| Boot Campaign’s mission is to unite Americans to honor and restore the lives of veterans and military families through individualized, life-improving programs. |
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs – Our Vision and Mission
Helping to connect the Sunshine State’s more than 1.5 million veterans and their families with earned services, benefits and support are the more than 1,100 men and women of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. They play a major role in the direct infusion of more than $18.4 billion annually for veterans into Florida’s economy through federal compensation, education and pension benefits, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ medical services and military retired pay.
Florida offers unique benefits such as in-state tuition rates for veterans and their families using the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, several layers of property tax exemptions, expanded veterans’ preference, and extensive benefits, licensure and fee waivers for many activities and occupations. We also offer high quality care at our network of seven state veterans’ homes, with two additional homes in development in Port St. Lucie and Orlando.
In 1988, Florida citizens endorsed a constitutional amendment to create the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs as a separate agency charged with providing advocacy and representation for Florida’s veterans and to intercede on their behalf with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Our advocacy increases federal benefits for Florida’s veterans, improves the quality of life for veterans with service-connected disabilities, and provides access to federally funded medical care for eligible veterans.
Florida’s Veteran Service Organizations
The Sunshine State plays host to many congressionally chartered Veteran Service Organizations. These organizations have departments, posts and chapters in Florida, and serve our state’s veterans and their families in a variety of ways. Among the more active organizations in Florida include the following.
American Gold Star Mothers
https://www.goldstarmoms.com
American Legion
AMVETS
http://www.amvetsfl.org/
Disabled American Veterans
http://www.davmembersportal.org/fl/
County Veterans Services Officers Association of Florida
https://www.facebook.com/CVSOAFL/
Military Officers Association of America
https://www.moaafl.org/
Military Order of the Purple Heart
https://www.purpleheartflorida.org/
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Veterans of Foreign Wars
https://vfwfl.org
Vietnam Veterans of America
https://www.vvafsc.org/
Benefits & Services:
Health Care
Claims
Education
Employment
Veterans’ Preference
State Approving Agency
Housing
Burial Benefits
Forms
Veteran Certified Businesses
The following sites provide additional resources for veterans and their families.
Homebound Veterans and COVID-19
www.floridavets.org/homeboundveterans
Crisis/Hotlines
National VA Homeless Hotline – 24 Hour
Toll Free at 1-877-424-3838
http://www.va.gov/homeless/
Veterans Crisis Line – 24 Hour
Toll Free at 1-800-273-8255, Press 1
www.mentalhealth.va.gov
Change Direction: Give An Hour Campaign – Know the Five Signs!
http://www.changedirection.org/give-an-hour/
Florida Veterans Support Line
1-844-MyFLVet (693-5838) or 2-1-1
The Recovery Village
VA Caregiver Support Line
1-855-260-3274
https://www.caregiver.va.gov
White House VA Hotline – non-emergency, VA inquiries
1-855-948-2311
https://www.va.gov/ve/whvahotline.asp
COVID 19 Vaccine Questions
Ask A VA Doc About The Safety Of COVID-19 Vaccination
Homebound Veterans and COVID-19
www.floridavets.org/homeboundveterans
GI Bill – COVID-19 Fact Sheet
https://floridavets.org/wp-content/uploads/covid-19_Factsheet.pdf
VA Public Health
www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/index.asp
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
Florida Department of Corrections
www.dc.state.fl.us/comm/covid-19.html
Florida DEO Covid-19 Reemployment Assistance Resource Guide
http://floridajobs.org/docs/default-source/reemployment-assistance-center/new-individual-faq-includes-cares-act-final.pdf?sfvrsn=5f2547b0_14
Florida Department of Health
Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Recovery Bureau FAQ Website
https://fdemgrantsmanagement.force.com/fdemcovid
The Florida League of Cities
http://flcities.com/coronavirus-resources
SOF Missions – COVID-19 Care Kits
https://sofmissions.org/
If you have a VBA benefit debt and need temporary financial relief, please contact Debt Management Center at 1-800-827-0648 or visit their website https://www.va.gov/debtman/ to request assistance.
New VA Online Discharge Upgrade Tool
A web-based tool that will provide customized guidance to veterans who desire to upgrade or change the conditions of their military discharge.
