Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents

Contents

Introduction 
Who's Eligible
Wartime Service
Filing a Claim
Keep Important Documents
Insurance
Introduction in Spanish 
Veterans Benefits Timetable

1.Benefit Programs for Veterans 
Disability Compensation
Other Disability Benefits
Specially Adapted Homes
Supplemental Financing
Housing Insurance
Automobiles or Other Conveyances
Clothing Allowance
Pension
Improved Pension
Reduction While in Nursing Home/Domiciliary Protected Pension Programs
Vocational Training
Aid and Attendance or Housebound
Education and Training
Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty)
Montgomery GI Bill (Selected Reserve)
Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) Vocational and Educational Counseling
Vocational Rehabilitation
Rates for Vocational Rehabilitation Program Special Program for Veterans Rated Unemployable
Special Program for Veterans Receiving Pension Home Loan Guaranties
Eligibility
Entitlement
Financing, Interest Rates and Terms
Occupancy Certification
Release of Liability
Repossessed Houses
Life Insurance
Status of Insurance Programs
Servicemen's Group Life Insurance
Veterans' Group Life Insurance
Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance
Income Tax Ruling
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Homeless Veterans
Women Veterans
Special Groups with Veterans Benefits

2. Benefits for Survivors 
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Death Due to Service-Connected Disability Death
Due to Nonservice-Connected Cause Reinstated Entitlement Program for Survivors Death
Compensation (Before Jan. 1, 1957) Nonservice-connected Death Pension
Montgomery G.I. Bill Death Benefit
Survivors' and Dependents' Education
Home Loan Guaranties

3. Burial Benefits 
Burial in National Cemeteries
Headstones and Markers
Headstones or Markers for Memorial Plots Presidential Memorial Certificates
Burial Flags
Reimbursement of Burial Expenses

4. Health-Care Benefits 
Hospital and Nursing-Home Care
Nursing-Home Care
Domiciliary Care
Outpatient Medical Treatment
Outpatient Pharmacy Services
Outpatient Dental Treatment
Persian Gulf, Agent Orange and Ionizing Radiation Beneficiary Travel
Counseling for Persian Gulf Veterans
Alcohol and Drug Dependence Treatment
Prosthetic Services
Blind Aids and Services
Readjustment Counseling (Vet Centers)
Medical Care for Merchant Seamen
Medical Care for Allied Beneficiaries
Medical Care for Dependents and Survivors

5. Overseas Benefits

6. Other Federal Benefits 
Job-Finding Assistance
Occupational Conversion and Training Program Reemployment Rights
Unemployment Compensation
Affirmative Action
Job Training Partnership Act
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program
Employment in the Federal Government
Transition Assistance Program
Credit for Farms and Homes (FmHA)
FHA Home Mortgage Insurance
Naturalization Preference
Small Business Administration
Social Security
Supplemental Security Income
Passports To Visit Overseas Cemeteries
Military
Medals
Commissary and Exchange Privileges
Review of Discharges
Military Records
Correction of Military Records
Death Gratuity
Armed Forces Retirement Homes

7. Appeals 
Board of Veterans' Appeals
U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals

8. VA Facilities -- Where To Go for Help

Introduction

The surest way to obtain current information on VA benefits and claims procedures is to call the nearest VA regional office. A call to 1-800-827-1000 from any location in the United States will be automatically muted to the nearest regional office. In addition, local numbers are listed in the back of this book and in local telephone directories. Counselors can answer questions about benefits eligibility and application procedures and make referrals, when necessary, to other VA facilities, such as medical centers and national cemeteries. To assure that accurate information and courteous responses are given to the public, VA supervisory personnel occasionally monitor telephone calls. No record is kept of the callers name, address, claim or telephone number. Local phone numbers of VA regional offices in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Manila and Puerto Rico are listed in the back of this book, along with the commercial phone numbers of all VA facilities. VA facilities also are listed in the federal government section of telephone directories under Department of Veterans Affairs.

Many state governments and some municipalities operate agencies or offices devoted to administering state and local veterans programs and assisting veterans in filing claims for VA and other federal benefits. Many veterans service organizations also provide information and assistance. VA regional offices process claims for VA benefits and administer those benefits, which include: disability compensation, pension, home loan guaranty, life insurance, education, vocational training for disabled veterans, burial allowance, and survivor's compensation, pension and education. VA medical center admissions offices are the immediate source for information regarding medical care eligibility, admissions procedure and scheduling. They can provide information on all types of medical care, including nursing home, dental, drug and alcohol dependency, prosthetics, readjustment counseling, and Agent Orange, radiation exposure or Persian Gulf War examinations. VA national cemeteries or regional offices can answer questions about eligibility of veterans and dependents for burial benefits. Documentation of military service must be shown to the director of the cemetery when burial is requested. The cemetery will schedule an interment service, and provide burial and an inscribed government marker.

Who's Eligible

Eligibility for most VA benefits is based on discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions for a minimum period specified by law. Completion of at least six years of honorable service in the Selected Reserves also provides for home loan benefits for those not otherwise eligible. Men and women veterans with similar service are entitled to the same VA benefits.

The Department of Defense issues each veteran a military discharge form, DD 214, identifying the veteran's condition of discharge--honorable, general, other than honorable, dishonorable or bad conduct.

