FRA Branch 273

Fargo Navy Ball Tickets are now on sale.
Join us in celebrating the 249th Navy Birthday

Fargo Navy Ball 2024 Join us in celebrating the 249th Navy Birthday hosted by the Naval Reserve Association Chapter 169.

Shipmates, this a fantastic organization planning a Fargo location. If you know of something drop a note.

FRA strongly supports the recommendations as a significant step forward in efforts to better the lives of military families.

The House Armed Services Committee (HASC), after debating numerous amendments, approved the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 57-1. The bill provides the following:

Authorizing annual pay increases of 19.5% for E-1 through E-4, 13% for E-5, and 4.5% for other active duty personnel.
Increasing Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to 100% of regional housing costs and expanding eligibility for the military’s Basic Allowance for Subsistence stipend.
Providing members of the Guard and Reserve access to the TRICARE dental program at no cost.
Increasing the threshold for the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) to 200% from 150% of federal poverty guidelines.
Enhancing funds for barracks renovations.
Not including the salary hike, the cost of the quality-of-life reforms totals about $4.2 billion, a significant increase in the bill’s cost. But HASC members said the moves are needed now to ensure that the services can keep pace with recruiting and retention goals.

Earlier, the FRA submitted a statement for the record in conjunction with the markup asking for, among other items, concurrent receipt reform, opposing the proposed CBO TRICARE fee increases, USFSPA reform, improving active duty pay and housing, and restoring BAH to 100%. The bill now goes to the House floor for further consideration. The Senate is expected to start marking up its version of the FY 2025 NDAA in June. Members can weigh in on these changes through the FRA Action Center at:

VotervoiceFullInfo FRA

UNACCEPTABLE.
IG Report: VA Improperly Awarded Incentives to Senior Executives
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report – with criminal referrals – stating that in 2023, the VA improperly awarded $10.8 million in bonuses intended for high-demand healthcare and benefits support staff vital to VA operations following the implementation of the PACT Act (Public Law 117-168). Instead, these bonuses went to senior executives at the VA central office. In September 2023, the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees sent a joint letter to Secretary McDonough on this issue, which can be found here.https://veterans.house.gov/uploadedfiles/2023-09-26_letter_to_mcdonough_re_csi.pdf

media.tenor.co

Come on out to Bonanzaville!

May 23rd, 2024
3-7pm
Free Admission
Thank you, Veterans.

Minot area Shipmates....

Bemidji area Shipmates this ones for you!

* Please note: this event is for Veterans and their Caregiver(s) only. *

Veterans and families, please join the VA Social Workers to learn
more about the types of Senior Housing available, how to identify when more assistance is needed, and how to prepare for these changes.

Other topics included:
• Resources for Aging in Place
• State Veterans Homes and eligibility
• Different Levels of Care
• VA programs
• Finding the appropriate facility
• Documents to have on hand

📅 Wednesday, June 5, 2024
⏰ 1:30pm - 3:30pm CST
📌 Bemidji VA Clinic
1217 Anne Street NW
Bemidji, MN 56601-5113

To register call or email Vickie Ness
701.239.3700 ext 3561 | [email protected]

Shipmates, the reviews are always positive for this event! Have any of you traveled out for it?

If you are looking for a fun, free night this summer, look no further. The Medora Musical is hosting their Veterans and Military Appreciation Day on July 14th. Tickets are free to both the 5:30 & 8:30pm shows and there will be a Fondue and Keg social from 6-8pm.

Attention Bismarck Shipmates.

* Please note: this event is for Veterans and their Caregiver(s) only.

Join the VA Social Workers to learn more about the types of Senior Housing available, how to identify when more assistance is needed and how to prepare for these changes.

Other topics included:
• Resources for Aging in Place
• State Veterans Homes and eligibility
• Different Levels of Care
• VA programs
• Finding the appropriate facility
• Documents to have on hand

📅 Wednesday, May 8, 2024
⏰ 1:30pm - 3:30pm CST
📌 Bismarck VA Clinic
2700 State Street, Gateway Mall, Suite F
Bismarck, ND 58503

To register call or email Vickie Ness
701.239.3700 ext 3561 | [email protected]

MINNESOTA RESIDENTS PAY ATTENTION!!

We hope its wind and rain free!

This Sunday! Get out and support the ND Veterans home.

Trained right here in North Dakota!

Service Dog Grant for ND Veterans with PTSD | ND Department of Veterans Affairs The Service Dog Grant for ND Veterans with PTSD page.

If your in the Bismarck area or visiting, Bobcat hockey is always a fun time. We didn't know of this very generous program they provide!

Don't give up Shipmates!

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plans to begin offering up to 40,000 veterans and troops who own a home and face foreclosure a VA-backed loan — a “last resort” refinancing tool to bring down their interest rates. The Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase program, which aims to help veterans, active-duty troops, and military spouses avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes, will become available on May 31. Under the terms of the program, the VA will agree to purchase VA-guaranteed home loans from commercial mortgage servicers, lower the interest rate to 2.5%, and then add the mortgage to VA’s own portfolio of direct loans. The average rate on a 30-year fixed loan is running close to 7% according to BankRate, a consumer financial services company that surveys major lenders weekly. The VA said home loan counselors will be available to work directly with eligible borrowers to adjust the terms of their loans. The refinancing option is designed as a money-saving plan for borrowers who have fallen behind on at least two monthly payments. Josh Jacobs, the VA’s undersecretary for benefits, stated that the VA Servicing Purchase program is for borrowers with VA-backed home loans in default who have exhausted other refinancing options with commercial lenders. The VA adopted a forbearance program after the coronavirus pandemic idled many businesses and caused thousands of veterans to lose income, according to the VA. The program allowed them to skip payments for six to 12 months. After the pause expired in 2022, many homeowners with VA-backed mortgages had to catch up on higher monthly payments. The VA estimated last fall that about 6,000 homes were in foreclosure, and 34,000 others were considered delinquent.

Veterans with questions about avoiding foreclosure can contact a VA loan technician by calling 877-827-3702.

Shipmates don't miss out on this!

tax.nd.gov/prc

Online threats contiue and are becoming more complex. Stay ahead of them if you can!

Protect your online information when using My HealtheVet and VA apps - VA News Learn how you can guard your VA online health information against scammers and online threats when using My HealtheVet or VA apps.

This is a benefit for many Shipmates. Not all are eligible. Check out the link to see if you are!

Space-A Travel for Military Families | Military OneSource Service members and their families can use Space-Available flights to travel around the country or world at little to no cost. Explore this benefit.

Is this a problem or a solution? No degree or GED but need a 50 or better on the ASVAB.

No Diploma? No problem! Navy Again Lowers Requirements as it Struggles to Meet Recruitment Goals The last time the service took individuals without education credentials was in 2000.