Title:Best of 2023: Top Veteran Resources of the Year
Author:Mike Richman
Date:January 2024
Source:U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs © 2024, Reprinted with permission
Volume:Volume 3 Issue 207
Every week, VA sends a newsletter that is jam-packed with resources like free concert tickets, farming assistance, workout programs, national park passes and Veteran discounts on hundreds of services.
VA makes no endorsements of the privately offered resources, but we share them to generate awareness of all that's available to the Veteran community.
Here are the Top 10 most popular Veteran resources from 2023:
2023 Veterans Day retail discounts, free meals and other offers
On Veterans Day 2023, Veterans and their families, caregivers and survivors had access to hundreds of free meals, discounts and other freebies. Click here to see a long list of discounts available year-round.
Veterans set to see cost-of-living increase to their benefits
On June 14, 2023, President Biden signed into law the Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act of 2023. The law directs VA to provide a cost-of-living adjustment for Veterans' benefits in 2024 equal to the COLA applied to Social Security benefits, as determined by the Social Security Administration.
Veterans, Gold Star Families get free lifetime pass to national parks, wildlife refuges, other public lands
The U.S. National Park Service offers a lifetime pass that provides free entrance to national parks for Veterans and their families. The pass gives them free access to about 2,000 public locations spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands.
Exploring resort, hotel deals through the Armed Forces Vacation Club for Veterans
For Veterans who have served our nation with dedication and sacrifice, finding opportunities to relax and rejuvenate is essential. The Armed Forces Vacation Club is a valuable resource that offers a chance for Veterans to enjoy well-deserved vacations without breaking the bank.
Your VA ID Card is the proof you need for discounts
"How do I prove that I'm a Veteran?" That question is often asked by those who once served in the military. First, you'll want to apply for VA's Veteran ID Card (VIC), a digital photo ID you can use to take advantage of the many discounts offered by businesses, including restaurants, hotels, stores and recreational activities, among other perks.
200 remote jobs from Veteran friendly employers
Working from home offers Veterans and their families the flexibility they need to carry out their job responsibilities. This article provides a long list of military friendly companies that are offering more than 200 remote jobs, including big corporate names like Amazon, AT&T, American Express, Enterprise, Hilton and Xerox.
Experience live events through Vet Tix with friends and family
Vet Tix is a national nonprofit group that provides free tickets to Veterans and service members for live events, including concerts, sports, performing arts and family-themed events. You can become a VetTixer by creating an account for free at Vettix.org.
Learn to golf from the pros with PGA HOPE
PGA HOPE—Helping Our Patriots Everywhere—is introducing and teaching golf to Veterans and active-duty military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Free to Veterans and service members, PGA HOPE programs are available in 47 states at more than 340 locations.
Find your Veterans Day events
November marks National Veteran and Military Families Month, highlighted by Veterans Day on Nov. 11. This list of Veterans Day and Veterans Month events, organized by state, highlighted hundreds of free events in November 2023 that honored those who served.
In tax season, how can Veterans maximize their tax benefits?
Veterans may be eligible for certain tax benefits under the tax code. This article summarizes some of the key federal and state tax benefits for Veterans provided by accountant and tax expert Lisa Greene-Lewis of TurboTax.
If you don't receive the #VetResources weekly newsletter, sign up today at VA.gov/VetResources. Past newsletters can be found here, and all #VetResources blog posts are online at news.va.gov/category/vets-experience/vetresources.
