NewsFlash | Financial Readiness

Financial Readiness

Veterans Home Buying Guide — A tailored resource aimed at assisting Veterans through the process of purchasing a home. This comprehensive guide offers invaluable insights to help navigate the complexities of homeownership, ensuring that Veterans are well-equipped to make informed decisions. ​From understanding the intricacies of the home buying process to managing expectations and achieving financial goals, this guide serves as a roadmap for success. While it provides essential information, we strongly recommend consulting with a military-connected realtor and a qualified mortgage lending officer to tailor your approach to your specific needs and goals.

VA Home Loans —  Get answers to your questions about the VA-guaranteed home loan program by contacting a VA home loan representative at 1-877-827-3702. VA offers these three main types of guaranteed home loan benefits:

• Purchase Loans
• Cash-Out Refinance Loans
• Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans (IRRRL)

VA’s Native American Direct Loan (NADL) — VA provides loans for purchase, construction, or home improvement on federal Trust Land. VA home loan limits are the same as the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) limits. These are called conforming loan limits and loans above this amount are known as jumbo loans. VA home loan programs may be used to obtain homes, condominiums, or manufactured homes; refinance an existing home loan; or install energy-saving improvements. 

VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL) — If you have an existing VA-backed home loan and you want to reduce your monthly mortgage payments an IRRRL may be right for you. The VA IRRRL can be used to refinance an existing VA loan to lower the interest rate. Often called a “streamline” refinance; refinancing lets you replace your current loan with a new one under different terms.

1. Find a Lender — You’ll go through a private bank, mortgage company, or credit union—not directly through us—to get an IRRRL. Terms and fees may vary, so contact several lenders to check out your options.
2. Give your lender any needed information. — If you have the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) you used to get your original VA-backed home loan, take it to your lender to show the prior use of your entitlement. If you don’t have your original COE, ask your lender to get your COE electronically through the VA Home Loan program portal.
3. Follow your lender’s process for closing on the IRRRL loan, and pay your closing costs. — You may need to pay the VA funding fee. This one-time fee helps to lower the cost of the loan for U.S. taxpayers since the VA home loan program doesn’t require down payments or monthly mortgage insurance. Your lender will also charge interest on the loan in addition to closing fees. With an IRRRL, you can include these costs in the new loan so you don’t have to pay up front. Or, you may be able to make the new loan at an interest rate high enough so your lender can pay the costs.

Cash-Out Refinance Loans — Want to take cash out of your home equity to pay off debt, pay for school, or take care of other needs? Find out if you're eligible for a VA-backed cash-out refinance loan. A VA-backed cash-out refinance loan lets you replace your current loan with a new one under different terms. If you want to take cash out of your home equity or refinance a non-VA loan into a VA-backed loan, a VA-backed cash-out refinance loan may be right for you. Use VA Form 26-1880 to apply for a VA home loan Certificate of Eligibility (COE). You’ll need to bring the COE to your lender to prove that you qualify for a VA home loan. Find out if you’re eligible—and how to apply for your Certificate of Eligibility (VA Form 26-1880). If you need help or have questions about your eligibility, call us at 1-877-827-3702.

VA Home Loan Temporary Financial Hardship — If you’re behind and missed mortgage payments, on your mortgage payments, contact a VA loan technician at 1-877-827-3702 or the servicer of your mortgage to get help. If you fall behind on your mortgage payments, your mortgage servicer (the company that handles collecting the money for your lender) can take your house to cover the money owed. This process is called foreclosure. VA works with the borrower to avoid foreclosure, including providing financial counseling and, in some cases, direct intervention with a mortgage loan servicer on the borrower’s behalf.

VA Vendee Loan Program — VRM Mortgage Services has been contracted by VA to facilitate the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) Transfer Program. This initiative is designed to support Mortgage Servicers with the transition of guaranty loans that have been acquired by the VA as a wholly owned loan now determined to be VASP. VRM also offers qualified borrowers the option of purchasing VA Real Estate Owned (REO) properties. To search VA REO properties available for Vendee financing, visit listings.vrmco.com. The program is available to Veterans, non-Veterans, owner-occupants, and investors. Vendee eligible properties can be purchased for little or no money down. Origination and funding fees may be rolled into Vendee loans for qualified borrowers. Contact VRM Mortgage Services at 1-855-843-8334 or info@vrmco.com. For More Information, Call Toll-Free 1-800-827-1000. 

