business plan help for veterans

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Why write a Business Plan?

A Business Plan is an essential written guide to starting and running your business successfully. Your Plan will encourage loans, promote growth, and provide a map for you to follow through the start-up and into the life of your successful business. VBOC counselors will assist you in writing your business plan from start to finish. Call us for details. Here are some valuable links that will offer you a free Business Plan template for your start-up business:

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Resources for Veteran-Owned Businesses

Written by Veteran.com Team

There are many resources for veteran-owned businesses. Your first thought about such resources may be to turn to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and there are plenty of options there. But don’t forget to check your other government and non-government help options.

There are many agencies dedicated to providing advice, training, support, and even financial help for vet-owned small businesses.

» MORE: Find Out What You Qualify For: Free Medical Evidence Evaluation for VA Disability

VA Resources For Veteran Businesses

Veterans who need to explore their VA resource options for vet-owned business will have to sift through some options aimed specifically at veterans who want to do contracting business with the government, versus VA assistance for starting a business that has nothing to do with federal procurement, contracting, or bidding jobs for government contracts.

If you fall into the category of veterans who want to do business with the federal government, it’s best to start your journey by exploring the Department Of Veterans Affairs official site for the Vets First Verification Program, which is designed to give veterans priority when vying for contracts with the Department of Defense or other government agencies.

Through Vets First, qualifying veterans can sign up for the program if their business meets all of the following criteria:

• 51% or more of the company to be registered is owned by a vet
• Veterans have “full control” over daily operations, management, and policy of the business
• The veteran has “appropriate managerial experience” to run the business
• A veteran is the highest-paid and most highly-placed person in the company

But this is not the only criteria. Vets First require applicants to meet the following guidelines to be considered a qualifying veteran:

• The veteran must have spent time serving on active duty with the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard “for any length of time”
• No dishonorable discharge
• Guard or Reserve members called to federal active duty
• Reservists and Guard members disabled from a disease or injury that started or got worse in the line of duty or while in training status

VA resources for veterans who need help starting their small businesses as opposed to getting into the federal contracting system are encouraged to explore their resources with the VA Veteran Entrepreneur Portal which offers a wealth of help and information.

There are links to funding resources (via the Small Business Administration ), and the VA Training & Employment page is also full of useful information and links. Those resources include mentoring options, networking, and training solutions.

» MORE: Get the VA Disability Rating You're Entitled To: Start with a Free Evaluation Today

Small Business Administration Resources for Veteran-Owned Businesses

Boots to Business and Boots to Business Reboot: These two Small Business Administration programs are designed to help vets, on and off-post, learn more about what they need to successfully plan and start a business.

Training includes steps for developing business concepts, creating and maintaining business plans, plus help with applying for the right SBA resources. Boots To Business is a program conducted at military bases, while Boots To Business Reboot is an off-post option.

Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) offers veterans “entrepreneurial development services” including training, counseling, and referrals. Transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business should explore their options with VBOC.

This program boasts more than 20 organizations partnering with the SBA to help veterans with Veterans Business Outreach Center services. Help available through VBOC includes business plan review, concept assessment, feasibility studies, and much more.

Veteran Owned Small Business Pilot Programs: SBA pilot programs include veteran-centric offerings like the Veteran-Owned Small Business Growth Training Program. Some of these programs are location-specific and may require in-person training. Others may permit you to take classes, seminars, or workshops online.

SBA’s Government Contracting Classroom includes business planning and development including how to locate funding, create a business plan, legal requirements and even opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

The Veterans Business Development Officers roster , hosted on the Small Business Administration official site, is a list of resources broken down by state. These officers work for the SBA Office of Veterans Business Development under the mission statement that includes efforts to make small business resources more available for veterans.

» MORE: Unlock Your VA Disability Benefits: Improve Your Rating

Other Veteran Business Resources

There are plenty of other government and non-government programs that can help veteran-owned businesses. Some are national programs, some are very localized, and some may offer options in-between.

For example, a state-run veteran business assistance program may or may not require the veteran to be a state resident or to be a state resident for a minimum amount of time.

