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2017 IS1 print edition 6-19-2017 FINAL.indd 1 6/19/2017 12:08:34 PM 
Phone Numbers 

Bereavement Counseling..................................................1-202-461-6530 

Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA)...........1-800-733-8387
 

Caregiver Support ........................................................... 1-855-260-3274
 

Debt Management Center..........................................1-800-827-0648
 

Education..........................................................................1-888-442-4551
 

Foreign Medical Program.............................................1-888-820-1756 

Headstones and Markers.................................................1-800-697-6947
 

Health Care......................................................................1-877-222-8387
 

Homeless Veterans..........................................................1-877-424-3838 

Home Loans.....................................................................1-888-827-3702
 

Life Insurance...................................................................1-800-669-8477
 

National Cemetery Scheduling Office...............................1-800-535-1117
	

Pension Management Center...........................................1-877-294-6380
 

Presidential Memorial Certificate Program.......................1-202-565-4964 

Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD)................1-800-829-4833
 

VA Benefits.......................................................................1-800-827-1000
	

VA Combat Call Center ............................................1-877-927-8387 

Veterans Crisis Line..........................................................1-800-273-8255 

Women Veterans..............................................................1-877-222-8387 

Web Sites
 

Burial and Memorial Benefits .........................................www.cem.va.gov
	

Caregiver Support ........................................... www.caregiver.va.gov
	

CHAMPVA............www.va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/forbeneficiaries.asp
	

eBenefits..........................................................www.ebenefits.va.gov
	

Education Benefits..........................................................www.gibill.va.gov
	

Environmental Exposures................www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures
	

Federal Recovery Coordination Program ............... www.va.gov/icbc/frcp
	

Health Care Eligibility........................................www.va.gov/healthbenefits 

Homeless Veterans........................................ www.va.gov/homeless
	

Home Loan Guaranty...........................................www.homeloans.va.gov
	

Life Insurance.........................................................www.insurance.va.gov
	

Memorial Certificate .Program..........................www.cem.va.gov/pmc.asp
	

Mental Health....................................................www.mentalhealth.va.gov
	

My HealtheVet......................................................www.myhealth.va.gov
	

National Resource Directory ..............................................www.nrd.gov
	

Records..........................www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel
	

Returning Servicemembers.....................................www.oefoif.va.gov
	

State Departments of Veterans Affairs......www.va.gov/statedva.htm
	

Women Veterans.............................................www.womenshealth.va.gov
	

VA Vet Centers...................................................www.vetcenter.va.gov
	

VA Home Page.......................................................................www.va.gov
	

VA Benefit Payment Rates..........................www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/rates
	

VA Forms....................................................................www.va.gov/vaform
	

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment.............www.vetsuccess.gov
	

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Introduction 

Veterans of the United States armed forces may be eligible for a 

broad range of benefits and services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These benefits are codified in Title 38 

of the United States Code. This booklet contains a brief overview of 

the most commonly sought information concerning Veterans benefits 

and services. For the most accurate information Veterans and family 

members should visit the websites provided within this publication 

as regulations, payments, and eligibility requirements are subject to 

change. For additional information, please visit www.va.gov 

To find the nearest VA facility, go to https://www.va.gov/landing2_locations.htm 

General Eligibility: Eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon 

discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable 

conditions. Active service means full-time service, other than active 

duty for training, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine 

Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public 

Health Service, Environmental Science Services Administration or 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or its predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey. 

Eligible Wartime Periods: Certain VA Benefits Require Wartime 

Service. For information on eligible wartime periods please visit: 

http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/wartimeperiod.asp 

Dishonorable and bad conduct discharges issued by general courtsmartial may bar VA benefits. Veterans in prison must contact VA to 

determine eligibility. VA benefits will not be provided to any Veteran 

or dependent wanted for an outstanding felony warrant. 

Important Documents: In order to expedite benefits delivery, 

Veterans seeking a VA benefit for the first time must submit a copy 

of their DD-214, DD-215, or for World War II Veterans, a WD form), 

which documents service dates and type of discharge, or provides 

full name, military service number, and branch and dates of service. 

The following documents are needed for claims processing related 

to a Veteran’s death: Veteran’s marriage certificate for claims of a 

surviving spouse or children; Veteran’s death certificate if the Veter an 

did not die in a VA health care facility; Children’s birth certificates or 

adoption papers to determine children’s benefits; or Veteran’s birth 

certificate to determine parents’ benefits. For information and updates on VA benefits and services, follow us on Facebook at http:// 

www.facebook.com/VeteransBenefits and/or Twitter at http://twitter. 

com/VAVetBenefits. iii 

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eBenefits
	 eBenefits is a joint VA/Department of Defense (DoD) Web portal that 

provides resources and self-service capabilities to Servicemembers, 

Veterans, and their families to apply, research, access, and manage 

their VA and military benefits and personal information through a 

secure Internet connection. 

Through eBenefits Veterans can: apply for benefits, view their disability compensation claim status, access official military personnel 

documents (e.g., DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge 

from Active Duty), transfer entitlement of Post-9/11 GI Bill to eligible 

dependents (Servicemembers only), obtain a VA-guaranteed home 

loan Certificate of Eligibility, and register for and update direct deposit information for certain benefits. New features are added regularly. 

Accessing eBenefits: The portal is located at www.ebenefits.va.gov 

service members or Veterans must register for an eBenefits account 

at one of two levels: Basic or Premium. A Premium account allows 

the user to access personal data in VA and DoD systems, as well as 

apply for benefits online, check the status of claims, update address 

records, and more after completeing the initial verification procedures. The Basic account allows access to information entered into 

eBenefits by the service member or Veteran only. Basic accounts 

cannot access VA or DoD systems. 

Reporting Fraud: Help VA’s Secretary ensure integrity by reporting 

suspected fraud, waste or abuse in VA programs or operations. 

Report fraud to: 

VA Inspector General Hotline 

810 Vermont Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20420 

E-mail: vaoighotline@va.gov 

VAOIG hotline 1-800-488-8244 

Fax: (202) 495-5861 

Contents 

Health Care Benfits 1 

Non-Health Care Benefits 16 

Memorial Benefits 59 

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Health Care Benefits
	

More information on VA health care is available at the following 

resources: 

www.va.gov/health 

www.va.gov/healthbenefits 

VA Health Benefits toll-free 1-877-222-VETS (8387) Monday - Friday 

between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST 

Your local VA health care facility’s enrollment office 

Basic Eligibility: A person who served in the active military, naval, 

or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable may qualify for VA health care benefits 

including qualifying Reserve and National Guard members. 

Minimum Duty Requirements: Veterans who enlisted after Sept. 

7, 1980, or who entered active duty after Oct. 16, 1981, must have 

served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were 

called to active duty in order to be eligible. This minimum duty requirement may not apply to Veterans discharged for hardship, early 

out or a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. 

Enrollment: Veterans can complete applications for enrollment in VA 

health care by telephone without the need for a signed paper application. VA staff members will collect the needed information and 

process the enrollment application for an enrollment determination. 

To apply by phone, call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) Monday - Friday 

between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST. 

When applying online at Vets.gov, Veterans simply fill out the application and electronically submit it to VA for processing. 

The application form can also be downloaded from www.vets.gov/ 

healthcare/apply/. Mail the completed form to: Health Eligibility 

Center Enrollment Eligibility Division 2957 Clairmont Road Suite 200 

Atlanta, GA 30329-1647 

Apply in person at any VA health care facility or VA regional office. 

Once enrolled, Veterans can receive health care at VA health care 

facilities anywhere in the country. 

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The following four categories of Veterans are not required to enroll, 

but are urged to do so to permit better planning of health resources: 

1. Veterans with a service-connected disability of 50 percent or 

more. 

2. Veterans seeking care for a disability the military determined 

was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but which VA has not 

yet rated, within 12 months of discharge. 

3. Veterans seeking care for a service-connected disability only. 

4. Veterans seeking registry examinations (Ionizing Radiation, 

Agent Orange, Gulf War/Operation Enduring Freedom/ Operation 

Iraqi Freedom/ Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) depleted 

uranium, airborne hazards and Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit 

Registry). 

Priority Groups: During enrollment, each Veteran is assigned to 

a priority group. VA uses priority groups to balance demand for VA 

health care enrollment with resources. Changes in available resources may reduce the number of priority groups VA can enroll. If this 

occurs, VA will publicize the changes and notify affected enrollees. A 

description of priority groups follows: 

Group 1:Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50 percent or more and/or Veterans determined by VA to be unemployable 

due to service-connected conditions. 

Group 2:Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 30 or 40 

percent. 

Group 3:Veterans who are former prisoners of war (POWs); Veterans awarded the Purple Heart medal; Veterans awarded the Medal 

of Honor; Veterans whose discharge was for a disability incurred or 

aggravated in the line of duty; Veterans with VA service-connected 

disabilities rated 10 percent or 20 percent and Veterans awarded 

special eligibility classification under Title 38, U.S.C., § 1151, “benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation.” 

Group 4:Veterans receiving increased compensation or pension 

based on their need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of 

being permanently housebound and Veterans determined by VA to 

be catastrophically disabled. 

Group 5:Nonservice-connected Veterans and non-compensable 

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service-connected Veterans rated by VA as 0% disabled and who 

have an annual income below the VA’s geographically-adjusted income limit (based on your resident ZIP code); Veterans receiving VA 

Pension benefits; and Veterans eligible for Medicaid benefits. 

Group 6:Compensable 0 percent service-connected 

Veterans;Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during atmospheric 

testing or during the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Project 

112/SHAD participants; Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975; Veterans who served in 

the Southwest Asia theater of operations from Aug. 2, 1990, through 

Nov. 11, 1998; Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after Nov. 11, 1998, as follows: Veterans discharged from active 

duty on or after Jan. 28, 2003, for five years post discharge; and 

Veterans who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 

days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. 

Group 7:Veterans with gross household income below the geographically-adjusted VA income limit for their resident location and 

who agree to pay copays. 

Group 8:Veterans with gross household incomes above VA national 

income limit and the geographically-adjusted income limit for their 

resident location and who agree to pay copayments. Veterans eligible for enrollment: Noncompensable 0-percent service-connected: 

Subpriority a: Enrolled as of Jan. 16, 2003, and who have remained 

enrolled since that date and/or placed in this subpriority due to 

changed eligibility status. 

Subpriority b: Enrolled on or after June 15, 2009, whose income 

exceeds the current VA national income thresholds or VA national 

geographic income thresholds by 10 percent or less Veterans eligible 

for enrollment: nonservice-connected and 

Subpriority c: Enrolled as of Jan. 16, 2003, and who remained 

enrolled since that date and/ or placed in this subpriority due to 

changed eligibility status 

Subpriority d: Enrolled on or after June 15, 2009 whose income 

exceeds the current VA national income thresholds or VA national 

geographic income thresholds by 10 percent or less Veterans NOT 

eligible for enrollment: Veterans not meeting the criteria above: 

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Subpriority e: Noncompensable 0-percent service-connected 

Subpriority f: Nonservice-connected 

VA’s income limit change annually and current levels can be located 

at: http://nationalincomelimits.vaftl.us/. 

Veterans Choice Program As directed by the Veterans Access, 

Choice and Accountability Act of 2014, VA implemented the Veterans 

Choice Program, which allows certain eligible Veterans to elect to 

receive care from non-VA health care providers if they cannot receive 

VA care within 30 days or live more than 40 miles from a VA facility 

or face excessive travel burdens. Non-VA care is only covered by 

VA for medical needs that have been approved by a VA physician. 

Veterans who choose to use their Choice Card should coordinate 

pre-approved care by calling 1-866-606-8198. For more information, 

visit www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/. 

VA will also extend the Assisted Living Pilot Program for Veterans 

with Traumatic Brain Injury for 3 years, through October 6, 2017. 

This program assesses the effectiveness of providing assisted living 

services to eligible Veterans with traumatic brain injuries to “enhance 

the rehabilitation, quality of life, and community integration of such 

Veterans.” 

Meeting the Unique Needs of Women Veterans: Women Veterans are eligible for the same VA benefits as male Veterans. Medical 

facility staff delivers the highest quality health care in a setting that 

ensures privacy, dignity, and sensitivity. Local VA facilities offer a variety of services, including women’s gender-specific health, screening 

and disease prevention and routine gynecologic services. Local VA 

facilities offer a variety of services, including women’s gender-specific health, screening and disease prevention and routine gynecologic 

services. 

Women Veterans are potentially eligible to receive care provided in 

the community when authorized by VA; however, the decision to use 

such care is left to the facility providing care. By law, purchased care 

can only be provided when the treating facility cannot provide the 

care required or because of geographical inaccessibility. 

Contact a local VA facility’s Women Veterans Program Manager for 

more information on available services, call 1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-

855-829-6636) or visit www.womenshealth.va.gov/. 

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Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Veterans: LGBT 

Veterans are eligible for the same VA benefits as any other Veteran 

and will be treated in a welcoming environment. Transgender Veterans will be treated based upon their self-identified gender, including 

room assignments in residential and inpatient settings. Same-Sex 

Couples: VA launched a new website to inform Veterans and beneficiaries of the recent changes in the law and procedures involving 

same-sex marriages. Veterans can learn more about VA’s guidance 

regarding same-sex marriages at www.va.gov/opa/marriage. 

Military Sexual Trauma: Military sexual trauma (MST) is the term 

that VA uses to refer to sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment occurring during a Veteran’s military service. VA has 

expanded eligibility for Veterans in need of mental health care due 

to sexual assault or sexual harassment to Reservists and National 

Guard members participating in weekend drill. To receive free treatment related to MST, Veterans do not need a VA service-connected 

disability. Veterans do not need to have reported the incident when it 

happened or have other documentation that it occurred. There are no 

length-of-service requirements to receive care, and some Veterans 

may be able to receive free MST-related care even if they are not 

eligible for other VA care. Veterans can learn more about VA’s MSTrelated services online at www.mentalhealth.va.gov/msthome.asp. 

OEF/OIF/OND Care Management: Each VA medical center has an 

Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation 

New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) Care Management team in place to coordinate patient care activities and ensure that service members and 

Veterans are receiving patient-centered, integrated care and benefits. Veterans who served in a theater of operations after Nov. 11, 

1998, are eligible for an extended period of eligibility for health care 

for five years after their discharge. In the case of multiple call-ups, 

the five-year enrollment period begins on the most recent discharge 

date. This special eligibility includes cost- free health care services 

and nursing home care for conditions possibly related to military service and enrollment in PG 6 or higher for five years from their date 

of discharge or release from active duty, unless they are eligible for 

enrollment in a higher priority group. More information for connecting 

with OEF/OIF/OND Care Management teams can be found at www. 

oefoif.va.gov 

Tax Credit Veterans who are enrolled with VA for their health care 

meet the standard for minimum health care coverage; therefore, they 

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are not eligible for assistance to lower their cost of health insurance 

premiums if they chose to purchase additional health insurance outside of their VA health care coverage. Remember, Veterans cannot 

receive a tax credit for themselves when enrolling within the Marketplace, if they are currently enrolled with VA for their health care. For 

the latest information about VA and the health care law, visit www. 

va.gov/health/aca/FAQ.asp or call 1-877-222-VETS (8387). 

Financial Assessment: Most Veterans not receiving VA disability 

compensation or pension payments must provide a financial assessment upon initial application to determine their eligibility for 

free medical care, medications and/or travel benefits. This financial 

information also may be used to determine the Veteran’s enrollment 

Priority Group. 

For more information, visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/cost/financial_assessment.asp, call toll-free 1-877-222-VETS (8387) Monday 

- Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST or contact the enrollment 

coordinator at your local VA medical facility. VA’s income limits are 

located at nationalincomelimits.vaftl.us/. 

As of 2014, VA no longer requires enrolled non-service connected 

and 0-percent non-compensable service connected Veterans to provide their financial information annually. An assessment will continue 

to be collected from Veterans at the time of application for enrollment. In lieu of the annual financial reporting, VA will confirm the 

Veteran’s financial information using information obtained from the 

Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration. 

