COVID-19 Veterans Information

Yes! If you need help with claims assistance, please contact your local DAV office. You can find them by going to benefitsquestions.org.

All of the services we provide are free of charge. We also receive no government funding. In light of the economic uncertainty caused by this crisis, DAV must continue to raise funds to help sustain our mission at current levels through the year and into the future.

DAV relies on the generosity of truly patriotic Americans to help us ensure promises are kept to our nation’s veterans, their families and survivors.

We hope you’ll consider donating a financial gift to support our vital mission.

To contribute, please go to dav.org/relief or text relief to 484848.

Yes, we are. To see the full listing of city-specific, regional and nationwide job fairs, please click here.

Yes, you can still volunteer to help veterans, but some restrictions are in place. In-hospital volunteerism has been closed or curtailed in nearly all facilities. Some essential volunteers who are at low-risk susceptibility to the disease may be allowed in some facilities. But these cases are rare and may be further limited as the pandemic progresses.

While our transportation network is still operating, and has even re-opened in some locations, we are putting extra precautions in place to ensure the safety and well-being of our volunteer drivers and the veterans we serve. Vehicles are being cleaned multiple times daily. And we are limiting the number of people transported for every state where DAV is providing this no-cost service.

If you’re interested in volunteering with DAV, please email [email protected].

We encourage anyone who is volunteering in any capacity, or receiving assistance, to follow strict protocols like social distancing and handwashing.

We hope veterans are mindful of this guidance and practicing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention procedures that could slow the spread of the disease.

It is crucial at this time that patients do not go to any VA facility without calling first. This includes clinics, urgent care or emergency rooms, especially if you have symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath. Calling ahead allows VA employees to provide you with the latest information, and to protect medical staff, you and other patients.

Upon arriving at VA facilities, all patients will be screened for flu-like symptoms before being permitted to enter. Steps such as these are vital to containing COVID-19, and to protect more at-risk populations.

Any veteran with a fever, cough or shortness of breath should contact their local VA facility immediately. You can find contact information for your nearest facility here.

Absolutely. The VA is now encouraging all of its patients to receive care by phone or video, instead of an in-person visit for non-emergency needs.

For additional information about how the VA is responding to the ongoing pandemic, visit the department’s coronavirus FAQs page.

Yes! Now is your chance to once again serve your fellow veteran while working against the spread of COVID-19. The VA has 5,000 available positions it is looking to fill nationwide. You can learn more and apply by visiting www.vacareers.va.gov, or by searching on www.usajobs.gov/.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is also seeking retired VA clinicians and federal health care providers. Please consider re-employment with the VA to help in the battle against the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Specifically, the VA is looking for health care professionals with interest and expertise in Tele/Virtual Care, National Call Center, Travel Nurse Corps and Direct Patient Care/Support (at VA Medical Centers).

To learn more about working at the VA, please email [email protected] or apply at www.vacareers.va.gov.

Military retirees covered under Tricare and veterans using VA care can receive a free test for COVID-19 if they meet certain conditions:

• You live in an area with community spread of COVID-19
• You have symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath
• You have traveled to one of the affected areas (i.e., Italy, China or South Korea)
• OR you have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19

According to Tricare, COVID-19 testing is free for all beneficiaries. While there will be no cost if a network or non-provider ordered the test, copays or cost-sharing will still apply for the doctor’s visit.

Both Tricare and the VA are asking patients not to go directly to a medical center without calling first.

VA patients will receive information on the next steps for testing by downloading the VA’s Telehealth app—VA Video Connect—or calling VA’s nurse advice line, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (202) 745-8000.

Veterans benefits and services, including payments, will continue to veterans, families and survivors through the duration of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Veterans having difficulty making payments to the VA for benefit debt should contact the VA Debt Management Center toll-free at (800) 827-0648 to request assistance. International callers should dial (612) 713-6415.

Regular business hours are Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CT). The best times to call, according to the VA, are Tuesday through Thursday between 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (CT) and 1:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (CT).

If you are in the loan application process, the VA is working to conduct all required meetings by telephone or other electronic methods, including meetings with lenders, appraisers, title companies and VA employees.

To help ease the financial burden placed on veterans nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, the VA is urging lenders to work with affected borrowers. To allow veterans to remain in their homes during this unprecedented national emergency, the VA is asking borrowers to offer flexibility to veterans unable to make mortgage payments at this time, remove late fees and suspend credit bureau reporting of delinquent loans.

Veterans experiencing financial difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak are urged to contact their lenders directly. If a lender is not cooperative, veterans should contact the VA for further assistance.

President Trump recently signed emergency legislation to protect GI Bill recipients from being negatively impacted by school closures and other changes due to COVID-19. The VA will continue to pay GI Bill payments in the event of national emergencies, such as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Students whose program shifted to online mid-term will continue to receive the same monthly housing allowance payments they received for residential learning until January 21, 2021, or until the school resumes normal operations.

New restrictions are currently in place at all veterans cemeteries. Effective March 23, committal services and rendering of military honors were discontinued for the foreseeable future. Families can still attend burials, but groups will be limited to no more than ten people..

Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection and no medication for treating it. The CDC believes symptoms appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. Avoid exposure and avoid exposing others to disease with these simple steps:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to mark the time is to hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice while scrubbing.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are ill or becoming sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (not your hands) and throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Getting a flu shot is recommended.
• Learn to use VA Video Connect through the VA mobile app store or by contacting your VA care team before any urgent problems arise.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released guidelines recommending that people in the U.S. wear homemade face coverings to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.