite often it’s hard toreally is aware that that time is going to feel like for the person or persons until they’regoing through it.So what VA has done to make sure we’re touchingbase with those newly minted Veterans, if you will, after their separation from themilitary, is we implemented in December a program called Solid Start. And the theory behind Solid Start is thatbecause that first year is so traumatic, VA >> On Screen Text: VA Solid Start1- 800 -8 27 -0 611 https :// http://www.benefits.va.gov/ modulation/ solid-start.asp is initiate, through developed VA representatives, contact with those Veterans at 3 month, basically after transition, to make sure wecheck in with them and make sure that they are aware of their benefits and we can, duringthose telephone calls, connect that Veteran to whatever business they might need.And those communications are very much tailoredto the individuals need, so whatever that Veteran might be going through or might need, we adapt the conversation and the resources to those specific needs at that point. And then, we follow orders up with an email toshare those resources by email with the Veteran and cater our phone number for them to callthat VA representative back if they need to, and then we touch base again at six monthsand at one year after segregation. So I feel like that curriculum is absolutelycritical right now, demonstrated what we’re going through, and we’ve adapted the resources thatthose VA representatives have to make sure that they are relevant for today’s environment. >> Nathan Williamson: And if we want to learn more as a, as a transitioning military kinfolk about the Solid Start program any recommendations on where we find outmore information? >> Margarita Devlin: There’s a VA Benefits website that has all of our modulation resources.We’re going to give that website URL to youhere on the screen so you can jot it down >> On Screen Text: VA Transition Resourceshttps :// http://www.benefits.va.gov/ modulation/ tap.asp and come visit us online anytime. >> Nathan Williamson: So in uh you always repetition this spot during your public remarks that change does not end on the day of break-up that it continuesinto that first year. What content of related to GI Bill benefitswould you have to someone who is already a Veteran and exercising this with regards totheir BAH rates and concerns that they may have during this time? >> Margarita Devlin: VA is committed to make sure we continue to take care of our student Veterans.Student Veterans will not have an interruptionin their BAH fees while they continue in school, even if their training programhas been converted to online as most of them have. So I would encourage student Veterans to continue doing what they’re doing .>> On Screen Text: GI Bill Information Line1- 888 -GI-BILL-1( 1-888-442-4551) Stay in touch with your clas, and if youhave a personal situation that you need some help with please give us a entitle our numberfor education benefits is 1-888-GI-BILL-1 .>> Nathan Williamson: Related to, and for those working with a service-connecteddisability Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, do you have any updates as to how that’s progressingduring those situations? >> Margarita Devlin: I do. So, our Vocational Rehabilitation counselorsare teleworking, and they have access to telehealth technology .>> On Screen Text: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employmenthttps :// http://www.va.gov/ careers-employment/ vocational-rehabilitation/ So if you are already enrolled in the VR& Eprogram, rest assured that your mentor extended to you. You can contact them by telephone, and they can set up either a telephone appointment or a >> On Screen Text: Education and Career Counselinghttps :// http://www.va.gov/ careers-employment/ education-and-career-counseling/ video appointment whatever is most convenientfor you. If you have not yet recruited and you havea service-connected disability, or you’re in the process of transitioning out and youbelieve you will have a service-connected disability, go ahead and fill out an lotion online at VA.gov, and our consultants will >> On Screen Text: Apply for Benefits Online! https :// http://www.va.gov/ disorder/ how-to-file-claim/ reach out to you to determine your eligibilityand start helping you navigate that process .>> Nathan Williamson: And on that, maam, we get a lot of questions from concerned family members through marriage business such as Blue Star lineages, and oneof the questions that Blue Star homes has brought to our attention is concerned on beingable to file for disability compensation or other VA assistances during this time. How will we go through if you need to go througha C& P( Compensation& Pension) quiz or or other means to file your assert during thesituation? >> Margarita Devlin: So, filing your declaration during this period of social distancing, I would encourage you to still file.Like I said previously, we will continue open forbusiness and we’re processing argues. A couple of things to keep in mind commonly, we would say you can come in to one of our regional offices and we’ll help you in person. That’s not an option right now, but if yougo to VA.gov you can apply for your benefits >> On Screen Text: Apply for Welfare Online! https :// http://www.va.gov/ disability/ how-to-file-claim/ online. You can apply for disability compensation. What we will do is we will take a look atthe military service treatment records if we have them, we will look at your VA medicalrecords if we if we have them on file for you, and if we believe that we need to conductan exam to help determine your qualification we can do some of those exams through telehealthtechnology and some of the quizs are really just what we call acceptable clinical evidencereviews, where if we have medical ground in your record but we just need a medical professionalto maybe trying to reach you to ask a couple of questions or providing access to a medicalopinion, we can do that as well.So with all of those things in thinker, we maybe able to process your affirm all the way to completion and edition you a decision onthat disorder claim. In the occurrence that we can decide part of yourclaim and not the rest of it because we can’t do in-person exams right now, we will decidethe fractions that we can because if we can grant any part of your welfare and start gettingthose payments coming to you we will do that, and then we will hold in abeyance the restof it so that we can finish your say after we can do the in-person exams again .