Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors

Federal Benefits

for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors

getstarted

2020 Edition

Phone Numbers

Veterans Crisis Line ..............................................................1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 Bereavement Counseling ........................................................................ 1-202-461-6530 Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA) .......................... 1-800-733-8387 Caregiver Stipend ....................................................................................... 1-877-733-7927 Debt Management Center ....................................................................... 1-800-827-0648 Education ....................................................................................................... 1-888-442-4551 Foreign Medical Program ......................................................................... 1-303-331-7590 Spina Bifda Program ................................................................................. 1-888-820-1756 Camp Lejeune Family Member Program ............................................ 1-866-372-1144 Headstones and Markers .......................................................................... 1-800-697-6947 Health Care .................................................................................................... 1-877-222-8387 Homeless Veterans ..................................................................................... 1-877-424-3838 Home Loans .................................................................................................. 1-888-827-3702 Life Insurance ............................................................................................... 1-800-669-8477 National Cemetery Scheduling Ofc e ................................................. 1-800-535-1117 Pension Management Center ................................................................. 1-877-294-6380 Presidential Memorial Certifca te Program ........................................ 1-202-565-4964 Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) ............................... 1-800-829-4833 VA Benefts ..................................................................................................... 1-800-827-1000 VA Combat Call Center .............................................................................. 1-877-927-8387 Women Veterans ......................................................................................... 1-877-222-8387

Web Sites

Mental Health ..................................................................... mentalhealth. Burial and Memorial Benefts ........................................ cem. Caregiver Support ............................................................. caregiver. CHAMPVA .................... MUNITYCARE/programs/dependents/champva/index.asp Community Care ............................................................... munitycare/ eBenefts ............................................................................... ebenefts. Education Benefts ............................................................ benefts.gibill Environmental Exposures ............................................ publichealth.exposures Federal Recovery Coordination Program ................ icbc/frcp Health Care Eligibility ....................................................... healthbenefts Homeless Veterans ............................................................ homeless Home Loan Guaranty ....................................................... homeloans. Life Insurance ...................................................................... insurance. Memorial Certifca te Program ...................................... cem.pmc.asp My HealtheVet .................................................................... myhealth. National Resource Directory ......................................... Records ............................................................. st-louis/military-personnel Returning Service Members .......................................... oefoif. State Departments of Veterans Afairs ....................... statedva.htm Women Veterans ................................................................ womenshealth. VA Vet Centers .................................................................... vetcenter. VA Home Page ..................................................................... VA Beneft Payment Rates .............................................. vba.bln/21/rates VA Forms .............................................................................. vaforms Veteran Readiness and Employment .........................

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Introduction

Veterans of the United States armed forces may be eligible for a broad range of benefts and ser vices provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Afairs ( VA). These benefts ar e codifed in Title 38 of the United States Code. This booklet contains a brief overview of the most commonly sought information concerning Veterans benefts and services. For the most accurate information, Veterans and family members should visit the websites provided within this publication as regulations, payments, and eligibility requirements are subject to change. For additional information, please visit . To fnd the nearest VA facility, go to fnd-locations.

General Eligibility: Eligibility for most VA benefts is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Active service means full-time service, other than active duty for training, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned ofcer of the Public Health Service, Environmental Science Services Administration or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or its predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey.

Eligible Wartime Periods: Certain VA Benefts Require Wartime Service. For information on eligible wartime periods please visit benefts.pension/wartimeperiod.asp. Dishonorable and bad conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial may bar VA benefts. Veterans in prison must contact VA to determine eligibility. VA benefts will not be provided to any Veteran or dependent wanted for an outstanding felony warrant.

Important Documents: In order to expedite benefts delivery, Veterans seeking a VA beneft for the frst time must submit a copy of their service discharge form (DD-214, DD-215, or for World War II Veterans, a WD form), which documents service dates and type of discharge, or provides full name, military service number, and branch and dates of service. The Veteran's service discharge form should be kept in a safe location accessible to the Veteran and next of kin or representative.

The following documents will be needed for claims processing related to a Veteran's death: Veteran's marriage certifcate for claims of a surviving spouse or children; Veteran's death certifcate if the Veteran did not die in a VA health care facility; children's birth certifcates or adoption papers to determine children's benefts; or Veteran's birth certifcate to determine parents' benefts. For information and updates on VA benefts and services, follow us on Facebook at VeteransBenefts and/or Twitter VAVetBenefts.

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Attention Veterans, Family Members and VA Employees

The 2020 Federal Benefts Handbook f or Veterans and Dependents provides information on benefts and ser vices currently available by law and regulation. However, due to VA's ongoing response to COVID-19 we encourage Veterans, their families and caregivers to visit . Specifcally , for information about COVID-19 and how it af ects VA health care and beneft ser vices, visit our coronavirus FAQs at or read VA's public health response at . n-coronavirus/. Please contact us frst bef ore going to any VA location at to seek health care, benefts , or memorial and burial services. Contacting us frst helps us keep you and our employees safe. For the latest Federal government coronavirus information, please visit the CDC website at .

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Contents

Page

Phone Numbers ................................................ i

Web Sites ........................................................... i

Introduction ...................................................... ii

Attention Veterans, Family Members and VA Employees .................................................... iii

eBenefts ............................................................ v

Health Care ........................................................ 1

Non-Health Care Benefts ............................... 14

Education and Training Benefts .................... 23

Special Groups of Veterans ............................. 46

Burial and Memorial Benefts ......................... 63

Burial in VA National Cemeteries ................... 63

Other Memorialization .................................... 67

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