By Matt Scherer

For veterans who lived in communities where Hurricane Beryl impacted their livelihood, the VA this week has announced several temporary policy changes that can impact their support programs provided to veterans and their families. 

Provided below are some informational resources shared in an email message sent to the MilTRAC team about policies concerning those impacted by the Texas hurricane. 

Homeowners 

Homeowners should know about disaster modification if the damage to their homes could result in a mortgage delinquency.   Here is what the VA shared in an email message:  “Disaster Modification allows servicers to provide permanent payment relief to disaster impacted borrowers experiencing a mortgage delinquency when the borrower has not submitted a complete loss mitigation application. This option allows for the loan maturity date to be extended by the number of months the loan is delinquent, not to exceed 12 months without prior approval from VA.” 

Educational benefits 

“If your school is temporarily closed, the VA will consider your attendance as continuous, and your benefits will not be affected,” the VA email stated.   

“It’s a good idea to contact your college educational office to see if  your fall enrollment is in place,” said retired Army Command Sergeant Major E.G. Mais, the VFW Post 8541 veterans service officer.” And, if you have to suspend your academics due to the need to relocate to somewhere outside of the storm’s impact, do not hesitate to call the VA.” 

Mais added the VA Education and Training Center is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST. 

Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

If you are a displaced Veteran and receive employment services from the VA, you may qualify for two additional months of Employee Adjustment Allowance (EAA). 

The VR&E program also provides eligible Veterans with independent living (IL) services. This can help you function independently within your home and community. 

Adapted Housing 

1-877-827-3702 

“If your home was adapted through the VA Specially Adapted Housing program, other assistance may be available to you,” the email said.  “We may help fund repairs if a disaster damaged or caused the loss of your adapted home.” 

Any new assistance will be based on repair costs your insurance doesn’t cover and any previous assistance you got from FEMA for the home. 

Automobile Adaptive Allowance 

1-800-827-1000 

If a disaster caused the loss of a previously adapted automobile, you may qualify for assistance. Your auto insurance must not cover the damage.