Honorable and general discharges qualify a veteran for most VA benefits. Educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, however, require an honorable discharge.

Dishonorable and some bad-conduct discharges issued by general courts martial bar VA benefits. Benefits eligibility of veterans with other bad conduct discharges and discharges described by military branches as "other than honorable" is determined by VA. After reviewing the facts of each specific case, VA decides whether separation from service was under dishonorable or other than dishonorable conditions.

Those who enlisted in the military after Sept. 7, 1980, and officers commissioned or who entered active military service after Oct. 16, 1981, must have completed two years of active duty or the full period of their initial service obligation to be eligible for most VA benefits. Veterans with service-connected disabilities or those discharged for disability or hardship near the end of their service obligation are not held to this provision. The provision does not apply to participation in veterans insurance programs.

Veterans in prison and parolees may still be eligible for certain VA benefits. VA regional offices can clarify their eligibility.

Service in 26 organizations (see p. 35 & 36) during periods that include World Wars I and II has been certified as active military service by the Department of Defense. Members of these groups may be eligible for VA benefits. Individuals must have their service documented to obtain a discharge from Defense under honorable conditions.

Wartime Service

Certain VA benefits and medical care require wartime service. As specified in law, VA recognizes these war periods:

Mexican Border Period -- May 9, 1916, through April 5, 1917, for veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders or in adjacent waters.

World War I -- April 6, 1917, through Nov. 11, 1918; for veterans who served in Russia, April 6, 191 7, through April 1, 1920; extended through July 1, 1921, for veterans who had one day of service between April 6, 1917, and Nov. 11, 1918.

World War II -- Dec. 7, 1941, through Dec. 31, 1946. Korean Conflict -- June 27, 1950, through Jan. 31, 1955. Vietnam Era -- Aug. 5, 1964, through May 7, 1975. Persian Gulf War -- Aug. 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.

Filing a Claim

Those filing a claim with VA for the first time must submit a copy of their service discharge form (DD 214), which documents service dates and type of discharge, or give their full name, military service number, branch of service and dates of service. Once a claim is filed, the veteran's VA file number ("C" number) or Social Security number serves as the veteran's identifier.

Keep Important Documents

The veteran's DD 214 form should be kept in a safe, convenient location accessible to the veteran and next of kin or designated representative. The veteran's preference regarding burial in a national cemetery and use of a headstone provided by the VA should be documented and kept with this information. The following documents, if not included in VA files, will be needed for claims processing related to a veteran's death: marriage certificate for a surviving spouse or children. death certificate if the veteran did not die in a VA medical facility. children's birth certificates for children's benefits. veteran's birth certificate for parents establishing eligibility. Insurance

If the deceased veteran carried government life insurance at the time of death, the policy's designated beneficiary is entitled to the proceeds. Assistance is available at VA regional offices or at 1-800-669-8477.

Informacion Para Los Veteranos De Habla Hispana y Sus Dependientes

Si necesita informaci¢n o ayuda en la solicitud de los beneficios dispuestos por ley para veteranos y/o dependientes, escriba, llame o visite cualquiera de las Oficinas del Departamento de Asuntos de Veteranos que aparecen al final de este folleto, o si desea, puede ponerse en contacto con el representante de una de las organizaciones de veteranos de su localidad. Cualquier solicitud para servicios medicos puede hacerse en uno de los hospitales o cl¡nicas externas del Departamento de Asuntos de Veteranos.

En aquellos estados donde hay una gran concentraci¢n de veteranos y dependientes de habla Hispana, las Oficinas del Departamento de Asuntos de Veteranos tienen consejeros biling_es que le ayudaran en la solicitud de cualquier beneficio de veterano. Ademas se encuentra disponible en las oficinas regionales del Departamento de Asuntos de Veteranos o en la Oficina Central (27), localizada en 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20420, un breve folleto titulado "Sus Beneficios," el cual puede obtenerse gratis.

Time Benefits Where to apply 90 days REEMPLOYMENT Former employer

Limited UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION: State time The amount of benefit and employment payment period varies among service states. Apply soon after separation. 120 Days SGLI: (Servicemen's Group Servicemen's or up to Life Insurance), a five-year Group Life one year nonrenewable term policy, may Insurance, 213 if totally be converted to VGLI (Veterans Washington St. disabled Group Life Insurance). Newark, N.J. 07102-9990

Two years GI INSURANCE: Life insurance Any VA office (from date (up to $10,000) is available for of notice veterans with service-connected of VA disabilities. Veterans who are disability totally disabled may apply for a rating) waiver of premiums on these policies.

One year SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE: An Any VA office (from date additional $20,000 policy is of notice of available for those veterans who eligibility are under age 65, eligible for for premium waiver of premiums and have waiver) Service Disabled Veterans Insurance. However, no waiver can be granted on the additional insurance.

10 years EDUCATION: Educational assistance Any VA office from depends upon period of service. release 12 years VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION: For Any VA office (generally disabled vets, VA will pay from date tuition and fees, and the cost of of books, tools and other discharge) program expenses as well as provide a monthly living allowance. Upon completion of the vocational rehabilitation program, VA will assist in finding employment.

No time GI HOME LOANS: VA will guarantee Any VA office limit a loan for the purchase of a home, farm with a residence, manufactured home, or condominium.

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