Recent hurricanes have caused incredible destruction, leaving millions to grapple with the devastating impact and loss of life. Veterans and their families in regions affected by hurricanes Fiona and Ian can access VA resources and benefits to get the support they need after a natural disaster.
One of the first places you can visit to receive help and resources is your state’s VA Regional Benefits Office. You can look up your office’s hours of operation, services and location at our facilities locator webpage.
Additional resources in the wake of a disaster
Veterans Crisis Line
If you are in a crisis—or are concerned about someone else in crisis—get free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Veterans Crisis Line is available by phone, text or chat:
- Dial 988, then Press 1.
- Send a text to 838255.
- Chat online.
- Support for deaf and hard of hearing: Call 1-800-799-4889.
Housing Assistance
If you or a Veteran you know needs immediate housing assistance in the aftermath of a hurricane, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID VET (877-424-3838). Calls are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more about housing assistance here.
Benefits Delivery
If you or a beneficiary were not able to receive a benefit payment after a hurricane, call the VA National Call Center at 1-800-827-1000. Call center representatives can guide you on how to request a one-time special payment.
VA Home Loans
If you need help making a mortgage payment, VA can:
- Ask lenders to put a 90-day freeze on foreclosure.
- Encourage lenders to waive late charges.
- Work with your mortgage lender to apply pre-payments already made to your upcoming payment.
Learn more about VA Home Loans here.
GI Bill
If your school is temporarily closed due to a hurricane, VA will continue payments through the end of the term or for up to four weeks (28 calendar days) from the date of school closure, whichever is earlier. Learn more about the GI Bill here.
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
If you are displaced due to a hurricane and receive employment services from VA, you may qualify for two additional months of Employee Adjustment Allowance (EAA). Learn more about VR&E here.
Mail Contingency
If hurricane-related mail service disruptions impact the timeliness of VA receiving important claims paperwork or information from you, know that VA accounts for these disaster-related impacts and will not penalize you for subsequent mail delays. You may also submit claims and upload any other relevant benefits information through your VA.gov account.
Learn More
To learn more about disaster assistance resources for Veterans, visit the website here.
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In this news post, we explore the various options designed to keep you in your home, offering hope and possible solutions for when/if you experience financial hardship.
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Veteran makes $ 200.00 too much to qualify for Hurrucane Ian assistance with his Insurance Deductable.
All Veterans should get this assistance regardless of income.
Is legal assistance offered in SW Florida? We live in Rotonda West,
Charlotte County.
In 1973 I was first exposed to Radiation after entering a bunker containing several Madam & Sadam nuclear units. Upon leaving the bunker I suddenly felt an extreme heat thru out my entire body. As the feeling eased I returned to my unit. Weeks later my feet were bothering me. Approximately while dealing with muscle pain my wife awoke me knowing something was wrong In the following months Kirk Army Hospital sent me to Waler Reed medical center where I was diagnosed with a form of Muscular Dystrophy and retired @30 % In 1992 I was given 100% by VA after an outside facility diagnosed with Radiation. Am I COVERED under THE NEW Legislation or left out in the cold as usual
Hi
During
Hurricane Ida, a large pine tree fell on my house leaving a lot of damage. The repair out-of-pocket non- insurance cost is $17,178.00. I need any free financial assistance available for Veterans as soon as possible.
The repairs are needed to be finished now!
Thank you in advance for your help.
Larry McNeal
I am a Veteran (Navy Retired, VFW Life member) and I have participated with my local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). I do not recall hearing any information regarding the VA participation with natural disasters. It is good to know that the VA is helping with recent hurricane disaster response.
I would like to know more about what the VA will do for any Veteran involved in a natural disaster. In my area we have landslides, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, wind storms and an occasional volcanic eruption. Geographically, the damage may not be as widespread as hurricane damage- but for any one VA family it can be huge.
Do local VA offices have real time disaster assistance?
Do they go to the disaster site?
Do they solicit help from local VFW, Am Legion, DAV, etc?
Thanks for providing this. I am a Team Rubicon local leader in Florida and I have forwarded the link to Florida Leaders, encouraging them to provide the information to veterans they encounter in the affected area.
We had the big tree of mine blown into my house from the storm.The insurance should cover the damage but a headache.Our Senator helps with USVA
coverages.We still like the local government education. for work
We had some severe property damages from the storms.Our insurance should pay for most of it.Our Senator writes to the VA for us and we work in education.
Thank you for sharing this benefit. My roof was destroyed by hurricane Hanna. My insurance didn’t cover expenses to repair roof because I lived too close to the Gulf of Mexico. They refuse to renew my insurance.
and if transportation is not available to due to damage, one is left out in the cold as it were
it is 70 miles round trip to the va clinic, without transportation that is a 5 day walk
My wife and I have stayed in a rental home that is no longer there in Fort Myers Beach. I am in touch with the property owner (New Jersey) and she has to rebuild. We had a reservation for March, 2023 and we have paid the owner $1500. I know that many are suffering, but is that money reimbursable?
Nothing they are helpful to me lose your house in a hurricane no insurance company will pay. Just a loss to the vet he’s pretty smart just let us come here just like this I told him I said the mortgage company continues to charge you for your house even if it’s washed out to sea you gotta pay for it for 30 the next 30 years if you don’t have insurance he says what can They kicked you out the house that’s right my house they can’t put you in jail if your house washes out the sea you just become homeless Vet. This is what a 10 year old came up with
When did this Hurricane program come about? I’m still recovering from Hurricane Ida.
I did not know about half of these resources so I am thankful for the information. Yet, nothing happens as easy as it is presented. My disability claim is still ongoing and has been pending in the system for 11 years and still pending…
My disability claim has been in appeal for 5 or 6 years
How long does the appeal process take?
I think y’all are great. You keep up the good work. ⚓️
Great article!! Y’all keep us up to date and I thank you for it. ⚓️
Thank you for the info. What can VA do about boots on the ground in FL.
I just love how when you’re expecting your post 9/11 gi bill money to be deposited into your account and it doesn’t show up…yet you get your retirement and disability funds. How does the VA expect veterans to pay their bills and survive?!
If you are within a ten year window post discharge apply for critical financial assistance with Operationhomefront.org