Summary 

of VA Benefits

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You have sacrificed to keep our country—and everything it represents—

safe. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs honors and serves you by 

fulfilling President Lincoln’s promise “to care for him who shall have 

borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.”

You may be eligible for VA benefits if you are a 

uniformed Servicemember; Veteran; or spouse, 

child, or parent of a deceased or disabled 

Servicemember or Veteran.

VA strives to understand the unique issues you 

face. We are here to help you and your eligible 

dependents obtain compensation, education, 

health care, home loan, insurance, pension, 

vocational rehabilitation and employment, and 

burial and memorial benefits for which you are 

eligible. As you make important choices about 

your family, finances, and career, we encourage 

you to use the information found here and the 

VA resources available to you. 

Go to eBenefits at www.ebenefits.va.gov, your 

one-stop shop to apply for and learn about your 

benefits. Or visit the nearest VA regional office, 

call 1-800-827-1000, or go to our Web site at 

www.va.gov/benefits for more information.

DISABILITY COMPENSATION

Service-connected disability compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to Veterans for a 

disability (or disabilities) that either:

» Arose during service 

» Was worsened or aggravated by service

» Is presumed by VA to be related to military service

To receive disability compensation, you must have been discharged under other than 

dishonorable conditions.

PENSION

Pension is a tax-free benefit paid to wartime Veterans with limited or no income who are 

either aged 65 or older or who are permanently and totally disabled due to a non-serviceconnected cause. Seriously disabled or housebound Veterans receiving Pension may also 

qualify for an additional Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefit. 

Thank you for your service. Now let us serve you.

SUMMARY OF VA BENEFITS
EDUCATION AND TRAINING

VA pays benefits to eligible Servicemembers and Veterans pursuing an approved education or training 

program. There are four primary VA education benefit programs that cover Active Duty, National Guard, 

and Reserve Servicemembers and Veterans:

» Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)

» Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (Chapter 30)

» Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)

» Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

The Post-9/11 GI Bill program provides financial assistance towards tuition and fees, books, and 

supplies, and it provides a monthly housing allowance. Eligible Servicemembers may transfer 

unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to an eligible spouse or child. VA pays a monthly allowance 

under the other benefit programs to help offset educational costs. Information about VA education 

programs can be found at www.gibill.va.gov.

V E T SU CCE SS 

VA assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable 

employment through the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment VetSuccess program. First, VA 

conducts a comprehensive evaluation to help you determine your future career path. Based on your 

evaluation, VetSuccess provides you with vocational counseling, job-search assistance, and other 

education and training services. 

VetSuccess career counseling benefits are also available to you if you recently separated from the 

military or are using VA education benefits, even if you do not have a service-connected disability.

LIFE INSURANCE

VA provides valuable insurance benefits to Servicemembers and Veterans to give you peace of 

mind knowing that your family is protected. VA insurance benefits were developed in consideration 

of the extra risks involved in military service. 

» Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) 

is a low-cost group life insurance program for 

Servicemembers. Coverage can be extended 

if the Servicemember is totally disabled.

» Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance 

Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) is an 

automatic feature of SGLI that provides 

payments to Servicemembers who suffer 

losses, such as amputations, blindness, 

and paraplegia, due to traumatic injuries.

» Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) allows 

Servicemembers to convert their SGLI to 

lifetime renewable term coverage after 

separation from service. 

» Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance (S-DVI) 

provides life insurance coverage for Veterans 

with a service-connected disability. If totally 

disabled, Veterans are eligible for additional 

coverage.

» Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI)

provides mortgage protection insurance 

to disabled Veterans who have been approved

for a VA Specially Adapted Housing Grant.

Veterans who were separated from military service on or after November 1, 2012, may now apply to 

convert SGLI to VGLI within one year and 240 days from separation. Evidence of good health is not 

required for those who apply within 240 days of separation.

 ! TIME SENSITIVE—CONVERTING SGLI TO VGLI
HOME LOANS

Veterans and Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Servicemembers may be eligible for VA’s home 

loan program. VA loans have favorable terms, including no down payment or mortgage insurance premiums. 

» Guaranteed Loans: VA can guarantee a portion of a loan made by a private lender to help you buy 

a home, a manufactured home, a lot for a manufactured home, or a condominium unit for your own 

personal occupancy. VA also guarantees loans for building, repairing, and improving homes.

»

» Specially Adapted Housing Grants: Certain severely disabled Veterans and military personnel can 

receive grants to adapt or acquire suitable housing.

HEALTH CARE

VA provides a number of health care services, including:

BURIAL

VA offers burial and memorial services to honor certain deceased Veterans:

» VA can honor a Veteran by furnishing an inscribed headstone or marker at any cemetery, or a 

» VA can provide a burial allowance to partially reimburse the burial and funeral costs to certain Veterans. 

»

deceased Veteran.

» VA can provide an American flag to drape the casket of a Veteran.

» A Veteran and his or her dependents can be buried in a VA national cemetery.

Veterans Crisis Line: If you or a Veteran you know is experiencing an emotional crisis, please call 

1-800-273-8255 and push 1 for immediate assistance.

» Hospital, outpatient medical, dental, pharmacy, 

and prosthetic services

» Domiciliary, nursing home, and 

community-based residential care

» Treatment related to Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

» Readjustment counseling

» Homeless Veteran programs

» Alcohol and drug dependency treatment

» Medical evaluation for disorders related to Gulf 

War service or environmental hazards

» Specialized health care for women Veterans 

Caregivers: VA supports caregivers who provide personal care services to Veterans who are 

seriously injured, chronically ill, disabled, or are getting older and are no longer able to adequately

care for themselves. 

Vet Centers: VA assists combat Veterans through a nationwide network of community-based Vet 

Centers. Counselors provide individual, group, and family readjustment counseling to help you with 

the transition to civilian life, treat post-traumatic stress disorder, and help you with any other militaryrelated problems. Other services include: outreach, education, medical referral, homeless Veteran 
DEPENDENTS AND SURVIVORS

VA honors the sacrifices of Servicemembers’ and Veterans’ dependents and survivors through many 

benefit programs:

» Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a monthly benefit paid to a surviving spouse, 

including additional payments for dependent children. It is available to an eligible spouse of a 

Servicemember who died during active military service or from a service-connected disability, or 

of a Veteran who was rated totally disabled at the time of death. Parents’ DIC is paid to surviving 

parents based on financial need.

The surviving spouse and child(ren) who are eligible for DIC are also eligible for the following:

» The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA)

provides reimbursement for most medical expenses.

» The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35) provides 

assistance to obtain a degree and pursue other eligible education and training.

» A Survivors’ Pension is a monthly benefit payable to a low-income surviving spouse and child(ren) 

of a deceased Veteran with wartime service.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Benefits Administration

Washington, DC 20420

T 800-827-1000

www.va.gov/benefits

You have sacrificed to keep our country—and everything 

it represents—safe. We honor and serve you by fulfilling 

President Lincoln’s promise “to care for him who shall have 

borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.”

We strive to provide you with the world-class benefits 

and services you have earned, and will adhere to the 

highest standards of compassion, commitment, excellence, 

professionalism, integrity, accountability, and stewardship.

Thank you for your service. Now let us serve you.

Our Mission

VA PAM 27-12-2 SEPTEMBER 2012

P96516