Santa Cruz County Veteran Network - National Guard/Reservist

DFAS

Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS). Located in Indianapolis, Indiana. One of the most visible responsibilities of DFAS is handling military pay.

DFAS pays all DoD military and civilian personnel, retirees and annuitants, as well as major DoD contractors and vendors. DFAS also supports customers outside the DoD in support of electronic government initiatives.

DFAS Website VA Disability Compensation vs Drill Pay Local Provider

ID Cards

"VETERAN" On Driver's License

Veterans with honorable service will be able to apply for the new VA ID card, which can be utilized to provide proof of military service in lieu of the standard DD-214 form to obtain discounts and other services offered to Veterans.

Process:

1. Bring in a copy of your DD-214 and Driver's License to the VSO.

2. Fill out a Veterans Status Verification form and have it certified by a Veterans Service Officer.

3. Take your completed form to the DMV and pay for license renewal to have a new license with "VETERAN" on it.

VA Healthcare Card

Veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system are eligible to receive a VA healthcare ID card at the nearest VA main healthcare campus.

Veteran ID Card - Press Release

Retiree ID Card

Veterans that are 100% service connected are eligible for a military retiree card that allows access to military installations, the commissary, post-exchange, and other privileges.

Moffett Field

685 Vernon Ave

Mountain View CA 94043

Open: M-F 0800-1530; Closed for Lunch 1200-1300.

From US-101, take the Moffett Blvd exit and go towards Nasa Pkwy. Turn right onto Moffett Blvd. Turn left to RT Jones Rd. Turn left onto Stevens Rd and proceed to Vernon Ave. Office is located second building on the right (Across from NAVY Lodge).

Appointments at Moffett Field

This facility is off-base and therefore does not require access to the base. However, it is by appointment only, use link below to schedule an appointment. Additionally, please check website for required identification materials.

Army Garrison Presidio of Monterey

Building 616, Taylor Hall, Room 111,

412 Rifle Range Road

Monterey, CA 93944-5006

Phone: (831) 242-5209/5949

Appointments at Presidio of Monterey

You will need to make an appointment using the Rapids appointment link below, and print out your appointment confirmation. Review the list of acceptable ID’s, and forms required, provided by the link below for the Army Garrison Presidio of Monterey. Arrive at the Bolio Visitor center approximately 40 minutes prior to your appointment, with your appointment confirmation letter in hand, to register for access to the base.

CalVet - Veteran Designation on Drivers License Veteran ID Card - Press Release Appointments at Moffett Field Appointments at Presidio of Monterey Local Provider

RecordS & Information Requests

Every veteran needs their DD-214 to receive any type of benefit from any provider. In addition veterans may want their OMPF (Official Military Personnel File), STR's (Service Treatment Records), and awards and decorations. The VSO Office is available to assist with these requests.

Visit Our Records Request Page Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Contact (By State)Local Provider

Compensation (Service Connected Disability)

Disability Compensation is a monthly tax-free benefit paid to Veterans who are at least 10% disabled because of injuries or diseases that were incurred in or aggravated during active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.

A disability can apply to physical conditions, such as a chronic knee condition, as well as a mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The benefit amount is graduated according to the degree of the Veteran's disability on a scale from 10 percent to 100 percent (in increments of 10 percent).

Compensation may also be paid for disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related to circumstances of military service, even though they may arise after service.

Generally, the degrees of disability specified are also designed to compensate for considerable loss of working time from exacerbations or illnesses. If you have dependents, an additional allowance may be added if your combined disability is rated 30% or greater.

VA Disability Compensation Compensation Fact Sheet Separation Health Assessment Fact Sheet VA Claim Exam (C&P Exam)VA Disability Compensation vs. Drill Pay Visit Our Benefits Page Local Provider

Education

Many benefits are available to advance the education and skills of Veterans and Servicemembers. Spouses and family members may also be eligible for education and training assistance.

Visit Our Education Page Local Provider

VA Health Care

VA provides world-class health care to eligible Veterans. The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, with more than 1,200 sites of care, and it is consistently ranked among the nation’s top healthcare providers.

Visit our Healthcare page to get an in-depth look at all of the available resources and providers.

Applying for VA Healthcare VA Palo Alto Healthcare VA Health Benefits VA Priority Groups California Veteran Reintegration Healthcare Program Visit Our Healthcare Page Local Provider

CRDP/CRSC

Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) and Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay (CRDP) are programs created by Congress to allow eligible military retirees to receive monthly entitlements in addition to retired pay.