Other programs, such as Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (WVISE), may offer assistance for those who qualify as long as they have the ability to attend workshops, classes, or other types of programs in-person.

The WVISE training program was created to help veterans and military families learn how to succeed at entrepreneurship and small business management funded with help from the SBA and various philanthropic agencies, this program is run on a local level by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University.

The program runs in three phases including a two-week online course, an in-person training event, and mentorship opportunities and operates in multiple locations.

Another good example of a program offered on the local level but one that could help a veteran willing to travel for the in-residence portion of the program is offered by the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship at the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University (OSU).

The Veterans Entrepreneurship Program at OSU is described as being “entirely free to the veteran” and the university pledges to “cover all costs (including travel, lodging, and meals)” for those accepted into the programs. For delegates accepted to the VEP. This program is hosted locally but is open to those who can commute to the program.

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Grants for Veterans: Empowering Veteran-Owned Small Business with Business Grants

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Empowering Veteran-Owned Small Businesses: The Guide to Grants for Veterans

Kristal Sepulveda, CPA

March 12, 2024

Imagine a garden where military veterans and their spouses plant seeds for their future. Just like a gardener needs tools and resources to grow a beautiful garden, veterans starting a business need support and guidance. The Small Business Administration (SBA) and programs like Boots to Business are like gardening kits, filled with everything from a business plan guide to tips on how to grow your business.

Whether it's a startup or an existing business that needs more sunshine to flourish, these resources are specially designed for veterans, including women veterans and their spouses. It's about turning the skills and discipline learned from boots on the ground into thriving businesses that reach for the sky.

Understanding Small Business Grants

Small business grants are helpful tools for those dreaming of starting their own business or wanting to grow an existing one. For veterans, these grants can be the key to turning a business idea into reality. Let’s explore how these grants work and how they can help veterans step into business ownership.

Types of Small Business Grants Available for Veterans

Many organizations and the Department of Veterans Affairs offer grants specifically designed for veterans, including service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and military spouses. These grants range from the Military Entrepreneur Challenge to the Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) program. Each grant focuses on business training, research and development, or specific business sectors. This means there are various opportunities depending on what your business may need or your background as a former military member.

How to Apply for Small Business Grants for Veterans

Applying for these grants usually involves a few steps. First, you'll need to have a clear business plan outlining your business and how you plan to use the grant money. Then, you can look for grant opportunities that match your business idea and goals. Websites of the Department of Veterans Affairs and other organizations offering veterans grants are good places to start. Remember, some grants may require you to participate in business training or to have a business mentor, especially if you’re looking to start a business for the first time.

Benefits of Small Business Grants for Veteran Entrepreneurs

Unlike loans, small business grants offer a significant advantage because they don't need to be paid back. This means you can focus more on growing your business than worrying about repayments. For veterans looking to start or grow their businesses, these grants can provide the necessary funding to cover startup costs, develop new products, or fund marketing campaigns. Additionally, being part of grant programs often gives access to a network of mentors and peers, which can be invaluable for new business owners navigating the challenges of business ownership.

In summary, small business grants for veterans offer a fantastic way to get business funding without the financial burden of a loan . Whether starting a new venture or expanding an existing one, these grants can help veterans bring their valuable skills to the civilian business world, providing both the means and support to succeed in business ownership.

Further Reading: Bookkeeping Basics You Should Know

Exploring Business Grant Programs for Veterans

Starting a small business can be a big adventure, especially for veterans transitioning to civilian life. Just like a compass can help you find your way in the woods, knowing about business grant programs can guide veterans toward successful business ownership. Let’s navigate through finding, applying for, and using business grants designed for veterans.

Finding Eligible Business Grant Programs for Veteran-Owned Businesses

For veterans dreaming of starting their own business or taking their current business to new heights, there are particular grants just for you. Whether you're a disabled veteran who owns a small business or a veteran farmer, many organizations want to help. The Veterans Business Outreach Center and resources for veteran entrepreneurs offer a free nav account to explore small business loans and SBA loan options. These resources are like a treasure map, showing where to find funding options to help get your business off the ground.

