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Free technology courses for Veterans
The IBM SkillsBuild program provides over 1,000 free online courses for beginners and advanced learners to start or boost their careers in fields like data analytics, cybersecurity, AI, cloud computing, and IT support—no prior experience needed. This is free for Veterans, along with their spouses, adult children, and caregivers.
Research that matters
Join VA Secretary Doug Collins in VA’s Million Veteran Program! By participating, you’re contributing to groundbreaking research that could revolutionize health care treatments and save the lives of your fellow Veterans.
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Can you work with a 100% VA disability rating?
Learn the difference between 100% VA disability ratings and how that impacts working with benefits. Watch the current SITREP to learn more.
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VA resources, we're here for you.
For non-urgent questions, you can reach VA using the VA Health & Benefits App or MyHealtheVet secure messaging to schedule an appointment, refill prescriptions, and access your medical records.
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Upcoming VA events
VA hosts free events around the country for Veterans and their families, caregivers and survivors. Check out the weekly outreach events calendar to find an event near you.
Jobs for Veterans
Employers from around the country are looking to hire Veterans. Get info about openings across the nation and multiple career fairs below.
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Exclusive discounts for Veterans
Check out hundreds of recently updated discounts and deals available to Veterans, service members and retirees.
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COLA Increase, VA Life Insurance, SBA Partnership, VA History, and more...
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VALife Program Celebrates Three Years
VALife is proudly celebrating its three year anniversary, as well as a significant milestone. Since its launch in 2023, VALife has provided over $2.2 billion in total coverage to more than 70,000 Veterans, offering peace of mind and financial protection to those who have served our country.
VALife offers up to $40,000 of whole life insurance coverage to Veterans, with guaranteed acceptance for Veterans age 80 and under with a service-connected disability rating from 0% to 100%. There are no medical questions to answer and premiums do not increase. Learn more and apply today.
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Increased Cost Grants
VA has increased building and materials costs grant amounts for severely disabled Veterans and Service members eligible for Specially Adapted Housing to adapt their homes. VA wants to ensure that Veterans maximize their benefit no matter when they decide to adapt their existing home or build or buy an adapted home. Learn More.
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Enrollment verification for VA Education benefits required starting January 2026
Starting in January 2026, all Department of Veterans Affairs education beneficiaries, including Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) students will be required to verify their enrollment each month to receive their benefit payments. Please note that you must verify your enrollment for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to begin processing your monthly benefit. Once verified, payment processing can take five to seven calendar days.
You can learn more about the different enrollment verification methods in this video or the Verify Your School Enrollment webpage. If you have questions about your enrollment, please contact your School Certifying Official. You can find their contact information listed on the GI Bill Comparison Tool.
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Object 100: Iraq Burn Pit
A year after returning from Iraq with severe respiratory problems in 2008, Capt. Le Roy Torres and his wife founded Burn Pits 360 to raise awareness of the health hazards of burn pit emissions. Over a decade of persistent advocacy by Burn Pits 360 and other Veterans groups paid off with passage of the PACT Act in 2022, the largest expansion of Veterans benefits since the 1944 GI Bill.
Read more about Object 100 in the History of VA in 100 Objects digital exhibit.
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Mentorship Matters: Guiding Veteran and Military Spouse Entrepreneurs
Veterans and military spouses don’t have to build their businesses alone. Through SBA programs like the Mentor-Protégé program, experienced mentors provide personalized guidance, resources, and support to help the military community start, grow, and succeed in government contracting.
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VA Travel Pay Reimbursement
Find out if you're eligible for travel pay reimbursement through the Beneficiary Travel program. Eligible Veterans are repaid by VA for travel expenses to and from approved health care appointments.
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Reader Recount: Men Get Breast Cancer Too 🏥 GAO Report on VA Record System 🖥️ & More
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From The California Legionnaire, If you want your veterans news more often, visit caLegion.org
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Here are the top Veterans news beats so far this week, starting with… Men Get Breast Cancer Too. U.S. Air Force Veteran and Post 177 Legionnaire Jim Plowden recounts his story of being diagnosed with male breast cancer just before Christmas 2021 before eventually being declared cancer-free.
Find Jim’s full story in the links below.
More article snippets this week:
- Per a recent Government Accountability Office report, the VA is preparing to launch its troubled electronic health record system in as many as 10 sites across the country by the end of 2026. This comes despite many of the management and technical issues that stalled earlier deployments, as previously reported by the office.
- Honorably discharged Veterans may be entitled to extra Social Security earnings for active-duty military service or active-duty training. The link below has details on eligibility.
Curious about a Veterans issue or bill? Want to highlight the work your Legion post is doing or an event you’re hosting? Email us at news@calegion.org.
More California Veterans news bites:
- A California state bill and constitutional amendment that would further enhance Veterans’ property benefits was discussed in a committee earlier today. If passed, SB 623 and SCA 4 would allow eligible Veterans who qualify the Veterans’ property tax exemption or Disabled Veterans’ property tax exemption to also receive the omeowner’s property tax exemption. We will have more on this story later this week.
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Christian Southards | Associate Editor Cal Legionnaire
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