Services and Benefits

• Courses at colleges and universities leading to associate, bachelor or graduate degrees, and accredited independent study.   Cooperative training programs are available to individuals not on active duty.
• Courses leading to a certificate or diploma from business, technical or vocational schools.
• Apprenticeship or on-job training programs for individuals not on active duty.
• Correspondence courses, under certain conditions.
• Flight training. Before beginning training, the veteran must have a private pilot license and meet the physical requirements for a commercial license. Benefits also may be received for solo flying hours up to the minimum required by the FAA for the rating or certification being pursued.

Tutorial assistance benefits if individual is enrolled in school half-time or more. Remedial, deficiency and refresher training also may be available.

The Montgomery GI Bill (Selected Reserve) is a program of education benefits for members of the reserve elements of the armed forces. Reservists may seek an undergraduate degree or graduate training take technical courses at colleges and universities or enroll in on-the-job training or apprenticeship programs.

Life Insurance - Veterans who are granted a service-connected disability but are otherwise in good health may apply to VA for up to $10,000 life insurance coverage at standard insurance rates within two years of being rated as disabled. This insurance is limited to veterans who left the service after April 24, 1951. Veterans who are totally disabled may apply for a waiver of premiums. For those veterans who are eligible for this waiver, an additional policy of up to $20,000 is available. Premiums cannot be waived on the additional insurance.

For information about government life insurance, call the VA Insurance Center in Philadelphia toll-free, 1-800-669-8477. Specialists are available to discuss premium payments, insurance dividends, changes of address, policy loans, naming beneficiaries and reporting the death of the insured or a beneficiary.

Burial Benefits - Veterans and armed forces members who die on active duty are eligible for burial in one of VA's 114 national cemeteries. Burial benefits include the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave and perpetual care. Generally, to be eligible a veteran must have been discharged or separated from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable and have completed the required period of service, though other circumstances may also be qualifying. VA may also provide headstones and markers for the unmarked graves of veterans or for memorial plots, burial flags to drape the casket of a veteran, and Presidential Memorial Certificates. Eligible veterans may receive reimbursement for some burial expenses.

VA Medical Centers - VA provides complete hospital care covering the full range of medical services for eligible veterans. Eligibility for VA hospital care is divided into two categories: mandatory and discretionary. VA must provide hospital care to mandatory category veterans at the nearest VA facility capable of furnishing the care in a timely fashion. If no VA facility is available, care must be furnished in a Defense Department facility or another facility with which VA has a sharing or contractual relationship. If space and resources at VA hospitals are available after caring for mandatory-care patients, VA then may furnish care to veterans in the discretionary category, if they agree to pay VA for their care.

Veterans who must be provided hospital care and are not subject to an income eligibility assessment are: veterans with service-connected disabilities, veterans who were exposed to herbicides while serving in Vietnam, veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during atmospheric testing or in the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, veterans for a condition related to service in the Persian Gulf, former prisoners of war, veterans on VA pension, veterans of the Mexican Border period of World War I and veterans eligible for Medicaid.

Outpatient medical treatment includes examination and related medical services, drugs and medicines, rehabilitation services, and mental health services. As part of outpatient medical treatment, veterans may be eligible for home health services for the treatment of disabilities. Outpatient treatment is also provided based on different categories of eligibility. There are eight community based outpatient clinics throughout the state. For a
list see;   www1.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp  

Long Term Care - Long Term care in VA or private nursing homes may be provided for veterans who are not acutely ill and not in need of hospital care. VA is mandated to provide nursing-home care to veterans who are at least 70% service connected disabled. VA may,  provide nursing-home care to other veterans if space and resources are available in VA facilities. Veterans who have a service-connected disability are given first priority for nursing-home care. VA may also provide other means of long term care. See;
    www1.va.gov/OPA/fact/docs/ltcare03htm  

Domiciliary Care - Domiciliary care provides rehabilitative and long-term, health-maintenance care for veterans who require minimal medical care but, who do not need the skilled nursing services provided in nursing homes. VA provides domiciliary care to veterans whose annual income does not exceed the maximum annual rate of VA pension and to veterans the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines have no adequate means of support.

Vet Centers - Veterans who served on active duty during the Vietnam Era or served in the war or conflict zones of Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, or the Somalia or Persian Gulf theaters during hostilities or war are entitled to counseling to assist in readjusting to civilian life. Counseling is provided at Vet Centers to help veterans resolve war-related psychological difficulties and to help them achieve a successful post-war readjustment to civilian life. Assistance includes group, individual and family counseling, community outreach and education. Veterans are placed with non-VA agencies if need.
Mandated to provide nursing-home care to veterans who are at least 70% service
connected disabled.

S.C. Office of Veterans Affairs

Program Description and Services Provided - The South Carolina Office of Veterans Affairs (SCOVA) assists veterans in obtaining federal and state benefits due those  veterans, their dependents and survivors. The headquarters of the SCOVA is located
at:

Edgar A. Brown State Office Building   www.govoepp.state.sc.us/vetaff.htm
1205 Pendleton Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-0200
Fax (803) 734-0197


The SCOVA has field officers in each of the three VA Medical Centers serving SC Veterans as well as the VA regional offices, additionally, they oversee the work of
forty-six County Veterans Affairs Offices.
 

