For Your Benefit
For and about Hawaii's military
See also: In The Military
Active duty determines
eligibility for benefitsQuestion: Is someone with only Reserve or National Guard service eligible for veteran's benefits?
Answer: If the member is called to active duty, then he or she is eligible for the same VA benefits as any other veteran, including those for dependents and survivors. The member must meet the same length-of-service requirements. Additionally, a member who has never served on active duty may still qualify for the following benefits:
>> Compensation: Monthly benefits may be payable if the member has a disability that resulted from a disease or injury incurred while on active duty for training, or an injury, heart attack or stroke incurred during inactive duty for training. Additional benefits for the member and his or her dependents or survivors may also apply.For more information, call the Honolulu office of VA Benefits and Services at 433-1000 or check out the Web site at www.va.gov/hawaii.>> Medical care: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will provide medical care only if the member is found to have a service-connected disability.
>> Home-loan guarantees: The member must have completed six years in the Guard or Reserve with an honorable discharge. If he or she was discharged due to a service-connected disability, then the required service time could be less.
>> Burial flag: A member who completes at least one enlistment in the Guard or Reserve, is discharged due to a service-connected disability, or whose death is related to his or her service is eligible to receive a flag upon their burial.
>> Burial in a national cemetery and headstone or marker: These benefits are available to any member whose death is related to his or her Reserve or National Guard service or who, at the time of death, was eligible for retirement pay based on Reserve or National Guard service, or would have been entitled had the member attained age 60.
>> Montgomery GI Bill -- Selected Reserve: The member may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of educational benefits. Benefit entitlement ends 10 years from the date of eligibility for the program, or on the day the member leaves the Guard or Reserve. To qualify, one must:
>> Have a 6-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve. Officers must agree to serve 6 years in addition to the original obligation.
>> Complete initial active duty for training.
>> Meet the requirements to receive a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before applying for benefits.
>> Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit.
Q: What does the military pay for when an active-duty member dies?
A: All funeral expenses are paid by the military. Those expenses include body preparation, the casket, transportation to the place of disposition, interment if it's in a national cemetery, and a marker. Next-of-kin receive a $6,000 death gratuity.
Q: I have misplaced my father's burial flag. Can it be replaced?
A: Unfortunately, no. The law allows VA to issue one flag for a veteran's funeral. For further information on burial benefits, contact the Honolulu office of the VA at 433-1000.
If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran,
call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049
or visit the VA Web site at www.va.gov/hawaii
or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin,
can be reached by phone at 294-4075
or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.
