what are some veteran benefits

Major Veteran Benefit Programs

• Disability compensation
• Veteran's pension programs
• Free or low-cost medical care through VA hospitals and medical facilities
• Education programs
• Housing and home loan guarantees
• Job training
• Small Businesses and business loans (Through Small Business Administration)
• Counseling
• Burials and memorials

Full Answer

What benefits are you eligible for as a veteran?

You may be able to get VA disability benefits for conditions such as:

• Chronic (long-lasting) back pain resulting in a current diagnosed back disability
• Breathing problems resulting from a current lung condition or lung disease
• Severe hearing loss
• Scar tissue
• Loss of range of motion (problems moving your body)
• Ulcers
• Cancers caused by contact with toxic chemicals or other dangers

What are the benefits of being a vet?

What are some benefits of being a veterinarian?

• You can have as much variety as you want.
• There’s considerable job security.
• You can effect real change.
• You’ll likely have fantastic colleagues.
• Learning is part of the job.
• You have the opportunity to shape your own career.
• You may have a hand in educating the next generation of vets.

Who is eligible for veterans benefits?

• Were discharged for a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service
• Were discharged for a hardship
• Served prior to September 7, 1980

Who helps veterans get benefits?

1. Find your DD 214 (Discharge Papers). It certifies your service, your service time and your status. ...
2. Make an appointment with a Veteran Service Officer (VSO). ...
3. Start Today. Don’t wait any longer. It’s your life, health and money.

What benefits are available to a veteran?

VA benefits include disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, Veteran Readiness and Employment, and burial. See our Veterans page for an overview of the benefits available to all Veterans.

What can a veteran get for free?

5 Brands Offering Free Stuff for VeteransNational Park Service. ... Blue Star Theatres. ... Beachbody. ... VeteranRX. ... Veterans Day Meals. ... Seaworld Parks and Entertainment. ... Baseball Hall of Fame. ... 9/11 Memorial & Museum.More items...

Do veterans get benefits for life?

Many veterans have trouble obtaining traditional life insurance, especially with a service-connected injury or disability. Through the Veterans' Group Life Insurance program, veterans may be eligible to receive up to $400,000 in life insurance at competitive premium rates.

Do you get extra money from Social Security for being a veteran?

Under certain circumstances, special earnings can be credited to your military pay record for Social Security purposes. The extra earnings are for periods of active duty or active duty for training. These extra earnings may help you qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of your Social Security benefit.

Do Veterans get free healthcare for life?

If you are a 50% or greater disabled veteran or a former POW, all your medical care from the VA is free. There are other groups that may get some, or all VA medical care for free, see our VA Copay page for details.

What do veterans get after service?

Many states offer veterans benefits above and beyond those that are available from the VA, these include free fishing licenses, property tax discounts, hiring preference, and many more.

Do all veterans get a monthly check?

The Veterans Pension program provides monthly payments to wartime Veterans who meet certain age or disability requirements, and who have income and net worth within certain limits.

What are the 4 types of veterans?

What is the difference between a combat, war, or peacetime veteran?Combat Veteran. Every service member who meets the active duty requirement is a veteran, but combat veterans and war veterans are entitled to additional VA benefits other veterans do not receive. ... War Veteran. ... Peacetime Veteran.

VA Disability Compensation Benefits

Veterans who have a service-related injury or illness may be entitled to VA disability compensation. It’s a tax-free monthly benefit.Visit VA.gov t...

Disabled Veteran Housing Assistance

Veterans with certain service-connected or aging-related disabilities can get housing help. You may qualify for special housing grants from the Dep...

VA Pensions for Veterans and Survivors With a Low Income

Wartime veterans with a low income and their survivors may qualify for a tax-free pension. These monthly payments from the Department of Veterans A...

What is gender alteration?

Gender alteration (gender reassignment surgery) Health club or spa membership. Medicines and medical devices that aren’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), except in 2 special cases: You’re in an approved clinical trial, or.

