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Veterans benefits: what's available and how to apply

Start with a free, accredited veteran service officer (VSO). They help you file claims at no cost, and it's illegal to charge a fee for an initial VA disability claim. Then check your state's own benefits, which often include property tax breaks.

Money: disability pay and pension

VA disability compensationFree moneyTax-free monthly payments for conditions connected to your military service.Up to $3,939/mo · starts at $180/moWho qualifies: Veterans with an injury or illness connected to their military service.VA pensionFree moneyMonthly payments for wartime veterans 65+ or disabled with limited income and assets.Up to $17,441/yrWho qualifies: Wartime veterans 65+ or with a disability, with limited income and assets.

Health care and support

VA health careFree service or coverageMedical care at VA medical centers and community clinics, often at little or no cost.Who qualifies: Veterans who served on active duty and meet basic service requirements.Vet Center counselingFree service or coverageFree, confidential counseling for veterans, service members and families, outside the VA hospital.Who qualifies: Combat veterans, certain other service members and veterans, and their families.VA family caregiver programFree moneyA monthly stipend, training and health coverage for family members caring for seriously injured veterans.Who qualifies: Family caregivers of veterans with a serious service-connected disability.988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Veterans Crisis LineFree service or coverageFree, confidential support 24/7 by call or text to 988. Veterans press 1.Who qualifies: Anyone in emotional distress or crisis, and people worried about someone else.

Education and jobs

GI Bill education benefitsFree moneyPays tuition, fees and a housing allowance for college, trade school or apprenticeships.Who qualifies: Veterans and service members with qualifying active-duty service, and some family members.Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)Free service or coverageJob training, education, job placement and help starting a business for veterans with service-connected disabilities.Who qualifies: Veterans with a service-connected disability rating and an employment handicap, and some service members.Education benefits for veterans' children and spouses (DEA)Free moneyMonthly education payments for children and spouses of veterans permanently and totally disabled from service.Who qualifies: Children and spouses of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled or died from service.

Housing

VA home loanLoan, must be repaidBuy a home with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance. Funding fee waived for disabled veterans.Who qualifies: Veterans, service members and some surviving spouses with enough service time.VA adapted housing grantsFree moneyGrants to build, buy or modify a home for certain service-connected disabilities.Who qualifies: Veterans with specific serious service-connected disabilities, such as loss of mobility.VA help for homeless veteransFree service or coverageHelp finding housing, rent help, health care and job services for veterans who are homeless or about to lose housing. Call 877-424-3838, any time.Who qualifies: Veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing their housing, and their families.

Survivors and families

VA survivor benefits (DIC and survivors pension)Free moneyMonthly payments for surviving spouses and children of veterans who died from a service-connected condition, or of wartime veterans.Who qualifies: Surviving spouses and children of veterans who died from service or of wartime veterans.VA burial benefits and memorialsFree service or coverageBurial in a national cemetery, a free headstone or marker, a burial flag and help with burial costs for eligible veterans.Who qualifies: Families of veterans, and veterans planning ahead.VA life insuranceFree service or coverageLife insurance options for veterans, including coverage for veterans with service-connected disabilities.Who qualifies: Veterans, service members and their families.

Your state's veterans services

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Disabled veteran property tax relief by state

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Good to know

  • Free help filing claims is available from county veteran service officers and groups like the DAV, VFW and American Legion.
  • Keep copies of your DD-214 and VA letters; many state benefits ask for them.
  • If you're in crisis, call 988 and press 1, or text 838255.
  • For free, confidential help from a person, call 2-1-1.

Rules, limits and deadlines change. Each program page links to the official source for current details. Choose your state to see everything available where you live.