VA BENEFITS FOR SERVICEMEMBERS

VA/DOD PROGRAM OFFICE

Disabilities determined by VA to be related to your military service can lead to monthly non-taxable compensation, enrollment in the 

VA health care system, a 10-point hiring preference for federal employment and other important benefits. Ask your VA 

representative or Veterans Service Organization representative about Disability Compensation, Pension, Health Care, Caregiver 

Program, Career Services, Educational Assistance, Home Loan Guaranty, Insurance and/or Dependents and Survivors’ Benefits.

VA BENEFITS FOR SERVICEMEMBERS 

There are a variety of VA benefits available to Servicemembers. 

WHAT TYPE OF INSURANCE BENEFIT IS AVAILABLE? 

Servicemembers are eligible for up to a maximum of $400,000 in life insurance under 

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI). Spousal coverage is available up to a maximum of 

$100,000 while children are automatically covered for $10,000 at no cost. Any member of the 

uniformed services covered by SGLI is eligible for a traumatic injury protection rider (TSGLI) that

provides payments between $25,000 and $100,000 to members who have a traumatic injury and 

suffer losses such as, but not limited to, amputations, blindness, and paraplegia. Members covered 

under SGLI also have automatic traumatic injury protection (TSGLI), and, if they are married and/or 

have children, have automatic coverage on their spouse and dependent children (Family SGLI).

WHAT TYPE OF HOME‐RELATED BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE? 

Persons on active duty are eligible for a VA home loan guaranty after serving on continuous active 

duty for 90 days. Servicemembers going through a pre-discharge claim program who are found to 

have service-connected conditions that will be rated as compensable, are exempt from the loan 

guaranty funding fee. 

WHAT TYPE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASING A VEHICLE? 

To be eligible for financial assistance to purchase a vehicle or to adapt a vehicle to accommodate a 

disability, a Servicemember must have certain qualifying disabilities (e.g. loss or permanent loss of 

use or one or both hands) that were incurred during active military service. 
VA/DOD Program Office-February 2015

WHAT TYPE OF EDUCATION BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE? 

The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers higher education and training benefits to Veterans, Servicemembers, and 

their families who served after Sept. 10, 2001. The Montgomery GI Bill assists active duty and Reservists 

with the pursuit of higher education degrees, certificates, and other education and training. The other VA

education and training programs (i.e. Reserve Educational Assistance Program, Veterans Educational

Assistance Program, Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program, Educational Assistance

Pilot Program, and National Call to Service Program) offer various education and training benefits or 

increased benefits to certain Reservists and Veterans and their survivors and dependents. Speak with a VA 

representative to determine which program you may be eligible to receive. 

WHAT IS THE EDUCATION AND CAREER COUSELING PROGRAM? 

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Education and Career Counseling program (Title 38 U.S.C. 

Chapter 36) offers a great opportunity for transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans to get personalized 

counseling and support to guide their career paths, ensure most effective use of their VA benefits, and

achieve their goals. To be eligible while on active duty you must be a transitioning Servicemember within 

six months of discharge from active duty, be in receipt of education benefits, or be eligible to receive 

education benefits. For participation as a Veteran, you must be within one year following discharge from 

active duty, or be eligible for a VA education benefit. Additionally, all current beneficiaries of education 

benefits are eligible. 

WHAT TYPE OF HOME‐RELATED BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE? 

Persons on active duty are eligible for a VA home loan guaranty after serving on continuous active 

duty for 90 days. Servicemembers going through a pre-discharge claim program who are found to 

have service-connected conditions that will be rated as compensable, are exempt from the loan 

guaranty funding fee. 

WHAT TYPE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASING A VEHICLE? 

To be eligible for financial assistance to purchase a vehicle or to adapt a vehicle to accommodate a 

disability, a Servicemember must have certain qualifying disabilities (e.g. loss or permanent loss of use or 

one or both hands) that were incurred during active military service. 
VA/DOD Program Office-February 2015 

WHAT TYPE OF HEALTH CARE BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE? 

VA health care facilities are available to active duty Servicemembers in emergency situations and upon 

referral by military treatment facilities through Sharing Agreements or under your TRICARE coverage. 

IS THE MEDAL OF HONOR PENSION PAYABLE TO ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL? 

Active duty personnel who have been awarded the Medal of Honor and determined to be eligible by one of 

the service departments are entitled to receive a special Medal of Honor pension from the VA. 

CAN A CLAIM FOR BENEFITS BE FILED PRIOR TO SEPARATION? 

Yes. Servicemembers may file disability claims prior to separation from active or full-time duty through 

the Benefits Delivery at Discharge or Quick Start programs. Servicemembers may file claims for disability 

compensation, pension, vocational rehabilitation, automobile allowance, and special adapted housing 

prior to separation. VA employees will assist in the filing and preparation of the claim as well as adjudicate 

the claim as quickly as possible following separation. Additionally, VA offers counseling and claims 

assistance to separating Servicemembers throughout the United States and around the world through the 

Transition Assistance Program (TAP).