Veterans have access to a range of programs run by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the military branches, and state and local governments

The benefits available to veterans depend on your length of service, discharge status, and what you need right now. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) runs the largest programs — disability compensation, health care, education benefits, and home loans. But there are also programs through your state, your former military branch, and nonprofit organizations. This guide explains what each category covers and where to find the information you need to understand your options.

Not every veteran receives every benefit. Some programs require you to meet income limits. Others depend on your service-connected disability rating or your discharge papers. The first step is knowing what exists and which ones might match your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • The VA administers disability compensation, health care, education benefits, and home loans, but may be able to access and benefit amounts vary based on your service record and discharge status.
  • Your state offers its own veteran programs — burial benefits, property tax breaks, education grants, and job training — that often go unused because they are not widely advertised.
  • Survivor benefits, pension programs, and dependent education information exist for spouses and children of veterans, with different rules for each.
  • The VA has regional offices and a benefits hotline (1-800-827-1000) that can tell you which programs you may be able to use based on your specific service history.

VA disability compensation and health care

If you have a service-connected disability — an injury or illness caused or made worse by military service — you can receive monthly disability compensation from the VA. The amount depends on your disability rating, which ranges from 0 to 100 percent. A higher rating means a higher monthly payment. The VA assigns this rating based on medical evidence you submit and exams they conduct.

VA health care is separate from disability compensation. You can enroll in the VA health system to receive medical treatment at VA hospitals and clinics. Some veterans pay nothing for care; others pay copays depending on their income and disability rating. To use VA health care, you must first enroll through the VA website or by calling 1-877-222-8387.

Both programs require a discharge from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable. If your discharge was general, medical, or honorable, you likely meet the basic requirement. The VA can review your discharge papers to confirm.

Education and training benefits

The GI Bill covers tuition and fees at colleges, universities, and trade schools. There are several versions — the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, and the Veterans Educational information Program (VEAP) — and which one you can use depends on when you served and how you paid into the program. The Post-9/11 GI Bill typically covers the full cost of in-state tuition at public schools and provides a monthly housing allowance while you study.

Beyond the GI Bill, the VA offers vocational rehabilitation and employment services if you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work. This program can pay for training, education, or job coaching to help you return to work or find a new career.

Some states also offer education grants for veterans that stack on top of federal benefits. Your state's veteran affairs office can tell you what is available where you live.

Home loans and housing information

VA home loans let you buy a house with no down payment and no mortgage insurance requirement. You work with a private lender, but the VA guarantees part of the loan, which makes lenders willing to offer better terms. You must have a discharge other than dishonorable and meet a minimum period of service — usually 90 days of active duty, though this varies by era of service.

If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, the VA runs programs that provide housing information, case management, and mental health support. Contact your local VA medical center or call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1, to learn what housing resources exist in your area.

Survivor and dependent benefits

If a veteran dies, their spouse and children may receive monthly survivor benefits through the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) program. The amount depends on the veteran's rank and the number of dependents. A surviving spouse can also receive education benefits under the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational information program, which works similarly to the GI Bill but is for family members.

Children of veterans with service-connected disabilities may also be able to use the Fry Scholarship, which covers education costs at schools and training programs. may be able to access rules are specific, so contact the VA directly to understand whether your family members may have access to.

State veteran benefits and programs

Every state offers benefits that the federal government does not. These commonly include property tax exemptions or reductions, burial benefits in state cemeteries, hunting and fishing license discounts, and education grants. Some states offer additional disability compensation, job training programs, or home improvement loans.

Your state's veteran affairs office maintains a list of what is available. You can find contact information through the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs website or by searching "[your state] veteran benefits" online. Many of these programs are underused straightforward because veterans do not know they exist.

Pension programs and income-based benefits

Veterans with limited income and a permanent disability may be able to receive a VA pension, which is different from disability compensation. A pension is based on financial need rather than service-connected disability. You must have served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during wartime, and your income must fall below a limit set by the VA each year.

Surviving spouses and dependents of deceased veterans may also receive a pension if their income is low enough. The VA updates income limits annually, so even if you were told you did not may have access to in the past, it is worth checking again.

How to find out what you may be able to use

Start by gathering your discharge papers (Form DD-214 or equivalent). This document shows your branch, length of service, rank, and discharge status — all the information programs use to determine may be able to access.

Contact the VA directly through one of these channels: call 1-800-827-1000 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time), visit the VA website at va.gov, or go to a VA regional office in person. You can also contact your state's veteran affairs office, which often has staff who know both federal and state programs.

If you worked with a military service officer or veteran service representative during your transition from active duty, they may still be available to help. Many nonprofits, including the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, offer free help understanding your options and gathering the paperwork you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be disabled to receive any veteran benefits?

No. Education benefits, home loans, and many state programs do not require a disability. Disability compensation and VA pensions are specifically for those with service-connected disabilities or low income, but other programs are available to all veterans with the right discharge status and length of service.

What if my discharge was not honorable?

A dishonorable discharge bars you from most VA benefits. A bad conduct discharge also typically disqualifies you. However, a general discharge or medical discharge usually does not. The VA can review your discharge papers and tell you which programs you may be able to use. If you believe your discharge was unjust, you can request a review through the military's discharge review process.

Can I receive both disability compensation and a pension?

No. You receive one or the other, not both. The VA will determine which program you may have access to for and pay the higher amount. If your circumstances change — for example, if your income drops — you can request a review to see if you now may have access to for a pension instead.

How long does it take to receive benefits after I explore?

Processing times vary. Disability claims can take several months, especially if the VA needs additional medical evidence. Education benefits and home loans often process faster. The VA website shows current processing times for different programs, and you can check the status of your claim online once you have submitted it.

What if I live outside the United States?

Some benefits are available to veterans living abroad, but not all. Disability compensation and pensions can be paid overseas. Education benefits and home loans have restrictions. Contact the VA directly to confirm what you can use from your location.