Medical Services and Medication Copayments: While many 

Veterans qualify for free health care based on a VA compensable 

service-connected condition or other special eligibilities, most Veterans are required to complete a financial assessment or means test at 

the time of enrollment to determine if they qualify for free health care 

services. Veterans whose income exceed VA income limits as well 

as those who choose not to complete the financial assessment at the 

time of enrollment, must agree to pay required copays for health care 

services to become eligible for VA healthcare services. For more 

information on medical services and copays, visit https://www.va.gov/ 

HEALTHBENEFITS/cost/index.asp 

Private Health Insurance Billing: Veterans with private health insurance may choose to use these sources of coverage as a supple6 

2017 IS1 print edition 6-19-2017 FINAL.indd 6 6/19/2017 12:08:35 PM 
ment to their VA benefits. Veterans are not responsible to pay for VA 

medical services billed to their health insurance company that are 

not paid by their insurance carrier. 

By law, VA is obligated to bill health insurance carriers for services 

provided to treat a Veteran’s nonservice- connected conditions. Veterans are asked to disclose all relevant health insurance information 

to ensure current insurance information is on file, including coverage 

through a spouse. Identification of insurance information is essential 

to VA because collections received from private health insurance 

companies help supplement the funding available to provide services 

to more Veterans. Enrolled Veterans can provide or update their 

insurance information by: 

1. Using the online 10-10-EZR, “Health Benefits Renewal” form 

at www.vets.gov/healthcare/apply/ 

2. Calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387) Monday - Friday between 8 

a.m. and 8 p.m. EST 

3. Using the self-service Kiosks available at their local VA health 

care facility. VA health care is NOT considered a health insurance 

plan. 

Reimbursement of Travel Costs: Eligible Veterans and non-Veterans may be provided mileage reimbursement or, when medically 

indicated, special mode transport (e.g., wheelchair van, ambulance), 

when travel is in relation to VA medical care. Mileage reimbursement 

is 41.5 cents per mile and is subject to a deductible of $3 for each 

one-way trip and $6 for a round trip; with a maximum deductible of 

$18 or the amount after six one-way trips (whichever occurs first) 

per calendar month. The deductible may be waived when travel is; in 

relation to a VA compensation or pension examination; by a special 

mode of transportation; by an eligible non-Veteran; or will cause a 

severe financial hardship, as defined by current regulatory guidelines. 

Eligibility: A Veteran may be eligible for beneficiary travel services if 

the following criteria are met: 

• have a service-connected (SC) rating of 30 percent or more, or 

• are traveling for treatment of a SC condition, or 

• receive a VA pension, or your income does not exceed the 

maximum annual VA pension rate, or 

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• income does not exceed the maximum annual VA pension rate, 

or 

• are traveling for a scheduled compensation or pension, or if not 

otherwise eligible as noted above and; 

• have a vision impairment, spinal cord injury or disorder, or a 

double or multiple amputation who’s travel in connection with care 

provided through a VA special disabilities rehabilitation program 

(including programs provided by spinal cord injury centers, blind 

rehabilitation centers and prosthetics rehabilitation centers) if such 

care is provided on an in-patient basis or during a period in which 

you are provided with temporary lodging at a facility of the Department to make such care more accessible. 

Veterans may qualify for Special Mode Transportation (ambulance, wheelchair van etc.) If they meet one of the eligibility criteria in 

the list above, and have a medical condition requires an ambulance 

or a specially equipped van as determined by a VA clinician, and the 

travel is pre-authorized (authorization is not required for emergencies 

if a delay would be hazardous to life or health). 

More information on Beneficiary Travel is available at: www.va.gov/ 

healthbenefits/vtp/beneficiary_travel.asp. 

Veteran Health Registries: Certain Veterans can participate in a VA 

health registry and receive free evaluations. VA maintains health registries to provide special health evaluations and health-related information. To participate, contact the Environmental Health Coordinator 

at the nearest VA health care facility or visit www.publichealth.va.gov/ 

exposures to see a directory which lists Environmental Health Coordinators by state and U.S. territory. Veterans should be aware that 

a health registry evaluation is not a disability compensation exam. 

A registry evaluation does not start a claim for compensation and is 

not required for any VA benefits. No in-person medical evaluation is 

required to become registered. Veterans not already enrolled in VA 

health care should contact an Environmental Health Coordinator at 

a nearby VA facility by visiting the following link: (http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp) or calling 1-877-222-

8387. To learn more and for a list of current health registries, visit: 

www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/benefits/registry-evaluation.asp. 

Vet Center Readjustment Counseling Services: VA provides readjustment counseling services, to include direct counseling, outreach, 

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and referral, through 300 community-based Vet Centers located in all 

50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa. Vet Center counselors provide individual, group, marriage, and family readjustment counseling to Veterans who served 

in a theater of operations (combat zone) through community-based 

counseling centers, called Vet Centers. Services also are available 

for their family members regarding military-related issues. Vet Center 

staffs are available during normal business hours at toll-free 1-800-

905-4675 EST and 1-866-496-8838 PT. For more information, visit 

www.vetcenter.va.gov. 

Home Improvements and Structural Alterations: VA provides up 

to $6,800 lifetime benefits for service-connected Veterans/service 

members and up to $2,000 lifetime benefits for nonservice-connected Veterans to make home improvements and/or structural changes 

necessary for the continuation of treatment or for disability access 

to the Veterans/service members home and essential lavatory and 

sanitary facilities. For application information, contact the Prosthetic 

Representative at the nearest VA medical center. 

Special Eligibility Programs: VA provides comprehensive health 

care benefits, including outpatient, inpatient, pharmacy, prosthetics, 

medical equipment, and supplies for certain Korea and Vietnam Veterans’ birth children diagnosed with spina bifida (except spina bifida 

occulta). 

Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Veterans: Severely disabled blind Veterans may be eligible for case management services 

at a VA medical center and for admission to an inpatient or outpatient 

VA blind or vision rehabilitation program. 

Mental Health Care Treatment: Veterans eligible for VA medical 

care may receive general and specialty mental health treatment as 

needed. Mental health services are available in primary care clinics 

(including Home Based Primary Care), general and specialty mental 

health outpatient clinics, inpatient mental health units, residential 

rehabilitation and treatment programs, specialty medical clinics, 

and Community Living Centers. For more information on VA mental 

health services, visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/access/mental_ 

health_care.asp and www.mentalhealth.va.gov or contact your local 

VA health care facility’s Enrollment Office. 

Veterans Crisis Line: The Veterans Crisis Line is a toll-free, confi9 

2017 IS1 print edition 6-19-2017 FINAL.indd 9 6/19/2017 12:08:35 PM 
dential resource that connects Veterans in crisis and their families 

and friends with qualified, caring VA responders. Veterans and their 

loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online at 

www.vets.gov, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year 

even if they are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care. 

The professionals at the Veterans Crisis Line are specially trained 

and experienced in helping Veterans of all ages and circumstances 

— from Veterans coping with mental health issues that were never 

addressed to Veterans struggling with relationships or the transition 

back to civilian life. European access: Veterans and members of the 

military community in Europe may dial 0800-1273-8255 or DSN 118. 

For more information about VA’s suicide prevention program, visit: 

www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/ or www.Veteranscrisisline.net. 

VA Dental Insurance Program VA would like all Veterans to have 

access to good oral health care; however, VA is limited to providing 

dental benefits to those Veterans who meet certain eligibility criteria. 

To help Veterans who are not eligible for VA dental benefits or need 

more comprehensive dental care, VA offers enrolled Veterans and 

beneficiaries of CHAMPVA the opportunity to purchase dental insurance at a reduced cost through its VA Dental Insurance Program 

(VADIP). 

VADIP began as a pilot program that ended Jan. 31, 2017. Public 

Law 114-218, “Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance 

Reauthorization Act of 2016,” signed July 29, 2016, allows VA to 

continue VADIP for five years beyond the pilot program. Veterans 

who were enrolled in VADIP as of Jan.31, 2017, can automatically 

maintain that coverage until no later than January 31, 2018, depending on their plan. The process is underway to determine the dental 

insurance providers for the extended period. VA will announce the 

insurance providers and timelines for new enrollments as soon as 

the procurement process is complete. For more information about 

this program, call toll free 1-877-222-VETS (8387) Monday - Friday 

between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST or visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/ 

vadip. 

Long-term Services: VA provides institution based services (nursing 

home level of care) to Veterans through three national programs: VA 

owned and operated Community Living Centers (CLC), State Veterans’ Homes owned and operated by the states, and the community 

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nursing home program. Each program has admission and eligibility 

criteria specific to the program. VA is obligated to pay the full cost of 

nursing home services for enrolled Veterans who need nursing home 

care for a service-connected disability, or Veterans or who have a 70 

percent or greater service-connected disability and Veterans with a 

rating of total disability based on individual un-employability. VA provided nursing home care for all other Veterans is based on available 

resources. For more information on Extended Care Services and 

Geriatrics, visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/access/geriatrics.asp. 

Emergency Medical Care in U.S. Non-VA Facilities: A medical 

emergency is generally defined as a condition of such a nature that 

a sensible person would expect that a delay in seeking immediate 

medical attention would be hazardous to life or health. Eligible Veterans may receive emergency care at a non-VA health care facility, 

possibly at VA expense, when a VA facility (or other Federal health 

care facility with which VA has an agreement) cannot furnish efficient care due to the distance from the facility, or when VA is unable 

to furnish the needed emergency services. Since payment may be 

limited to the point when the condition is stable enough for the Veteran to travel to a VA facility, a family member or friend must contact 

the closest VA medical facility as soon as possible. The emergency 

is deemed to have ended when a VA provider has determined that, 

based on sound medical judgment; the Veteran could be transferred 

from the non-VA facility to a VA medical center. For more information 

on urgent care, visit www.va.gov/HEALTHBENEFITS/access/seamless_care.asp. 

Foreign Medical Program: VA’s Foreign Medical Program (FMP) 

provides health care payment/reimbursement for U.S. Veterans with 

VA-rated service-connected conditions who live or travel abroad. 

Veterans calling from within the Philippines may contact the VA 

Medical Services office at 1-800-1888-8782. If calling from outside 

of the Philippines, the number is 011-632-318-8387. Veterans may 

also register by email at IRIS.va.gov. All other Veterans living or 

planning to travel outside the U.S. should register with the Foreign 

Medical Program, P.O. Box 469061, Denver, CO 80246-9061, USA; 

telephone 303-331-7590. For information, visit: https://www.va.gov/ 

COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/fmp/index.asp 

Caregiver Programs and Services: The Caregivers Benefit Program provides certain medical, travel, training and financial benefits 

to caregivers of certain Veterans and service members who were 

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seriously injured during their military service on or after September 

11, 2001. Eligible primary family caregivers can receive a stipend, 

training, mental health services, travel and lodging reimbursement 

and access to health insurance if they are not already under a health 

care plan. 

For more information, contact your local VA medical facility and 

speak with a caregiver support coordinator, visit www.caregiver. 

va.gov or call toll-free at 1-855-260-3274. 

Traveling Veterans Enrolled Veterans who receive their health care 

with VA, will receive the same, consistent care, whether at their local 

VA treatment site or an alternate VA site of care. In order to help VA 

ensure Veterans receive consistent care while they are traveling, are 

asked to notify their VA Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT), preferably 4 to 6 weeks prior to departure, or as soon as they are aware 

of the trip. Early planning will allow time for PACT and the Traveling 

Veteran Coordinator to coordinate care at an alternate VA facility. To 

coordinate health care with another VA health care facility, Veterans 

should inform their PACT of the following: 

•travel destination(s), and temporary address 

•a valid telephone number 

•arrival and departure dates 

•specific care concerns 

Their PACT will contact the Traveling Veteran Coordinator, who will 

assist in coordinating care at the alternate facility. For more information, contact PACT or a Traveling Veteran Coordinator at the local VA 

facility. 

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Non-Health Care Benefits
	

Disability Compensation: Disability compensation is a tax-free 

monetary benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are the result 

of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military 

service. The benefits amount is graduated according to the degree 

of the Veteran’s disability on a scale from 10 percent to 100 percent 

(in increments of 10 percent). Compensation may also be paid for 

disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities 

occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related to 

circumstances of military service, even though they may arise after 

service. To be eligible for compensation, the Veteran must have been 

separated or discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. 

Monthly disability compensation varies with the degree of disability 

and the number of eligible dependents. Veterans with disability ratings of at least 30 percent are eligible for additional allowances for 

dependents, including spouses, minor children, children between the 

ages of 18 and 23 who are attending school, children who are permanently incapable of self-support because of a disability arising before age 18, and dependent parents. The additional amount depends 

on the disability rating and the number of dependents. For detailed 

2016 compensation rate information visit: http://www.benefits.va.gov/ 

COMPENSATION/resources_comp02.asp. 

The payment of military retirement pay, disability severance pay and 

separation incentive payments, known as Special Separation Benefit 

(SSB) and Reservists’ Involuntary Separation Pay (RISP), and Voluntary Separation (VSP), may affect the amount of VA compensation 

paid to disabled Veterans. For additional details on types of disability 

claims and how to apply, visit: http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/. 

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): SMC is an additional taxfree benefit that can be paid to Veterans as well as their spouses, 

surviving spouses, and parents. For Veterans, SMC us a higher 

rate of compensation paid, due to special circumstances such as the 

need for aid and attendance by another person, or due to a specific 

disability such as the loss of use of one hand or leg. A Veteran who 

is determined by VA to be in need of the regular aid and attendance 

of another person, or a Veteran who is permanently housebound, 

may be entitled to additional payments. For detailed 2016 special 

monthly compensation rate information visit: http://www.benefits. 

va.gov/COMPENSATION/resources_comp02.asp. 

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Allowance for Aid and Attendance or Housebound Veterans: 

Veterans determined by VA to be in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, or permanently housebound, may be 

entitled to additional disability compensation or pension payments. 

A Veteran evaluated at 30 percent or more disabled is entitled to 

receive an additional payment for a spouse who is in need of the aid 

and attendance of another person. For additional information may be 

found at http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/aid_attendance_housebound.asp. 

Automobile Allowance: As of Oct. 1, 2016, Veterans and service 

members may be eligible for a one-time payment of not more than 

$20,235.20 toward the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance if they have service-connected loss or permanent loss of use of 

one or both hands or feet, or permanent impairment of vision of both 

eyes to a certain degree. To apply, contact a VA regional office at 

1-800-827-1000 or the nearest VA health care facility, which may be 

located at: https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/division.asp?dnum=1. 

Clothing Allowance: Any Veteran who has service-connected disabilities that require prosthetic or orthopedic appliances may receive 

clothing allowances. This allowance is also available to any Veteran 

whose service-connected skin condition requires prescribed medication that irreparably damages outer garments. To apply, contact the 

prosthetic representative at the nearest VA medical center located at: 

https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/division.asp?dnum=1&isFlash=0. 

For information on current rates visit: http://www.benefits.va.gov/ 

compensation/special_Benefit_Allowances_2017.asp 

Additional Benefits for Eligible Military Retirees: Concurrent 

Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) is a DoD program that allows 

some individuals to receive both military retired pay and VA disability 

compensation. Normally, such concurrent receipt is prohibited. Veterans do not need to apply for this benefit, as payment is coordinated 

between VA and the military pay center. To qualify for CRDP, Veterans must have a VA service-connected disability rating of 50 percent 

or greater, be eligible to receive retired pay, and: 

Retire from military service based on longevity, including Temporary 

Early Retirement Authority (TERA) retirees; or 

Retire due to disability with 20 or more years of service*; or 

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Retire from National Guard or Reserve service with 20 or more qualifying years. 

* For Veterans who retired due to disability with 20 or more years 

of service, CRDP is subject to an offset for the difference between 

retired pay based on disability and retired pay based on longevity. 

Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans: Service members and Veterans with certain service-connected disabilities may be entitled to a 

housing grant from VA to help build a new specially adapted house, 

to adapt a home they already own, or buy a house and modify it 

to meet their disability-related requirements. Eligible Veterans or 

service members may now receive up to three uses of the grant, with 

the total dollar amount of the grants not to exceed the maximum allowable. Housing grant amounts may be adjusted Oct. 1 every-year 

based on a cost-of construction index. These adjustments will increase the grants amounts or leave them unchanged: grant amounts 

will not decrease. Previous grant recipients who had received assistance of less than the current maximum allowable may be eligible 

for an additional grant usage. To obtain general information about 

the Specially Adapted Housing program, visit: www.benefits.va.gov/ 

homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp, or call the program’s local office of 

jurisdiction at 1-877-827-3702. 

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant: VA may approve a grant 

of not more than 50 percent of the cost of building, buying, or adapting existing homes or paying to reduce indebtedness on a currently 

owned home that is being adapted, up to a maximum benefit amount 

of $77,307. In certain instances, the full grant amount may be applied toward remodeling costs. The SAH grant is available to certain 

Veterans and service members who are entitled to disability compensation due to the following: 

1. Loss or loss of use of both lower extremities, which so affects 

the functions of balance or propulsion to preclude ambulating without 

the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair 

2. Loss or loss of use of both upper extremities at or above the 

elbow. 

3. Blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, plus loss 

or loss of use of one lower extremity. 

4. Loss or loss of use of one lower extremity together with (a) 

residuals of organic disease or injury, or (b) the loss or loss of use of 

one upper extremity which so affects the functions of balance or pro15 

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pulsion as to preclude locomotion without the use of braces, canes, 

crutches or a wheelchair. 

5. Severe burn injuries, which are defines as full thickness or 

subdermal burns that have resulted in contractures with limitation of 

motion of two or more extremities or of at least one extremity and the 

trunk. 

6. The loss, or loss of use of one or more lower extremities due 

to service on or after September 11, 2001, which so affects the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude ambulating without the 

aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. 

Note: The property may be located outside the United States, in a 

country or political subdivision which allows individuals to have or 

acquire a beneficial property interest, and in which the Secretary 

of Veteran Affairs, in his or her discretion, has determined that is 

reasonably practicable to provide assistance in acquiring specially 

adapted housing. For more information on SAH, visit: http://www. 

benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp or call the program’s 

local office of jurisdiction at 1-877-827-3702. 

Special Home Adaption (SHA) Grant: VA may approve a benefit 

amount up to a maximum of $15,462 for the cost of necessary adaptations to a Service member’s or Veteran’s residence or to help him/ 

her acquire a residence already adapted with special features for his/ 

her disability, to purchase and adapt a home, or for adaptations to 

a family member’s home in which they will reside. To be eligible for 

this grant, service members and Veterans must be entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability due to 

one of the following: 

1. Blindness in both eyes with 20/200 acuity or less. 

2. Anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands. 

3. Severe burn injuries (see above). 

4. Certain severe respiratory injuries. 

Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA): Eligible Veterans and 

service members who are temporarily residing in a home owned by a 

family member may also receive a TRA grant to help the Veteran or 

Service member adapt the family member’s home to meet his or her 

special needs. Those eligible for a $77,307 grant would be permitted 

to use up to $33,937, and those eligible for a $15,462 grant would be 

permitted to use up to $6,059. Under the Honoring America’s Veter16
 

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ans and Caring for Camp LeJeune Families Act of 2012, TRA grant 

amounts do not count against SAH or SHA grant maximum amounts, 

starting August 6, 2013. Grant amounts are adjusted annually October1 based on a cost-of-construction index. 

Supplemental Financing: Veterans and service members with 

available VA Home Loan Guaranty entitlement may also obtain 

a guaranteed loan to supplement the grant to acquire a specially 

adapted home. For more information on SAH, visit: http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/sah.asp. 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E): VR&E , also 

referred to as the Chapter 31 program, provides services to eligible 

service members and Veterans with service-connected disabilities 

and an employment handicap to help them to prepare for, obtain, 

and maintain suitable employment. For Veterans and service members with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot 

immediately consider work, VR&E provides services to improve their 

ability to live independently as possible. For additional information 

on VR&E benefits please visit: http://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/ 

index.asp 

VR&E Eligibility for Veterans: A Veteran must have a VA serviceconnected disability rating of at least 20 percent and determined with 

an employment handicap, or rated 10 percent and determined with a 

serious employment handicap, and must be discharged or released 

from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. 

VR&E Eligibility for Service members: Service members are 

eligible to apply if they expect to receive an honorable discharge 

upon separation from active duty, obtain a memorandum rating of 

20 percent or more from VA, obtain a proposed Disability Evaluation System (DES) rating of 20 percent or more from VA, or obtain a 

referral to a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) through the Integrated 

Disability Evaluation System (IDES). 

VR&E Entitlement: A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) 

works with the Veteran to determine if an employment handicap exists. An employment handicap exists if a Veteran’s service-connected 

disability impairs his/her ability to prepare for, obtain, and maintain 

suitable employment. After an entitlement decision is made, the 

Veteran and VRC work together to develop an individualized rehabilitation plan. The individualized rehabilitation plan outlines the necessary rehabilitation services to be provided to the Veteran. 

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VR&E Services: Veterans work with a VRC to select one of the five 

tracks to employment based on their individualized needs. The Five 

Tracks to Employment provide greater emphasis on exploring employment options early in the rehabilitation planning process, better 

informed choices for the Veteran regarding occupational and employment options, faster access to employment for Veterans who have 

identifiable and transferable skills for direct placement into suitable 

employment, and an option for Veterans who are not able to work, 

but need assistance to lead a more independent life. If a program of 

training is selected, VA pays the cost of the approved training and 

services (except those coordinated through other providers) that are 

outlined in the Veteran’s rehabilitation plan, including subsistence 

allowance. 

The Five Tracks to Employment are: Reemployment with previous 

employer, Rapid access to employment,Self-employment, Employment through long-term services and Independent living services. 

Period of a Rehabilitation Program: The basic period of eligibility 

in which VR&E benefits may be used is 12 years from the latter of 

the following: 1) A Veteran’s date of separation from active military 

service, or 2) The date VA first notified a Veteran that he/she has 

been granted a compensable service-connected disability. Veterans 

may be provided up to 48 months of full-time services or the part-time 

equivalent based on the extent of services needed to complete the 

rehabilitation program. Rehabilitation plans that only provide services 

to improve independence in daily living are limited to 30 months, 

which may be extended in certain circumstances. 

Employment Services: In partnership with the Department of Labor 

VA provides support to Veterans and transitioning service members 

at all stages of their job search, including career advice, resume 

building and access to employers who want to hire Veterans and 

military spouses. Additional information and access to services are 

available at https://www.vets.gov/employment/ 

VR&E also establishes partnerships with federal, state and private 

agencies that help facilitate direct placement of Veterans or service 

members into civilian careers. VR&E can assist with placement using 

the following resources: 

On the Job Training (OJT) Program: Employers hire Veterans at an 

apprentice wage, and VR&E supplements the salary at the journey18 

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man wage (up to the maximum amount allowable under OJT). As 

the Veterans progress through training, the employers begin to increase the salary until the Veterans reach journeyman level and the 

employers pay the entire salary. VR&E may also pay for any necessary tools. 

Non-Paid Work Experience (NPWE): The NPWE program provides eligible Veterans the opportunity to obtain training and practical job experience concurrently. This program is ideal for Veterans 

or service members who have a clearly established vocational goal, 

and who learn easily in a hands-on environment. This program is 

also well suited for Veterans who are having difficulties obtaining 

employment due to lack of work experience. The NPWE program 

may be established in a federal, state, or local (i.e. city, town, school 

district) government agencies only. The employer may hire the Veteran at any point during the NPWE program. 

Special Employer Incentive (SEI): The SEI program is for eligible 

Veterans who face challenges in obtaining employment. Veterans 

approved to participate in the SEI program are hired by participating employers and employment is expected to continue following 

successful completion of the program. Employers are provided this 

incentive to hire Veterans. If approved, the employer will receive 

reimbursement for up to 50 percent of the Veteran’s salary during the 

SEI program, which can last up to six months. 

VetSuccess On Campus (VSOC): The VSOC program aims to 

help Veterans, service members, and eligible dependents succeed 

through a coordinated delivery of on-campus benefits assistance 

and counseling, leading to successful completion of their education 

and preparing them to enter the labor market in viable careers. For 

additional information on the VSOC program please visit: http://www. 

benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/vsoc.asp. 

Chapter 36 Education and Career Counseling: VA’s Education 

and career Counseling Program (Title 38 U.S.C. Chapter36) offers 

a great opportunity for transitioning Veterans, service members, and 

dependents to get personalized counseling and support to guide 

their career paths, ensure the most effective use of their VA benefits, 

and help them achieve their goals. For additional information please 

visit: http://www.benefits.va.gov/VOCREHAB/edu_voc_counseling. 

asp. To apply for this program visit: http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/ 

forms/VBA-28-8832-ARE.pdf. 

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Employment Services: In partnership with the Department of Labor, VA provides support to Veterans and transitioning Servicemembers at all stages of their job search, including career advice, resume 

building and access to employers who want to hire Veterans and 

military spouses. Additional information and access to services are 

available at https://www.vets.gov/employment/ 

VA Pension: VA helps Veterans and their families cope with financial challenges by providing supplemental income through the Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension benefit programs. Payments are 

made to bring the Veterans or Survivor’s total income, including other 

retirement or Social Security income, to a level set by Congress. 

Unreimbursed medical expenses may reduce countable income for 

VA purposes. 

Veterans Pension: Congress establishes the maximum annual 

Veterans Pension rates. Payments are reduced by the amount of 

countable income of the Veteran, spouse, and dependent children. 

When a Veteran without a spouse or a child is furnished nursinghome or domiciliary care by VA, the pension is reduced to an amount 

not to exceed $90 per month after three calendar months of care. 

The reduction may be delayed if nursing-home care is continued to 

provide the Veteran with rehabilitation services. 

To apply for increased pension based on A&A or Housebound payments, write to the PMC that serves your state and provide medical 

evidence, such as a doctor’s report, that validates the need for an 

increased benefit. For additional information on pension benefits 

please visit: http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/ 

Eligibility for Veterans Pension: Generally, a Veteran must have at 

least 90 days of active duty service, with at least one day during a VA 

recognized wartime period to qualify for a VA pension. The 90-day 

active service requirement does not apply to Veterans discharged 

from the military due to a service-connected disability. 

Veterans who entered active duty after Sept. 7, 1980, generally must 

have served at least 24 months of the full period for which called or 

ordered to active duty (with some exceptions), with at least one day 

during a war time period. In addition to meeting minimum service 

requirement, low-income wartime Veterans may qualify for pension 

if they meet certain service, income and net worth limits set by law 

and are: Age 65 or older, OR Permanently and totally disabled, OR A 

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patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care, OR Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, OR Receiving Supplemental 

Security Income. 

Yearly family income must be less than the amount set by Congress 

to qualify for the Veterans Pension benefit. Payments are made to 

bring the Veteran’s total income, including other retirement or Social 

Security income, to a level set by Congress. Unreimbursed medical 

expenses may reduce countable income for VA purposes 

Note: Veterans may have to meet longer minimum periods of active 

duty if they entered active duty on or after Sept. 8, 1980, or, if they 

were officers who entered active duty on or after Oct. 16, 1981. The 

Veteran’s discharge must have been under conditions other than 

dishonorable and the disability must be for reasons other than the 

Veteran’s own willful misconduct. 

How to Apply for Veterans Pension: To apply for Veterans Pension, download and complete VA Form 21P 527EZ, “Application for 

Pension”. You can mail your application to the Pension Management 

Center (PMC) that serves your state. You may also visit your local 

regional benefit office and turn in your application for processing. 

You can locate your local regional benefit office using the VA Facility 

Locator. For additional information on pension benefits please visit: 

http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension 

Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits (Special Monthly 

Pension): Veterans and survivors who are eligible for VA pension and require the aid and attendance of another person, or are 

housebound, may be eligible for higher maximum pension rate. 

These benefits are paid in addition to monthly pension, and they are 

not paid without eligibility to pension. Since aid and attendance and 

housebound allowances increase the pension amount, people who 

are not eligible for a basic pension due to excessive income may be 

eligible for pension at these increased rates. A Veteran or surviving 

spouse may not receive aid and attendance benefits and housebound benefits at the same time. For additional information on aid 

and attendance and housebound benefits including how to apply 

please visit: http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/aid_attendance_ 

housebound.asp 

Education and Training: Post–9/11 GI Bill®: The Post-9/11 GI Bill 

is an education benefit program for service members and Veterans 

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who served on active duty after Sept.10, 2001. Benefits are payable 

for training pursued on or after Aug. 1, 2009. No payments can be 

made under this program for training pursued before that date. For 

additional information on education and training opportunities please 

visit: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/ or by calling 1-888-GI-BILL-1 

(1-888-442-4551). 

Post -9/11 GI Bill Eligibility: To be eligible, the Service member or 

Veteran must serve at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after 

Sept. 10, 2001, and remain on active duty or be honorably discharged. 

Active duty includes active service performed by National Guard 

members under title 32 U.S.C. for the purposes of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the National Guard; or under 

section 502(f) for the purpose of responding to a national emergency. 

Veterans may also be eligible if they were honorably discharged from 

active duty for a service-connected disability after serving 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001. Generally, service members or Veterans may receive up to 36 months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 

GI Bill. Eligibility for benefits expires 15 years from the last period of 

active duty of at least 90 consecutive days. If released for a serviceconnected disability after at least 30 days of continuous service, eligibility ends 15 years from when the member is released for the serviceconnected disability. 

If, on Aug. 1, 2009, the Service member or Veteran is eligible for the 

Montgomery GI Bill; the Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve; or 

the Reserve Educational Assistance Program, and qualifies for the 

Post-9/11 GI Bill, an irrevocable election must be made to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. In most instances, once the election to 

receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is made, the individual will 

no longer be eligible to receive benefits under the relinquished program. Based on the length of active duty service, eligible participants 

are entitled to receive a percentage of the following: 

The cost of in-state tuition and fees at public institutions; the tuition 

and fees are capped at a national maximum rate for those attending 

private or foreign schools. Current rates can be found at http://www. 

benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/resources/benefits_resources/rate_tables. 

asp. Tuition and fees are paid to the institution on the student’s behalf 

(2016-2017: $21,970.46), 

Monthly housing allowance* equal to the basic allowance for housing 

payable to a military E-5 with dependents, in the same ZIP code as 

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the primary school (paid directly to the Service member, Veteran, or 

eligible dependents), 

Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year (paid 

directly to the Service member, Veteran, or eligible dependents), and 

A one-time payment of $500 paid to certain individuals relocating 

from highly rural areas. 

*Housing allowance is not payable to individuals pursuing training at 

half time or less. 

Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes graduate 

and undergraduate degrees, vocational/technical training, on-thejob training, flight training, correspondence training, licensing and 

national testing programs, and tutorial assistance. Individuals serving 

an aggregate period of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, can receive 

the following percentages based on length of service: 

Service Requirements After 9/10/01,

an individual must serve an aggregate of: 

Payment Tiers Percentage 

At least 36 months 100 percent 

At least 30 continuous days on active 

duty and discharged due to a serviceconnected disability 100 percent 

At least 30 months, but less than 36 

months 

90 percent 

At least 24 months, but less than 30 

months 

80 percent 

*At least 18 months, but less than 24 

months 

70 percent 

*At least 12 months, but less than 18 

months 

60 percent 

*At least 6 months, but less than 12 

months 

50 percent 

*At least 90 days, but less than 6 

months 

40 percent 

*Excludes time in basic military training and/or skill training 

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The Yellow Ribbon G.I. Bill Education Enhancement Program: 

The Yellow Ribbon Program allows institutions of higher learning 

(such as colleges, universities, and other degree-granting schools) 

in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA 

to fund tuition and fees that exceed the amounts payable under the 

Post-9/11 GI Bill. The institution can contribute a specified dollar 

amount of those expenses, and VA will match the contribution, not 

to exceed 50 percent of the difference. To be eligible, the student 

must be a Veteran receiving benefit at the 100-percent benefit rate, 

a transfer-of-entitlement-eligible dependent child, or a transfer-ofentitlement-eligible spouse of a Veteran. 

Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship Eligibility: The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship 

provides Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to the children and surviving 

spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001. Eligible beneficiaries attending school may receive 

up to 36 months of benefits at the 100% level. 

NOTE: Fry Scholarship beneficiaries are not eligible for Yellow Ribbon Program benefits. The Fry 27 Scholarship includes: 

Full tuition and fees paid directly to the school for all public school instate students. For those attending private or foreign schools, tuition 

and fees are capped at a statutory maximum amount per academic 

year. A monthly housing allowancea and a books and supplies stipend 

Eligible Children: Children of active duty members of the Armed 

Forces who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001, are 

eligible for this benefit. A child may begin an approved program of 

education before the age of 18. Eligibility ends on the child’s 33rd 

birthday. A child’s marital status has no effect on eligibility. Eligible 

children are entitled to 36 months of benefits at the 100-percent 

level. Have 15 years to use the benefit beginning on their 18th birthday. May use the benefit until their 33rd birthday. Are not eligible for 

the Yellow Ribbon Program. 

Eligible Spouses: Spouses of active duty members of the Armed 

Forces who died in the line of duty after Sept.10, 2001 are eligible for 

this benefit. A surviving spouse’s eligibility generally ends 15 years 

after the Service member’s death. A spouse will lose eligibility to this 

benefit upon remarriage. 

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Because certain provisions of the law that extended these benefits 

to spouses did not go in effect until January 1, 2015, some surviving 

spouses’ benefits would have expired in 2016. A new provision of the 

law signed on Dec. 16, 2016, extends the benefit eligibility to Jan. 1, 

2021 for the spouses of service members who died in the line of duty 

between Sept. 11, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2005. This allows surviving 

spouses’ additional time to use the Fry Scholarship benefits. 

Survivor’s & Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA): Dependents of Veterans who were permanently and totally disabled on 

active duty or due to a service-related condition may be eligible for 

45 months of degree and certificate courses, apprenticeship, and 

on-the-job training under the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational 

Assistance (DEA) program as follows: 

The spouse or child of a Service member or Veteran who either died 

of a service-connected disability, or who has permanent and total 

service-connected disability, or who died while such a disability existed. The spouse or child of a Service member listed for more than 

90 days as currently Missing in Action (MIA), captured in the line of 

duty by a hostile force, or detained or interned by a foreign government or power. 

The spouse or child of a Service member who is hospitalized or receives outpatient care or treatment for a disability that is determined 

to be totally and permanently disabling, incurred or aggravated due 

to active duty, and for which the service member is likely to be discharged from military service. 

Surviving spouses lose eligibility if they remarry before age 57 or are 

living with another person who has been recognized publicly as their 

spouse. They can regain eligibility if their remarriage ends by death 

or divorce or if they cease living with the person. Dependent children 

do not lose eligibility if the surviving spouse remarries. Visit www. 

benefits.va.gov/gibill for more information. 

Period of Eligibility: The period of eligibility for Veterans’ spouses 

expires 10 years from either the date they become eligible or the 

date of the Veteran’s death. Children generally must be between 

the ages of 18 and 26 to receive educational benefits. VA may grant 

extensions to both spouses and children. 

The period of eligibility for spouses of service members who died on 

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active duty expires 20 years from the date of death. This is a change in 

law that became effective Dec. 10, 2004. Spouses of service members 

who died on active duty whose 10-year eligibility period expired before 

Dec. 10, 2004, now have 20 years from the date of death to use educational benefits. 

Training Available: Benefits may be awarded for pursuit of associate, 

bachelor, or graduate degrees at colleges and universities; independent 

study; cooperative training; study abroad; certificate or diploma from 

business, technical, or vocational schools; apprenticeships; on-the-job 

training programs; farm cooperative courses; and preparatory courses 

for tests required or used for admission to an institution of higher learning or graduate school. 

Benefits for correspondence courses under certain conditions are available to spouses only. Beneficiaries without high-school degrees can 

pursue secondary schooling, and those with a deficiency in a subject 

may receive tutorial assistance if enrolled half-time or more. 

Special Benefits: Dependents over age 14 with physical or mental disabilities that impair their ability to pursue an education may receive specialized vocational or restorative training, including speech and voice 

correction, language retraining, lip reading, auditory training, Braille 

reading and writing, and similar programs. Certain disabled or surviving 

spouses are also eligible. 

For additional information on Survivors & Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) visit: http://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/DEA.asp. 

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD): The MGIB-AD (Chapter 

30) is an education benefit that provides up to 36 months of education 

benefits to eligible Veterans and service members for college degree 

and certificate programs, technical or vocational courses, flight training, 

apprenticeships or on-the-job training, high tech training, licensing and 

certification test, entrepreneurship training, certain entrance examinations, and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Benefits 

generally expire 10 years after discharge. Current payment rates are 

available at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/. 

A Veteran may be eligible for this benefit if he or she entered active 

duty after June 30, 1985, has an honorable discharge, did not decline 

MGIB in writing, and served three continuous years of active duty (or 

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have an obligation to serve four years in the Selected Reserve after 

active duty service). There are exceptions for disability, re-entering 

active duty, and upgraded discharges. All participants must have a 

high school diploma, equivalency certificate, or have completed 12 

hours toward a college degree before applying for benefits. 

GI Bill Resident-Rate Requirements: Section 417 of Public Law 

114-315 requires VA to disapprove programs of education for payment of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI 

Bill-Active Duty at public Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) if the 

school charges qualifying Veterans and dependents tuition and fees 

in excess of the rate for resident students for terms beginning after 

July 1, 2017. To remain approved for VA’s GI Bill programs, schools 

must charge in-state tuition and fee amounts to “covered individuals.” 

A covered individual is defined as: 

A Veteran who lives in the state where the IHL is located (regardless 

of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within 

three years of discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 

days or more. 

An individual using transferred benefits who lives in the state where 

the IHL is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) 

and enrolls in the school within three years of the transferor’s discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more. 

Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously 

enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between 

courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school. The person so described must have enrolled in the school prior to the expiration of the 

three year period following discharge or release as described above 

and must be using educational benefits under either chapter 30 or 

chapter 33, of title 38, United States Code. 

Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits who lives in the 

state where the IHL is located and the transferor is a member of the 

uniformed service who is serving on active duty. 

Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John 

David Fry Scholarship who lives in the state where the IHL is located 

(regardless of his/her formal state of residence). 

The in-state tuition provisions in Section 417 do not apply to those 

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individuals on active duty using benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill 

and Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty. Public IHLs must offer in-state 

tuition and fees to all covered individuals with Post-9/11 GI Bill and 

Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB - AD) benefits in order for 

programs to remain approved for GI Bill benefits for terms beginning 

after July 1, 2017. After July 1, 2017, VA will not issue payments for 

any students eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill or the MGIB-AD until 

the school becomes fully compliant. These requirements ensure our 

nation’s recently discharged Veterans, and their eligible family members, will not bear the cost of out-of-state charges while using their 

well-deserved education benefits. 

Home Loan Guaranty: VA home loan guaranties are issued to 

help eligible service members, Veterans, Reservists, National Guard 

members, and certain surviving spouses obtain homes, condominiums, and manufactured homes, and to refinance loans. Although it’s 

preferable to apply electronically, it is possible to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) using VA Form 26-1880, Request for Certificate of Eligibility. In applying for a hard-copy COE using VA Form 

26-1880, it is typically necessary that the eligible Veteran present 

a copy of his/her report of discharge or DD Form 214, Certificate of 

Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other adequate substitute evidence to VA. An eligible active duty service members should 

obtain and submit a statement of service signed by an appropriate 

military official to the VA Eligibility Center. For general program information or to obtain VA loan guaranty forms please visit http://www. 

benefits.va.gov/homeloans/ or call 1-877-827-3702 to reach the 

home loan program’s local office of jurisdiction. 

A completed VA Form 26-1880 and any associated documentation 

should be mailed to the nearest Regional Loan Center (RLC) of 

jurisdiction. The RLC jurisdictions and mailing addresses are located 

on page 3 of VA Form 26-1880, http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/ 

vba-26-1880-are.pdf. 

Please note that while VA’s electronic applications can establish 

eligibility and issue an online COE in a matter of seconds, the system can only process cases for which VA has sufficient data in its 

records. Therefore, certain applicants will not be able to establish 

eligibility online and additional information might be requested prior 

to the issuance of a COE. If a COE cannot be issued immediately, 

users have the option of submitting an electronic application. 

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Home Loan Guaranty Uses: A VA loan guaranty helps protect lenders from loss if the borrower fails to repay the loan. It can be used to 

obtain a loan to: Buy or build a home; buy a residential condominium 

unit; repair, alter, or improve a residence owned by the Veteran and 

occupied by the Veteran and occupies as a home; refinance an existing home loan; buy a manufactured home and/or lot and install a solar heating or cooling system or other energy-efficient improvements. 

Home Loan Guaranty Eligibility: In addition to the periods of eligibility and conditions of service requirements, applicants must have 

a good credit rating, sufficient income, a valid Certificate of Eligibility 

(COE), and agree to live in the property in order to be approved by 

a lender for a VA home loan. Lenders can apply for a COE online 

through the Veterans Information Portal (https://vip.vba.va.gov/portal/ 

VBAH/Home). Active duty service members and Veterans can also 

apply online at http://www.ebenefits.va.gov 

Surviving Spouses: Some spouses of Veterans may have home 

loan eligibility: The unmarried surviving spouse of a Veteran who 

died as a result of service or service-connected causes. The surviving spouse of a Veteran who dies on active duty or from serviceconnected causes, who remarries on or after attaining age 57 and 

on or after Dec. 16, 2003. The spouse of an active duty member who 

is listed as missing in action (MIA) or a prisoner of war (POW) for at 

least 90 days. 

Eligibility under the MIA/POW provisions is limited to one-time use 

only. Surviving spouses of Veterans who died from nonservice –connected causes may also be eligible if any of the following conditions 

are met: the Veteran was rated totally service-connected disabled 

for 10 years or more immediately preceding death, or was rated 

totally disabled for not less than five years from date of discharge or 

release from active duty to date of death, or was a former prisoner 

of war who died after Sept.30, 1999, and was rated totally serviceconnected disabled for not less than one year immediately preceding 

death. 

Home Loan Guaranty Limits: VA does not make loans to Veterans and service members; VA guarantees loans made by private 

sector lenders. The guaranty is what VA could pay a lender should 

the loan go to foreclosure. VA does not set a cap on how much an 

individual can borrow to refinance a home. However there are limits 

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on the amount of liability VA can assume, which usually affects the 

amount of money an institution will lend. For information on loan 

limits please visit: http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/purchaseco_loan_limits.asp. 

Other Types of Loans: An eligible borrower can use a VA-guaranteed Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan to refinance an 

existing VA loan and lower the interest rate and payment. Typically, 

no credit underwriting is required for this type of loan. The loan may 

include the entire outstanding balance of the prior loan, the costs of 

energy-efficient improvements, and closing costs, including up to discounts points. An eligible borrower who wishes to obtain a VA-guaranteed loan to purchase a manufactured home or lot can borrow up 

to 95% of the home’s purchase price. The amount VA will guarantee 

on a manufactured home loan is 40 percent of the loan amount or 

the Veteran’s available entitlement, up to a maximum amount of 

$20,000. These provisions apply only to a manufactured home that 

will not be placed on a permanent foundation 

Home Loan Guaranty Appraisals: No loan can be guaranteed by 

VA without first being appraised by a VA-assigned fee appraiser. A 

home appraisal by a VA assigned fee appraiser is required for purchase and certain refinance loans guaranteed by VA. A lender can 

request a VA appraisal through VA systems. The Veteran borrower 

typically pays for the appraisal upon completion, according to a fee 

schedule approved by VA. This VA appraisal estimates value of the 

property. An appraisal is not an inspection and does not guarantee 

the house is free of defects. VA guarantees the loan, not the condition of the property. 

A thorough inspection of the property by a reputable inspection firm 

may help minimize any problems that could arise after loan closing. 

In an existing home, particular attention should be given to plumbing, 

heating, electrical, roofing, and structural components. In addition, 

VA strongly recommends testing for radon, a known carcinogen. 

Home Loan Guaranty Closing Costs: For purchase home loans, 

payment in cash is required on all closing costs, including title search 

and recording fees, hazard insurance premiums and prepaid taxes. 

For refinancing loans, all such costs may be included in the loan, as 

long as the total loan does not exceed the reasonable value of the 

property. Interest rate reduction loans may include closing costs, 

including a maximum of two discount points. 

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Home Loan Guaranty Funding Fees: The funding fee is a percentage of the loan amount collected in order to offset future anticipated 

costs associated with the loan. A funding fee must be paid to VA 

unless the Veteran is exempt from such a fee. Currently, exemptions 

from the funding fee are provided for Veterans and service members 

receiving VA disability compensation, those who are rated by VA as 

eligible to receive compensation as a result of pre-discharge disability examination and rating, and those who would be in receipt of 

compensation, but who were recalled to active duty or reenlisted and 

are receiving active-duty pay in lieu of compensation. Additionally, 

unmarried surviving spouses in receipt of dependency and indemnity 

compensation may be exempt. 

The fee may be paid in cash or included in the loan. For all types 

of loans, the loan amount may include the VA funding fee and up to 

$6,000 of energy-efficient improvements. 

However, no other fees (including fees for the VA appraisal, credit 

report, loan processing fee, title search, title insurance, recording 

fees, transfer taxes, survey charges, or hazard insurance), charges, 

or discount points may be included in loans for purchase or construction. For refinancing loans, most closing costs may be included in the 

loan amount. 

Home Loan Guaranty Required Occupancy: To qualify for a 

VA home loan, a Veteran or the spouse of an active-duty Service 

member must certify that he or she intends to occupy the home. A 

dependent child of an active-duty Service member also satisfies the 

occupancy requirement. When refinancing a VA-guaranteed loan 

solely to reduce the interest rate, a Veteran only needs to certify prior 

occupancy. 

Home Loan Guaranty Financing, Interest Rates and Terms: 

Veterans obtain VA-guaranteed loans through the usual lending 

institutions, including banks, credit unions, and mortgage brokers. 

VA-guaranteed loans can have either a fixed interest rate or an 

adjustable rate, where the interest rate may adjust up to one percent 

annually and up to five percent over the life of the loan. VA does not 

set the interest rate. Interest rates are negotiable between the lender 

and borrower on all loan types. 

Veterans may also choose a different type of adjustable rate mortgage called a hybrid ARM, where the initial interest rate remains 

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fixed for 3-10 years. If the rate remains fixed for less than five years, 

the rate adjustment cannot be more than one percent annually and 

five percent over the life of the loan. For a hybrid ARM with an initial 

fixed period of five years or more, the initial adjustment may be up to 

two percent. 

The Secretary has the authority to determine annual adjustments 

thereafter. Currently, annual adjustments may be up to two percentage point and six percent over the life of the loan. If the lender 

charges discounts points on the loan, the Veteran may negotiate 

with the seller as to who will pay points or if they will be split between 

buyer and seller. Points paid by the Veteran may not be included in 

the loan (with the exception that up to two points may be included in 

interest rate reduction refinancing loans) The term of the loan may be 

for as long as 30 years and 32 days. 

