Although women make up nearly 15 percent of today’s active duty military and 18 percent of National Guard and Reserve forces, lady veterans comprise only 6 percent of the total number of veterans currently seeking VA healthcare.
So, the VA launched a new hotline,
- 1-855-VA-WOMEN or
- 1-855-829-6636, to help respond to questions from women veterans, families and caregivers about the many VA services and resources available to women veterans.
Even though the number of women using VA healthcare has doubled over the past decade to more than 350,000, “Many women who served don’t self-identify as veterans and therefore don’t think they qualify for VA benefits,” said Irene Trowell-Harris, director of VA’s Center for Women Veterans. “We need to correct existing misinformation and misperceptions so we can serve more women veterans with the benefits they’ve earned.”
The new hotline joins numerous other VA hotlines that provide critical information and assistance to all veterans, such as those in crises or in danger of becoming homeless. Learn more at www.eBenefits.va.gov and MyHealtheVet.va.gov.
