|  | Healthcare Industry | Health Insurance

An Overview of Veterans Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs (often shortened to "VA") offers benefits, health-care programs and other services, such as home loans and life insurance, to eligible veterans and their families. Although eligibility for each benefit varies, an individual must have served in the military on active duty for a period of time and then been discharged at a bare minimum.

  1. Disability Benefits Program

    • The Department of Veterans Affairs provides compensation to veterans who are disabled as a result of an injury or illness that occurred during service through the VA disability benefits program. Depending on the type of disability and the severity of that disability, the veteran's spouse and dependent children may also be entitled to benefits.

    Pensions for Veterans

    • The Department of Veterans Affairs provides cash benefits to veterans who are over the age of 65 through the Improved Disability Pension program. Veterans who are under the age of 65 can also be eligible if they are permanently and totally disabled from an injury or illness that occurred outside of their military service. However, there is an income and net worth criteria for eligibility, and the cash benefit is based on family size.

    Health Insurance

    • Veterans are entitled to free inpatient and outpatient medical care for treatment of injury or illnesses sustained during service. To receive these benefits, the veteran must be enrolled in the VA health-care system. Low-income veterans may also be eligible for free inpatient and outpatient medical care for treatment of any injury or illness, including those that occurred outside of military service.

    Housing Benefits

    • The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a guaranteed and direct loan program for veterans who are buying a home. See Resources for more information on the VA Loan Program

    Educational Benefits

    • The Servicemen's Readjustment Act (often referred to as the "G.I. Bill") provides veterans with funding for college or vocational school. In 2008, Chapter 33, an amendment to the original bill, was passed, providing those eligible to receive the full cost of tuition at a public institution in their home state, plus an additional $1,000 stipend to cover housing or books.

      The current bill, however, is set to change in late 2011. In December 2010, the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvements Act was passed, extending eligibility to men and women serving in the full-time Active Guard and Reserve, with some exceptions.

Health Insurance - Related Articles