Home Loan Guaranty Assumption Requirements and Liability: 

VA loans made on or after March 1, 1988, are not assumable without 

the prior approval of VA or its authorized agent (usually the lender 

collecting the monthly payments). To approve the assumption, the 

lender must ensure that the purchaser is a satisfactory credit risk and 

will assume all of the Veteran’s liabilities on the loan. If approved, the 

purchaser will have to pay a funding fee that the lender sends to VA, 

and the Veteran will be released from liability to the federal government. (A VA-guaranteed loan may be assumed by Veterans, active 

duty personnel, and non-Veterans alike. 

Loans made prior to Mar. 1, 1988, are generally freely assumable, 

but Veterans should still request the lender’s approval in order to be 

released of liability. Veterans whose loans were closed after Dec. 31, 

1989, usually have no liability to the government following a foreclosure, except in cases involving fraud, misrepresentation, or bad faith, 

such as allowing an unapproved assumption. However, for the entitlement to be restored, any loss suffered by VA must be paid in full. 

A release of liability does not mean that a Veteran’s guaranty entitlement is restored. That occurs only if the borrower is an eligible 

Veteran who agrees to substitute his or her entitlement for that of the 

seller. If the Veteran allows assumptions of a loan without prior approval, then the lender may demand immediate and full payment of 

the loan, and the Veteran may be liable if the loan is foreclosed and 

VA has to pay a claim under the loan guaranty. 

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VA Assistance to Veterans in Default: When a VA-guaranteed 

home loan becomes delinquent; VA may provide supplemental 

servicing assistance to help cure the default. The servicer has the 

primary responsibility of servicing the loan to resolve the default, and 

VA urges all Veterans who are encountering problems making their 

mortgage payments to speak with their servicers as soon as possible 

to explore options to avoid foreclosure. Contrary to popular opinion, 

servicers do not want to foreclose because foreclosure costs money. 

Depending on a Veteran’s specific situation, servicers may offer any 

of the following options to avoid foreclosure: 

Repayment Plan – The borrower makes a regular installment each 

month plus part of the missed installments. 

Special Forbearance – The servicer agrees not to initiate foreclosure to allow time for borrowers to repay the missed installments or 

agrees to place a hold or postpone foreclosures proceedings. An 

example of when this would be likely is when a borrower is waiting 

for a tax refund. 

Loan Modification– Provides the borrower a fresh start by adding 

the delinquency to the loan balance and establishing a new payment 

schedule. 

Short Sale – When the servicer agrees to allow a borrower to sell 

his/her home for a lesser amount than what is currently required to 

pay off the loan. 

Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure – The borrower voluntarily agrees to 

deed the property to the servicer instead of going through a lengthy 

foreclosure process. 

In cases where the servicer is unable to help the Veteran borrower, 

VA has loan technicians at its eight RLCs and in Hawaii, who are 

available to take an active role in interceding with the mortgage servicer. Veterans with VA-guaranteed home loans can call 1-877-827-

3702 to discuss potential ways to help save the loan. 

Service members Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and Home Loan Guaranties: Veteran borrowers may be able to request relief pursuant to 

the SCRA. In order to qualify for certain protections available under 

the Act, their obligation must have originated prior to their current 

period of active military service. SCRA may provide a lower interest 

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rate during military service and for up to one year after service ends, 

provide forbearance, or prevent foreclosure or eviction up to nine 

months from period of military service. 

Assistance to Veterans with VA-Guaranteed Home Loans: When 

a VA-guaranteed home loan becomes delinquent; VA may provide 

supplemental servicing assistance to help cure the default. The 

servicer has the primary responsibility of servicing the loan to resolve 

the default. Veterans with VA-guaranteed home loans can call 1-877-

827-3702 to reach the nearest VA office where loan specialists are 

prepared to discuss potential ways to help save the loan. 

Assistance to Veterans with Non-VA Guaranteed Home Loans in 

Default: VA advises Veterans or service members who are having 

difficulty making payments on a non-VA-guarantees loan to contact their servicer as quickly as possible to explore options to avoid 

foreclosure. Although for non-VA loans, VA does not have authority 

to directly intervene on the borrower’s behalf, VA network of loan 

technicians at eight Regional Loan Centers and an office in an office 

in Hawaii can offer advice and guidance on how to potentially avoid 

foreclosure. Veterans or service members with non-VA- loans may 

call 1-877-827-3702 to speak with a VA loan technician, or visit: 

www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/, for more information on avoiding 

foreclosure. 

If VA is not able to help a Veteran borrower retain his/her home 

(whether a VA-guaranteed loan or not), The Department of Housing 

and Urban Development (HUD) offers assistance to homeowners by 

sponsoring local housing counseling agencies. To find an approved 

agency in your area, search online at www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/ 

hcc/hcs.cfm or call HUD’s interactive voice system at 1-800-569-

4287. 

VA Refinancing of a Non-VA Guaranteed Home Loan: Veterans with non-VA guaranteed home loans now have new options for 

refinancing to a VA-guaranteed home loan. These new options are 

available as a result of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 

2008. Veterans who wish to refinance their subprime or conventional 

mortgage may now do so for up to 100 percent of value of the property. 

Other Assistance for Delinquent Veteran Borrowers: If VA is 

not able to help a Veteran borrower retain his/her home (whether a 

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VA-guaranteed loan or not), the Department of Housing and Urban 

Development (HUD) offers assistance to homeowners by sponsoring 

local housing counseling agencies. To find an approved agency in 

your area, please visit: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs. 

cfm, or call HUD’s interactive voice system at 1-800-569-4287. 

Preventing Veteran Homelessness: Veterans who believe they 

may be facing homelessness as a result of losing their homes can 

call 1-877-4AIDVET (877-424-3838) or visit: www.va.gov/HOMELESS/index.asp to receive assistance in preventing homelessness. 

VA Acquired Property Sales: VA acquires properties as a result 

of foreclosures of VA-guaranteed and VA-owned loans. A private 

contractor currently markets the acquired properties through listing 

agents using local Multiple Listing Services. A listing of “VA Properties for Sale” may be found at http://listings.vrmco.com/. Contact 

a real estate agent for information on purchasing a VA-acquired 

property. 

Loans for Native American Veterans: Eligible Native American Veterans can obtain a loan from VA to purchase, construct, or 

improve a home on federal Trust Land, or to reduce the interest rate 

on such a VA loan. Native American Direct Loans (NADLS) are only 

available if a memorandum of understanding exists between the 

tribal organization and VA. Veterans who are not Native American, 

but who are married to Native American non-Veterans, may be eligible for a direct loan under this program, 

To be eligible for such a loan, the qualified non-Native American Veteran and the Native American spouse must reside on federal Trust 

Land, both the Veteran and spouse must have a meaningful interest 

in the dwellling or lot, and the tribal authority that has jurisdiction over 

the Trust Land must recognize the non-Native American Veteran as 

subject to its authority. For additional information about the NADL 

program please visit: http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/nadl. 

asp. 

VA Life Insurance: VA’s life insurance benefits include Service 

member’s Group Life Insurance, Veterans Group Life Insurance, 

Family Service member’s Group Life Insurance, Service member’s 

Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection, Service-Disabled 

Veterans’ Life Insurance, and Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance. 

These programs are described below. Complete details are also 

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available at: http://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/; or by writing to 

Department of Veterans Affairs, Insurance Center, PO Box 42954, 

Philadelphia, PA 19101: or by or by calling VA’s Insurance Center 

toll-free at 1-800-669-8477. Specialists are available between the 

hours of 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., Eastern Time, to discuss premium 

payments, insurance dividends, address changes, policy loans, 

naming beneficiaries, reporting the death of the insured, and other 

insurance issues. 

For information about service members’ Group Life Insurance, 

Veterans’ Group Life Insurance, service members’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection, or service members’ Group Life 

Insurance Family Coverage, please visit: http://www.benefits.va.gov/ 

insurance/; or call the Office of Service members’ Group Life Insurance directly at 1-800-419-1473. 

Service members’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI): The following 

are automatically insured for $400,000 under SGLI: 

Active duty members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and 

Coast Guard. 

Commissioned members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NOAA) and the Public Health Service (PHS). 

Cadets or midshipmen of the U.S. military academies. 

Members, cadets and midshipmen of the ROTC while =engaged in 

authorized training and practice cruises. 

Members of the Ready Reserves/National Guard who are scheduled 

to perform at least 12 periods of inactive training per year. 

Members who volunteer for a mobilization category in the Individual 

Ready Reserve. 

Individuals may elect in writing to be covered for a lesser amount or 

to decline coverage. SGLI coverage is available in $50,000 increments up to the maximum of $400,000. 

Full-time service members on active duty are covered 24/7, 365 

days of the year. Coverage is in effect during the period of active 

duty or inactive duty training and for 120 days following separation or 

release from duty. 

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Reservists or National Guard members who have been assigned to a 

unit in which they are scheduled to perform at least 12 periods of inactive duty that is creditable for retirement purposes are also covered 

24/7, 365 days of the year and for 120 days following separation or 

release from duty. Part-time coverage is provided for Reservists or 

National Guard members who do not qualify for the full-time coverage described above. 

Part-time coverage generally applies to Reservists/National Guard 

members who drill only a few days in a year. These individuals are 

covered only while on active duty or active duty for training, or traveling to and from such duty. Members covered part-time do not receive 

120 days of free coverage after separation unless they incur or aggravate a disability during a period of duty 

SGLI Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI): Members of the armed 

services serve our nation heroically during times of great need, 

but what happens when they experience great needs of their own 

because they have sustained a traumatic injury? TSGLI provides for 

payment traumatically injured service members who have suffered 

certain physical losses. The TSGLI benefit ranges between $25,000 

and $100,000 depending on the loss. TSGLI helps service members 

by allowing their families to be with them during their recovery or by 

helping with other expenses incurred during their recovery period. 

TSGLI is attached to SGLI. An additional $1.00 is added to the Service member’s SGLI premium to cover TSGLI. After Dec. 1, 2005, all 

service members who are covered by SGLI are automatically also 

covered by TSGLI. TSGLI cannot be declined unless the Service 

member also declines basic SGLI. TSGLI claims are adjudicated 

by the individual military branches of service. In addition, there is 

retroactive TSGLI coverage for service members who sustained a 

qualifying loss between Oct. 7, 2001, and Nov. 30, 2005, regardless 

of where it occurred TSGLI coverage is payable to these service 

members regardless of whether they had SGLI coverage in force at 

the time of their injury. 

For additional information and branch of service contact information, 

please visit: http://benefits.va.gov/insurance/tsgli.asp, or call: 

1-800-237-1336 (Army); 

1-866-827-5672, option2 (Navy); 

1-877-216-0825 (Marine Corps); 

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1-800-433-0048 (Active Duty Air Force); 

1-800-525-0102 (Air Force Reserves); 

1-240-612-9173(Air National Guard); 

1-202-795-6647 (Coast Guard); 

1-301-427-3280 (PHS); 

1-301-713-3444 (NOAA). 

Family Service members’ Group Life Insurance Coverage (FSGLI): FSGLI coverage consists of spousal coverage and dependent 

child coverage. FSGLI provides up to $100,000 of life insurance coverage for spouses of service members with full-time SGLI coverage, 

not to exceed the amount of SGLI the member has in force. Coverage for spouses who are not in the military is automatic. For spouses who are in the military and were married on or after Jan.2, 2013, 

coverage is not automatic. The members can apply for spousal 

coverage, but the spouse must meet good health requirements. Premiums for spouse coverage are based on the age of the spouse and 

the amount of FSGLI coverage. FSGLI is a service members’ benefit; 

the member pays the premium and is the only person allowed to be 

the beneficiary of the coverage. FSGLI spousal coverage ends 120 

days after any of the following events: 

The service member elects in writing to terminate coverage on the 

spouse; the service member elects to terminate his or her own SGLI 

coverage.;the service member dies; the service member separates 

from service; the service member is divorced from the spouse; and 

the insured spouse may convert his or her FSGLI coverage to a 

permanent policy offered by participating private insurers within 120 

days of the date of any of the termination events noted above. FSGLI 

dependent coverage of $10,000 is also automatically provided for 

dependent children of service members insured under SGLI, with no 

premium required. 

Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI): Following separation from 

service, SGLI may be converted to VGLI, which provides lifetime 

renewable term coverage to: Veterans who had full-time SGLI coverage upon separation from active duty or the Reserves; members of 

the Ready Reserves/National Guard with part-time SGLI coverage 

who incur a disability or aggravate a pre-existing disability during a 

period of active duty or a period of inactive duty for less than 31 days 

that renders them uninsurable at standard premium rates; members 

of the Individual Ready Reserve and Inactive National Guard; and 

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service members must apply for VGLI within one year and 120 days 

from separation. Service members discharged on or after November 

1, 2012, who apply for VGLI within 240 days of separation, do not 

need to submit evidence of good health, while service members who 

apply after the 240-day period must submit evidence of insurability. 

The initial VGLI coverage available is equal to the amount of SGLI 

coverage at the time of separation from service. 

Effective April 11, 2011, VGLI insureds who are under age 60 and 

have less than $400,000 in coverage can purchase up to $25,000 of 

additional coverage on each five-year anniversary of their coverage, 

up to the maximum $400,000. No medical underwriting is required 

for the additional coverage. 

SGLI Disability Extension: Service members who are totally disabled at the time of separation (unable to work or have certain statutory conditions), can apply for the SGLI Disability Extension, which 

provides free coverage for up to two years from the date of separation. To apply, Servicmembers must complete and return SGLV 8715, 

the SGLI Disability Extension Application. Those covered under the 

SGLI Disability Extension are automatically converted to VGLI at the 

end of their extension period, subject to the payment of premiums. 

VGLI is convertible at any time to a permanent plan policy with any 

participating commercial insurance company. 

Accelerated Death Benefits: Like many private life insurance companies, the SGLI, FSGLI and VGLI programs offer an accelerated 

benefits option to terminally ill insured members. An insured member 

is considered to be terminally ill if he or she has a written medical 

prognosis of nine months or less to live. All terminally ill members 

are eligible to receive up to 50 percent of their SGLI or VGLI coverage, and terminally ill spouses can receive up to 50 percent of their 

FSGLI, in a lump sum. Payment of an accelerated benefit reduces 

the amount payable to the beneficiaries at the time of the insured’s 

death. To apply, an insured member must submit SGLV 8284, Service member/Veteran Accelerated Benefit Option Form, and spouses 

must complete SGLV 8284A, Service member Family Coverage Accelerated Benefits Option Form. 

Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance (S-DVI): Veterans who 

separated from service on or after April 25, 1951, under other than 

dishonorable conditions who have service-connected disabilities, 

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even zero percent, but are otherwise in good health, may apply to VA 

for up to $10,000 in life insurance coverage under the S-DVI program. Applications must be submitted within two years from the date 

of being notified of the approval of a new service-connected disability 

by VA. Veterans who are totally disabled may apply for a waiver of 

premiums. If approved for waiver of premiums, the Veteran can apply 

for additional supplemental insurance coverage of up to $30,000. 

However, premiums cannot be waived on the additional supplemental insurance. 

To be eligible for this type of supplemental insurance, Veterans must 

meet all of the following three requirements: be under age 65; be 

eligible for a waiver of premiums due to total disability; and apply for 

additional insurance within one year from the date of notification of 

waiver approval on the basic S-DVI policy. 

Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI): VMLI is mortgage protection insurance available to severely disabled Veterans who have 

been approved by VA for a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant. 

Maximum coverage is the smaller of the existing mortgage balance 

or $200,000, and is payable only to the mortgage company. Protection is issued automatically following SAH grant approval, provided 

the Veteran submits mortgage information required to establish a 

premium and does not decline coverage. Coverage automatically terminates when the mortgage is paid off. If a mortgage is disposed of 

through sale of the property, VMLI may be obtained on the mortgage 

of another home. 

Other Insurance Information: The following information applies 

only to policies issued to World War II, Korean-era, and Vietnam-era 

Veterans and any Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance policies. 

Policies in this group are prefixed by the letters K, V, RS, W, J, JR, 

JS, or RH. 

