In this time of economic uncertainty, especially with home mortgage loans, more service members and veterans are using their Department of Veterans Affairs’ home loan guaranty benefit, a strong option in today’s housing market.

VA is experiencing a significant increase in home loan volume, with more than 162,000 provided this year, an increase of more than 31 percent over the same period last year. VA attributes the increase to the favorable terms traditionally offered with VA loans and the elimination of many no-down-payment products in the conventional mortgage market.

Under recently enacted legislation, VA uses a locality-based approach in determining ceilings on its no-down-payment home loans which are available for as much as $729,000. Larger VA loans may be obtained with relatively small down payments.

Focus in recent years on improvements in information technology has helped streamline the loan process and has made the program more accessible.

Lenders can access the program’s Web portal to use VA’s online Automated Certificate of Eligibility (ACE) system and obtain the certificate. VA lenders have the authority to process and approve veterans’ loan applications. Lenders can order appraisals online, review and determine the appraised value of the property, electronically submit the information VA needs to process a loan guaranty and then receive the guaranty electronically within 24 hours.

For more information about the VA Loan Guaranty Program, call VA at (877) 827-3702 or go to www.homeloans.va.gov. Also, local agent and loan consultant John Penziner, with the A & B Financial Group, can answer questions on this program and do a quick, no-cost eligibility analysis; you can call him at (401) 349-5700, ext. 716, or e-mail him at jpenziner@abfinancialgroup.com.

Briefing on new GI Bill

Highlights of the new G.I. Bill recently signed by President Bush will be given at a news conference scheduled for 10:30 a.m. next Monday in the Paff Auditorium of the University of Rhode Island’s CCE campus, in the former Shepard’s building at 80 Washington St. in downtown Providence.

Sen. Jack Reed, Higher Education Commissioner Jack Warner, and the presidents of the three state colleges will explain many of the provisions of the new education assistance program at the public event.

Flu vaccinations

The Veterans Affairs Medical Center at 830 Chalkstone Ave. in Providence will hold influenza and pneumovax inoculation clinics through December for enrolled veterans already under the center’s care. The first one will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Continuity Clinic (the old FIRM 2) waiting area.

The other clinics will be held Nov. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Nov. 7, from 1 to 5 p.m.; Nov. 21, from 8 a.m. to noon, and Dec. 12, also from 8 a.m. to noon. No appointment is needed.

Armory ‘showcase’ event

The Westerly Armory next Sunday afternoon will honor those who donated window restorations in the building. There will be a public speaking program at 3 p.m. and tours.

Each donor is recognized with a mahogany plaque bearing a brass plate and inscription near the window. More donations are welcome. Call the Armory at (401) 596-8554.

•Eighth Air Force

The Rhode Island chapter meets at 11 this morning at Bickford’s restaurant, 1802 Post Rd., Warwick.

•Disabled Veterans

Lawson-Raiola Chapter 15 will meet tomorrow at 2 p.m., in the north building of the Rhode Island Veterans Home, Metacom Avenue., Bristol. Romeo Chapter 10 will meet at 7 p.m. tomorrow at 7 Legion Way, Cranston.

•American Legion

Post 18 will meet tomorrow at 7 p.m. in VFW Post 4487, 52 Underwood Lane, Middletown. The agenda includes the installation of unit officers.

•Fleet Reserve Association

Quonset-Davisville Branch and Unit 42 will meet tomorrow evening at 7 in the Davisville Seabee Museum, at 1 Iafrate Rd., North Kingstown.

•Veterans of Foreign Wars

District 1 commander Leo Swider will lead a district meeting at the Smithfield Memorial Post, 47 Farnum Pike, at 7 p.m. tomorrow. Washington County Post 916, at 155 High St. in Wakefield, will meet tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. Smithfield Memorial Post will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. District 2 commander Dale Harkin will conduct a meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. in Woodrow Silvia Post, 134 Shove St., Tiverton. President Rosemary Williams will hold her District 2 visitation at 7 p.m. Thursday at Gilbert Post 4478, 52 Underwood Lane, Middletown. State commander Stephen Stewart will conduct a council of administration meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Lambert Post, at 99 Louise St. in Woonsocket.

•Association of the Army

The state chapter’s executive committee will meet on Wednesday at 7 p.m., in the Harwood Army Reserve Center, 385 Niagara St., Providence.

•Marine Corps League

The Bucci-Atwood Detachment will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Armed Forces Reserves Center, Fields Point, Providence. The South County Detachment will meet at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in VFW Post 916, at 155 High St., Wakefield.

•Army Special Forces

Rhode Island Chapter 48 will meet at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Corner Tavern, 20 South County Trail, North Kingstown.

•Vietnam Veterans

Chapter 273 members will meet Thursday, at 7:30 p.m., VFW Post 4651, 7 Haven Ave., Cranston.

•Seabee Veterans

Island X-1 Davisville will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Seabee Park and Museum, 21 Iafrate Way, North Kingstown.

•WAVES National ices

Ocean State Unit 118 members will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday at One Capitol Hill, Providence.

•Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association

The association will hold a fundraising half-chicken dinner on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., at the South Seekonk Rod and Gun Club, 61 Reed St., Rehoboth. To reserve $10 tickets, call Todd at (401) 241-9526.

George W. Reilly can be reached at VeteransColumn@verizon.net or by writing to The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, R.I. 02902.