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Complete Guide to Benefits and Eligibility for Veterans

Updated: Aug 4

1. VA Health Care Eligibility and How to Access

General Eligibility

You may qualify for VA health care if you:

  • Served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable

  • Served during a recognized wartime period (Vietnam, Gulf War, Post-9/11, etc.)

  • Have a service-connected disability, at any rating level

  • Are a Purple Heart recipient or former POW

  • Meet certain income and asset limits

  • Have been exposed to hazardous materials such as Agent Orange or radiation

How to Enroll and Access Care

  • Apply online at VA Health Care Enrollment

  • Call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) for assistance

  • Visit a VA medical center or clinic to apply in person

  • After enrollment, you can schedule appointments, request prescriptions, and access telehealth through the VA portal



2. VA Disability Compensation: General Eligibility and How to Apply

Eligibility

  • You must have a disability that is related to your military service

  • You need medical evidence showing the connection between your condition and service (doctor’s reports, service records)

  • Your discharge must be under conditions other than dishonorable

  • The VA assigns disability ratings from 0% to 100% based on how much the condition impacts your health and daily life

How to File a Claim

  • Online at VA Disability Compensation

  • By mail using VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits)

  • In person at a VA regional office or with help from a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) like DAV, VFW, or American Legion

  • Keep copies of all paperwork and track your claim through the VA’s eBenefits or VA.gov portal

  • Check out our other article on how to file for disability for more in depth instructions



3. Adding Dependents for Increased Benefits

Eligibility

  • You must have a combined disability rating of 30% or higher to add dependents for increased benefits

  • Eligible dependents include:

    • Spouse

    • Unmarried children under 18 (or under 23 if attending school full-time)

    • Dependent parents, if financially supported by you

How to Add Dependents

  • Online at Add or Update Dependents

  • By submitting VA Form 21-686c (Declaration of Status of Dependents) by mail or in person

  • Assistance is available through your VSO or VA regional office

  • Adding dependents increases your monthly compensation amount



4. Caregiver Support Program

Eligibility

  • Veterans who require help with daily living activities due to service-connected disabilities

  • The Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) program is specifically for post-9/11 veterans with serious injuries or illnesses

  • Caregivers may also qualify for training, counseling, and support regardless of veteran’s service period (with some limits)

How to Access

  • Contact the Caregiver Support Coordinator at your nearest VA medical center

  • Apply using VA Form 10-10CG (Application for Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers)

  • You can also learn more and start the process at VA Caregiver Support

  • Benefits may include a monthly stipend, respite care, counseling, and training



5. Survivor and Family Benefits

Eligibility

  • Surviving spouses, children, or dependent parents of veterans who died from service-connected disabilities or who had a disability rating at death

  • Eligible survivors can receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), education benefits, health care, and burial assistance

How to Apply

  • File VA Form 21P-534EZ (Application for DIC, Survivors Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits) online or by mail

  • Contact your local VA regional office or VSO for help with the application

  • Learn more at Survivor Benefits

  • Eligible survivors can also apply for CHAMPVA, VA’s health care program for dependents



6. Additional VA Benefits: What They Are, Eligibility, and How to Access

Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU)

  • What it is: A program that grants a 100% disability rating if you cannot work because of service-connected conditions, even if your combined rating is less than 100%

  • Eligibility: Must prove service-connected disabilities prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment

  • How to Apply:

    • Include TDIU request with your disability claim or file separately with VA Form 21-8940 (Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability)

    • Submit medical evidence supporting your claim

    • VA may schedule a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam



Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling)

  • What it is: Free counseling services for combat veterans, service members, and families to help with PTSD, military sexual trauma, and other transition challenges

  • Eligibility: All veterans and service members, regardless of service-connected disability

  • How to Access:

    • Find a local Vet Center at Vet Centers Locator

    • Call toll-free 1-877-927-8387

    • No enrollment or appointment needed for many services



Travel Reimbursement

  • What it is: Financial help with travel costs to VA medical appointments for eligible veterans

  • Eligibility:

    • Veterans rated 30% or higher, or

    • Those with service-connected disabilities requiring VA care

  • How to Apply:

    • Complete VA Form 10-3542 (Veteran/Beneficiary Identification and Eligibility for VA Health Care Benefits)

    • Submit receipts, mileage logs, and other required documents to your VA facility’s Travel Office

  • More info: Travel Benefits



Home and Community-Based Services

  • What it is: Supportive services including home health care, respite care, homemaker assistance for veterans who are seriously disabled

  • Eligibility: Typically veterans rated 70% or higher, or those in the PCAFC program

  • How to Access:

    • Request a social work assessment at your VA medical center

    • Discuss your needs with your care team or caregiver support coordinator

  • More info: Home and Community Care



7. Non-VA Benefits and Programs for Veterans

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

  • What it is: Federal program providing monthly benefits to people unable to work for at least 12 months due to disability

  • Eligibility: Anyone who has paid into Social Security and meets disability criteria (service connection not required)

  • How to Apply:

    • Apply online at ssa.gov/disability

    • VA disability ratings can help support your claim but are not mandatory



Medicare and Medicaid

  • Many veterans qualify for Medicare at age 65 and/or Medicaid based on income

  • These programs provide additional health care coverage outside VA

  • Contact your local Medicaid office or Medicare.gov for applications and eligibility info



State Veterans Benefits



Nonprofit Veterans Support Organizations

  • Organizations like DAV, American Legion, VFW, and others offer:

    • Free claims assistance and representation

    • Emergency financial help

    • Housing assistance and counseling

  • Locate local chapters through their websites:



Educational and Vocational Benefits

  • In addition to GI Bill benefits, programs like Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) help veterans train for new careers if disability limits work

  • Many nonprofits offer scholarships and job placement support

  • Apply for VR&E at VA Voc Rehab



Housing Assistance

  • The VA Home Loan Program offers guaranteed loans with no down payment and competitive interest rates

  • Emergency housing and homelessness prevention programs are available through VA and nonprofits

  • Learn more and apply at VA Home Loans



Summary Checklist

  • Enroll in VA health care if eligible

  • File a disability claim with medical evidence

  • Add dependents if rated 30%+

  • Apply for caregiver support if you need help with daily living

  • Submit survivor claims if eligible

  • Apply for TDIU if unable to work due to disability

  • Use Vet Centers for counseling and support

  • Submit travel reimbursement claims as needed

  • Request home care services through your VA medical center

  • Apply for Social Security Disability if unable to work

  • Check state veterans benefits and assistance programs

  • Contact nonprofit veterans organizations for extra support

  • Explore educational and housing benefits beyond VA

 
 
 

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