December 2022 Veterans' Resources Newsletter

Dear Neighbor,

As the holidays approach and December marches on, I wish everyone in Florida's Third a happy, healthy, joyous holiday season. Whether it's Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another holiday you and your family celebrate during this time, we're grateful for this amazing time with family, friends, and loved ones.  

This month, we're also celebrating the brand new presidential signature on the bill to rename the Middleburg VA Clinic after Andrew Kenneth Baker. You can read more about this monumental achievement below. 

As always, we welcome your feedback about what you read here, and if there are any events or announcements you’d like to see featured, reach out to us by clicking here. You can also check our website for new updates on our Veterans' Services tab. And as always, if you’re a veteran in FL-03 in need of assistance with any veterans-related issues, please call our Gainesville office at 352-505-0838.

With all that’s happening this Congress, it is my greatest honor to represent you and hear from you about the issues that matter most. You can stay up to date with us here, on our website, and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

In Liberty,

Congresswoman Kat Cammack
Proudly Serving Florida’s Third Congressional District
 

President Biden Signs Middleburg VA Clinic Renaming

The clinic's new name honors Antisubmarine Warfare Chief Andrew Kenneth Baker of Middleburg, Florida who was killed during a SEAL training event when the Trident 615, an H-60 Seahawk, crashed at sea on March 13, 1997. The formal name change for the clinic will take place in the new year in Middleburg. 

Chief Baker served on the USS Carl Vinson and USS Coral Sea as a Ship's Serviceman and completed training in Search and Rescue Swimmer School in Pensacola and Fleet Replacement Aircrewman training at NAS Jacksonville, earning his "Wings of Gold." Chief Baker then reported to HS-9, serving on the USS Nimitz, then in HS-3, assigned as the Training and Operations Chief.

2023 Veterans Disability Compensation Rates

If you are a veteran receiving VA compensation and you are rated at 30 percent or greater, you may be entitled to additional money. 

Use the VA compensation benefits rate table above to find your monthly payment amount. The VA bases your monthly payment amount on your disability rating and details about your dependent family members.

You can learn more about 2023 disability pay rates here or by clicking the button below.

VA Home Loans & Housing-Related Programs

The VA helps servicemembers, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners. As part of the VA's mission to serve you, it provides home loan guarantee benefits and other housing-related programs to help you buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for your own personal occupancy. VA Home Loans are provided by private lenders, such as banks and mortgage companies. The VA guarantees a portion of the loan, enabling the lender to provide you with more favorable terms.

You can learn more about VA home loans here.

Florida Operation Outdoor Freedom

Supported by Florida Department of Agriculture and led by the Florida Forest Service, Operation Outdoor Freedom provides recreational and rehabilitative opportunities to wounded veterans on state forests, agricultural lands and private lands throughout Florida at no cost. Since its inception in 2009, Operation Outdoor Freedom has hosted more than 500 events and served approximately 4,100 wounded veterans. 

You can learn more about Operation Outdoor Freedom here or by clicking the button below.

Business License Fee Waivers For Veterans

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation may waive the initial licensing fee, application fee, and unlicensed activity fee for military veterans and their spouses at the time of discharge who apply for a state professional license. The application must be submitted within 60 months after the veteran has been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Florida National Guard. The waiver does not include examination or other incidental fees. The law applies to new licenses for more than 20 professions under DBPR’s jurisdiction, including construction, real estate, certified public accountants and cosmetologists.

You can learn more about DBPR here, or call (850) 487-1395 for more information. 

New PACT Act Toxic Exposure Screening

One of the best ways to manage your health is to develop a long-term health care plan with your VA providers. VA’s new toxic exposure screening can help you plan for future concerns. If you’re enrolled in VA health care, you'll receive an initial screening and a follow-up screening at least once every 5 years. If you’re not enrolled but meet eligibility requirements, you’ll have an opportunity to enroll and receive the screening.

You can learn more about the new toxic exposure screening here or by clicking the button below.

Recognizing The Florida National Guard

The Florida National Guard traces its heritage back to 1565, the year the Spanish founders of St. Augustine organized their first company of citizen-soldiers. Florida’s militia has defended local communities for over 440 years.

Today, Florida Guardsmen are involved in hundreds of community service projects across the state each day. Many serve in disaster relief operations, helping residents recover from natural disasters. Others train or serve in critical national defense positions throughout the nation and overseas deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan supporting operations in the war on terrorism. 

You can learn more about the Florida National Guard and the ways they serve our local communities here or by clicking the button below.

Veterans' Services Tab On Rep. Cammack's Website

The Veterans' Services tab of Rep. Cammack's website has information on a wide variety of topics, including news from the VA, resources for veterans, and more. These pages are consistently updated so our FL-03 veterans have the most updated information. Additionally, should you need assistance with the VA, our team can help you by opening a case and contacting the VA on your behalf.