If you're a military veteran, a surviving spouse or otherwise entitled to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, please use the links below to claim your hard-earned benefits. Even if you aren't in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, I'm happy to help you and honor your service and sacrifices.
Military Benefit Links
VA Benefit Links
Housing and Benefits-related Acronyms
Military Benefit Links
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Automated Housing Referral Network –
AHRN.com – helps service members locate available housing.
•
Rent-or-Buy Calculator at Realtor.com –
www.realtor.com/mortgage/tools/rent-or-buy-calculator - presents a graph that estimates the cost-benefit times required to sell or lease properties.
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Median single-family home prices in U.S. markets -
www.nar.realtor/topics/metropolitan-median-area-prices-and-affordability – NAR Research publishes annually.
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Military Pay Grades –
www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/payentitlements/Pay-Tables.html
•
Supplemental Income for Wartime Veterans –
www.benefits.va.gov/pension/vetpen.asp
•
Cost-of-living Adjustment (COLA) for Continental U.S. (CONUS) stations
www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/conusCalc.cfm
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Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates –
www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bahCalc.cfm
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Department of Defense (DOD) Customer Moving Portal –
Move.mil - Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moving information
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DOD Family Readiness System (FRS) –
www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/family-life/keeping-your-family-strong/family-readiness-system - support for military families through various programs, services, agencies and contacts.
•
Weight Estimator for Household Goods –
move.mil
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Kid Connect –
militarykidsconnect.dcoe.mil – military kids network for kids to connect with same-age kids on other bases.
•
Exceptional Family Members –
www.militaryonesource.mil/efmp - support and resources for families with special needs.
VA Benefit Links
•
Certificate of Eligibility (COE) –
www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits/portal - VA Form 26-1880
•
VA Entitlement –
www.ebenefits.va.gov – this is the fastest way to verify VA benefit eligibility and determine entitlement amounts.
•
VA Home Loan Prequalification Worksheet –
https://www.benefits.va.gov/ROROANOKE/rlc/formsrlc/prequal-04.xls - interactive form.
•
More VA assistance –
www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/contact - includes online chat options.
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VA Loan limits –
www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/purchaseco_loan_limits.asp - displays the maximum amount that can borrowed with $0 down payment. Buyers can borrow more with 25% of additional amount over the limit.
•
Dream Makers Grants for First-Time Home Buyers –
penfedfoundation.org/apply-for-assistance/dream-makers - Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation offer two-to-one matching grants up to $5,000 for down payments and closing costs. Buyer is not required to be a PenFed member and can apply from any financial institution.
•
Texas Veterans Land Board -
vlb.texas.gov - provides land purchase and improvement loans for Texas Veterans and select others.
• Minimum Property Requirements
- The VA has established
Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) to protect the interests of Veterans, lenders, servicers, and the VA. Properties must meet these requirements prior to a guaranty of the loan by the VA.
•
Lost or destroyed DD-214 –
www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records -, request a GSA Form SF-180 from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). It substitutes for the actual discharge papers.
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VA approved condominium list –
https://vip.vba.va.gov/portal/VBAH/VBAHome/condopudsearch - search the name of the condominium association (not management company) or city, state, county to see if the status is “Accepted Without Conditions.”
•
Adaptive Housing Grants –
www.va.gov/housing-assistance/disability-housing-grants - SAH/SHA Housing Adaptation Grants.
•
National Resource Directory –
www.nrd.gov – support for the housing needs of wounded warriors.
•
Lenders Handbook – VA Pamphlet 26-7 –
www.benefits.va.gov/warms/pam26_7.asp
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Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com
I’m an OPFOR Infantry veteran
from the Army’s National Training
Center. I understand your sacrifices.
I understand your code of honor.
|
Housing and Benefits-related Acronyms
AAFES – Army and Air Force Exchange Service
ACSIM – Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management
AFC – Army Family Covenant
AFSA – Air Force Service Agency
AHRN – Automated Housing Referral Network
AIP – Assignment Incentive Pay
BAH – Basic Allowance for Housing
BAS – Basic Allowance for Subsistence
BDU – Battle Dress Uniform
BEQ– Bachelor Enlisted Quarters
BX – Base Exchange (Air Force)
CAC – Common Access Card
CDC – Child Development Center
CO – Commanding Officer
COE – Certificate of Eligibility (VA finance benefits)
COLA – Cost-of-Living Adjustment
CONUS – Continental United States
DECA – Defense Commissary Agency
DEERS – Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
DITY – Do-It-Yourself Move
DLA – Dislocation Allowance
DD-214 – Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
DOD – Department of Defense
DS – Defense Personal Property System
ETS – Expiration of Term of Service
FRG – Family Readiness Group
HDP – Hardship Duty Pay
HDIP – Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay
HFP – Hostile Fire Pay
HHG – Household Goods
HQ – Headquartyers
IDP – Imminent Danger Pay
LES – Leave and Earnings Statement
MALT – Monthly Allowance in Lieu of Transportation
MCX – Marine Corps Exchange
MFH – Military Family Housing
MHPI – Military Housing Private Initiative
MOB – Mobilization
MPR – Minimum Property Requirements
MWR – Morale, Welfare, Recreation
NCO – Non-Commissioned Officer
NOV – Notice of Value
NPRC – National Personnel Records Center
OCONUS – Outside the Continental Unitied States (includes Alaska and Hawaii)
OPTEMPO – Operational Tempo or pace of deployment
OTH – Other Than Honorable Discharge
PAO – Public Affairs Office
PBP&E – Professional Books, Papers, and Equipment
PCS – Permanent Change of Station
POA – Power of Attorney
POV – Privately Owned Vehicle
PPM – Personally Procured Move
PPO – Personal Property Office
PX – Post Exchange (Army)
RAP – Relocation Assistance Program
ROTC – Reserve Officer Training Corps
SCRA – Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
S&I – Special and Incentive Pay
TDY – Temporary Duty
TLE – Temporary Living Expenses
TMO – Traffic Management Office
Transportation Management Office
TO – Transportation Office
Tricare – Military health insurance provider
VA – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
I successfully completed the required curriculum and was awarded the Military Relocation Professional (MRP) Certification by the National Association of REALTORS.
