VETERAN BENEFITS

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Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG), or VA Chapter 36, offers free educational and career guidance, planning, and resources to Veterans and their dependents who are eligible for a VA education benefit. Find out how to apply for this program if you’re leaving active service soon or have been discharged within the past year by clicking More Information.

GI Bill benefits help you pay for college, graduate school, and training programs. Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped qualifying Veterans and their family members get money to cover all or some of the costs for school or training. Learn more about GI Bill benefits and how to apply for them by clicking More Information.

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If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) can help. This program—also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E—helps you explore employment options and address education or training needs. In some cases, your family members may also qualify for certain benefits. Find out more by clicking More Information.

Veterans' Preference gives eligible veterans preference in appointment over many other applicants. More Information

Veterans, service members, and some family members may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery. Find out if you, or a person you’re planning a burial for, can get this benefit by clicking More Information.

Find out how to get Veterans burial allowances (sometimes called “Veterans death benefits”) to help cover burial, funeral, and transportation costs by clicking More Information.

Find out how to apply for a headstone, grave or niche marker, or medallion to honor a Veteran, service member, or eligible family member by clicking More Information.

The VA provides a United States flag to drape on a casket (or coffin) or place with an urn in honor of the military service of a Veteran or Reservist. Find out how to apply for this burial honor by clicking More Information.

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A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate signed by the current president. Find out how to request a certificate to honor the military service of a Veteran or Reservist by clicking More Information.

Arlington National Cemetery's eligibility requirements for burial and inurnment are different from other national cemeteries that are maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility for in-ground burial at Arlington National Cemetery is the most stringent of all U.S. national cemeteries; however, most veterans who have at least one day of active service (other than for training) and an honorable discharge are eligible for above-ground inurnment. Click More Information for details.

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA), also known as Chapter 35, will pay your spouse and dependents age 18 to 26 a monthly stipend to attend college or vocational school. This stipend is available for a maximum of 36 months (four academic years of nine months each). Find out more by clicking More Information.

A VA Survivors Pension offers monthly payments to qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime Veterans who meet certain income and net worth limits set by Congress. Find out if you qualify and how to apply by clicking More Information.

If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a Veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, you may be able to get a tax-free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC). Find out if you can get VA benefits or compensation by clicking More Information.

When you apply for VA health care, the VA will assign you to 1 of 8 priority groups based on your income, disability rating, and/or other factors. Your priority group will determine what, if any, co-pay you will need pay for services. For complete details, click More Information.

You can access VA mental health services for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST), depression, grief, anxiety, and other needs. You can use some services even if you’re not enrolled in VA health care. For complete details, click More Information.

If you don’t qualify for TRICARE (the Department of Defense’s health care program for active-duty and retired service members and their families), you may be able to get health insurance through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). Through this program, the VA covers the cost of some of your health care services and supplies. For complete details, click More Information.

VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits provide monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified Veterans and survivors. If you need help with daily activities, or you’re housebound, find out if you qualify by clicking More Information.

If you have a Veteran-Owned Small Business, you may qualify for advantages when bidding on government contracts—along with access to other resources and support—through the Vets First Verification Program. For complete details, click More Information.

Learn about VA home loan eligibility requirements for a VA direct or VA-backed loan by clicking More Information.

The Military Pass covers entrance fees and standard amenity fees (day use fees) at lands managed by the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Army Corps of Engineers. For complete details, click More Information.

Save money by shopping at an installation’s commissary and exchange. Shop tax-free for goods and services at military-exclusive prices, and enjoy online shopping, hiring preferences, scholastic rewards for military kids, sweepstakes and more. For complete details, click More Information.

Many states offer a variety of benefits for disabled Veterans. For example, you may be able to get a property tax exemption, special registration for your vehicle, or even college tuition discounts at a state school for your dependents! For complete details, click More Information and follow the link to your state's Veterans Affairs Office.

In efforts to attract business and honor service members and Veterans, many stores offer military discounts. The website ID.me is a great place to start, but don't stop there. It's just as simple as asking a store, car repair shop, restaurant, and so many others for a discount. The worst they can do is say "No." But it has been our experience that you can save hundreds, sometimes thousands, a year by simply asking, "Do you offer a military discount?" For ID.me's list, click More Information.