https://www.vets.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions
Employment & Business Services
Employ Florida Vets
https://veteran.employflorida.com/
Florida State Veterans’ Homes Recruitment
https://floridavets.org/were-looking-for-you/
https://floridavets.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Were-looking-for-you-tri-fold-brochure.pdf
Florida Veterans’ Business Assistance
www.floridasbdc.org
www.fptac.org
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
www.osd.dms.state.fl.us
Salute our Soldiers Military Loan Program
https://www.floridahousing.org/
Veterans Retraining Assistance Program
https://benefits.va.gov/vow/education.asp
VOW to Hire Heroes Act 2011
https://benefits.va.gov/vow
Veterans Florida Career Services
Veterans’ Benefits
Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guide
https://floridavets.org/resources/va-benefits-guide/
Post-9/11 GI Bill and Veteran Education Benefits
https://benefits.va.gov/gibill
Federal Benefits for Veterans & Dependents Guide
https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book.asp
VA Claims Information
https://www.va.gov
Florida Military-Friendly Guide
https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/wp-content/uploads/Florida-Military-Friendly-Guide-2021.pdf
VA Website for Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry
https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/registry.asp
Social Security Benefits for Veterans
https://www.ssa.gov/people/veterans/
VA MISSION Act
https://floridavets.org/va-implements-mission-act/
Veterans’ Resources
VA Video Connect
https://mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect
VA Online Discharge Upgrade Tool
https://www.vets.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions
Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Military and Veterans Assistance Program (MVAP)
www.myfloridalegal.com/MVAP
Florida Veterans Legal Helpline
(866) 486-6161
https://bals.org/veterans-legal-helpline
Financial Frontlines Program
http://www.myfloridacfo.com/YMM/FinancialFrontlines/
Small Business Program
http://www.myfloridacfo.com/YMM/smallBusiness/Default.aspx
Locate Military Records
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/
National Resource Directory
https://nrd.gov/
Veterans Health Matters Magazine, Publications and Products
https://www.visn8.va.gov/VISN8/news/publications.asp
Serve Save Succeed Program
http://www.myfloridacfo.com/servesavesucceed/
SHINE – Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders
Florida Department of Elder Affairs
http://www.floridashine.org/
Military One Source
http://www.militaryonesource.mil/
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
Information
https://www.vetsprobono.org/
Visit Florida Travel Information for Veterans
https://www.visitflorida.com/military
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Veterans webpage
https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Veterans
VA Debt Management Center
https://www.va.gov/manage-va-debt/
Veterans’ Legal Resources
Military Pro Bono Project
https://www.militaryprobono.org/
Bay Area Legal Services
https://bals.org/
American Bar Association
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/committees/veterans-benefits-and-services/initiatives/
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_services/milvets/
Women Veterans
Homeless Women Veterans
http://www.va.gov/homeless/for_women_veterans.asp
VA Center for Women Veterans
http://www.va.gov/womenvet/
VA creates National Women Veterans Oncology System of Excellence in fight against breast cancer
https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5549
VA Hotline on Health Care and Benefits for Women Veterans
1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636)
Women Veterans Health Care
http://www.womenshealth.va.gov/
Other Departments and Agencies
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office of Servicemembers Affairs
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/practitioner-resources/servicemembers/
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Employment Opportunities
www.FDACS.gov
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Operation Outdoor Freedom
www.operationoutdoorfreedom.com
Florida Defense Alliance
https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/military-defense/florida-defense-alliance/
Florida Defense Support Task Force
https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/military-defense/florida-defense-support-task/
Florida Department of Military Affairs
Florida Veterans Foundation
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
www.va.gov
Veterans Florida
Other
National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs
MyFlorida.com
http://www.myflorida.com/
Returning Service Members
http://www.oefoif.va.gov/
Returning Service Members Mental Health Support
http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/returningservicevets.asp
Veterans & Mesothelioma
Hope for Healing Florida, mental health and substance abuse campaign
http://HopeforHealingFL.com
Florida Military License Plates
https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/personalized-specialty-license-plates/specialty-license-plates/
Mission: Heal Our Heroes is dedicated to supporting veterans by raising awareness and funds to combat PTSD and eradicate the staggering suicide epidemic.
Their mission is twofold: First – To provide private and confidential access to simple and effective resources to those troubled or suffering as a result of stressful or traumatic experiences while in the service of our nation. Second – To provide a forum whereby concerned and experienced professionals can share their expertise and experience. To promote better understanding of the needs of our Noble Warriors among our Military, Health Professionals and Government Leadership. By doing so we hope to improve mission readiness and to provide hope to the guardians of our nation.
| Save A Warrior is an original, Warrior-led, well-grounded and timeless journey for active duty military, returning veterans and first responders who feel desperately alone. Give us a week and you will change the way you see – and live – your life. They provide counseling services in the fields of mental health and wellness, suicide prevention and post-traumatic stress to veterans, military personnel, police, firefighters and other first responders. To expand on what it is that Save A Warrior offers is that they provide an alternative, warrior-led, holistic service that equips veterans, military personnel, police, firefighters and other first responders with a community of support and effective techniques to overcome the symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress and suicidal ideations. |
Not-for-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, spine and chronic pain, and other neuromuscular conditions.
| The We Honor Veterans program is provided at no cost to hospice organizations to care for and honor those who have served when they reach the end of life. |