Veterans

**The VA will make a one-time payment of $250 to eligible veterans and survivors to ease the effects of the current economic downturn.  Qualifying VA beneficiaries—veterans who have received compensation, pension, dependency and indemnity compensation, or spina bifida benefits at any time between November 2008 and January 2009— will receive these payments automatically. The Internal Revenue Service cannot tax this payment.  If you have questions or are having trouble obtaining your one-time payment of $250, please call the VA at 1-800-827-1000.**

I have the privilege of representing 91,920 veterans in Arizona and issues affecting our veterans are very important to me.  

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue to look for ways to ensure that those who have worn the nation’s uniform are treated with respect and gratitude.  In particular, I have:

• Voted to modernize the “GI Bill” by providing expanded educational benefits to our veterans, creating a new program in which the government matches, dollar for dollar, any additional scholarships awarded to veterans from institutions within tuition costs above the maximum amount allowed by this legislation. Veterans would have up to 15 years after leaving active duty, compared to ten years under the Montgomery GI Bill, to use their educational assistance benefits (Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act (H.R. 5740);
• Voted for the largest funding increase in the VA history, including $600 million more for mental health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury care (VA Budget Authorization);
• Fought to prohibit fee increases for TRICARE and its pharmacy program for service members and retirees (H.R. 1585);
• Supported the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act (H.R. 1538), legislation that would improve the management of medical care, personnel actions and quality of life issues for members of the Armed Forces who are receiving medical care.  I offered an amendment to this bill that would increase the reporting requirement on mental health services for returning combat veterans;
• Opposed the Military Families Tax, which unfairly penalizes more than 60,000 survivors, most of them widows (H.R. 1927); and
• Formed a Veterans' Advisory Council of local vets throughout Southern Arizona who advise me about legislation in Congress and keep me informed about veterans' issues and concerns in our community.

Veterans' Resources

If you need help with a veterans' casework issue, please contact my Tucson (881-3588) or Cochise County (459-3115) offices or click here.

U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs

Arizona Department of Veterans' Services

Healthcare

• VA Health Benefits and Services
• National Center for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
• Mental Health
• Benefits for Family Members
• Find a VA Facility
• VA Polytrauma System of Care Home
• Tucson VA Medical Center: 1-800-470-8262
• Northwest Tucson VA Clinic 520-792-1450
• Green Valley VA Clinic: 1-800-470-8262
• Sierra Vista VA Clinic: 520-792-1450

Benefits

• Veterans Benefits Administration
• Veterans Benefits Administration - Arizona Offices
• VA Life Insurance Program
• Compensation & Pension Service
• Compensation and Pension Payment Rates
• National Cemetery Administration
• A Guide to Burial at Arlington National Cemetery
• American Battle Monuments Commission
• American Former Prisoners of War
• VA Home Loan Guaranty Services
• Compensated Work Therapy (CWT)

Payments under the VA Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program are no longer taxable and disabled veterans who paid tax on these benefits in the past three years can now claim refunds from the Internal Revenue Service.

Education and Jobs

• GI Bill
• Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges
• Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment & Training Service (VETS)
• Department of Education and Department of Defense's Troops to Teachers
• Hire Vets First
• National Committee of Employer/Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve
• Tucson Job Corps Center
• Department of Labor's Employment & Training Administration in Arizona

Surviving Spouses and Dependents

• National Military Family Association
• Armed Forces Services Corporation