Click here for County Listings:

Veterans Employment and Training Service

Program Description - the Veterans Employment and Training Service is under the U.S. Department of Labor. This office is functionally responsible for the supervision of the registration of eligible veterans in local S.C. Employment Service offices for suitable types of employment and training and also for counseling and placement of eligible veterans in employment and job training programs.

Under the Veteran's Re-employment Rights law, a person who leaves a civilian job in order to enter active duty in the Armed Forces, is entitled to return to his civilian job after his discharge or release from active duty if he or she meets the basic eligibility criteria of the law.

Whom to Contact:

Veteran's Employment and Training Service               www.dol.gov/vets 
P.O. Box 1755
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 765-5195

U.S. Small Business Administration

Program Description - The Small Business Administration office in Columbia provides assistance to veterans on getting into and staying in business.

Services Provided - Services include pre-business workshops, in-depth management training and counseling through the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), management pamphlets, and small business loans.

Whom to Contact:

U.S. Small Business Administration              www.sbaonline.sba.gov
1835 Assembly Street
Room 358
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 765-5913

Small Business Development Center of South Carolina
 

The Frank L. Roddy Small Business Development Center of South Carolina is a
consortium of 4 universities with 18 offices located throughout the state. These centers offer a variety of services and management training courses tailored to meet the needs of small-and medium-sized businesses. SBDC consultants at each site provide managerial and technical assistance to those wishing to start or expand an enterprise, generally fee free.

SCDC consultants are available at many locations to provide one-on-one consultation, analyze business operations, develop business strategies, and provide marketing and economic information. Experts in private industry and government are also available to assist in highly technical and specialized areas.

Whom to Contact:

Small Business Development Center            www.mooreschool.sc.edu 
Hipp Building, 6th Floor
College of Business Administration
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
(803) 777-4907

U.S. Department of Housing and  Urban Development (HUD)

Program Description - Provides rental assistance throughout the State to low and moderate income tenants. Provides Federal mortgage insurance for:

• home purchases
• housing rehabilitation
• borrowers, 62 years of age or older, to convert the equity in their homes into a monthly income or a line of credit

Whom to Contact

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development     www.hud.gov
Strom Thurmond Federal Building
1835 Assembly Street, 11th Floor
Columbia, SC 29201

Rental Assistance: (803) 765-5671
Mortgage Insurance Programs: (803) 253-3213

South Carolina Department of Mental Health

Program Description - This agency recruits for Health/Non-Health related positions.
They also administer the State Veteran's Nursing Homes.

S.C. Department of Mental Health           www.state.sc.us/dmh
2414 Bull Street
P.O. Box 485
Columbia, SC 29202
Job Line (803) 734-7674

For Job Listings (803) 734-7688/7670
For Admission/Other Information (803) 734-7766

South Carolina Commission For the Blind

Program Description - When blindness or severe visual impairment results in difficulty performing normal daily activities, the South Carolina Commission for the Blind is the agency to contact. The Commission provides rehabilitative services, adjustment to blindness training, counseling and various other services.

Eligibility for most services is contingent upon meeting the legal definition of blindness: having a central visual acuity of 20/200 in the better eye with corrective lens, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less. Individuals with a severe visual disability which will result in legal blindness within a 24-month period also are eligible for services. Legal blindness must be verified by an acceptable eye examination. There are financial eligibility requirements for some services.

Whom to Contact:

South Carolina Commission for the Blind         www.scch.state.sc.us
1430 Confederate Avenue
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-7520 / 1-800-922-2222

Veterans Service Organizations

Programs Description and Services Provided - Veterans organizations such as the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, etc., provide a wide variety of services to veterans. Most of them maintain a full-time staff to assist veterans with preparation and presentation of claims to the Veterans Administration, V.A. Hospitals, and other Federal Agencies. 

Whom to Contact:                                www1.va.gov/vso 

Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA)

A Federally Chartered Association dedicated to the betterment of all Armed Services personnel, retirees, veterans, National Guard, reservists, and their families. The Veteran's Employment Assistance (VEA) program offers opportunities at job fairs, world wide computer network for employers, and job seekers guide. The NCOA Veterans Service Program can help file claims for federal and state benefits, and representation before the Board of Veterans's Appeals in Washington, DC. 

Who to Contact:

Beaufort, SC (843) 525-1541
Charleston, SC (843) 553-6262
Columbia, SC (803) 782-8849
Sumter, SC (803) 494-4427

Army Career and Alumni Program

The Army Career and Alumni Program, located in Building 5402 on the corner of Jackson Boulevard and Hill Street, Fort Jackson assists active duty, Reserve and National Guard soldiers, civilians and their family members in the transition from military to civilian life.

All services provided by the Army Career and Alumni Program are free. The facility is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 4:15p.m.

For Information, contact the Transition Assistance Office at (751) 6064/6062.

Transition Assistance Programs (TAP)

One of the most comprehensive sources of job hunting information for separatees and retirees is the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Workshop.  TAP is a three-day series of workshops sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, in conjunction with the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Service members with disabilities should attend the last day's session, called Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP). It is a half-day session that provides information of special interest.