Many former soldiers are finding it difficult to return to 9-to-5 America. The number of disabled vets from all wars deemed "unemployable" by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs tripled from 71,000 to 220,000 between 1996 and 2005. Unemployable vets receive about $2,393 a month, with the total cost of the program now $3.1 billion a year (up from $857 million in 1996). That staggering price tag doesn't include the bulk of recent vets from Iraq and Afghanistan who will enter the system over the next few decades.
Many of those now receiving benefits aren't able to work because of their disabilities, and a majority are over age 60. But some vets could and would work under the right circumstances. And, while it is easier than ever for disabled vets to go online and get information about receiving unemployment benefits, the options for those who want to get a job are more complicated.
The yearly cost of unemployment benefits for disabled military personnel has ballooned to $3 billion. Is the U.S. prepared for the oncoming wave of Iraq war vets?
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I recently watched a special on the news concerning veterans that were coming back from the Iraqi war and were waiting months; some years; to receive any word on the veteran benefits they should receive. For some of them, these evaluations were basically holding up progress in their lives because there were some who not only wanted to go to work but some really wanted to further their education. However, they couldn't afford to without some vocational assistance. They were counting on their veteran benefits providing some help. With no answer in site for when the Iraqi war is going to end, I think the U.S. is going to see an increase in the numbers of men and women looking for vocational education benefits from their service in the mililtary during wartime. And personally, I think the U.S. should do everything in its power to ensure these men and women receive what they are entitled to. We are probably not prepared to do as much as we should but we should most defitely do what we can. Something is always better than nothing at all.
True - every little bit helps... just seems really interesting to me how quick our nation is to run out and help other countries and not do even 1/2 as much for our own. I wish our Vets the best! Thanks N!