Insurance Dividends Issued Annually: World War II and Koreanera Veterans with active policies beginning with the letters V, RS, 

W, J, JR, JS, or K earn tax-free dividends annually on the policy 

anniversary date. (Policies prefixed by RH do not earn dividends.) 

Policyholders do not need to apply for dividends, but may select from 

among the following dividend options: 

Cash: The dividend is paid directly to the insured by direct deposit to 

a bank account or by check. 

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Paid-Up Additional Insurance: The dividend is used to purchase additional insurance coverage. 

Credit or Deposit: The dividend is held in an account for the policyholder with interest. Withdrawals from the account can be made at 

any time. The interest rate may be adjusted. 

Net Premium Billing Options: These options use the dividend to pay 

the annual policy premium. If the dividend exceeds the premium, the 

policyholder has options to choose how the remainder is used. If the 

dividend is not enough to pay an annual premium, the policyholder is 

billed the balance. 

Other Dividend Options: Dividends can also be used to repay a loan 

or pay premiums in advance. 

Reinstating Lapsed Insurance: Lapsed term policies may be reinstated within five years from the date of lapse. A five-year term policy 

that is not lapsed at the end of the term is automatically renewed for 

an additional five years. Lapsed permanent plans may be reinstated 

within certain time limits and with certain health requirements. Reinstated permanent plan policies require repayment of all back premiums, plus interest. 

Converting Term Policies: Term policies are renewed automatically every five years, with premiums increasing at each renewal. 

Premiums do not increase after age 70. Term policies may be converted to permanent plans, which have fixed premiums for life and 

earn cash and loan values. 

Dividends on Capped Term Policies: Effective Sept. 2000, VA 

provides either a cash dividend or paid-up insurance on term policies 

whose premiums have been capped. Veterans with National Service Life Insurance (NSLI) term insurance that has renewed at age 

71 or older and who stop paying premiums on their policies will be 

given a “termination dividend.” This dividend can either be received 

as a cash payment or used to purchase a reduced amount of paidup insurance, which insures the Veteran for life with no premium 

payments required. The amount of the reduced paid-up insurance 

remains level. This does not apply to S-DVI (RH) policies. 

Borrowing on Policies: Policyholders with permanent plan policies 

may borrow up to 94 percent of the cash surrender value of their in41
 

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surance after the insurance is in force for one year or more. Interest 

is compounded annually. The loan interest rate is variable and may 

be obtained by calling toll-free at 1-800-669-8477. 

Reserve and National Guard Re-employment Rights: A person 

who left a civilian job to enter active duty in the armed forces is 

entitled to return to the job after discharge or release from active duty 

if they: gave advance notice of military service to the employer; did 

not exceed five years cumulative absence from the civilian job (with 

some exceptions); submitted a timely application for re-employment; 

and did not receive a dishonorable or other punitive discharge. 

The law calls for a returning Veteran to be placed in the job as if he/ 

she had never left, including benefits based on seniority such as 

pensions, pay increases and promotions. The law also prohibits discrimination in hiring, promotion, or other advantages of employment 

on the basis of military service. Veterans seeking re-employment 

should apply, verbally or in writing, to the company’s hiring official 

and keep a record of their application. If problems arise, contact the 

Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service 

(VETS) in the state of the employer. Federal employees not properly 

re-employed may appeal directly to the Merit Systems Protection 

Board. Non-federal employees may file complaints in U.S. District 

Court. For information, visit http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra/ 

main.htm. 

Special Groups of Veterans 

Veterans and Survivors Needing Fiduciary Services: The fiduciary program provides oversight of VA’s most vulnerable beneficiaries who are unable to manage their VA benefits because of injury, 

disease, the infirmities of advanced age, or being under 18 years of 

age. VA appoints fiduciaries who manage VA benefits for these beneficiaries and conducts oversight of VA-appointed fiduciaries to ensure 

that they are meeting the needs of the beneficiaries they serve. 

VA closely monitors fiduciaries for compliance with program responsibilities to ensure that VA benefits are being used for the purpose of 

meeting the needs, security, and comfort of beneficiaries and their 

dependents. In deciding who should act as fiduciary for a beneficiary, 

VA will always select the most effective and least restrictive fiduciary 

arrangement. For more information about VA’s fiduciary program, 

please visit our website at http://benefits.va.gov/fiduciary/index.asp. 

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Homeless Veterans: VA’s homeless programs constitute the largest 

integrated network of homeless assistance programs in the country, offering a wide array of services to help Veterans recover from 

homelessness and live as self-sufficiently and independently as possible. For more information on VA homeless programs and services, 

Veterans currently enrolled in VA health care can speak with their VA 

mental health or health care provider. Other Veterans and interested 

parties can find a complete list of VA health care facilities at https:// 

www.va.gov/directory/guide/division.asp?dnum=1&isFlash=0, or they 

can call VA‘s general information hotline at 1-800--827-1000. If assistance is needed when contacting a VA facility, ask to speak to the 

Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program or the Mental Health 

service manager. For additional information please visit: http://www. 

benefits.va.gov/PERSONA/veteran-homeless.asp. 

VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program: The 

HCHV Program provides a gateway to VA and community supportive 

services for eligible Veterans. Through the HCHV Program, Veterans 

are provided with case management and residential treatment in the 

community. The program also conducts outreach to homeless Veterans who are not likely to come to VA facilities on their own. 

Homeless Veterans Supported Employment Program (HVSEP): 

HVSEP provides vocational assistance, job development and 

placement, and ongoing employment supports designed to improve 

employment outcomes among homeless Veterans. HVSEP is coordinated between VA’s Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) Program 

and the continuum of Homeless Veterans Programs for the purpose 

of providing community-based vocational and employment services. 

For more information, please visit: http://www.va.gov/homeless/employment_programs.asp. 

VA’s Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program: The 

program provides funds to non-profit community agencies providing 

transitional housing for up to 24 months and/or offering services to 

homeless Veterans, such as case management, education, crisis 

intervention, counseling, and services targeted towards specialized 

populations including homeless women Veterans. The goal of the 

program is to help homeless Veterans achieve residential stability, 

increase their skill levels and/or income, and obtain greater self-determination. For more information, visit: http://www.va.gov/homeless/ 

gpd.asp. 

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Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive 

Housing (HUD-VASH) Program: The HUD_VASH Program provides permanent housing and case management for eligible homeless Veterans who need community-based support to keep stable 

housing. This program allows eligible Veterans to live in Veteranselected housing units with a “Housing Choice” voucher. These 

vouchers are portable to support the Veteran’s choice of housing in 

communities served by their VA medical facility where case management services can be provided. For more information, please visit: 

http//www.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash.asp. 

The Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) Program: The SSVF Program is designed to rapidly re-house homeless 

Veteran families and prevent homelessness for those at imminent 

risk due to a housing crisis. Funds are granted to private non-profit 

organizations and consumer cooperatives that will assist very lowincome Veteran families by providing a range of supportive services 

designed to promote housing stability. To locate a SSVF provider 

in your community, please visit: http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf. 

asp and look for the list of current year SSVF providers or call VA’s 

National call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-888-4AIDVET (1-

888-424-3838). 

VA Benefits for Veterans Living Overseas: VA monetary benefits, 

including disability compensation, pension, educational benefits, and 

burial allowances, are generally payable overseas. Some programs 

are restricted. Home loan guaranties are available only in the United 

States and selected U.S. territories and possessions. The Specially Adapted Housing benefit is available outside of the continental 

United States. Educational benefits are limited to approved, degreegranting programs in institutions of higher learning. Beneficiaries 

living in foreign countries should contact the nearest American embassy or consulate for help. In Canada, contact an office of Veterans 

Affairs Canada. For information, visit: http://www.benefitsvba.va.gov/ 

persona/veteran-abroad.aspbln/21/Foreign/index.htm. 

Incarcerated Veterans: VA service-connected disability compensation benefits are affected if a Veteran is convicted of a felony and incarcerated for more than 60 days. VA non-service connected pension 

benefits are affected if a Veteran is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor and incarcerated for more than 60 days. Disability compensation paid to an incarcerated Veteran rated 20 percent or more 

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disabled is limited to the 10 percent rate. For a Veteran whose disability rating is 10 percent, the payment is reduced to half of the rate 

payable to a Veteran evaluated as 10 percent disabled. Payments 

are not reduced for participants in work-release programs, residing in 

halfway houses, or under community control. Disability, death or survivor pension paid to a Veteran or beneficiary incarcerated following 

conviction of a felony or misdemeanor must be discontinued. 

Benefits not paid to a Veteran or surviving spouse while incarcerated 

may be apportioned to eligible dependents. Failure to notify VA of a 

Veteran or beneficiary’s incarceration can result in overpayment of 

benefits and the subsequent loss of all VA financial benefits until the 

overpayment is recovered. NOTE: VA benefits will not be provided to 

any Veteran, survivor or dependent wanted for an outstanding felony 

warrant. 

The Health Care for Re-Entry Veterans (HCRV) Program: The 

HCRV Program offers outreach, referrals, and short-term case 

management assistance for incarcerated Veterans who may be at 

risk for homelessness upon their release. To locate an outreach 

worker please visit: www.va.gov/homeless/. For more information on 

VA homeless programs and services, Veterans currently enrolled in 

VA health care can speak with their VA mental health or health care 

provider. Other Veterans and interested parties can find a complete 

list of VA health care facilities at http://www.va.gov, or they can call 

VA’s general information hotline at 1-800-827-1000. If assistance 

is needed when contacting a VA facility, ask to speak to the Health 

Care for Homeless Veterans Program or the Mental Health service 

manager. For additional information on VA Homeless program website please visit: http://www.va.gov/homeless. 

The Veterans Justice Outreach Program (VJO): The VJO Program offers outreach and linkage to needed treatment and services 

to Veterans involved in law enforcement encounters, seen in the 

court system, and/or incarcerated in local jails who may be at risk 

for homelessness upon their release. To locate a Veterans Justice 

Outreach Specialist, please visit: http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ 

VJO.asp. 

Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and 

New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND): VA has personnel stationed at major 

military hospitals to help seriously injured service members returning 

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from Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn 

(OEF/OIF/OND) as they transition from military to civilian life. OEF/ 

OIF/OND service members who have questions about VA benefits or 

need assistance in filing a VA claim or accessing services can contact the nearest VA office or call 1-800-827-1000. 

Transition Assistance Program (TAP): TAP consists of comprehensive workshops at military installations designed to assist service 

members as they transition from military to civilian life. A critical 

component of TAP is Transition GPS (Goals, Plans, Success); an 

outcome-based, modular curriculum with standardized learning objectives that transforms the way the military prepares service members separating from Active Duty to pursue their post-service career 

goals. It is designed to help service members depart “career ready” 

and meet mandatory Career Readiness Standards (CRS), regardless of their branch of service. Retiring service members are allowed 

to attend Transition GPS up to 24 months prior to retirement, while 

separating service members can attend up to 12 months prior to 

separating. VA benefit briefings are comprised of two briefings focusing on benefits and services service members have earned through 

their service. Additionally, service members have the opportunity 

to participate in one or more two-day tailored tracks within Transition GPS curriculum to meet their personal career goals: Accessing 

Higher Education, for those pursuing a college education; Career 

Technical Training, for those seeking industry-recognized credentials 

in shorter-term training programs; or Entrepreneurship, for those 

wanting to start their own business. Service members can also sign 

up for one-on-one appointments with a VA representative; interested 

service members should contact their local TAP manager to sign up 

for this program. 

VOW to Hire Heroes Act: The Act made TAP, including attendance at VA benefit briefings, mandatory for most service members 

transitioning to civilian status; upgraded career counseling options, 

focused TAP more heavily on job hunting skills, and tailored the program for the 21st century job market. The Act allows service members to begin the post-military employment process prior to separation or retirement from military service. This enhances opportunities 

to connect transitioning service members to both private-sector 

employers and Federal agencies seeking to hire Veterans. It also 

provides disabled Veterans up to one year of additional vocational 

rehabilitation and employment benefits. The Act provides tax credits 

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for hiring Veterans and disabled Veterans who are out of work. 

In Transition: In Transition is a free, voluntary program with 

coaches who provide psychological health care support to service 

members, Veterans, and their health care providers during times 

of transition. This program provides access to transitional support, 

motivation, and healthy lifestyle assistance and advice from qualified 

coaches through the toll-free telephone number 1-800-424-7877. 

For more information visit: http://intransition.dcoe.mil 

Federal Recovery Coordination Program (FRCP): The Federal 

Recovery Coordination Program (FRCP) assists severely wounded, 

ill, or injured service members, Veterans, and their families. Federal 

Recovery Coordinators (FRCs) are located at both Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) facilities, and provide 

virtual care coordination and advocacy services regardless of client 

location, medical treatment, geographic location of injury, place of 

medical diagnosis, or military or Veteran status. FRCs provide clientcentric services that assist with coordinating benefits, services, and 

care which are aligned with client goals for recovery, rehabilitation, 

and reintegration. The program is open to clients who may have 

one or more of the following problems: Traumatic Brain Injury; PostTraumatic Stress Disorder; Spinal Cord Injury; Burns; Amputation; 

Blindness of Visual Impairments; an at risk for psychological complications 

If you think you may qualify, know someone who may qualify or 

desire additional information, please contact the FRCP at 877-732-

4456. 

Pre-Separation Counseling through Military Service: Service 

members may receive pre-separation counseling 24 months prior to 

retirement or 12 months prior to separation from active duty. These 

sessions present information on education, training, employment 

assistance, National Guard and Reserve programs, medical benefits, 

and financial assistance. 

Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET): The 

VMET Document, DD Form 2586, helps service members verify previous experience and training to potential employers, negotiate credits at schools, and obtain certificates or licenses. VMET documents 

are available only through each military branch’s support office and 

are intended for service members who have at least six months of 

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active service. Service members should obtain VMET documents 

from their Transition Support Office within 12 months of separation or 

24 months of retirement. 

Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program: Recently separated 

Veterans and those with service-connected disabilities, significant 

barriers to employment, or who served on active duty during a period in which a campaign or expedition badge was authorized, can 

contact the nearest state employment office for employment help 

through the Veterans Workforce Investment Program. The program 

may be conducted through state or local public agencies, community 

organizations or private, nonprofit organizations. 

State Employment Services: Veterans can find employment 

information, education and training opportunities, job counseling, job 

search workshops, and resume preparation assistance by visiting 

their individual State Department of Veteran Affairs. Many states 

have Veterans Employment Centers,at state Workforce Career or 

One-Stop Centers that. These offices also have specialists to help 

disabled Veterans find employment. Additional information and access to services are available at https://www.vets.gov/employment/. 

Unemployment Compensation: Veterans who do not begin civilian 

employment immediately after leaving military service may receive 

weekly unemployment compensation for a limited time. The amount 

and duration of payments are determined by individual states. Apply 

by contacting the nearest state employment office listed in the local 

telephone directory. 

Veterans Preference for Federal Jobs: Since the time of the Civil 

War, Veterans of the U.S. armed forces have been given some degree of preference in appointments to federal jobs. Veterans’ preference in its present form comes from the Veterans’ Preference Act of 

1944, as amended, and now codified in Title 5, United States Code 

(U.S.C.). By law, Veterans who are disabled or who served on active 

duty in the U.S. armed forces during certain specified time periods or 

in military campaigns are entitled to preference over others when hiring from competitive lists of eligible candidates, and also in retention 

during a reduction in force (RIF). 

To receive preference, a Veteran must have been discharged or 

released from active duty in the U.S. armed forces under honorable conditions or received a general discharge. Preference is also 

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provided for certain widows and widowers of deceased Veterans who 

died in service, spouses of service-connected disabled Veterans, 

and mothers of Veterans who died under honorable conditions on active duty or have permanent and total service-connected disabilities. 

Enrolled Veterans can print a copy of thier letter from the ebenefits 

portal. For more information about Veterans Preference, please visit: 

www.usajobs.gov, www.fedshirevets.gov. 

Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment: Veterans’ recruitment appointment allows federal agencies to appoint eligible Veterans to 

jobs without competition. These appointments can be converted to 

career or career-conditional positions after two years of satisfactory 

work. Veterans should apply directly to the agency where they wish 

to work. For additional information on Veterans Recruitment Appointment, please visit: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/. 

Small Businesses: VA’s Center for Verification and Evaluation 

(CVE) helps Veterans interested in forming or expanding small businesses, and helps VA contracting offices identify Veteran-owned 

small businesses. For additional information call toll-free at: 1-866-

584-2344 or visit: https://www.va.gov/osdbu/ 

Like other federal agencies, VA is required to place a portion of its 

contracts and purchases with small and disadvantaged businesses. 

VA has a special office to help small and disadvantaged businesses 

get information on VA acquisition opportunities. For additional information call toll-free at: 1-800-949-8387 or visit: http://www.va.gov/ 

osdbu/ or write to the: 

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 

Office of Small Business (OOSB) 

810 Vermont Avenue, N.W. 

Washington, DC 20420-0001 

Dependents & Survivors Health Care - Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA): 

Under CHAMPVA, certain dependents and survivors can receive 

reimbursement for most medical expenses – inpatient, outpatient, 

mental health, prescription medication, skilled nursing care and durable medical equipment. 

To be eligible for CHAMPVA, an individual cannot be eligible for 

TRICARE (the medical program for civilian dependents provided 

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by DoD) and must be one of the following: the spouse or child of a 

Veteran whom VA has rated permanently and totally disabled due to 

a service-connected disability or the surviving spouse or child of a 

Veteran, who died from a VA-rated service-connected disability, or 

who, at the time of death, was rated permanently and totally disabled 

or the surviving spouse or child of a Veteran who died on active duty 

service and in the line of duty, not due to misconduct. 

However, in most cases, these family members are eligible for TRICARE, not CHAMPVA. A surviving spouse under age 55 who remarries loses CHAMPVA eligibility at midnight of the date on remarriage. 

He/she may re-establish eligibility if the remarriage ends by death, 

divorce or annulment effective the first day of the month following 

the termination of the remarriage or December 1, 1999, whichever 

is later. A surviving spouse who remarries after age 55 does not lose 

eligibility upon remarriage. 

For those who have Medicare entitlement or other health insurance, 

CHAMPVA is a secondary payer. Beneficiaries with Medicare must 

be enrolled in Parts A&B to maintain CHAMPVA eligibility. For additional information please call 1-800-733-8387 or visit: https://www. 

va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/dependents/champva/champva_eligibility.asp, or write: 

Chief Business Office Purchased Care 

VA Health Administration Center, CHAMPVA 

P.O. Box 469028 

Denver, CO 80246 

Key Information for Family Members about the Affordable Care 

Act: The Affordable Care Act, also known as the health care law, 

was created to expand access to affordable health care coverage to 

all Americans, lower costs, and improve quality and care coordination. Under the health care law, people will have health coverage that 

meets a minimum standard (called “minimum essential coverage”) by 

January 1, 2014 or qualify for an exemption, or pay a fee when filing 

their taxes if they have affordable options but remain uninsured. 

VA wants all Veterans and their families to receive health care that 

improves their health and well-being, Dependents and/survivors 

enrolled in the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) or the Spina Bifida Health 

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Care Program meet the requirement to have health care coverage 

under the health care law and do not need to take any additional 

steps. The law does not change CHAMPVA or Spina Bifida benefits, 

access or costs. Veterans’ family members who do not have coverage that meets the health care law’s standard should consider their 

options through the Health Insurance Marketplace, which is a new 

way to shop for and purchase private health insurance. For more 

information about the Health Insurance Marketplace, visit http://www. 

healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. For additional information 

about the VA and the health care law, visit http://www.va.gov/aca or 

call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) 

Dependents & Survivors Benefits - Death Gratuity Payment: Military services provide payment, called a death gratuity, in the amount 

of $100,000 to the next of kin of service members who die while on 

active duty (including those who die within 120 days of separation) 

as a result of service-connected injury or illness. 

If there is no surviving spouse or child, then parents or siblings designated as next of kin by the Service member may be provided the 

payment. The payment is made by the last military command of the 

deceased. If the beneficiary is not paid automatically, application may 

be made to the military service concerned. 

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): DIC is a taxfree monetary benefit generally payable to eligible Survivors of military service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors 

of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or 

disease. DIC may also be paid to certain Survivors of Veterans who 

were totally disabled from service –connected conditions at the time 

of death, even though their service connected disabilities did not 

cause their deaths. The survivor qualifies if the Veteran was: 

1. Continuously rated totally disabled for a period of 10 years immediately preceding death; or 

2. Continuously rated totally disabled from the date of military 

discharge and for at least 5 years immediately preceding death; or 

3. A former POW who was continuously rated totally disabled for 

a period of at least one year immediately preceding death. 

4. For more detailed information, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/ 

COMPENSATION/types-dependency_and_indemnity.asp. 

DIC Eligibility: (Surviving Spouse): To qualify for DIC, a surviving 

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spouse must meet the following requirements:married to a service 

member who died on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, or validly married the Veteran before January 1, 

1957, or married the Veteran within 15 years of discharge from the 

period of military service in which the disease or injury that caused 

the Veteran’s death began or was aggravated, or was married to the 

Veteran for a least one year, or had a child with the Veteran, and cohabitated with the Veteran continuously until the Veteran’s death, or 

if separated, was not at fault for the separation, and is not currently 

remarried. 

Note: A surviving spouse who remarried on or after December 

16, 2003, and on or after attaining age 57, is entitled to continue to 

receive DIC. 

DIC Eligibility (Surviving Child): 

Not included on the surviving spouse’s DIC, AND Unmarried, AND 

Under age 18, or between the ages of 18 and 23 and attending 

school at an approved institution. 

Note: A child adopted out of the Veteran’s family may be eligible for 

DIC if all other eligibility criteria are met. 

DIC Eligibility (Surviving Parent): VA provides an income-based 

monthly benefit to the surviving parent(s) of a Service member or 

Veteran whose death was service-related. When countable income 

exceeds the limit set by law, no benefits are payable. The spouse’s 

income must also be included if the parent is living with a spouse. 

DIC and Aid and Attendance/Housebound Benefits: If a Veteran 

died on or after January 1, 1993, his/her surviving spouse may receive additional benefits beyond the basic DIC rate if they are reside 

in a skilled nursing facility, require the regular assistance of another 

person to perform the activities of daily living, or if they are permanently housebound. This additional benefit is referred to as “Aid and 

Attendance” or “Housebound.” 

DIC 8-Year Special Allowance: DIC 8-Year Special Allowance: If a 

deceased Veteran was considered “permanent and totally disabled” 

(either by 100% rating or permanent and total individual unemployability) for eight (8) continuous years prior to death, his/her surviving 

spouse may be entitled to an additional amount of $261.87 monthly 

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on the DIC award. If there are any surviving dependent children under age 18 in the care of the surviving spouse, an additional $266.00 

may be further added to the DIC award for the initial two (2) years of 

entitlement. This additional amount will be automatically terminated 

two years after the DIC award grant. 

Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors: An additional 

special benefit may be payable to Survivors of a Veteran who died of 

service-connected causes prior to August 13, 1981. The amount of 

the benefit is based on information provided by the Social Security 

Administration. 

Survivors Pension: Survivors Pension is a tax-free benefit payable 

to low-income surviving spouses or children who have not married/ 

remarried since the death of the Veteran. Survivors Pension is an income based program, and any benefit payable is reduced by annual 

income from other sources, such as Social Security. If the Survivor 

has unreimbursed medical expenses, these costs can be deducted 

from countable income to increase the benefit amount (such as cost 

of care at an Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing Facility). 

To be eligible for Survivor’s Pension, the deceased Veteran must 

have met the following requirements: 

1. If the Veteran served on or before September 7, 1980, he/she 

must have served at least 90 days of active military service, with at 

least one day during a war time period. 

2. If the Veteran entered active duty after September 7, 1980, 

the Veteran generally must have served at least 24 months or the full 

tour of duty with at least one day during a war time period. 

3. Discharged from military service under other than dishonorable conditions. 

To qualify as a surviving child of a deceased Veteran, the child must 

meet the following requirements: under age 18, or under age 23 if 

attending a VA-approved school, or permanently incapable of selfsupport due to a disability diagnosed before age 18. 

Additional information on pension benefits is available at http://www. 

benefits.va.gov/pension/. To apply, complete VA Form 21P-534EZ 

and mail it to the Pension Maintenance Center (PMC) of jurisdiction. 

Note: Survivors pension provides a monthly payment to bring an 

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eligible person’s income to a level established by law. The payment 

is reduced by the annual income from other sources such as Social 

Security. 

Survivors Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits: Survivors who are eligible for pension and require the aid and attendance 

of another person, or are housebound, may be eligible for a higher 

maximum pension rate. These additional benefits cannot be paid 

without eligibility to pension. An eligible individual may qualify if he 

or she requires the regular aid of another person in order to perform 

personal functions required for everyday living, is bedridden, a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, blind, or 

permanently and substantially confined to his/her immediate premises because of a disability. 

To apply for aid and attendance or housebound benefits, submit a VA 

Form 21-2680, Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent 

Need for Regular Aid and Attendance to the nearest Regional Office 

or PMC. 

Please include copies of any evidence, preferably a report from an 

attending physician or a nursing home, validating the need for aid 

and attendance or housebound status. The report should contain sufficient detail to determine whether there is disease or injury producing physical or mental impairment, loss of coordination, or conditions 

affecting the ability to dress and undress, to feed oneself, to attend to 

sanitary needs, and to keep oneself ordinarily clean and presentable, 

or whether confined to the immediate premises due to disability. 

Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Born with Certain Birth 

Defects: Biological children of women Veterans who served in Vietnam at any time during the period beginning on Feb. 28, 1961, and 

ending on May 7, 1975, may be eligible for certain benefits because 

of birth defects associated with the mother’s service in Vietnam that 

resulted in a permanent physical or mental disability. 

The covered birth defects do not include conditions due to family 

disorders, birth-related injuries, or fetal or neonatal infirmities with 

well-established causes. A monetary allowance is paid at one of four 

disability levels based on the child’s degree of permanent disability. 

Appeals of VA Claims Decisions: Veterans and other claimants for 

VA benefits have the right to appeal decisions made by a VA regional 

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office, medical center or National Cemetery Administration (NCA) 

office. Typical issues appealed are disability compensation, pension, 

education benefits, recovery of overpayments, reimbursement for 

unauthorized medical services, and denial of burial and memorial 

benefits. A claimant has one year from the date of the notification of 

a VA decision to file an appeal. The first step in the appeal process 

is for a claimant to file a written notice of disagreement with a VA 

regional office, medical center or national cemetery office that made 

the decision. Following receipt of the written notice, VA will furnish 

the claimant a “Statement of the Case” describing what facts, laws, 

and regulations were used in deciding the case. To complete the 

request for appeal, the claimant must file a “Substantive Appeal” 

within 60 days of the mailing of the Statement of the Case, or within 

one year from the date VA mailed its decision, whichever period ends 

later. 

Board of Veterans’ Appeals: The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (“the 

Board”) makes decisions on appeals on behalf of the Secretary of 

Veterans Affairs. Although it is not required, a Veterans service organization, an agent, or an attorney may represent a claimant. Appellants may present their cases in person to a member of the Board at 

a hearing in Washington, D.C., at a VA regional office or by videoconference. Decisions made by the Board can be found at http://www. 

index.va.gov/search/va/bva.jsp. The pamphlet, “Understanding the 

Appeal Process,” is available on the website or may be requested by 

writing: Mail Process Section (014), Board of Veterans’ Appeals, 810 

Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. 

U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims: A final Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision that does not grant a claimant the benefits 

desired may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans 

Claims. The court is an independent body, not part of the Department 

of Veterans Affairs. 

Notice of an appeal must be received by the court with a postmark 

that is within 120 days after the Board of Veterans’ Appeals mailed 

its decision. The court reviews the record considered by the Board 

of Veterans’ Appeals. It does not hold trials or receive new evidence. 

Appellants may represent themselves before the court or have lawyers or approved agents as representatives. Oral argument is held 

only at the direction of the court. Either party may appeal a decision 

of the court to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and 

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may seek review in the Supreme Court of the United States. Published decisions, case status information, rules and procedures, and 

other special announcements can be found at http://www.uscourts. 

cavc.gov/. The court’s decisions can also be found in West’s Veterans Appeals Reporter, and on the Westlaw and LEXIS online services. For questions, call (202) 501-5970 or write to: 

Clerk of the Court 

625 Indiana Ave. NW, Suite 900 

Washington, DC 20004 

Replacement of Military Medals and Records: Medals awarded 

while in active service are issued by the individual military services if 

requested by Veterans or their next of kin. Requests for replacement 

medals, decorations, and awards should be directed to the branch 

of the military in which the Veteran served. However, for Air Force 

(including Army Air Corps) and Army Veterans, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) verifies awards and forwards requests 

and verification to appropriate services. 

Requests for replacement medals should be submitted on Standard 

Form 180, “Request Pertaining to Military Records,” which may be 

obtained at VA offices or the Internet at www.va.gov/vaforms/. Forms, 

addresses, and other information on requesting medals can be found 

on the Military Personnel Records section of NPRC’s Website at 

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/index.html. For 

questions, call Military Personnel Records at (314) 801-0800, or email questions to: MPR.center@nara.gov. 

When requesting medals, type or clearly print the Veteran’s full 

name, include the Veteran’s branch of service, service number or Social Security number, and provide the Veteran’s exact or approximate 

dates of military service. The request must contain the signature of 

the Veteran or next of kin if the Veteran is deceased. If available, 

include a copy of the discharge or separation document, WDAGO 

Form 53-55 or DD Form 214. If discharge or separation documents 

are lost, Veterans or the next of kin of deceased Veterans may obtain 

duplicate copies through the eBenefits portal (www.ebenefits.va.gov) 

or by completing forms found on the Internet at http://www.archives. 

gov/research/index.html and mailing or faxing them to the NPRC, or 

alternatively, write to: 

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National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records 

1 Archives Drive 

St. Louis, MO 63138-1002. 

Specify that a duplicate separation document is needed. The Veteran’s full name should be printed or typed so that it can be read 

clearly, but the request must also contain the signature of the Veteran or the signature of the next of kin, if the Veteran is deceased. 

Include the Veteran’s branch of service, service number or Social Security number, and exact or approximate dates and years of service. 

Use Standard Form 180, “Request Pertaining To Military Records.” 

It is not necessary to request a duplicate copy of a Veteran’s discharge or separation papers solely for the purpose of filing a claim 

for VA benefits. If complete information about the Veteran’s service is 

furnished on the application, VA will obtain verification of service. 

Correcting Military Records: The Secretary of a military department, acting through a Board for Correction of Military Records, has 

authority to change any military record when necessary to correct 

an error or remove an injustice. A correction board may consider 

applications for correction of a military record, including a review of a 

discharge issued by court-martial. 

Application is made with DD Form 149, available at VA offices, Veterans organizations or visit http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/forms/dd/ 

ddforms0001-0499.htm. 

Review of Discharge from Military Service: Each of the military 

services maintains a discharge review board with authority to change 

correct or modify discharges or dismissals not issued by a sentence 

of a general court-martial. The board has no authority to address 

medical discharges. If the Veteran is deceased or incompetent, the 

surviving spouse, next of kin or legal representative, may apply for a 

review of discharge by writing to the military department concerned, 

using DD Form 293, “Application for the Review of Discharge from 

the Armed Forces of the United States.” This form may be obtained 

at a VA regional office, from Veterans organizations or online at 

http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/forms/dd/ddforms0001-0499.htm. 

However, if the discharge was more than 15 years ago, a Veteran 

must petition the appropriate Service’s Board for Correction of 

Military Records using DD Form 149, “Application for Correction of 

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Military Records Under the Provisions of Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 

1552.” A discharge review is conducted by a review of an applicant’s 

record and, if requested, by a hearing before the board. 

