COVID

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

All DAV services are provided 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 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.

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. In rare cases, some essential volunteers who are at low-risk susceptibility to the disease may be allowed in some facilities.

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.

Everyone must wear a mask when riding in a DAV Transportation Network vehicle to stop the spread to other passengers. Everyone should use hand sanitizer before and after entering or exiting a vehicle to minimize surface contamination. Each vehicle will be sanitized before and after each use as well.

Hospital Service Coordinators should call the night before and the morning of picking up veterans for rides to appointments. Drivers should only use limited capacity for trips to maintain social distancing. For example, a seven-passenger vehicle should only transport three individuals. Please continue to exercise approved social distancing standards of 6 feet.

If veterans or drivers are feeling sick or have symptoms, they should not use the DAV Transportation Network. Veterans should utilize alternative appointment options such as telehealth and VA Video Connect. If you sneeze, do so into your elbow or a tissue and immediately wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are unavailable, use hand sanitizer.

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

DAV encourages everyone to continue to give back and volunteer if you feel comfortable. You can check for no-contact opportunities at DAV’s Volunteerforveterans.org.

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.

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

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.

You can find contact information for your nearest VA here.

You’ll be expected to wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose at all VA facilities. If you can, please bring your own.

Upon arriving at VA facilities, all patients will be screened for flu-like symptoms before being permitted to enter. Depending on your answers to screening questions, VA staff will walk you through your visit. Steps such as these are vital to containing COVID-19, and to protect at-risk populations.

It is best to leave home earlier than usual to allow time for screening.

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.

Some VA regional offices are open with limited hours and service, but you can still file a claim online, by mail or with the help of a trained professional, like a DAV benefits advocate.

Yes! Now is your chance to once again serve your fellow veteran while working against the spread of COVID-19. 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 VA, please email [email protected] or apply at www.vacareers.va.gov.

Do not go in-person to a VA health care facility without an appointment, unless you need urgent or emergency care.

VA offers testing for COVID-19 for veterans who are enrolled in VA health care. The fastest way to get a test is to request an appointment, by requesting a test appointment through a secure message, requesting a primary care test appointment online, or by calling your VA health care team.

Those in the following groups who want a COVID-19 vaccine should tell VA they are interested. Local VA facilities will then contact those individuals when they have available vaccines.

• Veterans
• Spouse of a Veteran
• Caregivers of a Veteran
• Recipients of Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) benefits

VA offers COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Contact your local VA health care facility to schedule an appointment.

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

VA canceled and refunded copayments for all medical care and pharmacy services through VA between April 6, 2020, and September 30, 2021. As of October 1, 2021, VA has started to collect copayments again and began sending debt notification letters. However, VA continues to offer debt repayment and relief options.

For debt related to VA healthcare, veterans should dial the Debt Management Center at 800-827-0648 or 1-612-713-64145, if overseas.

If you’re experiencing financial hardship due directly or indirectly to COVID-19, call your loan servicer right away to request a forbearance plan. Your loan servicer is the company that collects your mortgage payments.

If you have a VA-backed home loan, call 877-827-3702 to talk to a VA home loan representative to request a forbearance plan.

Yes, VA national cemeteries remain open. Visitors are expected to follow social distancing and travel restrictions based on CDC and local guidelines. You can schedule a burial by calling the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117.

While vaccines are in development, currently, there are none available to prevent COVID-19 infection. However, the VA will work with the CDC to develop a plan for vaccine distribution, once one becomes available.

You can 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. You can also sing part of your military service branch song so long as it meets the time requirements.
• 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.
• Continue to practice social distancing, which the CDC defines as at least six-feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
• Avoid large groups, mass gatherings and stay away from crowded places.
• 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 US wear masks or face coverings to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.