What is VA approved walk in clinic?

This may include care at a VA-approved: Walk-in retail health clinic for minor illnesses like a sore throat or earache. Urgent care facility for more pressing (but not life-threatening) illnesses or injuries that require treatment like splinting, casting, or wound care.

What are the benefits of being a veteran?

Treat illnesses and injuries. Prevent future health problems. Improve your ability to function. Enhance your quality of life. All Veterans receive coverage for most care and services, but only some will qualify for added benefits like dental care. The full list of your covered benefits depends on:

Do you have to pay a VA copay if you live in Alaska?

You don't need us to approve (or "preauthorize") your care before you get treated, and. You don't need to pay a VA copay. If you live in A laska. You may be able to receive care through an Indian Health Service facility or Tribal Health facility even if you're not an eligible American Indian or Alaska Native Veteran.

Do veterans need to complete a financial assessment?

This will depend on factors like your income level, disability rating, and military service history. Most Veterans need to complete a financial assessment when they enroll. This helps us determine if you qualify for free VA health care. Learn more about VA copays.

Inside Veterans Benefits

We appreciate your patience as we continue to work with you during this time of crisis.

VA Outreach Events

Veterans benefits help Veterans and their families buy homes, earn degrees, start careers, stay healthy, and more. Join an event for conversation and information.

What are the benefits of veterans with disabilities?

These include compensation, pensions, and grants for veterans with certain service-connected disabilities as well as pensions for some veterans 65 and older and grants for vets with age-related disabilities.

What is VA disability compensation?

Disability compensation is for an illness or injury that happens because of or was made worse by your military service. It’s not income-based and war service is not required. A VA pension is for war veterans with a low income and who may have a disability that is not service-related.

Can veterans get housing assistance?

Veterans with certain service-connected or aging-related disabilities can get housing help. You may qualify for special housing grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Apply for a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or a Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant. You can use it to:

Do wartime veterans get a pension?

Wartime veterans with a low income and their survivors may qualify for a tax-free pension. These monthly payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are based on financial need.

Can you get Aid and Attendance if you receive a VA pension?

Aid & Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits. If you receive a VA pension, you may also qualify for Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits . You can only get one of them. Each has its own qualifications.

Is VA pension taxable?

Here are two ways to tell the difference: Military retirement is taxable but a VA pension is tax-free. Military retirement uses years of service (not necessarily wartime). But a VA pension is based on wartime service and financial need.

What is the eligibility for VA benefits?

Eligibility for VA Benefits. Your eligibility for most VA benefits is based on discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions.

Where should paperwork be kept?

Your paperwork should be kept in a safe place where you and your family can get to it. Your preference regarding burial in a national cemetery and use of a headstone provided by VA should be documented and kept with this information.

Can a veteran receive a VA benefit?

Honorable and general discharges qualify a veteran for most VA benefits. Dishonorable and bad conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial may bar VA benefits. Veterans in prison and parolees may be eligible for certain VA benefits.

What do veterans get for their rehabilitation?

While enrolled in a rehabilitation program, veterans receive a monthly subsistence allowance in addition to compensation or retirement pay.

What are the benefits of a VA national cemetery?

Burial benefits in a VA national cemetery include the grave site, opening and closing of the grave and perpetual care. Many national cemeteries have columbaria or special grave sites for cremated remains. Headstones, markers and their placement are provided at government expense.

What is the DVA for alcohol?

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment. Eligible veterans are admitted to any of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) medical centers for the treatment of alcohol or drug dependence or associated medical conditions.

Why are veterans hospitalized?

They are hospitalized in a military hospital for a condition likely to be compensable; They were discharged or released under other than dishonorable conditions; The VA determines they need vocational rehabilitation services to achieve suitable employment because of an employment handicap.

How much is the Federal Benefits booklet?

It is sold for $5.50 a copy through the U.S. Government Printing Office.

