The United States has the most comprehensive system of assistance for veterans of any nation in the world. The Department of Veterans Affairs health care system offers a broad spectrum of assistance available to active-duty service members, veterans and their families. You fulfilled your commitment; now it's the government's turn. Take advantage of all the benefits you've earned and deserve. Let a VFW Accredited Service Officer help.
If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, caring, qualified VA professionals are standing by to provide free and confidential support. The VA Vet Crisis Line can be accessed by calling 988 and pressing 1, texting 838255, or chatting online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. This is a free, confidential, and 24/7 service for service members, veterans, and their loved ones who are in crisis or need support for thoughts of suicide or self-harm. You do not need to be enrolled in VA health care to use this service. Click here for more resources.
As with other service-related injuries and disease, the VA will pay eligible veterans monthly compensation for disability resulting from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Click here for more information.
VA can pay you monthly, tax-free compensation if you are at least 10 percent disabled as a result of your military service. You must also have separated or been discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions. You may qualify for VA disability benefits for physical conditions (like a chronic illness or injury) and mental health conditions (like PTSD) that developed before, during or after service. Find out more on compensation here.
The VA's Veterans Pension program provides monthly payments to some wartime veterans and their survivors who meet certain age or disability requirements, and who have income and net worth within certain limits. Get information on the pension program here.
The Veterans Affairs Homeless Veterans Initiative was created to strengthen programs that prevent and end homelessness among veterans. VA provides a range of services to homeless veterans, including healthcare, housing, job training and education. There is a variety of reasons why veterans are homeless and VA is committed to providing solutions to put an end to this problem. Click here to find out more.
Various services are available, including hospital, outpatient medical, dental, pharmacy and prosthetic services, specialized health care for women veterans, alcohol and drug dependency treatment and medical evaluation for disorders associated with military service in the Gulf War, or exposure to Agent Orange, radiation and other environmental hazards. Click here for more information.
The Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for veterans with toxic-exposures and veterans of the Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and post-9/11 era. The PACT Act adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures in addition to adding more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation. If you or a loved one experienced toxic exposure while serving in the military, we urge you to answer a few quick questions regarding your service and get referred to a VFW Accredited Service Officer. See if you're eligible.
If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) can help. This program — also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E — helps you explore employment options and address education or training needs. In some cases, your family members may also qualify for certain benefits. Find out more information on VR&E.
VA pays benefits to eligible veterans, reservists and active-duty service members while they are in an approved education or training program. Find out more about education benefits.
VA offers various home-loan services to eligible veterans, some military personnel and certain surviving spouses. Find out more about VA home loans, or download the VA's Home Buyers Guide here.
VA's Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife) was created in January 2023 and now offers guaranteed acceptance whole life coverage of up to $40,000 to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Lesser amounts are available in increments of $10,000. Under this plan, the elected coverage takes effect two years after enrollment as long as premiums are paid during the two-year period. Find out more information.
As the survivor of a veteran, you may be eligible for Survivors Pension and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). If you need help with daily activities or you’re housebound, you may also be eligible for VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits. See if you're eligible for survivors benefits here. As the family member of a veteran or service member, you may also be eligible for VA burial and memorial benefits for yourself or the veteran or service member. Find out how to get burial benefits.
VA offers a number of services that can provide caregivers with the support that's right for them. If you are the family caregiver of a veteran who was injured post-9/11, you may be eligible for additional services through VA, including a stipend, comprehensive training and medical coverage through VA if you are not already covered by a plan. Find out more here.
Access contact information for key staff within more than 1,300 VA facilities. Find a location near you here.