In order to benefit from Veterans benefits, you need to know what benefit is available and if you qualify. Why can it get so complex and confusing? Why does it seem there's a grey area of who a Veteran is, depending on benefit criteria? The reason is simple. Benefits were enacted at different times by Congress. Each time a new benefit was approved, it was accompanied by varying criteria, depending on the budget at the time, the successes of each side of the negotiation, and other random factors.

Throw it all into the mix of one title: Veterans Benefits. You'll soon see there are benefits in which one Veteran may qualify, and other benefits in which another Veteran does not. Then, one could take into consideration, that even though the government has decided to allow these entitlements, it does not mean they have to shout it from the rooftops. No one is going to go door to door making sure each Veteran has cashed in on every possible benefit option available. I mean, I could, but I'd have to start charging 20% off the top. Instead, civilians hire people like me, Rod Powers, to write books and web articles trying to explain the good, bad, and ugly, in order to help other fellow citizens succeed!

From experience, I can say, and I am sure others with considerable experience can agree, that the benefits for which one may qualify are not necessarily common knowledge. When one is discharged from the military, either retired or honorably discharged mostly, one of the meetings they attend is something like a discharge briefing.

During this meeting, the military member and their superiors and/or secretaries will go over the paperwork and entitled benefits. Trust me, folks, if the meeting covered every benefit everyone was truly entitled to, I would not have written my book, Veterans Benefits for Dummies!

But, let's not take away the credit our military so deserves. I have a friend, retired from the Coast Guard. He told me his superiors strongly suggested a class called TAPS (a class - not the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors). This class was not mandatory, but he decided to go. I can assume that the other services have an equivalent class. He claims it was invaluable. Going to the class in order to prepare for Veterans Benefit claims in the civilian world was to him the equivalent of attending an algebra review before "the big test;" those who did not go to the review, were lost during the test and received a low score or failed! My friend was able to receive the knowledge from our military superiors in order to succeed because he attended the "non-mandatory" class. They give pointers about the paperwork copies one needs before discharge and the preparations one needs with many programs. It is much easier to obtain paperwork while you are in. It is difficult, time consuming, and not guaranteed when you are out. My advice to you who are in or getting in - take the non-mandatory classes!

So the first step is accumulating a list of what you qualify for as a Veteran, depending on the qualification criteria. The next step, is applying for the benefit. Once again, every application is completely separate from the other. Sometimes you fill out your name, address, military information, and the check is in the mail! Other times you must supply paperwork that seems impossible to obtain, and you may even have to supply your best attempt at "supporting evidence."

The next hurdle of success, is realizing that the Veterans application approval process is not error-free. Often times, a denial is quite common, depending on the benefit claim. Let's just put it this way - - I have written many articles and a book on Veterans benefits, which are thrown into a cesspool of other similar book and article topics. Additionally, there are lawyers and Federal courts that do nothing else but appeal Veteran benefits claims! The magnitude of this "circle of life" is quite astounding. While some Veterans have had an easy experience obtaining their dues, others are truly ready to pull their hair out in frustration (if it's not already gone).

Remember, there are people and programs out there to help Veterans in many ways. If you are reading this article and already happen to be a Veteran and have missed the non-mandatory class, don't beat yourself up, but move forward. If you are still in, make sure to highlight the thought of a "TAPS" class in your head and go. Plan ahead. Get my book, "Veterans Benefits for Dummies." (Shameless plug) Research the paperwork you need for various programs starting, ending, or in the works and organize a file cabinet (either where you can or send it home). Preparation is key. Taking advantage of the programs that were put in place to benefit you and your family is a good idea. It was the reason the programs were started in the first place!