Key Steps in Successfully Securing a Business Grant

Securing a business grant is like preparing for a mission. First, you'll need a solid plan - this means submitting a business plan that outlines your business goals and how you intend to achieve them. Applying for grants requires patience and precision. You have to ensure every detail of your application is perfect, and you meet all the requirements. Organizations offering grants want to help veteran business owners find the support they need, so they often look for clear, well-thought-out plans that show their business can succeed.

Further Reading: How To Find The Right Bookkeeping Solution

Utilizing Business Grants for Growth and Development

Once you've secured a grant, it's like having the right tools for the job. Business grants can be used for various services such as business coaching, marketing , buying equipment, or even expanding your product line. They're designed to help veteran business owners start their business and keep it growing. Using these funds wisely can help lift your business to new heights, allowing you to achieve the success you've worked hard for and served to protect.

In summary, business grants for veterans offer a valuable resource for those looking to bring their business dreams to life. From exploring available grants and understanding how to apply them to use the funds for business growth effectively, these steps are crucial in navigating the entrepreneurship journey. With the right approach, veterans can turn their business ideas into reality, contributing their skills and leadership to the business world.

Navigating Business Loans for Veteran Entrepreneurs

Veteran entrepreneurs often need financial assistance to start or expand their businesses. Understanding the different loan options available is crucial for their success.

Comparing Business Loan Options for Veteran-Owned Businesses

Veterans have access to various loan options specifically tailored to their needs. These loans can provide the funding necessary to kickstart or grow their businesses. By comparing different loan programs, veterans can find the one that best suits their business goals and financial situation.

Understanding the Application Process for Business Loans

The application process for business loans can seem daunting, but veterans need to understand each step. From gathering necessary documents to proving veteran status, knowing what's required can streamline the process and increase the chances of approval. Programs like those offered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) provide guidance and support throughout the application process.

Maximizing Business Loans for Veteran Business Growth

Once approved for a business loan, veterans must use the funds wisely to maximize business growth. Whether investing in equipment, hiring additional staff, or expanding marketing efforts, veterans should strategically allocate the funds to achieve their business objectives. By making smart decisions, veterans can leverage business loans to propel their ventures to new heights.

In summary, for military veterans and spouses seeking financial support to start or expand their businesses, understanding the various loan options, navigating the application process, and maximizing the use of funds are essential steps toward entrepreneurial success.

Further Reading: Making Sense Of Loan Principal And Interest In Mortgages

Resources and Support for Veteran Small Business Owners

Veterans who own or want to start their own small businesses have access to various resources and support systems tailored to their needs.

Accessing Training Programs for Veteran Entrepreneurs

Veterans can enroll in education and training programs designed to help them develop the skills necessary to run a successful business. These programs, often offered by organizations like the Small Business Administration (SBA), provide valuable insights into business plan preparation, growing a business, and accessing the funding needed to thrive.

Utilizing Business Development Resources

Numerous online small business development resources are available to veterans, including grants, loans, and certification programs. These resources guide everything from refining business strategies to accessing financial assistance. Additionally, organizations like Texas Woman’s University offer specialized support that helps women veterans navigate the unique challenges of entrepreneurship.

Exploring Certification and Funding Opportunities for Veteran Businesses

Veterans looking to expand their businesses can explore certification programs for veteran-owned businesses. These certifications provide credibility and unlock access to funding opportunities tailored to veteran entrepreneurs. By presenting their business as service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, veterans may qualify for many grants and loans explicitly reserved for them. Additionally, former military and national security leaders can offer valuable mentorship and networking opportunities through programs like those offered by the SBA.

In conclusion, for veterans and military spouses looking to start or grow a business, a wealth of support is available, including tailored education and training programs , business development resources, and certification and funding opportunities specifically designed to meet their needs.

Key Takeaways:

• Veterans : People who served in the military, working to protect their country. After they serve, they are called veterans.
• Veteran-Owned Business : A business that a veteran mainly owns. It's like if a superhero started their store or company after saving the world.
• Funding : This is money given to help with a project or a business. It's like getting allowance money for your business to use on things it needs.
• Business Loans : These are like borrowing money you must repay later, usually with extra interest. Loans are another way to get money for your business besides grants.
• Training Program : Special classes that teach veterans how to start and run their businesses. It’s like going to superhero school to learn new business skills.
• Veteran Business Grants : Specific money gifts are available only to veterans for their businesses. It's a special reward for superheroes who want to become business owners.

