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For U.S. veterans & families

Understand your benefits.
Plan your next chapter.

Explore veteran benefits, understand the paperwork, and find official resources for your next step.

Explore benefit programsGetting started
Veteran and his wife reviewing a letter at the kitchen table with a framed flag behind them
Six key VA benefitsPay, care, school, housing and more
Service connectionThe idea behind most claims
VA.gov sourcesRules checked at the source
State veteran officesFree local claim help

Program directory

Veteran benefits, at a glance.

Disability pay, health care, education and housing each have their own VA rules and forms.

  1. 01

    VA Disability Compensation

    Monthly tax-free payments

    Disability
    Support
    Service-connected disability benefits
    Learn about
    Claims, evidence and ratings
    Visit official site
  2. 02

    VA Pension & Aid and Attendance

    For wartime veterans

    Pension
    Support
    Pension and added care support
    Learn about
    Income rules and how to apply
    Visit official site
  3. 03

    Post-9/11 GI Bill

    Chapter 33

    Education
    Support
    Education and training benefits
    Learn about
    Eligibility and using your benefits
    Visit official site
  4. 04

    VA Home Loan Guaranty

    VA-backed home loans

    Homeownership
    Support
    Help buying or refinancing a home
    Learn about
    Eligibility and the loan process
    Visit official site
  5. 05

    HUD-VASH

    HUD and VA

    Housing
    Support
    Housing vouchers plus VA support
    Learn about
    Who qualifies and how referrals work
    Read program guide
  6. 06

    Veteran Readiness & Employment

    VR&E, Chapter 31

    Career support
    Support
    Employment and independence services
    Learn about
    Exploring the VR&E pathway
    Visit official site

Program eligibility and benefits depend on individual circumstances. Check the official guidance.

Getting started

Preparing for your first VA claim.

Start with VA.gov or an accredited Veterans Service Organization, which helps for free.

  1. 1Identify the benefitStart with the program's application guidance on VA.gov.
  2. 2Locate your service recordsReview which records are needed for your claim.
  3. 3Review the evidence requirementsCheck VA guidance for your particular claim type.
  4. 4Consider accredited assistanceA VA-accredited representative can help you prepare, free of charge in many cases.
  5. 5Follow submission and follow-up instructionsKeep copies and respond to requests from VA.

Common assumptions

VA benefit assumptions worth a second look

  • AssumptionAll benefit programs use the same rules.
    What to checkReview each program's eligibility and application guidance.
  • AssumptionRetirement and disability payments are straightforward.
    What to checkAsk about the rules that apply to your retirement pay and VA benefits.
  • AssumptionA disability rating can never change.
    What to checkRead VA guidance and any notices about your rating.
  • AssumptionHealth care eligibility is based only on income.
    What to checkReview the full VA health care eligibility criteria.

Common pitfalls

Claim details veterans often miss

  • Missing recordsCheck the evidence instructions for your claim.
  • Missed appointmentsFollow VA instructions if you need to reschedule an exam.
  • Unanswered requestsRead notices and keep track of the dates provided.

Frequently asked questions

Veteran benefits questions.

Use VA's official compensation and pension rate pages to confirm current amounts. Our VA disability rates calculator uses the rate tables VA published for December 1, 2025.

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is a higher rate VA pays for certain situations, such as the loss or loss of use of a limb, or needing the aid and attendance of another person. VA's SMC rate page explains each level.

No. Disability compensation is for conditions caused or made worse by your military service. The service does not have to be combat.

You cannot receive VA pension and VA disability compensation at the same time. If you qualify for both, VA pays the one that gives you the higher amount.

Many states offer property tax relief for disabled veterans, and the rules differ widely. Check your state veterans affairs office or your state's tax agency. Our state guides link to each state's agencies.

For the Post-9/11 GI Bill, it depends on when your service ended. If it ended before January 1, 2013, you generally have 15 years to use the benefit. If it ended on or after that date, there is no time limit.

In some cases. A transfer of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits must be requested and approved while you are still serving, and it comes with service requirements set by the Department of Defense.

It depends on the program. SNAP and SSI, for example, count VA disability compensation as income. Ask each program how it treats your VA payments before you apply.

Official sources

VA.gov pages for each benefit

Independent guide

GrantsHubUSA explains programs and links to official resources. We do not run these programs or process applications.

Read our editorial policy

Eligibility wizard

Answer a few questions and see which programs are worth a closer look. Only the agency decides eligibility.

Explore the eligibility wizardBrowse state guides