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Veterans Administration Government Benefits

The Veterans Administration (VA) exists to provide benefits to honorably discharged veterans on behalf of a grateful nation. Building on the tradition of veterans' homes which emerged following the Civil War, the modern Veterans Administration was founded in 1930 when Congress authorized the consolidation of the operations of three different federal agencies, including the Veterans Bureau. The VA system now comprises 171 medical centers, 350 outpatient facilities and 126 nursing homes. Since World War II, the VA scope has expanded to include educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, educational assistance for dependents and guaranteed home loans.

  1. Medical Care

    • The Veterans Administration runs a network of hospitals and clinics nationwide where qualified, honorably-discharged veterans can go to obtain basic health services and even major medical care. VA health care facilities administer services based on eight different priority categories, and within each category prioritizes economic need. The highest priority goes to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Priority Category 1 is reserved for veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 50 percent or more. Category 2 is for service-related disabilities of 10 to 40 percent. VA community-support centers also offer counseling and support services for mental-health issues, including depression and PTSD.

    Home Loans

    • The Veterans Administration guarantees home loans for veterans, allowing them access to credit for home mortgages at relatively low cost and allows for home purchases with no down payment. Generally, a VA home loan does not require PMI, or primary mortgage insurance, which can help save the veteran money.

    Educational Benefits

    • The Veterans Administration administers the Montgomery GI Bill program, which provides educational benefits to active and reserve component service members and their dependents. The GI Bill subsidizes the cost of higher education at any accredited university, college or trade school. Larger campuses frequently have an on site GI Bill coordinator. Recently, the government has expanded benefits available to reservists and Guardsmen, and allowed veterans to assign GI Bill benefits to dependents.

    Disability Pension

    • The VA also administers pensions for service-connected disabilities. VA health officials review every veteran's case and assign a disability percentage from 10 to 100 percent, with 100 percent denoting total incapacity to work. Veterans pensions depend on the level of disability, as well as their living situation. Additional amounts are available to veterans with dependent spouses, children or parents.

    Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

    • The VA provides assistance to veterans with transitioning to the civilian job force, including vocational training. The VetSuccess program concentrates on serving veterans with service-connected disabilities of 10 percent or more. They work with the veteran to determine limitations and opportunities and work out a plan for self-sufficiency.

    Burial Services and Military Cemeteries

    • The VA provides veterans with burial services, including cemetery plots and grave markers. Eligibility varies according to whether the veteran was on active duty for 24 months or longer, was a member of the active or reserve component and retirement status.

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