White House VA hotline offers services, emotional support to US veterans

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. (WJAC) — After its first year of operation, the White House VA hotline has answered the calls of nearly 130,000 veterans, who otherwise might be lost in a complex system.

With problems ranging from residential care and VA benefits to just having a listening ear, veterans across the country are able to call the fully staffed support center stationed in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, for aid, according to NBC.

The wait time: 20 seconds.

"They're in crisis," Rebecca Keough told NBC. "We want to be available when they contact us."

NBC reports the resource was a point of President Donald Trump's campaign for the presidential election. The hotline's pilot began in June 2017 and entered its second phase in October 2017, according to the Veterans Experience Office.

"Many of them are lonely or separated from their family," staff member Steven Wright told NBC. "When they call, they're just looking for someone to listen to (them)."

The call center is open seven days a week all year long. NBC said the center employees 56 staffers, many of them veterans or people who come from veteran families.

Veterans in need of assistance can call the White House VA hotline at 1-855-948-2311.

Veterans can visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs online or call one of the following service numbers:

• Health Care: 1-877-222-8387
• Benefits: 1-800-827-1000
• Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255
• MyVA311 (other): 1-844-698-2311