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This Bank Is Stepping Up to Help VA-Owned Small Businesses

S tarting a small business is no easy feat. You need a great idea, a well-thought-out plan, and the right team to get your venture off the ground. And once you've done that, you need to keep the momentum going.

But at the core of many businesses is funding. And that could prove to be the most challenging piece of the puzzle. However, if you're a former military member, you may be in luck. Bank of America is on a mission to provide funding to small businesses. And it may be a resource to turn to for your new venture.

Helping veterans succeed

The Veteran Loan Fund is an online platform whose aim is to connect military veterans with mission-focused business lenders and education partners. So far, the initiative has funded more than 500 small businesses founded by veterans, resulting in the creation or retention of over 3,000 jobs.

The goal is to grow the Veteran Loan Fund to $100 million across the nation by 2027. The fund's first $15 million round, which was given out in under 12 months, was made possible by a $5 million commitment of long-term, below-market-rate lending capital from Bank of America in 2021, coupled with support from other major institutions. The next round will have Bank of America supplying $10 million in new support.

How to get funding for your VA-owned small business

To qualify for funding via the Veteran Loan Fund, you need to meet these criteria:

• Be someone who's served in the U.S. armed forces or the spouse of someone in that category
• Have a U.S. business
• Have equity invested in your business

From there, you can complete an online assessment to see if you qualify for aid.

If you're not eligible for aid via this specific source, worry not -- you may have other options. For one thing, you can try seeking funding from a community bank or credit union. You can also seek to borrow against your home equity for funding, or even look to a personal loan.

More resources for former military members

If you're a former military member who's looking to start a business, or a current veteran business owner, you should know that there's a world of support out there outside of funding. For one thing, the Small Business Administration offers training programs for veterans. And within the veterans category, there are different subsets, like women veterans and service-disabled veterans.

Also, the federal government awards a portion of its contract dollars to veteran-owned businesses. You may be eligible to secure one of these contracts, which could be a huge source of revenue. You can also go here to learn more about available business counseling in your area.

It's great to see a huge player in the banking industry like Bank of America step up to help veteran-owned businesses succeed. But the truth is, many banks are committed to helping VA-owned businesses and small businesses in general. Don't hesitate to explore the different resources available to you.

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• Succession Planning Tips for Veteran-Owned Businesses

“Vets to Ventures” features legal topics for service members transitioning to the private sector. In the fifth article of our monthly series, Adams and Reese attorneys Sean Buckley and Carter Pope address the critical nature of succession planning for businesses with specialized federal certification.

Succession planning is critical to all businesses to ensure smooth and continuous operations after important people move on to new opportunities, retire, or pass away.

A succession plan or continuity plan, in the case of a veteran-owned business that carries a special certification, license, or designation, such as SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business) or VOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business), is particularly critical because there are specific guidelines for continued business operations.

In today’s uncertain business climate, banks, lenders, insurance brokers, and bonding companies are becoming increasingly concerned with succession planning and have asked clients to prepare and provide continuity plans. Such is the case of a recent client when a bonding company was concerned that the business lacked the proper continuity plan and thus could lose its certification in the event of the owner’s death or incapacity.

Requirements for Veteran Owners to Qualify for Specialized Federal Certification

Both SDVOSBs and VOSBs are certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration , and there are several eligibility requirements that veteran-owned businesses must qualify for to earn these specialized designations.

For example, the business must be at least 51% owned by a Veteran or Service-Disabled Veteran (“SDV”); the daily business operations must be controlled by one or more veterans or service-disabled veterans; and qualify as a small business according to the SBA’s size standards.

The term “veteran” means an individual who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. The term “service-connected” means, with respect to disability or death, that such disability was incurred or aggravated, or that the death resulted from a disability incurred or aggravated, in line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service.

A veteran with a disability rating, from 0 to 100%, is eligible to self-represent as a service-disabled veteran for federal contracting purposes. If veterans qualify for and are eligible for SDVOSB or VOSB status, the certification is attractive to veteran entrepreneurs because of the advantages within government contracting opportunities.

