Making the transition from active duty service to civilian life is not always easy. This is especially true for those who've done tours of duty in active combat zones and generally anyone who has been in the military for more than a few years. One major problem is that many find it difficult to translate their military experience into terms that civilians will actually understand, which leaves many ex-military personnel struggling to find a decent job after their discharge.
Who is Eligible for Veteran Unemployment Benefits?
If you are about to leave active duty service and don't yet have a job lined up, or if you've recently separated from the military and can't find a job—it's more than likely that you are eligible to receive unemployment compensation under the UCX program. In fact, the program is available to all ex-service members, regardless of rank or branch of service.
The only stipulations to receiving the benefits are that you must have been on active duty service with any U.S. military branch, and you must have received an honorable discharge. Those who've been dishonorably discharged are barred from seeking these veterans' benefits, for reasons that should be quite obvious.
How to Apply for the Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers Program?
Just because you meet the two criteria listed above and are currently unemployed doesn't mean that you will automatically start receiving benefits. Instead, you'll first need to apply for the program through your state unemployment office. The application must be filed in the state you currently reside in, not the state where you were discharged at.
In order to apply, you'll need to make sure that you have your DD Form 214. Issued to all veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard upon completion of active duty, this form is your official 'Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty' and is necessary to prove that you've been honorably discharged. In addition to the DD Form 214, it is also necessary to provide your social security card and a copy of your military and civilian resume and/or job history.
How Much Are Veteran Unemployment Benefits?
Every state handles its own unemployment compensation, which means that the specific rules and benefit amounts vary from state to state. As well, the duration of time that you can receive the benefits for also depends on which state you live in. Therefore, the only way to know for sure is to actually contact your state unemployment office.
Still, the final determining factor is your final taxable salary prior to separating from the military. Your unemployment benefits will be set as a percentage of this, but again, the specific percentage depends on the state. In most cases, this percentage is determined based on a number of factors, including cost of living and the state's unemployment rate.
Other Types of Assistance Available to Unemployed Veterans
In addition to providing these unemployment benefits, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also has a number of other programs in place to help out unemployed veterans. One extremely useful program is the Veteran Employment Services Office VAForVets program. This program provides a variety of services to veteran job seekers, including helping them with resumes and job applications to holding job fairs and putting veterans in touch with potential employers.
In addition, most state unemployment services offices are also home to a Local Veterans Employment Representative. These representatives can also provide valuable guidance and assistance to help you along in your job search. Finally, unemployed veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing their house can seek assistance by contacting their local VA Community Resource and Referral Center.
As a veteran, you deserve to be celebrated and rewarded for your service to the country. Therefore, there's absolutely no reason you should struggle to pay your bills when you finally decide to call an end to your service. Instead, you should make sure that you take advantage of veteran unemployment benefits and other available assistance programs to ensure your transition to civilian life is as simple as possible.
Luckily, the government is finally starting to recognize these problems, meaning that there are now a range of different programs and services in place to help veterans make the transition into civilian life more smoothly. One major component of this is the Unemployment Compensation for Ex-servicemembers (UCX) program, which allows those leaving the military to receive unemployment benefits should they be unable to find a job immediately upon leaving the service.
Who is Eligible for Veteran Unemployment Benefits?
If you are about to leave active duty service and don't yet have a job lined up, or if you've recently separated from the military and can't find a job—it's more than likely that you are eligible to receive unemployment compensation under the UCX program. In fact, the program is available to all ex-service members, regardless of rank or branch of service.
The only stipulations to receiving the benefits are that you must have been on active duty service with any U.S. military branch, and you must have received an honorable discharge. Those who've been dishonorably discharged are barred from seeking these veterans' benefits, for reasons that should be quite obvious.
How to Apply for the Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers Program?
Just because you meet the two criteria listed above and are currently unemployed doesn't mean that you will automatically start receiving benefits. Instead, you'll first need to apply for the program through your state unemployment office. The application must be filed in the state you currently reside in, not the state where you were discharged at.
In order to apply, you'll need to make sure that you have your DD Form 214. Issued to all veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard upon completion of active duty, this form is your official 'Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty' and is necessary to prove that you've been honorably discharged. In addition to the DD Form 214, it is also necessary to provide your social security card and a copy of your military and civilian resume and/or job history.
Depending on what state you live in, you may be able to file your application online. However, other states require that you go to your local state unemployment office and file the application in person.
How Much Are Veteran Unemployment Benefits?
Every state handles its own unemployment compensation, which means that the specific rules and benefit amounts vary from state to state. As well, the duration of time that you can receive the benefits for also depends on which state you live in. Therefore, the only way to know for sure is to actually contact your state unemployment office.
Still, the final determining factor is your final taxable salary prior to separating from the military. Your unemployment benefits will be set as a percentage of this, but again, the specific percentage depends on the state. In most cases, this percentage is determined based on a number of factors, including cost of living and the state's unemployment rate.
Other Types of Assistance Available to Unemployed Veterans
In addition to providing these unemployment benefits, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also has a number of other programs in place to help out unemployed veterans. One extremely useful program is the Veteran Employment Services Office VAForVets program. This program provides a variety of services to veteran job seekers, including helping them with resumes and job applications to holding job fairs and putting veterans in touch with potential employers.
In addition, most state unemployment services offices are also home to a Local Veterans Employment Representative. These representatives can also provide valuable guidance and assistance to help you along in your job search. Finally, unemployed veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing their house can seek assistance by contacting their local VA Community Resource and Referral Center.
As a veteran, you deserve to be celebrated and rewarded for your service to the country. Therefore, there's absolutely no reason you should struggle to pay your bills when you finally decide to call an end to your service. Instead, you should make sure that you take advantage of veteran unemployment benefits and other available assistance programs to ensure your transition to civilian life is as simple as possible.
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