VA Provides Veterans Instant Access to Records with eBenefits during Detroit VA for Vets Hiring Fair

WASHINGTON (June 18, 2012) – Veterans needing important military documents for job applications will be able to instantly obtain them while at the Detroit VA for Vets Hiring Fair through the joint Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) online portal, eBenefits.

VA will have personnel available at the hiring fair to help Veterans and Servicemembers register for a free premium eBenefits account and print documents that often accompany a federal job application, such as military discharge records and VA-generated letters, like civil service preference letters.

“Having the correct documents in hand when applying for federal careers can be the difference between getting an offer and not getting an interview,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey. “eBenefits.gov ensures every Veteran and Servicemember has instant access to these important documents and can put their best foot forward.”

VA is hosting three major events at Detroit’s Cobo Center June 26-29: The VA for Vets Hiring Fair, the Veteran Open House, and the National Veterans Small Business Conference and Expo. The events are expected to attract thousands of Veterans, business owners and federal employees, with an economic impact estimated at $11 million for the city.

More than 22,000 federal, and private-sector job openings across the country will be available at the free Veteran Hiring Fair June 26-28. VA will bring together partners like the First Lady’s “Joining Forces” initiative and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with private sector companies, during the fair. Not only will the fair provide Veterans an opportunity to showcase their skills to potential employers, it will also assist Veterans with resume preparation, interview techniques and career coaching. VA hosted a similar event Jan. 18 in Washington, D.C., which attracted over 4,100 Veterans and resulted in over 2,600 on-the-spot interviews and more than 500 tentative job offers.

The open house gives Veterans and their families the chance to find out about the wide range of financial and health-care benefits, services and resources that are available from federal, state and community agencies. Veterans can conveniently enroll in VA care, sign up for eBenefits and MyHealtheVet, and get their questions answered face to face.

The National Veterans Small Business Conference and Expo is the premier government event for Veteran-owned businesses. Last year’s conference in New Orleans drew almost 5,000 attendees, and more than 6,000 participants are expected this year. VA will provide Veteran-owned and Service-Disabled Veteran-owned businesses with a wide range of information to help them maximize opportunities in the federal workplace.

Known historically as the world’s capital for the transportation industry, the Detroit metro area is reinventing itself with six booming industries: medical research, defense, entertainment, green tech, urban farming, and aeronautics. About 330,000 Veterans are served by the city’s VA medical center, and more than 704,000 Veterans live in Michigan.

VA invites all interested persons and businesses to attend. More information about the small business conference is available at www.nationalveteransconference.com. Information and registration for the hiring fair is available at www.VAforVets.VA.Gov/Detroit. The eBenefits portal is available at www.ebenefits.va.gov.