Trump EO reinstates GI Bill benefits to Veterans discharged for refusing COVID vaccine
11/17/2025 10:20 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced that potentially thousands of Veterans who were discharged from service by the Biden Administration for refusing the COVID vaccine may regain eligibility for GI Bill education benefits.

In January, President Trump issued Executive Order 14184, Reinstating Service Members Discharged Under the Military’s COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate. Following that, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth directed the military departments to facilitate, among other things, discharge upgrades for individuals involuntarily separated solely for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine and whose service was characterized as less than fully honorable.

The Biden Administration separated more than 8,000 service members from the military because they had refused to comply with the Department of Defense (now Department of War) COVID vaccine mandate. More than half of these warriors received a discharge that was characterized as less than fully honorable, which may have made them ineligible for GI Bill education benefits.

Following Department of War reviews, 899 of these Veterans are now eligible for GI Bill education benefits, and thousands more could also regain GI Bill eligibility thanks to the executive order.

In September, VA sent letters to Veterans who have already received upgraded discharges to inform them of their potential eligibility for GI Bill education benefits. VA encourages all Veterans who were discharged from service for refusing the COVID vaccine to seek an upgraded status and apply for GI Bill benefits.

“The Biden Administration’s authoritarian COVID mandates upended the lives and livelihoods of thousands of service members and Veterans,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “We are proud to help implement President Trump’s executive order and make these Veterans whole again.”

“One of the most atrocious attacks on our military by the previous administration was the discharging and targeting of perfectly healthy warfighters who refused to take an experimental vaccine implemented by an illegal mandate. We must never let that happen again, and we must also right the wrongs of the past in order to restore trust. We at the Department of War and the VA are grateful for President Trump’s Executive Order reinstating GI Bill benefits for those veterans who were targeted for refusing the illegal COVID-19 vaccine mandate.” — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

What Veterans should know:

• Veterans who believe they were discharged inappropriately or believe their military personnel records still reflect an error or injustice (for example, separation under the COVID-19 mandate) may request review from a Discharge Review Board or Board for Correction of Military or Naval Records. For more information, visit the Military Department Review Boards website at https://www.milreviewbds.mil/.
• Once Veterans receive official notification that their discharge status has been upgraded to fully honorable, they can submit a new education benefits claim to VA.

For more information on VA education benefits, visit www.va.gov/education/ or call 800-GI-BILL.


Search FDVA
CLICK THE ABOVE LOGO TO SEARCH FDVA/NW REGION

The PACT Act and your VA Benefits

This new law expands and extends eligibility for care and benefits for Veterans and survivors related to toxic exposures.

https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/

 File a disability claim online

Learn how to submit your intent to file



GULF COUNTY SEMI-ANNUAL EVENT:   Coffee with a Vet



CLICK HERE to learn more about the VSAFE initiative and their goal to protect veterans from fraud.


National Call Center for Homeless Veterans Ad

Veterans' Service Office

This office was established by the County Commission as authorized by the Florida Senate in 1946. The County Service Office began operation on February 5, 1946.

Purpose of the Veterans' Service Office

The purpose of the office is to provide assistance to the veteran, his spouse and his family members in obtaining benefits through the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

MY MILITARY REWARDS
You served with honor
You earned your rewards

Simply go to the "App Store" or "Google Play Store" depending if you have an iphone or android phone and search "My Military Rewards" load it up and start enjoying the discounts that you earned. To date we have approximately 200,000 locations across the country waiting for you to visit. It cost absolutely nothing and is totally anonymous, we collect zero information when signing up. All we ask is that you pass the app. along to our fellow vets so that they to can enjoy. If you would like to visit our website, go to: www.mymilitaryrewards.com

From one Viet Nam vet to another vet thanks!


VA Dental Insurance Program

Available insurance coverage for veterans enrolled in VA Healthcare and CHAMPVA enrollees.


We want to provide a friendly reminder that Section 2004 of Public Law 116-315 which created the new VALife program also closed the Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) program to new enrollment as of December 31, 2022.

Insurance is no longer accepting applications for S-DVI or Supplemental S-DVI.

VALife has no time limit to apply for Veterans age 80 and under, and does not require any health questions or medical exams to apply.

Information about the VALife program can be found on our website at https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/valife/.

Veterans interested in applying for VALife can apply using the following link: https://insurance.va.gov/VALIFE


COVID19 Military Support
Careers for Returning Veterans
Veterans Home Buying Guide
Mesothelioma Veterans
Alcohol Rehab Help

Memorycare For Veterans
Veterans and Asbestos Exposure
Veterans and Mesothelioma
Medical Alert Systems Guide
VA Dental Options


Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What services are available?
A: Assistance in filing for VA benefits, i.e., pension, disability, application for home loan eligibilty, VA healthcare, replacement of medals, replacement of service documents, etc.

Q: Why do some veterans receive more disability than others?
A: Each veteran's case is different and the degree of disability even though similar, may vary.

Q: Can one receive disability from the VA and still work?
A: Yes, ability to work depends on the degree of the disability, but employment is not prohibited.

Q: Can one work and receive a VA pension?
A: The amount one receives in VA pension is directly related to total household income.

Q: If one has a disability from VA, can they use the facilities at military installations?
A: Yes, if the disability is 100% permanent and total. If the disability is less, the answer is no.

Q: Can one get medications from the VA?
A: Yes, application for enrollment must be made to the clinic of choice.

Q: My friend goes to Panama City VA Clinic. Can I?
A: Yes, if you make application and approved for enrollment.

Q: How much does it cost to go to the VA clinics?
A: Cost is determined based on a VA Means Test, but normally if one has insurance other than Medicare the VA will bill the company if you are over the income limit.

Q: Does everyone have to meet the VA Means Test?
A: No, veterans who are being treated for their service-connected disabilities do not fall under this requirement. It must be noted that treatment by such a veteran for a non-service connected condition would.

Q: Do we have to pay for medications received from the VA?
A: Yes, a co-payment of $8.00 for each 30 day supply of medications is currently in effect for non-service connected conditions. Payment is not required for medications to treat service connected conditions.

Q: Where is the closest VA hospital?
A: Lake City

Location and Hours of Operation:
Monday-Thursday 7:00-5:30 (EST)
County Administration Building
Room 311
(PLEASE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT)

PLEASE NOTE ALL CLIENTS MUST
HAVE AN APPOINTMENT IN
ORDER TO BE ASSISTED.

For other questions,

Contact Mr. James Kennedy
Veterans' Service Officer

OR

Contact Ms. Lynn Lanier
Veterans' Service Officer

(850) 229-6125
(850) 229-7180 FAX
If no answer, leave a message.
Email:  [email protected]

Other links:

Discounts Available for Veterans
https://news.va.gov

Veterans' Affairs
http://www.va.gov

Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs
http://www.floridavets.org

Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs Regional Office
http://www.benefits.va.gov/stpetersburg/

Military Veteran Loans
https://www.militaryvaloan.com

K2 Veterans Benefits