Summary of VA Benefits

Issues: Veterans

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a wide range of benefits for our Nation's veterans, service members, and their families.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for VA benefits if you are:

  • a veteran
  • a veteran’s dependent
  • a surviving spouse, child or parent of a deceased veteran
  • an active duty military service member
  • a member of the Reserve or National Guard

Compensation

The VA can pay you monthly compensation if you are at least 10% disabled as a result of your military service.

Pension

You can receive a monthly pension if you are a wartime veteran with limited income, and you are permanently and totally disabled or at least 65 years old.

Health Care

The VA provides a number of health care services:

  • Hospital, outpatient medical, dental, pharmacy and prosthetic services
  • Domiciliary, nursing home, and community based residential care
  • Sexual trauma counseling
  • Specialized health care for women veterans
  • Health and rehabilitation programs for homeless veterans
  • Readjustment counseling
  • Alcohol and drug dependency treatment
  • Medical evaluation for disorders associated with military service in the Gulf War, or exposure to Agent  Orange, radiation, and other environmental hazards

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment

The VA can help veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find and keep suitable employment. For veterans with serious service connected disabilities, the VA also offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible. Some of the services the VA provides are:

  • Job Search Assistance
  • Vocational Evaluation
  • Career Exploration
  • Vocational Training
  • Education Training
  • Rehabilitation Service

Education & Training

The VA pays benefits to eligible veterans, reservists, and active duty service members while they are in an approved education or training program.

Home Loans

The VA offers a number of home loan services to eligible veterans, some military personnel, and certain surviving spouses.

  • VA can guarantee part of a loan from a private lender to help you buy a home, a manufactured home, a lot for a manufactured home, or certain types of condominiums. VA also guarantees loans for building, repairing, and improving homes.
  • If you have a VA mortgage, VA can help you refinance your loan at a lower interest rate. You may also refinance a non-VA loan.
  • Certain disabled veterans and military personnel can receive grants to adapt or acquire housing suitable for their needs.

Life Insurance

  • Service members’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is a low-cost term life insurance for service members and reservists. Coverage of up to $400,000 begins when you enter the service. Generally, it expires 120 day after you leave the service.
  • Traumatic SGLI is automatically included in SGLI and provides for payment up to $100,000 for service members who lose limbs or incur other serious injuries.
  • Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is renewable term life insurance for veterans who want to convert their SGLI up to an amount not to exceed the coverage you had when you separated from service. You must apply within one year from separation from service.
  • Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance, also called "RH" Insurance, is for service-connected veterans. Coverage is $10,000. You may be eligible for a $20,000 supplemental policy if you are totally disabled. You must apply for RH within two years of being rated service connected by VA.

Dependents & Survivors

  • Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is payable to certain survivors of service members who died on active duty, veterans who died from service-related disabilities, and certain veterans who were being paid 100% VA disability compensation at time of death.
  • Death Pension is payable to some surviving spouses and children of deceased wartime veterans. The benefit is based on financial need.
  • Parents’ DIC is payable to some surviving parents. The benefit is based on financial need.
  • VA Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA) shares the cost of medical services for eligible dependents and survivors of certain veterans.
  • Some family members of disabled or deceased veterans are eligible for education and training benefits.
  • Certain surviving spouses may be eligible for home loans.

Burial

VA offers certain benefits and services to honor our Nation's deceased veterans, including:

  • Headstones and Markers
  • Presidential Memorial Certificates
  • Burial Flags
  • Reimbursement of Burial Expenses
  • Burial in a VA National Cemetery

Toll-Free Phone Numbers

  • Benefits Information & Assistance: 800-827-1000
  • Health Care: 877-222-8387
  • Education & Training: 888-442-4551
  • VA Life Insurance: 800-669-8477
  • Office of SGLI: 800-419-1473
  • CHAMPVA: 800-733-8387
  • Helpline (Agent Orange & Gulf War): 800-749-8387
  • Direct Deposit: 877-838-2778
  • Headstones (status of claims only): 800-697-6947
  • Telecommunication Device for Deaf: 800-829-4833

Internet

For detailed information about all VA benefits and services, visit http://www.vba.va.gov/VBA/