The federal government aims to award certain percentages of all federal contracting dollars to SDVOSBs and VOSBs each year. As a result, competition is limited for certain federal contract opportunities to businesses that participate in these specially designated programs. The SBA offers resources specifically for SDVOSBs and VOSBs, including training, counseling, mentoring, and assistance with special loan programs. Many large companies and organizations also look to do business with companies of federal veteran certifications and designations.

Succession Planning Critical to Specialized Federal Certification Renewal

SDVOSB and VOSB certifications are valid for three (3) years, and then the certification must be renewed. Owners are required to notify the Center for Verification (“CVE”), established by the Department of Veterans Affairs, within 30 days of a “material change” in eligibility, such as change of business structure, addition or removal of board members, amendments to organization documents, or ownership change.

The VA is not the only entity interested in understanding the continued business operations of a VOSB or SDVOSB in the event of a “material change,” as financial institutions can also ask if successors possess the business knowledge or acumen to make the necessary and time-sensitive business decisions in the event of the death or incapacity of an owner or manager.

Can the lack of a succession plan result in the business ceasing operations? Unfortunately, yes.

The management structure of each company should consider and determine whether its governing documents (i.e. bylaws, operating agreement, etc.) allow for a transition of managerial power. If not, the company should consider amendments to its governing documents, or resolutions, implementing a transition and continuity plan to ensure that death or incapacity of an officer or director does not leave a gap in the company’s decision-making capabilities.  

In the event of the owner’s death or incapacity, the business would likely no longer be owned and controlled by a qualifying service-disabled veteran, requiring CVE notification. As a result, the business may lose its certification. While this alone may not require the business to cease operations, it can prevent the business from acquiring new SDVOSB or VOSB set-aside contracts or extending its current contracts. ( 38 C.F.R. § 74.3 ).

Failing to comply with SDVOSB or VOSB certification requirements, including timely notification of a material change, gives rise to severe penalties, including suspension and debarment, preventing it from applying for government contracts.

There may be exceptions which allow the business certification to “pass” to other persons, but these exceptions are based on specific factors which may impact each SDV’s business differently and should be carefully considered as part of a comprehensive succession plan. Alternatively, the business may continue to operate without certification, or may consider taking steps to apply for recertification. These options should be considered as part of a comprehensive succession plan.

Why Should a Business Execute Succession Planning?

Just like it is never too early to prepare a will, it is never too early as an owner to have a business continuity strategy. It should be top of mind for any company, and an owner cannot just assume that the business passes onto family upon death or incapacity.

The advantages of succession planning include:

• Smooth transitions: Provides smooth handover of leadership when the owner or a key employee retires, becomes incapacitated, or leaves the company unexpectedly. Without a plan, the business can be thrown into disarray.
• Preserving business value: Safeguards company's value, identifying and grooming successors, minimizing disruption, and maintaining customer and investor confidence.
• Motivating workforce: Demonstrates company’s commitment and employee growth.
• Preparing for the unexpected: Helps the business navigate unforeseen circumstances, ensuring its continued operation and growth even if a key leader departs unexpectedly.
• Knowledge Transfer: Facilitates the transfer of institutional knowledge and skills from outgoing leaders to their successors. This ensures critical business practices and customer relationships are maintained.

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Investigations

The va has its fix for a home loan debacle, but many vets who got hurt won't get help.

Chris Arnold

Quil Lawrence

Edmund Garcia, an Iraq War veteran, stands outside his home in Rosharon, Texas. Like many vets, he was told if he took a mortgage forbearance, his monthly payments wouldn't go up afterward. Joseph Bui for NPR hide caption

Edmund Garcia, an Iraq War veteran, stands outside his home in Rosharon, Texas. Like many vets, he was told if he took a mortgage forbearance, his monthly payments wouldn't go up afterward.

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced a long-awaited new program on Wednesday to help thousands of veterans who were left on the verge of losing their homes after a pandemic aid effort went awry.

But it appears that many who were harmed financially won't qualify to get this new help.