Disability Grants for Veterans — VA provides housing, automobile, and clothing grants for Veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities. VA provides a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant to assist with the cost of building, buying, adapting existing homes or paying to reduce indebtedness on a currently owned home that is being adapted, up to a maximum benefit amount. VA's SAH grant provides up to $117,014. VA may approve a Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant to assist with the cost of adapting or purchasing a home to live more independently. VA's SHA grant provides up to $23,444. Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA): This benefit provides medically necessary improvements and structural alterations to Veterans/Servicemembers’ primary residence for the following purposes:

• Allowing entrance to or exit from the primary residence
• Use of essential lavatory and sanitary facilities (e.g. roll in showers)
• Allowing accessibility to kitchen or bathroom sinks or counters (e.g. lowering counters/sinks)
• Improving entrance paths or driveways in immediate area of the home to facilitate access to the home through construction of permanent ramping
• Improving plumbing or electrical systems made necessary due to installation of home medical equipment

VA provides up to $6,800 in lifetime benefits for service-connected Veterans

• Address a service-connected disability
• Address a compensable disability treated “as if” is a service-connected disability and for which the Veteran entitled to medical services under 38 USC 1710(a)(2)(c) (e.g., disability acquired through treatment or vocational rehabilitation provided by VA)
• Address a non-service- connected disability, if the beneficiary has a service-connected disability rated at least 50 percent disability (no combining or combination of disability percentages is allowed).

Up to $2,000 in lifetime benefits for nonservice-connected Veterans to make home improvements and/or structural changes necessary for the continuation of treatment or for disability access to the Veterans home and essential lavatory and sanitary facilities. All HISA projects must be medically justified for the service connected disability and/or non-service connected disability. Contact VA's Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service to determine your available lifetime HISA benefits.

VA's Automobile Allowance and Adaptive Equipment grant changes a vehicle so it has features like power steering, brakes, seats, windows, or lift equipment to help you get into and out of the vehicle. The Automobile Adaptive Equipment (AAE) program prescribes and pays for adaptive equipment to allow an eligible person to safely operate and enter/exit from their personal vehicle (38 USC 3901-3903; 38 CFR 17.155-159). All AAE must be prescribed by a VHA physician and/or Certified Drivers Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS). AAE is individually prescribed based on the Veterans need to safely operate and/or enter and exit their personal vehicles. If you have a service-connected disability that prevents you from driving, VA's automobile allowance special benefit grant provides up to $25,603.02 toward a specially equipped vehicle for you.

VA provides Veterans with a clothing allowance to replace clothes damaged by a medicine or prosthetic or orthopedic device related to your service-connected disability. Public Law (PL) 117-328, section 201 authorizes VA to pay a recurring annual clothing allowance to eligible Veterans (38 USC 1162). Also, PL 117-328 section 201, requires VA to make annual recurring payments without the need to submit an annual application for eligible Veterans who do not have any changes to their prescribed devices and/or skin medications.

Veterans eligible for clothing allowance benefit:

• Veterans who are rated for a service-connected disability for which they use a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance(s) may be entitled.
• Veterans whose service-connected skin condition requires a prescribed skin medication that irreparably damages the Veteran's outer garments may be entitled.

This allowance is also available to any Veteran whose service-connected skin condition requires prescribed skin medication that irreparably damages their outer garments. If a skin medicine, prosthetic, or orthopedic device related to your service-connected disability damages your clothes, VA's clothing allowance special benefit grant provides $999.51 to replace the damaged clothes. This may be a one-time payment or VA may pay this amount once a year.

State Department of Veterans Affairs located in VA's VISN 20 provide Veterans assistance:

• Alaska — Alaska Housing offers several home loan programs for Veterans
• Idaho — Veteran grants for food, fuel, shelter, and other necessities of daily living
• Oregon — Mortgage financing and residential property tax exemption
• Washington — Veterans Innovation Program (VIP)

Blended Retirement System — The Blended Retirement System combines elements of the legacy retirement system with benefits similar to those offered in many civilian 401(k) plans. The opt-in period for the majority of service members closed 31DEC2018. However, it's still important that you learn how to maximize your retirement choice through the information found through the Department of Defense Military Compensation website.

Guide to the Military's Blended Retirement System — This booklet is the essential guide to DoDs retirement initiative. The guide clearly describes the key features and benefits of the this system, including the tax-deferred TSP account, matching contributions from the DoD, and investment choices and strategies for building a retirement portfolio. DoD matches 100% of the first 3% of basic pay that a member contributes to a TSP account, plus 50% of additional contributions, up to 5% of basic pay. That’s the same match available to civilian employees in the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS).

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) — TSP is a retirement savings and investment plan for federal employees and members of the Uniformed Services. It offers the same types of savings and tax benefits that many private corporations offer their employees under 401(k) plans. The TSP is a defined contribution plan, meaning that the retirement income you receive from your TSP account will depend on how much you (and your Service, if you are receiving Service contributions) contribute to your account during your working years and the earnings that accumulate over that time. The TSP is a retirement savings and investment plan for federal employees and members of the Uniformed Services. It offers the same types of savings and tax benefits that many private corporations offer their employees under 401(k) plans. The TSP is a defined contribution plan, meaning that the retirement income you receive from your TSP account will depend on how much you (and your Service, if you are receiving Service contributions) contribute to your account during your working years and the earnings that accumulate over that time.

The Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA) — Founded in 1959, AMBA is a not-for-profit association of banks operating on military installations, banks not located on military installations but serving military customers, and military banking facilities designated by the U.S. Treasury. The association’s membership includes both community banks and large multinational financial institutions, all of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Making₵ents Smart Money Strategies — Personal Finance Knowledge Center for military life providing step-by-step information and education for navigating auto loans, saving for retirement, paying for college, buying a home and much more. From expert advice to budget calculators, our tools and resources can help you achieve your financial goals. Saving and budgeting work together to help you enjoy a better today and build a more secure tomorrow.

NCUA Financial Well-Being of Servicemembers & Their Families — Servicemembers and military families face unique financial challenges, whether on active duty, returning to civilian life, or living as a Veteran. In recent years, servicemembers have joined the ranks of those who are considered most vulnerable to predatory lenders and identity theft. Most military families today are not saving adequately for retirement, and many do not have an emergency fund.

FDIC Money Smart — First released in 2001 and regularly updated since then, Money Smart has a long track record of success in reducing stress and improving financial readiness of Veterans. NW MIRECC started with the FDIC Money Smart program through the 'Helping Veterans #GetBanked and Manage Their Money' training program. The training program provided resources to Veterans Service Organizations, VA special Outreach Program Coordinators, and others who provide direct services to U.S. Veterans and have a direct interest in increasing Veterans’ financial capability. As a member of the Money Smart Alliance, NW MIRECC helps promote financial capability to strengthen the financial education efforts of Veterans, Servicemembers, and their families.

Gary Sinise Foundation Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment (R.I.S.E.) — The Gary Sinise Foundation serves our nation by honoring our defenders, Veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. Core programs include R.I.S.E. which provides homes and/or home modifications for severely wounded Veterans; Relieve & Resiliency which supports families facing hardships before, during or after serving; First Responders Outreach which supports firefighters, police and EMTs who sacrifice daily to ensure our safety, with funding, equipment, PPE and training.

Helping a Hero — Helping a Hero provides specially adapted homes for qualifying service members through partnerships made with the builders, developers, communities, and the Veteran. Ordinarily, homes are built in master-planned communities where the developer donates the lot and the builder builds at cost.

Lifeline Support — Opportunities and security of phone service includes being able to connect to jobs, family, and emergency services. Consumers may be eligible for the Lifeline program if they participate in a qualifying program including VA Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit. You may qualify for Lifeline, a government program that offers eligible consumers up to $9.25 off the cost of phone, internet, or bundled services (up to $34.25 if you live on qualifying Tribal lands). Tribal lands include any federally recognized Indian tribe’s reservation, pueblo, or colony, including former reservations in Oklahoma, Alaska Native regions, Hawaiian Home Lands, or Indian Allotments. You can get Lifeline if you (or someone in your household) participate in one of these programs:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

You can get Lifeline if your child or dependent participates in any of the programs listed above. You are only allowed to get one Lifeline benefit per household, not per person. If you qualify, your household can get one Lifeline benefit for phone or internet service, but not both. Lifeline is a federal benefit that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service. Your household cannot get Lifeline from more than one company. Ask your selected phone or internet company for assistance submitting your application. You may be able to apply though the company’s website, if they make that option available.

Army Emergency Relief — Charged with relieving undue financial stress on the force, AER serves the enduring priorities of the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. Company commanders or first sergeants can approve immediate financial assistance. AER provides immediate financial assistance up to $2,000 through the Quick Assist Program. Last year, 8,000 Soldiers received over $10 million in financial assistance from their chains of command. 

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society — Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society provides financial assistance and education, as well as other programs and services, to active duty and retired Sailors, Marines and their families in financial need. Quick Assist Loans (QALs) provide Active duty Sailors and Marines a small amount of financial assistance, fast. QAL provide active duty Sailors and Marines financial assistance up to $1,000. Expedited travel assistance when you receive word of a serious illness or death of an immediate family member. Hurricanes, tornados, wildfires, and floods can have an unexpected impact on Sea Service families. NMCRS stands ready to help when a natural or human-made incident occurs.

Navy Safe Harbor Foundation (NSHF) — Since 2009, Navy Safe Harbor Foundation has been the Navy Wounded Warrior (NWW) Program’s first call when a Navy or Coast Guard Sailor is in need. Financial Support of the family system, childcare, family camps, and respite care. NSHF aims to ensure that every seriously wounded, ill and injured Navy and Coast Guard Sailor is given every opportunity for a full recovery by providing non-medical care and support to them and their families. NSHF Services & Accommodations includees Financial Support, Travel Expenses, Wounded Warriors Weekend, Housing, Rental Support, Family Support, Adaptive Athletics, Housing Modifications, Vehicle Modifications, Specialized Equipment, Public Awareness, and PTSD Programs & Education.

