Bipartisan Legion Act Introduced In Congress

The Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service Act – also known as the LEGION Act – is a bill expanding membership eligibility for the American Legion and was recently introduced in both the House and Senate. Because the American Legion’s membership periods are congressionally chartered, the organization is prevented from expanding membership eligibility without an act of Congress. The act expands membership eligibility to honorably discharged veterans who have served in unrecognized times of war since World War II. 

“The American Legion provides critical resources to our veterans but, currently, only veterans who served during formally recognized conflicts can belong to the Legion,” said Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. “That restriction leaves out thousands of former American servicemembers who signed up to defend our country. Our legislation rights this wrong and ensures veterans have the opportunity to join the American Legion.”

What Is The White House VA Hotline?

The hotline’s pilot [program] began under direction of the Veterans Experience Office on June 1, 2017, and entered phase two on Oct. 15, 2017. White House VA Hotline is (855) 948-2311. Its intent was to provide a different outlet for vets who may have concerns or complaints about VA services or benefits.

Calls are answered by a live agent 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The hotline is staffed by more than 60 agents who have had extensive training on VA programs and services. Most of these agents are veterans, military family members, caregivers or survivors.

Veterans should also continue to use existing VA customer service hotlines: Veterans Crisis Line (800) 273-8255; Health Care (877) 222-8387; Benefits (800) 827-1000; MyVA311 (other) (844) 698-2311.

Vets, Members of Armed Forces Have Student Aid Options

Veterans and members of the U.S. armed forces may be able to take advantage of numerous student financial aid programs, according to KHEAA*. The federal government also offers programs for the dependents of veterans and service members. Federal programs include:

• GI Bill benefits, first passed in 1944 for veterans of World War II. The federal government offers several versions, with benefits that vary according to when you entered service, when you left the service and other criteria. More changes are coming as the result of the Forever GI Bill, passed in 2017. Visit https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/ for more information about options.

• Federal Tuition Assistance, for active duty members of all branches of the armed forces, including the Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves. For more information, contact the college financial aid office or the unit education officer.

• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants, for students who had a parent or guardian die as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after Sept. 10, 2001.

*KHEAA is a public, non-profit agency established in 1966 to improve students’ access to college. It provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents. KHEAA also helps colleges manage their student loan default rates and verify information submitted on the FAFSA. For more information about those services, visit www.kheaa.com.

Note: Several Internet sources were used for this article.