CRSC is a special compensation for combat-related disabilities. It is non-taxable, and retirees must apply to their Branch of Service to receive it.

CRDP is a restoration of retired pay for retirees with service-connected disabilities that was lost due to the VA compensation offset. This means that an eligible retiree's retired pay will be fully restored. CRDP is taxed in the same manner as your retired pay, and it is normally considered taxable income.

It is important to note that Retirees cannot receive both CRSC and CRDP and must elect one each year through an annual "program election." Many retirees are confused about which is better for them. When making this decision contact your VSO Office for assistance.

DFAS - Comparing CRDP & CRSC VA Disability Compensation vs Drill Pay Visit Our Benefits Page Local Provider

California Family Relief Fund

The California Military Family Relief Fund (CMFRF) was established to provide short term, financial assistance in the form of grants to California National Guard members and/or families impacted by mobilization and deployment who meet criteria listed below:

The current California Registration Card for the vehicle in the disabled Veteran's name
A completed Disabled Veteran Certification (REG 256A)
Proof of eligibility: This must be a letter or photocopy from the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs or the military service that discharged the veteran
The license plates currently on the vehicle

Current member of the California National Guard in good standing.
Current California resident.
Deployment to active duty for at least 60 consecutive days in Title 10 USC status.
Member's salary has decreased by 10 percent or household income of member's family has decreased by at least 10 percent from income prior to deployment.
The member, within six months of returning from active duty, has experienced a 10 percent loss, or greater, in income, compared to pre-deployment income, as a direct result of deployment.
The member was injured while serving on active duty and has been discharged from federal active duty and is actively seeking assistance through the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs with regard to disability compensation benefits or treatment, or both.

Application for a cash grant under this section shall be submitted within 18 months of being released from federal military active duty, along with written substantiation demonstrating that the member's current financial hardship is a direct result of a military deployment and an injury sustained during the deployment.

1) Addiction Consultation and Treatment (ACT)
2) Domiciliary Program
3) Foundations of Recovery Program
First Step
Foundations of Recovery
HVRP

Available treatments address all types of problems related to substance use, from unhealthy use of alcohol to life-threatening addictions. The VA Palo Alto health care system has three main programs for treating substance abuse:

Ch. 33 Post 9/11
Ch. 30 MGIB
Ch. 31 Voc-Rehab
Ch. 35 DEA

There are multiple work site locations throughout Santa Cruz County including the VSO Office, Vet Center, VIC at Cabrillo, UCSC, and others. Check with the VSO for more info.

Net worth under allowable threshold
Wartime service - at least one day during a period of war. Does not require in Country service.
Over age 65 or Permanently and Totally Disabled.
World War II:
December 7, 1941 through December 31, 1946
Korean War:

Wartime Service is determined by active service during any of the following periods:

DMV Checklist

Visit Our CalVet Page CalVet Veteran Services Financial Assistance Local Provider

Special Education Benefits

Education benefits are available for Selected Reserve and National Guard members to help with education and training costs.

Guard and Reserve members are eligible for several education benefits including the GI Bill, tuition assistance, state benefits and other programs.

Military.com: National Guard Tuition Assistance Education Assistance Award Program Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)Visit Our Education Page Local Provider

Providing comprehensive resources for Veterans and their families.

Providing comprehensive resources for Veterans and their families.

National Guard and Reservists

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DFAS

ID Cards

"VETERAN" On Driver's License

VA Healthcare Card

Veteran ID Card - Press Release

Retiree ID Card

Moffett Field

Appointments at Moffett Field

Army Garrison Presidio of Monterey

Appointments at Presidio of Monterey

RecordS & Information Requests

Compensation (Service Connected Disability)

Education

VA Health Care

CRDP/CRSC

California Family Relief Fund

Special Education Benefits

VA LINKS TO NG/RESERVISTS

Drill Pay vs. VA Compensation

National Guard & Reserve Benefits overview

Providing comprehensive resources for Veterans and their families.

Local Provider @ VSO

Providing comprehensive resources for Veterans and their families.

National Guard and Reservists

Back

DFAS

ID Cards

"VETERAN" On Driver's License

VA Healthcare Card

Veteran ID Card - Press Release

Retiree ID Card

Moffett Field

Appointments at Moffett Field

Army Garrison Presidio of Monterey

Appointments at Presidio of Monterey

RecordS & Information Requests

Compensation (Service Connected Disability)

Education

VA Health Care

CRDP/CRSC

California Family Relief Fund

Special Education Benefits

VA LINKS TO NG/RESERVISTS

Drill Pay vs. VA Compensation

National Guard & Reserve Benefits overview