ISSUES ADDRESSED

The challenges faced by our service members, whether they are active duty, newly returned, or have been home for years, must be addressed. PROJECT: VetRelief is not a cure-all. We cannot eradicate war, cure diseases, or claim to have all the answers. However, our approach to addressing a service member’s needs during times of crisis, working to secure benefits to get them back on track, and providing a ready support system serves as a deterrent to the systemic issues our service men and women repeatedly face.

Emergency Situations

Nearly 1 million veterans ages 18 to 64 lived in poverty over the span of 12 months (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022)

On a single night in January 2023, there were over 35,000 homeless veterans in the United States (U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs)

Over 240,000 veterans were unemployed in 2023 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

How Emergency Assistance Helps

Sometimes, all that’s needed is a little help to climb out of a tough spot. Without that assistance, the situation can worsen. PROJECT: VetRelief, through Emergency Assistance and the support of fellow military members, ensures that an emergency doesn’t escalate into an insurmountable obstacle.

Issues with Benefits

60% of veterans surveyed stated they did not understand their general benefits (National Survey of Veterans, 2024)

40% of all veterans did not use a VA benefit or service in 2023 (U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs)

Only 510,000, of Florida’s 1.4 million veterans, are receiving service-related compensation or pension from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs)

How Benefits Support Helps

If you served your country, you are entitled to benefits. Unfortunately, many service members are unaware of the benefits available to them, encounter roadblocks in the filing process, or become so frustrated that they give up entirely. Let us help. Receiving the benefits you deserve can prevent an emergency situation or challenging life event from worsening.

Feelings of Isolation

Every 65 minutes, a veteran takes their own life. That’s 22 suicides a day. 8,030 a year. (U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs, 2013)

Major depression among veterans is five times higher than civilians (U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs, 2023)

Service members during a third or fourth tour are more than twice as likely as those on their first tour to meet screening criteria for acute stress, depression, or anxiety (Office of the Surgeon General, 2013)

How Community Support Helps

In the military, there was a clear chain of command: for problems, you approached your superior; if you were ill, you went to medical; and for pay issues, you visited administration. In civilian life, however, there is no such formal structure, which can make navigating everyday challenges feel difficult and isolating. Having a strong support system is crucial in counteracting this isolation and mitigating its potentially devastating effects.