"The purpose of this program is to assist the more than 40,000 veterans who are at the highest risk of foreclosure," Josh Jacobs, VA undersecretary for benefits, said at a media roundtable introducing the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase program, or "VASP."

What senior VA officials failed to say on their call with reporters is that the VA put veterans in that tough spot in the first place. In 2022, the VA abruptly ended part of its COVID mortgage forbearance program while tens of thousands of vets were still in the middle of it — trapping them with no affordable way to get current on their loans.

VASP is supposed to fix that problem, by allowing the VA to offer these homeowners loan modifications with interest rates that are well below the market rates on regular mortgages. The VA will own mortgages itself and will offer vets who qualify a modified home loan with a 2.5% interest rate.

But not everybody who got hurt is going to qualify. Most vets who have already ended up in much more costly modified loans won't get the help.

The VA forbearance fiasco

In November, the VA halted foreclosures for all homeowners with loans backed by the VA after an NPR investigation revealed that the agency had left thousands of vets facing foreclosure through no fault of their own.

COVID mortgage forbearance programs were set up by Congress during the pandemic to help people with federally backed loans by giving them an affordable way to skip mortgage payments and then get current on their loans again.

Thousands of veterans face foreclosure and it's not their fault. The VA could help

But in late 2022, the VA abruptly ended its Partial Claim Payment (PCP) program, which had allowed a homeowner at the end of a forbearance to move the missed payments to the back of the loan term and keep the interest rate on their original mortgage.

That effectively turned a well-intentioned program into a bait-and-switch trap. Veterans say they were told before they took a forbearance that their regular monthly mortgage payments wouldn't increase and their missed payments could be moved to the back of their loan term. But after the VA scrapped the PCP program, vets were told they needed to come up with all the missed payments at once.

"Almost $23,000? How am I gonna come up with that?" Edmund Garcia asked earlier this year in an interview with NPR . Garcia is a combat veteran who served in Iraq. He bought a house in Rosharon, Texas, with a VA home loan. After his wife lost her job during the pandemic, his mortgage company offered him a forbearance.

Edmund Garcia holds a photo of himself in 2000 as a specialist in charge of handling ammunition and supplies while he was in the Army. Joseph Bui for NPR hide caption

Edmund Garcia holds a photo of himself in 2000 as a specialist in charge of handling ammunition and supplies while he was in the Army.

The VA had other loan modification options, but those essentially required a new mortgage with a new interest rate, and rates were rising sharply — from around 3% up to around 7%.

Garcia was told that if he couldn't pay back all the missed payments at once, he would have to accept a loan modification that would result in much bigger monthly bills. His old mortgage rate was 2.4%; the offer would increase that to 7.1% with payments $700 a month higher. Alternatively, he could get foreclosed on.

"I deal with PTSD, I deal with anxiety, and, you know, my heart is beating through my chest when I was having this conversation," he told NPR. "My daughter ... she's asking, 'Dad, are you OK?' "

Now it appears that any veterans who succumbed to that pressure and accepted these higher-cost loan modifications will not be able to get help through the VA's new rescue plan.

Vets pushed into high-cost loans won't get help

"If you are not in default, this program is not for you," John Bell, the director of the VA home loan program, told NPR at a press call this week. "And you have to be in default a certain amount of time."

In other words, veterans who have been making payments on these higher-cost loans are not eligible. And it's looking like that will exclude a lot of people.

Data obtained by NPR suggests that thousands of veterans ended up in modified loans with significantly higher interest rates following a mortgage forbearance.

The fine print to the VA's new program also says that if a loan was modified, the borrower has to have made payments for at least six months, and then be in default for at least three months, to be eligible.

That doesn't seem like the right approach to some policy experts.

"We definitely don't think borrowers should have to pay six months on a bad, unaffordable modification," said Steve Sharpe with the nonprofit National Consumer Law Center.

Also, the rules mean that if a veteran tried to pay a more costly loan modification for a few months, then defaulted and couldn't afford it, they wouldn't qualify.

"If they fail on an unaffordable modification, they should be able to access VASP," Sharpe said.

He thinks the VA should extend the foreclosure moratorium on VA loans, which is set to expire at the end of May, both to give the VA time to consider fixing such issues and to give mortgage companies time to gear up and reach out to homeowners.

