Any Veteran with symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath should immediately contact their local VA facility. VA urges Veterans to call before visiting – you can find contact information for your closest VA facility.

Alternatively, Veterans can sign into MyHealtheVet to send a secure message to VA or use telehealth options to explain their condition and receive a prompt diagnosis.

Upon arriving at VA, all patients will be screened for flu-like symptoms before they enter in order to protect other patients and staff. A VA healthcare professional will assist you with next steps once this screening process is complete.

At this time, VA is urging all visitors who do not feel well to please postpone their visits to VA facilities.

Help is available for Veterans in crisis by calling the Veteran Crisis Line at 1 (800) 273-8255 and pressing 1, at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or by texting 838255.

Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent the COVID-19 infection and no medication to treat it. CDC believes symptoms appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. Avoid exposure and avoid exposing others to an infection with these simple steps.

• Learn to use VA Video Connect through the VA mobile app store or by contacting your VA care team, before any urgent problems arise.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to mark the time is to hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice while scrubbing.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick or becoming sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (not your hands) and throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Getting a flu shot is recommended.

The CARES Act, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020, has many provisions that will impact Veterans and expand access to care. For more information on how Veterans will be impacted by the CARES Act, click here.

More COVID-19 information for Veterans from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can be found here: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/

Economic Impact Payments

Veterans and their beneficiaries who receive Compensation and Pension (C&P) benefit payments from VA will receive a $1,200 Economic Impact Payment with no further action needed on their part. Timing on the payments is still being determined. 

The CARES Act provides eligible taxpayers with qualifying children under age 17 to receive an extra $500. For taxpayers who filed tax returns in 2018 or 2019, the child payments will be automatic.

However, many benefit recipients typically aren’t required to file tax returns. If they have children who qualify, an extra step is needed to add $500 per child onto their automatic payment of $1,200 if they didn’t file a tax return in 2018 or 2019.

For those who receive these benefits – including VA, Social Security retirement or disability benefits (SSDI), Railroad Retirement benefits or SSI – and have a qualifying child, they can quickly register by visiting “Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info” available only on IRS.gov.

By entering this information by Wednesday, April 22, benefit recipients can receive the $500 per dependent child payment automatically in addition to their $1,200 individual payment. Otherwise, their payment at this time will be $1,200. By law, the additional $500 per eligible child amount would be paid in association with a return filing for tax year 2020.  

Other resources

Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling) - https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/

** As we receive further information, we will continue to update this page.

Updated May 5, 2020