How many cemeteries does the VA have?

Veterans, service members and family members are eligible for burial in one of the VA’s 114 national cemeteries. An eligible veteran must have been discharged or separated from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable and have completed the required period of service.

What is a military retirement home?

Military Retirement Homes. A wide range of services and benefits are available to help veteran-eligible military members who leave the service after retirement or after their military obligations have been met. This is part of what you earn when you serve your country.

What is a disabled veteran student loan forgiveness?

The new Disabled Veteran Student Loan Forgiveness Program discharges the Federal Student Loan Debt of veterans who are Totally and Permanently Disabled with a 100% P&T VA Rating OR have a 100 percent Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) status. It’s officially called the Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge program and has been a huge success to date. And guess what else? A little-known fact is that if you’re a veteran with a 100 percent scheduler VA disability rating (neither P&T nor TDIU status apply to you), you’re also eligible for Disabled Veteran Student Loan Forgiveness! We’ve seen hundreds of fellow disabled veterans get their student loans COMPLETELEY discharged in under 30 days…this NEW benefit is EPIC! Apply now if you qualify.

What is disabled veterans life insurance?

The Disabled Veterans Life Insurance program is a VA program that provides insurance for disabled veterans who have a service-connected disability rating from 0% to 100%. The basic program, commonly referred to as “RH Insurance”, insures eligible Veterans for up to $10,000 of coverage. Totally disabled veterans who are unable to work may apply for additional coverage of up to $30,000. Click HERE to review eligibility and application requirements.

What is free medical care for disabled veterans?

This is one of the top disabled veteran benefits, which includes free health care for disability conditions related to military service for veterans with a disability rating of at least 50%, as well as for those who can’t afford to pay for care.

What are the benefits of being a disabled veteran?

One of the best disabled veteran benefits available is VA disability compensation pay. If you have a disability condition that was caused or made worse by your active-duty military service, you may be eligible to receive tax-free monthly compensation. Veterans can prepare and file their own VA disability compensation claim for FREE by opening a Notice of Intent to File on the VA.gov website for a VA disability increase or first-time filer. An “Intent to File” puts the VA on notice that you’re planning to file a VA claim, which is important because it sets an effective date for when you could start getting benefits while you prepare your disability claim and gather supporting documents (Note: Limited to 12 months of back pay from your Notice of Intent to File date, unless in an appeal situation). Click HERE to view the 2021 VA disability compensation pay rates.

What is CRDP in the military?

The Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) program allows military retirees to receive BOTH military retired pay and VA disability compensation. Generally, you must be a regular military retiree with a combined VA disability rating of 50% or higher to qualify for CRDP. Click HERE to learn more DFAS’s CRDP program for military retirees with a VA disability rating.

What is Folds of Honor Scholarship?

The Folds of Honor foundation offers two (2) exceptional educational scholarship programs for the dependents of disabled veterans. The Children’s Fund Scholarship (veteran must have a VA rating of 90% or 100%) serves K-12 students while the Higher Education Scholarship (must have a VA rating of 10% or higher) serves those seeking a first bachelor’s degree or a certification at a post-secondary institution. Both types of the Folds of Honor academic scholarships are based on “unmet need” as determined by documentation submitted by the awardee and can be valued up to $5,000 per dependent per school year. The funds can be used to cover tuition, fees, books, room and board, uniforms, etc. Click HERE to learn more about Folds of Honor scholarship eligibility requirements.

What is the VA funding fee for 2020?

For example, let’s say a first-time veteran home buyer purchases a $300,000 home and makes a down payment of $15,000 (or 5% of the $300,000 VA home loan). You’ll pay a VA funding fee of $4,702.50, or 1.65% of the $285,000 loan amount. Note the funding fee applies only to the VA loan amount, NOT the purchase price of the home. Now, if you’re a disabled veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher, you are exempt from the VA home loan funding fee! Disabled veterans can check eligibility requirements HERE.