Most veterans are familiar with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. With a stated mission “[t]o fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors,” the VA administers millions of enrollees in its healthcare system, life insurance policies, and disability claims every year. Yet many active-duty service members, veterans, and their families are not aware of the full suite of programs and services available from the VA.
You’ve fulfilled your commitment and should explore all of the benefits you’ve earned and deserve.
VA benefits for financial needs
- Home loans: The VA offers home loan programs for eligible veterans and surviving spouses. The VA serves as the mortgage lender and often has better terms than a home loan from a private lender.
- Financial counseling and online will preparation: The VA makes financial planning and online will preparation services available at no cost to beneficiaries of SGLI (Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance), TSGLI (Traumatic Injury Protection), FSGLI (Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance), and VGLI (Veterans’ Group Life Insurance).
- Pension benefits: The VA administers needs-based pension programs for wartime Veterans and their survivors. Veterans who are eligible for pension benefits may also be eligible for additional benefits for aid and attendance from a caregiver or if they are housebound.
- Insurance: The VA offers a range of insurance options, including life insurance coverage for active-duty servicemembers, traumatic injury protection, and mortgage protection insurance.
- Homelessness: The Veteran Affairs Homeless Veterans Initiative was created to strengthen programs that prevent and end homelessness among Veterans. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has also collaborated with the VA to provide additional housing opportunities for Veterans facing homelessness. If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, you may be eligible for free health care or free limited dental care. VA’s support teams can also connect you with resources in your community, like homeless shelters and job training. If you or someone you know is a Veteran who is homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.
VA benefits for family members
Dependents and survivors
Spouses or dependents of Veterans or service members may qualify for a range of benefits that include health care, life insurance, caregiver support, and funding for education or training.
Surviving family members may also qualify for added benefits including help with a Veteran’s burial costs and VA disability compensation, for example if the Veteran’s disability claim was pending when the Veteran passed away or the cause of death was related to service. Qualifying surviving family members are encouraged to connect with a VA disability advocate or attorney to discuss potential VA benefits in those instances.
VA benefits for your education or career
Education and training: The VA supports veterans, service members, and their qualified family members with education and training needs like paying tuition, finding the right school or training program, resume development, and career counseling. The VA may also provide services to assist veterans and service members in starting businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment. The GI Bill is the most broadly known of these training programs, but there are many support services available.
Careers and employment: The VA offers vocational rehab programs to help Veterans and service members with service-connected disabilities to learn new skills, find a new job, start a new business, get educational counseling, or return to a former job.
VA benefits for your health
Health care: VA health care covers regular checkups with your primary care provider and appointments with specialists. You can also access health care services like home health and geriatric (elder) care, and you can get medical equipment, prosthetics, and prescriptions.
Disability: VA disability compensation offers a monthly tax-free payment to Veterans who are injured, or whose injuries worsened, as a result of serving in the military.
Caregiver assistance: The VA provides caregiver support through the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). As of October 1, 2022, this program is now open to family caregivers of eligible veterans of all eras, including those who served after May 7, 1975, and before September 11, 2001.
Get the VA benefits you deserve
With such a broad range of programs available to veterans, it can be difficult knowing where to start. At Vets National Advocates, we use our knowledge to help active service members, veterans, and family members obtain the benefits they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation using our online form or call 1 (877) 777-4021.
