MILITARY LIFE

WOUNDED, ILL OR INJURED, AND THEIR CAREGIVERS: BENEFITS

Access to quality care and valuable services does not end when wounded, ill or injured service members leave a military treatment facility. In many ways, the help is just beginning. Military members who have combat injuries or are battling serious illness because of their service are eligible for a host of benefits. While Military OneSource does not provide health care services, it does offer nonmedical counseling and information about health care services and benefits.

MILITARY ONESOURCE WOUNDED WARRIOR SPECIALTY CONSULTATIONS

Military OneSource provides specialty consultation services to help eligible wounded, ill or injured service members, veterans, their families and caregivers get immediate assistance for issues related to health care, resources, facilities and benefits. Consultants are available to help with support for transportation needs, respite care, reporting problems with military facilities and getting additional support. Learn more about wounded warrior specialty consultations.

MILITARY WOUNDED WARRIOR PROGRAMS

Each service branch operates a wounded warrior program to help service members and their families with non-medical issues associated with transitioning back to duty or civilian life.

DISABILITY BENEFITS

Disability severance pay: You may be entitled to disability severance pay, which is a one-time lump payment equaling two months of basic pay for each year of service, which includes active service and inactive duty points. Find out more at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (dfas.mil).

Social Security Disability: Service members can receive 

expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security. Benefits through the Social Security Administration – such as the Social Security Disability Insurance Program and the Supplemental Security Income Program – are different than those from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application. Visit the administration's Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors (ssa.gov/people/veterans/ww.html).

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Program: This provides for payment up to $100,000 if you incur a qualifying loss as the result of a traumatic injury (va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/tsgli)

Special Monthly Compensation: This is an additional taxfree benefit that can be distributed to veterans, their spouses and parents to assist with special circumstances, such as the need for aid or caregiving or because of a specific disability, such as the loss of a hand or leg (va.gov/disability/compensation-rates).

FINANCIAL BENEFITS

Federal Thrift Savings Plan: The TSP is a government-sponsored retirement savings and investment plan that is similar to the benefits private corporations offer their employees under 401K plans (tsp.gov/index.html).

VA Home Loans: Veterans and family members are eligible for home loan guaranty benefits and other programs that assist with buying, building, repairing, retaining or adapting a home (benefits.va.gov/homeloans/index.asp).

Military OneSource offers financial counseling (militaryone- source.mil/confidential-help/interactive-tools-services/financial-counseling/financial- counseling-services-for-a-secure-future) in person, by phone or via video chat. If you live on or near your military installation, you can reach out to the installation Personal Financial Management Program (installations.militaryonesource.mil/?looking-for-a=program), which offers workshops and classes in addition to individual financial counseling.

HEALTH CARE BENEFITS

TRICARE home health benefits: Care for wounded warriors depends on your current military status. Visit the TRICARE site to discover what's available to you (tricare.mil/injuredonAD).

Medicare and Medicaid programs: If you meet eligibility requirements for Medicare or Medicaid, coverage may be available for medical costs, transportation, respite care, home modifications and equipment expenses (cms.gov).