Health Care For Our Veterans

Featured in this Show

• Many Resources Available To Wisconsin Veterans

  On this Veterans Day, state officials said that Wisconsin has a wealth of resources available to those who have served their country.

  Brian Jones, outreach program supervisor at the state Department of Veterans Affairs, said there are a number of services his department can help veterans with.

  Jones said the Wisconsin’s G.I. Bill — distinct from the federal G.I. Bill — is for Badger state veterans who have served for 90 days in wartime or two consecutive years during peacetime. Under this bill, the veteran’s tuition is forgiven for up to 128 credit hours at the University of Wisconsin or a state technical college. Spouses and children of veterans also qualify if the veteran has been rated 30 percent or higher in disability rating by the federal Veterans Administration.

  Another benefit, Jones said, makes some veterans eligible for a Wisconsin property tax credit. Veterans who are homeowners and have been rated 100 percent disabled by the federal officials because of a service-connected disability can get a credit on their state taxes for the full amount of their property taxes, he said.

  Mewanhile, Jones said veterans who own small businesses can apply with state Department of Veterans Affairs for certification as an official “Veteran Owned Small Business.” This certification will get the business some priority treatment over non-veterans contracting with the government.

  Officials with the state Department of Workforce Development offer veteran service representatives to help veterans find employment. There are job fairs throughout the state specifically for veterans and for businesses, they provide education on how to recruit and hire veterans, Jones said.

  The Veterans Benefits Resource Center is staffed to answer phone calls and respond to Internet chats regarding benefits for veterans. More information is available at wisvets.com.