I want to share some information with everyone about some benefits I just found out about and some I've known about for a while.  I am going onto long-term disability, and I think that these benefits are going to save me from financial ruin.

I just found out that my life insurance and my vehicle loan agreement both have disability clauses!  This means that if I become disabled, they make my payments for me.  The life insurance company and State Farm (where I got my vehicle loan) are going to make my payments.  This is going to be such a huge help for me. 

My insurance agent actually told me about the benefit, called waiver of premium by his company.  After finding this out, I asked my State Farm agent about my loan and whether there was a disability clause.  He had never heard of such a thing and had to look it up.  Sure enough, there was a clause.  There is a 6 month waiting period for pre-existing conditions, so you can still get the benefit if your disability is not new.

I'm going to check today with my credit card company, home loan, student loan, every place I owe money.  I'll add to this post if I find any other benefits like this.

Now for some benefits I've known about for a while:

In the state of Indiana, there is a benefit (only for state residents) called Remission of Fees for the Child of a Disabled Veteran (CDV).  The CDV benefit pays for the number of college credits required for a bachelor's degree.  If you are the child of a vet who has a purple heart or a disability rating - with war-time service and honorable discharge -  they will pay your tuition at any state college.  There are no age or income requirements.  The complete info, including application, can be found at the Indiana state VA website: http://www.in.gov/icpr/webfile/formsdiv/20234.pdf

There is an Indiana state benefits brochure online at:

http://www.in.gov/dva/files/2009_IDVA_Benefit_Brochure.pdf 

I would bet that there are state benefits like this in most states.  Check with your state VA office or website.

As a disabled vet with war-time service and an honorable discharge, there are other benefits I'm eligible for, such as excise tax abatements for my house or car.  There are other state and federal benefits out there as well - some are through the state, the state VA, or the federal government.  There are Vocational Rehabilitation programs for schooling... a lot of stuff out there whether you are a veteran, the child or spouse of a veteran, or a civilian.

I know that many people out there, like me, are struggling financially due to circumstances surrounding their illnesses or injuries, and I hope that this helps you find some benefits or some kind of financial relief.

If you do find something that helps you out, please let me know.  I would love to hear from you.

If you know of any other benefits, please respond and let me (and everyone else) know.