Discharges awarded as a result of a continuous period of unauthorized absence in excess of 180 days make persons ineligible for 

VA benefits regardless of action taken by discharge review boards, 

unless VA determines there were compelling circumstances for the 

absence. Boards for the Correction of Military Records also may 

consider such cases. 

Veterans with disabilities incurred or aggravated during active duty 

may qualify for medical or related benefits regardless of separation 

and characterization of service. Veterans separated administratively 

under other than honorable conditions may request that their discharge be reviewed for possible re-characterization, provided they 

file their appeal within 15 years of the date of separation. Questions 

regarding the review of a discharge should be addressed to the appropriate discharge review board at the address listed on DD Form 

293. 

Physical Disability Board of Review: Veterans separated due to 

disability from Sept. 11, 2001, through Dec. 31, 2009, with a combined rating of 20 percent or less, as determined by the respective 

branch of service Physical Evaluation Board (PEB), and not found 

eligible for retirement, may be eligible for a review by the Physical 

Disability Board of Review (PDBR). 

The PDBR was established to reassess the accuracy and fairness 

of certain PEB decisions, and where appropriate, recommend the 

correction of discrepancies and errors. A PDBR review will not lower 

the disability rating previously assigned by the PEB, and any correction may be made retroactively to the day of the original disability 

separation. As a result of the request for review by the PDBR, no 

further relief from the Board of Corrections of Military Records may 

be sought, and the recommendation by the PDBR, once accepted by 

the respective branch of service, is final. A comparison of these two 

boards, along with other PDBR information, can be viewed at http:// 

www.health.mil/pdbr. 

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): The 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides funding to states to help low-income households with their heating and 

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home energy costs under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance 

Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP can also assist with insulating homes 

to make them more energy efficient and reduce energy costs. The 

LIHEAP program in your community determines if your household’s 

income qualifies for the program. To find out where to apply call 

1-866-674-6327 or e-mail energy@ncat.org 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. (Mountain 

Time). More information can be found at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ 

ocs/programs/liheap. 

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Memorial Benefits
	

VA operates 135 national cemeteries, of which 75 are currently open 

for both new casket and cremation interments and 17 may accept 

new interment of cremated remains only. Burial options are limited 

to those available at a specific cemetery and may include in-ground 

casket, or interment of cremated remains in a columbarium, inground, or in a scattering area. For more information, visit the National Cemetery Administration website at http://www.cem.va.gov. 

Burial in a national cemetery is open to all members of the armed 

forces, and Veterans who have met minimum active duty service 

requirements, and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Members of the reserve components of the armed forces 

who die while on active duty, while on training duty, or were eligible 

for retired pay, or were called to active duty and served the full term 

of service for which they were called, may also be eligible for burial. 

Their surviving spouse, minor children, and, under certain conditions, unmarried adult children with disabilities, may also be eligible 

for burial. Eligible spouses and children may be buried even if they 

predecease the Veteran. 

With certain exceptions, active duty service beginning after Sept. 7, 

1980, as an enlisted person, and after Oct. 16, 1981, as an officer, 

must be for a minimum of 24 consecutive months or the full period of 

active duty (as in the case of reservists or National Guard members 

called to active duty for a limited duration). Active duty for training, by 

itself, while serving in the reserves or National Guard, is not sufficient 

to confer eligibility. Reservists and National Guard members, as well 

as their spouses and dependent children, are eligible if they were 

entitled to retired pay at the time of death, or would have been upon 

reaching requisite age. 

VA may bar eligible individuals from receiving burial and memorial 

benefits if they are found to have committed serious federal or state 

crimes or serious sex offenses. Such benefits include burial in a VA 

national cemetery, and receipt of a government-furnished headstone, 

marker, medallion, burial flag and Presidential Memorial Certificate. 

Veterans and other claimants for VA burial benefits have the right to 

appeal decisions made by VA regarding eligibility for burial and memorial benefits. Readers with questions on the appeals process may 

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contact the nearest VA national cemetery listed at http://www.cem. 

va.gov/cem/cems/listcem.asp or by calling 800-827-1000. 

Surviving spouses of Veterans who died on or after Jan. 1, 2000, do 

not lose eligibility for burial in a national cemetery if they remarry. 

Unmarried dependent children of Veterans who are under 21 years 

of age, or under 23 years of age if a full-time student at an approved 

educational institution, are eligible for burial. Unmarried adult children who become physically or mentally disabled and incapable of 

self-support before age 21, or age 23 if a full-time student, may also 

be eligible. 

Certain parents of service members who die as a result of hostile activity or from combat training-related injuries may be eligible for burial 

in a national cemetery with their child. The biological or adopted 

parents of a service member who died in combat or while performing 

training in preparation for a combat mission, who leaves no surviving 

spouse or dependent child, may be buried with the deceased service 

member if there is available space. Eligibility is limited to service 

members who died on or after Oct. 7, 2001, and biological or adoptive parents who died on or after Oct. 13, 2010. 

The next of kin or authorized representative (e.g., funeral director) 

makes interment arrangements at the time of need by contacting the 

National Cemetery Scheduling Office at NCA.Scheduling@va.gov or, 

in some cases, the national cemetery in which burial is desired. VA 

does not normally conduct burials on weekends. Gravesites cannot 

be reserved; however, VA will honor reservations made before 1973 

by the Department of the Army. 

Pre-Need Burial Eligibility Determination:VA implemented the 

Pre-Need Burial Eligibility Determination Program to assist individuals interested in determining their eligibility for burial in a VA national 

cemetery. Through this program, Veterans and their eligible family 

members can plan in advance to use VA burial benefits that Veterans 

have earned through their military service. Planning in advance for 

a Veteran’s or loved-one’s final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays during a family’s time of bereavement. Veteran families 

will have increased confidence that their loved ones are eligible 

for burial in a VA national cemetery at their time of need. To apply, 

individuals must submit VA Form 40-10007, Application for Pre-Need 

Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery 

(available at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/) to the National Cemetery 

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Scheduling Office by fax, email or mail. For more details visit http:// 

www.cem.va.gov/cem/pre-need/index.asp. 

Burial Headstones and Markers: VA is authorized to furnish, upon 

request, an inscribed headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of 

an eligible decedent at any national, state Veterans, tribal, or private 

cemetery. VA will deliver a headstone or marker at no cost, anywhere 

in the world. For Medal of Honor (MOH) recipients, VA is authorized to provide a supplemental headstone or marker if the recipient 

served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917 and is eligible 

for a headstone or marker (or would be but for the individual’s date of 

death), even if the grave is already marked with a private headstone 

or marker. For eligible Veterans or service members (who are not 

MOH recipients) buried in a private cemetery whose deaths occurred 

on or after Nov. 1, 1990, VA may furnish a government headstone 

or marker even if the grave is already marked with a private one. 

Spouses and dependent children are eligible for a government headstone or marker only if they are buried in a national or state Veterans 

cemetery. 

Before requesting a headstone or marker for use in a private cemetery, eligible applicants should check with the cemetery to ensure 

the government-furnished headstone or marker will be accepted. 

Applicants for burial headstones and markers include the decedent’s 

spouse or individual in a legal union with the decedent, the decedent’s child, parent or sibling, whether biological, adopted or step 

relation, and any lineal or collateral descendant of the decedent, 

personal representative, Veterans Service Organization, individual 

employed by state or local government responsible for serving Veterans, individuals with legal responsibility for the disposition of the 

unclaimed remains of the decedent or other matters related to interment or memorialization, or anyone if the decedent’s dates of service 

ended prior to April 6, 1917 (applies to others whose eligibility is 

derived). All installation fees at private cemeteries are the responsibility of the applicant. 

Memorial Markers: VA provides memorial headstones and markers for placement in a national cemetery, VA-funded state or tribal 

Veterans cemetery, or private cemetery with “IN MEMORY OF” as 

the first line of inscription for those whose remains are unavailable 

for burial. Remains that are unavailable for burial are those that 

have not been recovered or identified, were buried at sea, donated to 

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science or cremated and scattered completely. Eligibility is the same 

as for burial headstones and markers. For memorial headstone or 

marker requests, applicants must be a member of the decedent’s 

family (spouse, individual in a legal union with the decedent, child, 

parent, or sibling, whether biological, adopted, or step relation, and 

any lineal or collateral descendant of the decedent). 

To submit a claim for a headstone or marker, or for a memorial 

marker for placement in a private cemetery, use VA Form 40-1330, 

Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker (available 

at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/) and provide a copy of the Veteran’s 

military discharge documents or proof of military service. Claims 

sent without supporting documents will be delayed until eligibility can 

determined. Mail the completed form and supporting documents to 

Memorial Products Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 5109 

Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22134-3903. The form and supporting 

documents may also be faxed toll free to 1-800-455-7143. 

Inscriptions: Headstones and markers must be inscribed with the 

name of the deceased, branch of service, and year of birth and 

death. They also may be inscribed with other optional information, 

including an emblem of belief and, space permitting, additional text 

including military rank; war service such as “WORLD WAR II”; complete date of birth and death; military awards; military organizations; 

civilian or Veteran affiliations; and personalized words of endearment. 

Medallion in lieu of government headstone or marker for private 

cemeteries:For decedents who served in the U.S. Armed Forces on 

or after April 6, 1917, and are eligible for VA memorialization benefits 

(or would be but for date of death), VA is authorized to provide a medallion instead of a headstone or marker if the grave is in a private 

cemetery and already marked with a privately-purchased headstone 

or marker. The VA medallion denotes the decedents’ status as a 

Veteran. 

To submit a claim for a medallion to be affixed to a private headstone 

or marker in a private cemetery, use VA Form 40-1330M, Claim for 

Government Medallion For Placement In A Private Cemetery (available at http://www.va.gov/vaforms) and provide a copy of the Veteran’s military discharge documents or proof of military service. Claims 

sent without supporting documents will be delayed until eligibility can 

determined. Mail the completed form and supporting documents to 

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Memorial Products Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 5109 

Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22134-3903. The form and supporting 

documents may also be faxed toll free to 1-800-455-7143. 

To check the status of a claim for a headstone or marker for placement in a national, state, or tribal Veterans cemetery, please call 

202-565-4964. To check the status of one being placed in a private 

cemetery, please contact the Applicant Assistance Unit at 1-800-697-

6947. 

Presidential Memorial Certificates (PMCs):PMCs are issued to 

honor the memory of deceased persons VA finds eligible for burial 

in a national cemetery. This includes persons who died on active 

military, naval, or air service, members of Reserve components of 

the Armed Forces, including Army or Air National Guard, members of 

the Army, Navy, or Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or persons who at death were entitled to retired pay or would have been 

but for age. Eligible recipients include the next of kin, a relative, 

friend, or authorized service representative acting on behalf of a relative or friend, may request a PMC by mailing, or faxing a completed 

and signed VA Form 40-0247, Presidential Memorial Certificate 

Request Form along with a copy of the Veteran’s military discharge 

documents or proof of military service. Requests sent without supporting documents will be delayed until eligibility can determined. 

More information can be found at http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/pmc. 

asp. 

Burial Flags: VA will furnish a U.S. burial flag to recognize deceased 

Veterans who received an other than dishonorable discharge. This 

includes certain persons who served in the organized military forces 

of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of the U.S 

armed forces and who died on or after April 25, 1951. Also eligible for 

a burial flag are Veterans who were entitled to retired pay for service 

in the Reserve or National Guard, or would have been entitled if over 

age 60; and members or former members of the Selected Reserve 

who served their initial obligation, or were discharged for a disability 

incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or died while a member of 

the Selected Reserve. The next of kin may apply for the burial flag at 

any VA Regional Office or U.S. Post Office by completing VA Form 

21-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes. In 

most cases, a funeral director will help the family obtain the flag. For 

more information visit, http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/ 

burial_flags.asp. 

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Reimbursement of Burial Expenses: VA will pay a burial allowance 

up to $2,000 if the Veteran’s death is service-connected. In such 

cases, the person who bore the Veteran’s burial expenses may claim 

reimbursement from VA. In some cases, VA will pay the cost of transporting the remains of a Veteran whose death was service-connected to the nearest national cemetery with available gravesites. There 

is no time limit for filing reimbursement claims in service-connected 

death cases. 

Burial Allowance: VA will pay a burial and funeral allowance of up to 

$2,000 for Veterans who die from service-connected injuries. VA will 

pay a burial and funeral allowance of up to $300 for Veterans who, at 

the time of death from nonservice-connected injuries were entitled to 

receive pension or compensation or would have been entitled if they 

were not receiving military retirement pay. VA will pay a burial and 

funeral allowance of up to $734 when the Veteran’s death occurs in a 

VA facility, a VA-contracted nursing home or a state Veterans nursing 

home. In cases in which the Veteran’s death was not service-connected, claims must be filed within two years after burial or cremation. 

Plot Allowance: VA will pay a plot allowance of up to $734 when 

a Veteran is buried in a cemetery not under U.S. government jurisdiction if: the Veteran was discharged from active duty because of 

disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; the Veteran was 

receiving compensation or pension or would have been if the Veteran was not receiving military retired pay; or the Veteran died in a 

VA facility. The plot allowance may be paid to the state for the cost of 

a plot or interment in a state-owned cemetery reserved solely for Veteran burials if the Veteran is buried without charge. Burial expenses 

paid by the deceased’s employer or a state agency will not be reimbursed. For more information about burial and memorial benefits, 

please call 202-632-8035 or visit www.cem.va.gov/. 

Veterans Cemeteries Administered by Other Agencies: The 

Department of the Army administers Arlington National Cemetery 

and other Army installation cemeteries. Eligibility is generally more 

restrictive than at VA national cemeteries. For information, call (703) 

607-8000, write Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA 22211 or visit http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/about. The 

Department of the Interior, National Park Service maintains 14 national cemeteries located within larger park units. To view a list that 

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includes overviews of these cemeteries, visit http://www.cem.va.gov/ 

cems/doi.asp. Andersonville National Cemetery in Andersonville, 

Georgia is the only one of these 14 cemeteries that is open to new 

interments within the national park boundaries. For more information, call (202) 208-4747, or write Department of the Interior National 

Park Service, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240. 

State and Tribal Veterans Cemeteries: There are currently 105 

VA grant-funded Veterans cemeteries operating in 47 states, tribal 

nations and U.S. Territories that offer burial options for Veterans and 

their families. VA grant-funded cemeteries have similar eligibility 

requirements and certain states and tribal organizations may require 

state residency or tribal membership. Some services, particularly 

for family members, may require a fee. Contact the state or tribal 

Veterans cemetery or the state Veterans Affairs office for information. 

To locate a state or tribal Veterans cemetery, visit http://www.cem. 

va.gov/cem/grants/index.asp. 

Unclaimed Veterans Remains: “Unclaimed Veterans” are defined 

as those who die with no next of kin to claim their remains and insufficient funds to cover burial expenses. In addition to burial in a VA 

national, VA-funded state or tribal Veterans cemetery and a government headstone or marker, there are monetary benefits associated 

with burial of unclaimed Veterans remains. These monetary benefits 

include reimbursement for the cost of the casket or urn used for 

burial, reimbursement for transportation to a national, state or tribal 

cemetery, and a burial allowance and plot allowance. 

More information on memorial and monetary burial benefits for 

unclaimed Veteran remains can be found at http://www.cem.va.gov/ 

cem/docs/factsheets/CasketUrn_Reimbursement.pdf. Applicants 

must submit VA Form 40-10088, Request for Reimbursement of Casket/Urn. For Veterans who die while at a VA facility under authorized 

VA admission or at a non-VA facility under authorized VA admission, 

and are unclaimed, the closest VA healthcare facility is responsible 

for arranging proper burial for the unclaimed Veteran. 

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Federal Benefits for Veterans, 

Dependents and Survivors 

VA Pamphlet 80-16-01 

P94663 

OFFICIAL BUSINESSU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Washington, DC 20420 

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