2019 Federal Benefits for Veterans Dependents and Survivors

1 2019 EditionFederal Benefitsfor Veterans , Dependents and NumbersVeterans Crisis Line..1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 Bereavement Counseling..1-202-461-6530 Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA)..1-800-733-8387 Caregiver Stipend ..1-877-733-7927 Debt Management ..1-800-827-0648 Education..1-888-442-4551 Foreign Medical ..1-303-331-7590 Spina Bifida Program ..1-888-820-1756 Camp Lejeune Family Member Program ..1-866-372-1144 Headstones and Markers..1-800-697-6947 Health ..1-877-222-8387 Homeless Veterans ..1-877-424-3838 Home Loans..1-888-827-3702 Life Insurance..1-800-669-8477 National Cemetery Scheduling Office ..1-800-535-1117 Pension Management Center ..1-877-294-6380 Presidential Memorial Certificate Program..1-202-565-4964 Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD)..1-800-829-4833VA Benefits .

2 1-800-827-1000VA Combat Call Center ..1-877-927-8387 Women Veterans ..1-877-222-8387 Web SitesMental Health.. and Memorial Benefits .. Support .. Care .. Benefits .. Exposures.. Recovery Coordination Program .. Care Eligibility .. Loan Guaranty .. Insurance.. Certificate .Program.. Resource Directory .. Servicemembers .. Departments of Veterans Affairs .. Women Veterans .. Vet .. Home Page.. Benefit Payment Rates.. Forms.. Rehabilitation and Employment.. of the United States armed forces may be eligible for a broad range of Benefits and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These Benefits are codified in Title 38 of the United States Code. This booklet contains a brief overview of the most com-monly sought information concerning Veterans Benefits and services.

3 For the most accurate information , Veterans and family members should visit the websites provided within this publication as regulations, payments, and eligibility requirements are subject to change. For additional informa-tion, please visit To find the nearest VA facility, go to Eligibility: Eligibility for most VA Benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Active service means full-time service, other than active duty for train-ing, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, Environmental Science Services Administration or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or its predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Wartime Periods: Certain VA Benefits Require Wartime Service.

4 For information on eligible wartime periods please visit Dishonorable and bad conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial may bar VA Benefits . Veterans in prison must contact VA to determine eligibility. VA Benefits will not be provided to any Veteran or dependent wanted for an outstanding felony Documents: In order to expedite Benefits delivery, Veterans seeking a VA benefit for the first time must submit a copy of their service dis-charge form (DD-214, DD-215, or for World War II Veterans , a WD form), which documents service dates and type of discharge, or provides full name, mili-tary service number, and branch and dates of service. The Veteran s service discharge form should be kept in a safe location accessible to the Veteran and next of kin or following documents will be needed for claims processing related to a Veteran s death: Veteran s marriage certificate for claims of a surviv-ing spouse or children; Veteran s death certificate if the Veteran did not die in a VA health care facility; children s birth certificates or adoption papers to determine children s Benefits ; or Veteran s birth certificate to determine parents Benefits .

5 For information and updates on VA Benefits and services, follow us on Facebook at and/or Twitter eBenefitseBenefits is a joint VA/Department of Defense (DoD) Web portal that provides resources and self-service capabilities to service members, Veterans , and their families to apply, research, access, and manage their VA and military Benefits and personal information through a secure Internet eBenefits Veterans can: apply for Benefits , view their disabil-ity compensation claim status, access official military personnel docu-ments ( , DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), transfer entitlement of Post-9/11 GI Bill to eligible Dependents (service members only), obtain a VA-guaranteed home loan Certificate of Eligibility, and register for and update direct deposit information for certain Benefits .

6 New features are added eBenefits: The portal is located at Service members or Veterans must register for an eBenefits account at one of two levels: Basic or Premium. A Premium account allows the user to access personal data in VA and DoD systems, as well as apply for ben-efits online, check the status of claims, update address records, and more. The Basic account allows access to information entered into eBenefits by the service member or Veteran only. Basic accounts cannot access VA or DoD Fraud: Help VA s Secretary ensure integrity by reporting sus-pected fraud, waste or abuse in VA programs or Fraud to:VA Inspector General Hotline810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, 20420 E-mail: hotline: 1-800-488-8244 Fax: (202) 495-5861 ContentsHealth Care 1 Benefits 14 Burial and Memorial Benefits 63 Chapter 1 Health Care 1 Health CareMore information on VA health care is available at the following resources: , and VA Health Benefits toll-free 1-877- 222-VETS (8387) Monday through Friday between 8:00 and 8:00 Eligibility.

7 A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable may qualify for VA health care Benefits including qualifying Reserve and National Guard Duty Requirements: Veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980, or who entered active duty after October 16, 1981, must have served 24-continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty in order to be eligible. This minimum duty requirement may not apply to Veterans discharged for hardship, early out or a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of : Veterans can complete applications for enrollment in VA health care by using one of the options below: To apply by phone, call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) Monday through Friday between 8 and 8 EST.

8 VA staff members will collect the needed information and process the enrollment application for an enrollment determination. When applying online at , Veterans fill out the application and electronically submit it to VA for processing. VA will search for your supporting documentation through its electronic information systems and will contact you if it is unable to verify your military service. The application form can also be downloaded from Mail the com-pleted form to: Health Eligibility Center ATTN: Enrollment Eligibility Division 2957 Clairmont Road Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647 Apply in person at any VA health care facility or VA regional office. Once enrolled, Veterans can receive health care at VA health care facilities anywhere in the following four categories of Veterans are not required to enroll, but are urged to do so to permit better planning of health resources: 1.

9 Veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 50 percent or Health Care Chapter 12. Veterans seeking care for a disability the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but which VA has not yet rated, within 12 months of Veterans seeking care for a service-connected disability Veterans seeking registry examinations (ionizing radiation, Agent Orange, Gulf War/Operation Enduring Freedom/ Operation Iraqi Freedom/ Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) depleted uranium, airborne hazards and Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry).Priority Groups: During enrollment, each Veteran is assigned to a priority group. VA uses priority groups to balance demand for VA health care enroll-ment with resources. Changes in available resources may reduce the number of priority groups VA can enroll.

10 If this occurs, VA will publicize the changes and notify affected enrollees. A description of priority groups follows:Group 1: Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50 percent or more; Veterans determined by VA to be unemployable due to service-connected conditions; and Veterans who have been awarded the Medal of 2: Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 30 or 40 3: Veterans who are former Prisoners of War; Veterans award-ed the Purple Heart medal; Veterans whose discharge was for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; Veterans with VA service-con-nected disabilities rated 10 or 20 percent; and, Veterans awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38, , 1151, Benefits for individu-als disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation.