Posted on Nov 18, 2013
Is the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) a Scam or legit?
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I recently received a "welcome packet" in the mail from the DAV with my "Temporary Membership" card and a list of all the benefits they offer for a one time life time membership cost of $250 <br><br>I went through their list of "free benefits" which seems to be a joke in more than one way, and noticed that every single benefit is something that is already offered by the VA itself, or the Wounded Warriors Project, and a few other organizations for FREE (IE no membership costs)<br><br>It seems to be that the DAV is charging veterans for benefits they already can receive elsewhere for free.<br><br>Do any of you have any experience with this orginization?
Posted in these groups: 
Scam
Disabled Veterans
Scam Disabled Veterans
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 31
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DAV is as legit a veterans organization as they come. I am a life member myself. But what you need to remember is that one of the key functions many of these organizations provide is to lobby Congress for you so that you can receive the benefits you have earned. If you were awarded a disability by the VA, for example, as the budget problem worsens, many may propose cuts to VA benefits. If you don't think so, just wait a few years for when we are really broke. DAV will fight for you and for all benefits that go to disabled veterans. Unlike most organizations, they only offer a life membership, I believe, but it is a very reasonable price. I just paid my life membership to the American Legion and it was over $800. But I just hate being billed annually! I hope that helps.
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SPC Richard Lehmann
SP5 Joe Hyatt - That is absolutely NOT the case. DAV does not require membership to assist with claims. DAV offers claims assistance free of charge. If this message is incompatible with ANYTHING you've been told, call [login to see] Monday Through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT to speak to a Service Officer.
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PO1 Michael Tobin
My VFW annual dues were $40 or $375 lifetime based on my age. DAV is a flat $300 for anyone under the age of 80 or $10/month for 30 months if all $300 at once is too much, which it is for some. DAV had the same membership dues for nearly 2 decades only raising them in order to maintain programs and services at the local level; money paid out to local chapters in 2018 didn’t match dues coming in. In my opinion of the 2 VSO’s I belong to DAV definitely does more overall than the other, but both serve very critical roles for veterans and active duty service members alike. Most VSO groups are on the level and those that haven’t been or who stray too far from their primary mission are quickly called out by membership as well as by other VSO’s. Odd I came across this post the same day I received a postcard from my local chapter about upcoming elections.
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SPC Joe Sullivan
LTC no sir they are not since 2006 to 2/2022 they have done nothing for me. I had to go to a lawyer to get me from 30% to 70% because the DAV did nothing but talk crap
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Ed Tice
PO1 Michael Tobin - What does that have to do with claims? You are speaking of dues for an organization. It is what do they do with those dues that matter. Everyone in the C Suite at DAV make 6 figures or more. So, you know where some of your dues are going to. I guess LtCol Dave Jonas forgot to mention it. Research is key. The VA offers many of these same services for free. And staff at local VBA Regional Offices can assist in submitting benefit claims. You don't have to pay anything for Veteran services. You earned during your enlistment time. I can help with any research issue you may have.
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The DAV helped me with my disability paperwork. The fee, I believe would be to become a member. You do not need to become a member in order to get their help.
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SGT Chris Birkinbine
Thanks Maj for that info. That was not apparent from the paperwork that I received, and it is good to know.
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SP5 Dave Mihok
I am a Life member but lost my card, therefore my number. Is there anyway to retrieve same?
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SPC Joe Sullivan
I had the DAV help me to get a upgrade in my disability for since 2010 and they did nothing, and it's supposed to be free they drag their fee. I even called before all this covid i couldn't get a hold of anyone for three days when i did i was told if i lose the appeal i have to start like i just got out
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Thank you SGT for your service. Yes, the DAV is a very "legit" organization. I have never given them a dime, yet they have worked tirelessly on my VA claim for more than 5 years. Some of their people are paid, but a lot of them are volunteers, but almost all of them are brothers and sisters... Veterans just like you and I lending helping hands to improve the quality of life for other Veterans coming home.
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SSgt Kenneth Jones
The motto is Veterans helping veterans. I've been a Life Member for more than 30 years.
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