Overview of Veterans Affairs Benefits

You served. Now let the Department of Veterans Affairs serve you by helping you live life to the fullest.

The VA offers a wide range of services, including home-loan guaranties, education benefits, medical care and survivor pensions. Some benefits target specific veteran groups, such as disabled veterans. Many VA benefits and services are available to active-duty service members, National Guard and reserve members, and their families.

As you make important choices about your family, finances, education, career and health care, spend a few minutes exploring the VA benefits you have earned.

Education benefits

You may be eligible for the following VA education benefits:

• The Post-9/11 GI Bill gives you up to 36 months of entitlements for college or training if you served on active duty at least 90 days since Sept. 11, 2001. You may be able to transfer your benefits to your spouse or child if you meet certain requirements.
• Other VA education programs include the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty, the MGIB-Selected Reserve, the Reserve Education Assistance Program and the Veterans Educational Assistance Program. If you qualify for one of the MGIB programs and the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, you may choose to receive benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
• The work-study program allows you to earn money while in college.

Medical care

If you served in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, be sure to enroll at a VA Medical Center or clinic within five years of separating from the service.

Life insurance

The VA offers low-cost term life insurance to active-duty service members, National Guard and reserve members, veterans and their families.

Disability compensation

You may receive tax-free benefits if you have suffered a service-connected injury or disease.

Home-loan guaranties

The VA guarantees home loans made by private lenders to active-duty service members, veterans and, in some cases, surviving spouses. Disabled veterans may receive grants to adapt their homes to accommodate their disabilities.

Programs to overcome and prevent homelessness

If you or a veteran you know is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, call 877-4AID-VET (424-3838), or chat online to be connected to the resources the VA offers.

Vocational rehabilitation

The VA offers rehabilitation and employment services to service members and veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Burial and memorial benefits

Veterans may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery, as well as for headstones or markers, presidential memorial certificates and burial flags. The VA will reimburse burial expenses under certain specific circumstances.

Survivor’s benefits

Survivors of deceased military members and veterans may receive the following benefits:

• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to eligible survivors of service members or veterans who died on active duty or who died from service-related disabilities.
• A survivor’s pension based on financial need may be paid to surviving spouses who haven’t remarried and unmarried children of wartime veterans.
• The Civilian Health and Medical program reimburses the costs of some health care for eligible survivors and dependents.
• The Dependents’ Educational Assistance program offers survivors of service members who died in the line of duty up to 45 months of full-time education benefits.

It is important to understand that eligibility and application processes vary by benefit and applicant. Some applications can be submitted online, others by mail or in person. Learn more by visiting Explore VA.