Benefit Programs

Explore the VA benefits you may have earned

Clear, plain-language summaries of each major VA program — what it is, who qualifies, and how to apply. Always confirm details and file your claims on the official VA website.

Disability Compensation

Tax-free monthly pay — up to $3,938 a month at the 100% rating, and more for your spouse, children, and parents. See what your rating is worth.

VA disability compensation is a monthly, tax-free payment for veterans who became sick or injured during service, or whose service made an existing condition worse. The amount depends on your combined disability rating and your dependents. VA pays additional amounts for qualifying dependents once your rating reaches 30% or higher.

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VA Health Care

Doctor visits, mental health, prescriptions, and more — most enrolled veterans pay $0 in monthly premiums. Find out which priority group you land in.

VA health care provides primary care, specialty care, mental health services, prescriptions, prosthetics, and more for eligible veterans and some special populations. Your eligibility, priority group, and any copays depend on your service history, income, and certain exposure-related rules.

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Education & Training (GI Bill)

Full in-state tuition (up to $29,920 a year at private schools), a monthly housing allowance, and money for books — and you can pass it to your family.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill helps pay for tuition and fees, housing, books, and certain training for eligible veterans, service members, and some dependents. Your benefit level is based on your total qualifying active-duty service after September 10, 2001. The Montgomery GI Bill is another option for some veterans.

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Home Loans & Housing

Buy a home with $0 down and no monthly mortgage insurance — a benefit that can save you tens of thousands over the life of the loan.

VA-backed and VA direct home loans help eligible veterans, service members, and some surviving spouses buy, build, improve, or refinance a home. The biggest advantages are competitive terms and, for many VA-backed loans, no required down payment and no private mortgage insurance.

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Pension

Tax-free monthly income for wartime veterans with limited means — up to $17,441 a year, or $29,093 with Aid & Attendance for daily care.

VA Pension is a needs-based, tax-free monthly benefit for wartime veterans — and for some surviving spouses and children — when income and net worth are within VA limits. The two main programs families use are the Veterans Pension and the Survivors Pension. Aid & Attendance may add to the benefit.

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Employment & Veteran Readiness (VR&E)

Chapter 31 retrains you for a new career with tuition paid in full, books, and a monthly housing allowance — at no cost to you. See if you qualify.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31) helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and keep suitable work — or achieve independent living. Depending on your situation, VR&E can support job training, education, self-employment, reemployment, and more.

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Life Insurance

Low-cost life insurance up to $500,000 — guaranteed coverage you can keep after service, with no medical exam if you convert in time.

VA life insurance includes VALife for veterans with service-connected disabilities, SGLI for eligible service members, and VGLI for separating service members and veterans who convert their SGLI coverage. These programs are designed to keep affordable coverage available through service and beyond.

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Burial & Memorial Benefits

Up to $2,000 toward a service-connected burial, plus a free gravesite, headstone or marker, and military funeral honors for your family.

VA burial and memorial benefits can include burial in a VA national cemetery, a burial allowance, headstones or markers, burial flags, Presidential Memorial Certificates, and pre-need burial eligibility. These benefits help families plan ahead and honor a veteran’s service.

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Dependent & Survivor Benefits

Tax-free monthly support for surviving spouses and children — DIC starts at about $1,699 a month, on top of health care and education benefits.

VA survivor benefits include Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), the Survivors Pension, CHAMPVA health coverage for certain spouses and children, and related education and burial benefits. These programs are often used together after a veteran’s death, depending on the circumstances.

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