Lawmakers move to help veterans at risk of losing their homes

Are you a homeowner who has run into problems on a COVID mortgage forbearance?

Still, Sharpe said, for those who do qualify, the VASP rescue plan should be a big help.

"It is great news that VASP has been released," he said. "It is sorely needed because people have lacked a reasonable foreclosure alternative for a long time. ... It's exciting."

VA Undersecretary Jacobs told reporters that a key difference with the new program is that the VA will hold the loans itself, rather than simply guarantee loans that are owned by investors. That's what will allow the VA to set whatever mortgage rate it wants.

"These borrowers will have a consistent, affordable payment for the remainder of their loan at a fixed 2.5% interest rate," Jacobs said.

Back in Rosharon, Texas, Edmund Garcia is wondering what happens next.

Edmund Garcia stands with his wife, Iris Garcia, inside their home, where they live with their four daughters. Iris lost her job during the pandemic and their mortgage company offered them a forbearance. Joseph Bui for NPR hide caption

Edmund Garcia stands with his wife, Iris Garcia, inside their home, where they live with their four daughters. Iris lost her job during the pandemic and their mortgage company offered them a forbearance.

"I was a little shocked to hear that I would have to qualify for this program," Garcia told NPR this week.

The VA says borrowers should work with their mortgage company and contact a VA loan technician if they need help.

In Garcia's case, he actually never accepted that more-costly loan modification. And it appears from a review of the rules that he should qualify for VASP. But there's a catch. Under the rules, he'll probably be put into a 40-year mortgage. That could end up happening to a lot of other veterans too.

"At the end I'll be 82," Garcia says. But he would still be very happy to get the help.

"This would be a huge relief for my family," Garcia says. "And it feels like it's within arm's grasp."

NPR Senior Producer Robert Benincasa contributed to this story.

• COVID mortgage forbearance
• mortgage forbearance
• VA mortgage
• VA home loan
• forbearance

American sniper in Ukraine says he couldn't care less about expensive weapons like tanks. 'Give me artillery' and ammo, he says.

• Ukraine needs artillery and ammunition rather than tanks, a US veteran there said.
• He said Ukraine had been rationing supplies and not hitting targets.
• While vehicles are "important," shortages mean Ukraine needs what can keep soldiers alive now.

An American veteran fighting in Ukraine said soldiers were desperate for artillery and ammunition. He doesn't care about getting more expensive equipment like tanks right now because that isn't what they need most, he added.

Jonathan Poquette told Business Insider that Ukraine's ammunition shortages meant its soldiers had to become much pickier about which targets to hit, even sometimes not engaging groups of advancing Russians that they would have hit earlier in Russia's invasion .

And as he watches Ukraine's allies debate what further aid to give the country, he has a clear plea.

"With the West, you see so much stuff about, 'Oh yeah, they're donating these vehicles, these vehicles, these vehicles,'" he said. "And it's like, bro, I don't give a fuck about the vehicles, to a certain extent.

"Give me bullets. Give me mortars. Give me artillery. Give me things that'll allow the individual soldiers to fight and kill the Russians."

Poquette is a sniper with Chosen Company — an international force within the Ukrainian army's 59th Motorized Brigade that's officially designated as a recon unit but often used more for frontline assaults and defensive missions — and has been recovering from an injury in Kyiv since the end of January.

He said that long-running shortages of weaponry and equipment meant the weapons that could keep soldiers alive and stop Russia from taking territory were needed more urgently than anything that could help longer-term planning or aid long-distance attacks.

He said that while expensive vehicles like tanks "do matter, I think it overshadows the complete picture."

What matters right now is "ammunition, grenades, claymores, or other types of mines, rockets, various different rocket systems," he added.

"What can one tank do?" he asked rhetorically, saying: "Not as much as 50,000 artillery shells, 5,000 mortar shells."

Not enough ammunition

With enough ammunition, he said, "we could literally just smash them to pieces" when Russia sends waves of men.

But, he added, there simply is not enough. He said that when turning over a position to another group, the soldiers taking over from him would ask for his ammunition and grenades.