>> Nathan Williamson: And if social distancing and awning in place is a preventing or delaying me from rallying the evidence presented for a claim is there anythingVBA is doing to assist Veterans in that situation? >> Margarita Devlin: Yes, one of the things that we have at our disposal is the ability to to extend the dates that you would normally have. For example, to file an appeal, or to requestan administrative review of a decision, or simply to provide additional suggestion. Normally there are timelines adjusted for thesethings, and once that timeline is up its up, but with the legal approvals available tous we can give those time limits, and you don’t even have to ask if your declaration was filedor you had a due date after March 1st. We will automatically refer the extensionsso that that gives you time to develop your evidence. If you have not filed a claim yet, and maybeyou feel like you’d really rather put together some information before you file your claimyou can do what’s called intent to file, or we call it ITF, you can go online or you cancall us at 1-800-827-1000 .>> On Screen Text: Call VA Directly1- 800 -8 27 -1 000 And we can, right over the phone, make yourintent to file, employed it in information systems, and what that does is it protects your effectivedate so that it, when later on we’re able to make a decision, if we concede your disabilityclaim, we can go back to that original appointment of your Intent to File if we can issue youany retroactive helps. >> Nathan Williamson: And as Ms. Devlin said, that figures 1-800-827-1000 on the screen for those who would like to call us.You know, speaking of calling and talkingto somebody, change is inherently stressful but this time is inherently traumatic throughsocial distancing. For those who merely may need to reach out andtalk to somebody, does VA have resources available to help out with anything that might be relatedto mental health or change suppressed them this time? >> Margarita Devlin: Absolutely. So, first of all, I want to make sure we cangive you the Crisis Line number so we’re gonna employed that on the screen.If you are in any way needing to talk to somebody please don’t hesitate to call the VA crisis >> On Screen Text: Call the VA Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 Press 1 or text 838255 for immediate assistance line. We are there for you 24/7, and we have trainedrepresentatives there who can walk you through whatever is going on in your life right now. This is a stressful day dont be afraidto ask for help. We “re here for” you, and they can also helpyou to get an in-person appointment for mental health or a telehealth appointment for mentalhealth so that you can get works right off. >> Nathan Williamson: Maam, we’re coming to the end of our time now. As I mentioned earlier, you are a member ofa military family and and as such, what suggestion or estimates would you like to impart on thosewho may be going through this transition time right now from from your personal perspective? >> Margarita Devlin: You know, I guess the thing I would say is you don’t really realize how traumatic the transition is going to be until you’re experiencingit.One of the things I want to encourage familiesand servicemen and women to consider is that it’s really you shouldn’t be afraid to askfor help and and frankly in the military I understand the stoic culture is just as important, but once you become a Veteran the VA is there for you. We are now part of your family and we wantto be there to help you thats why we are beginning the Solid Start program, so that wecan reach out to you and start establishing that relationship and that, and that cartel. I is contributing to you, if you’re a servicemember watching this, to include your family in conferences about interests. Include your family and discourses abouthow you can return to work or access colleges or education, other education options suchas apprenticeship .>> On Screen Text: Education and Career Counselinghttps :// http://www.va.gov/ careers-employment/ education-and-career-counseling/ Everybody doesn’t need to fit into the samemold theres different footpaths that everybody can take, and we are there for you regardlessof the move that you think you would like to make, or if you have absolutely no ideawhere to begin, reach out to us, because we can connect you with a professional who canwalk you through all the options and certainly kind of be that sounding board for you, andhelp you chart your route towards a successful military to civilian transition.It truly can be very stressful time letus be there for you. >> Nathan Williamson: Ms. Devlin, we know you’re very busy right now dealing with everything .>> On Screen Text: Visit VA Onlinewww.va.gov We would like to thank you for your time andjoining us on our inaugural Transition Talk. Thank you so much better. For everyone that has joined us, I wouldjust like to reiterate Ms. Devlins point if you come into a situation, scold us. Exactly reach out to VA, our website is on thebottom of the screen. It’s the relied go-to source for anythingat VA came to see you us. There’s gonna be a lot of rumors and a lotof uncertain information out there http://www.va.gov is your source for trusted information onVA.But again, please call us, reach out, andgood luck to you and their own families. >> On Screen Text: For Specific Questions: VBA National Call Center: 1-800-827-1000 In Crisis? Get Help NowVeterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255Press 1 or text 838255 for immediate needs >> On Screen Text: To Learn MoreVisithttps :// http://www.publichealth.va.gov/ n-coronavirus/ andhttps :// http://www.va.gov/ coronavirus-veteran-frequently-asked-questions /.
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