"That's how desperate it was getting, to where literally just before we leave, we're taking all our magazines and out all the bullets and then putting empty magazines back in our kit and then taking all our grenades, and it's like, 'Here, you guys need it.'"

Ukraine has received tanks and armored vehicles from allies, but they arrived after long debates over whether to send them. Many war analysts have said the delay meant Russia had more time to prepare for their arrival, making them less effective for Ukraine.

Artillery and ammunition have had a much more decisive impact on the battlefield.

Insufficient help from allies

Ukraine is suffering from critical shortages as House Republicans in the US stall $60 billion worth of further aid to Ukraine . That package includes nearly $14 billion for Ukraine to purchase weapons and munitions.

And while help from European nations continues, many say they don't have enough equipment in their arsenals to remedy Ukraine's dearth.

Germany announced this week that it would give Ukraine 10,000 artillery rounds in the coming days, but that's a tiny amount of what Ukraine needs: Conflict analysts said last month that Ukraine "needs around 75,000-90,000 artillery shells per month to sustain the war defensively, and more than double that — 200,000-250,000 — for a major offensive."

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Some wider plans are also underway, including a Czech Republic-led plan to source ammunition from outside the European Union, which sources told The Guardian would start delivering shells to Ukraine before June.

But the effect of the shortages, Poquette said, is that soldiers are rationing their ammunition.

Ukraine has to pass on some targets

He said they stopped firing on small groups of advancing Russian soldiers like they would have earlier in the conflict.

"It started getting to the point to where if the group was small enough that was assaulting, then the Ukrainians would evaluate it and be like, 'Well, it's only two or three guys, maybe four. Is that really worth an artillery round or a mortar round?'" he said.

Instead, they would consider whether the infantry could take them on. That strategy puts greater risks on Ukraine's soldiers.

He said his unit had to become far choosier when it came to hitting targets with US-provided HIMARS , a game-changing weapon when it first arrived in Ukraine .

Ukraine would be in "a much better place" if it weren't dealing with the shortages, he said.

He said the US was "somewhat responsible for our lack of ability to hold ground," though he added that he thought some poor Ukrainian tactics and actions had at times hampered its progress.

And the problem is widely known: European officials have spent months acknowledging the continent's insufficient ammunition production . The European Commission earlier this month announced $540 million to fast-track arms manufacturing, including artillery ammunition.

Can't plan for the future

Poquette said the issue with Western aid was that it came in "tidbits," with long debates before certain equipment got sent and different levels of support arriving in different packages.

He asked "how much more would we have been able to achieve" in the summer 2022 offensive in which Ukraine was successful at taking back swathes of territory before it was "stalled" because of a lack of equipment?

He said: "It feels like everything that we've been getting has been either too late or it's just enough to barely hold on to where it feels like whenever they donate things, it's kind of just enough to keep Ukraine standing but without thought of the long term."

That means Ukraine's soldiers often have to plan for survival, rather than long-term success. That's where they're at right now.

He described Ukraine as trapped in a cycle of not getting enough Western help to plan for when new aid arrived: "These rounds are going to be good for two months, but what about five months from now and then five months later goes by and it's just right back to the same thing. Well, we're short again on rounds."

It is an issue many in the West point to, including the prime minister of the Ukrainian partner Lithuania, who told BI last month it was "so sad" to watch the same scenario repeatedly play out.

This includes, she said, when Ukraine's allies say they will not give it an advanced type of weaponry it's asking for, afraid of provoking Russia, only to do so months later, when many Ukrainians have died and the weapon may not be as relevant anymore.

Poquette's concerns about ammunition echo the deep problems Ukraine is facing.

Ukraine pulled out of the town of Avdiivka in February, giving Russia its first major victory in months. The White House said it was because Ukraine's soldiers had to ration ammunition "due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction."

In January, Ukraine's defense minister said his forces could fire only one-third of what Russia could fire every day.

Ukraine has been increasing its own weapons manufacturing, but Russia has, too . Experts say Russia has a lot of personnel, materiel, and industrial advantages here, with a much-larger population and far more resources .

Watch: What's next for the war in Ukraine?

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