Semper Fi & America’s Fund — The Fund can help critically wounded, ill, and injured Service members, Veterans, and military families with an array of modifications to improve accessibility and mobility throughout their home. Many of our Service members, Veterans, and military families assisted by Semper Fi & America’s Fund require essential, but expensive, home modifications to improve accessibility. Whether it’s wheelchair ramps, widening doorways, or modifying showers and bathrooms, The Fund ensures that homes are tailored to comfortably accommodate their needs. We ensure that those we serve have a safe place to call ‘home’ by granting assistance for urgently needed rent, mortgage, and utility payments, as well as non-adaptive home.​

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance — Supporting and offering aid to the entire Coast Guard family; Active-duty and retired military personnel, civilian employees, commissioned officers of the Public Health Service serving with the Coast Guard, Reservists, Auxiliarists, and their families.

Air Force Aid Society — The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) works to support and enhance the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force missions by providing emergency financial assistance, educational support, and community programs to Air Force and Space Force families.

Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife) — As part of the VA mission to serve Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families, VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your family is protected. VALife provides low-cost coverage to Veterans with service-connected disabilities. The VALife program includes key dates and features impacting the Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) program. VA's S-DVI program stopped taking new applications in 2022. VALife is guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance. This means that if you meet the eligibility requirements for VALife, we’ll automatically approve your application. You won’t need to prove you’re in good health. And you can keep your coverage for the rest of your life.

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) — With VGLI, you may be able to keep your life insurance coverage after you leave the military for as long as you continue to pay the premiums. You can get between $10,000 and $500,000 in term life insurance benefits. The amount you’ll get will be based on how much SGLI coverage you had when you left the military.

Financial Wellness: Sound Principles For Successful Money Management — Published in collaboration with nonprofit Guideposts, this instructive booklet, Financial Readiness— Sound Principles for Successful Money Management, addresses an important aspect of preparedness. Financial strains of deployments, unforeseen emergencies and “over-the-top” phone bills can burden even the most purposeful among us. Advice from trusted mentors who work to help those with financial difficulties. Providing insight into setting goals, forming budgets, understanding credit, and investing for the future are treated in clear, understandable terms. These principles help obtain a more secure financial future through more careful spending and improved saving and investing habits.

Prudential Pathways Seminars for Veterans — Prudential Financial, Inc. provide Veterans, transitioning Servicemembers and their families with access to financial wellness resources to improve their economic well-being and financial stability at no cost. Financial literacy produces better personal economic outcomes, housing stability, improved mental health and overall well-being. The resources are designed to help individuals manage their money more effectively, improve their financial resiliency, and reach their financial goals. Wellness Wednesday seminars are conducted live, offered free of charge to transitioning service members, Veterans and their families, and offer the opportunity to ask questions of a qualified financial counselor. VA partners with Prudential Financial Services. to provide these classes.

Armed Forces Financial Guide — Now all in one place, this guide provides key information on important financial issues like qualifying for and accessing service member and military family benefits, reading your LES, everyday finances, planning for the future and much more. Created in collaboration with DCUC and AMBA, the guide was developed with the input of seasoned military leaders with education and experience in military personal finance.

American Red Cross Emergency Services — The Department of Defense (DoD) and the American Red Cross have partnered since 1881. The American Red Cross delivers verified messages to deployed service members during emergencies at home. Service members eligible to receive emergency communications regarding an immediate family member include:

• Active-Duty Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force and Space Force
• Activated members of the National Guard and Reserves of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces
• DoD civilians and contractors stationed OCONUS
• Service Academy Cadet or Midshipman; ROTC Cadet on orders for training
• A Merchant Marine aboard a U.S. Naval Ship

The American Red Cross Hero Care Center is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The purpose of the American Red Cross is to meet the immediate disaster-caused needs of individuals, families, and communities. Explore how American Red Cross responds to disasters big and small, across the country.

Cost of Living Allowance Watch — Periodically, VA makes cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to VA beneficiaries and surviving spouses. COLA is calculated by CPI-W monthly reports (July, August, September) of the current fiscal year to the average for the same months of the previous fiscal year. COLA is calculated and reported monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics through the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) with final 12-Month Percent Change. The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) publishes monthly updates and inflation figures (COLA Watch) used to set the COLA for payments received by military retirees, disabled Veterans, Social Security beneficiaries, and many others receiving federal compensation.

AnnualCreditReport.com — Credit reports may affect your mortgage rates, credit card approvals, apartment requests, or even your job application. The only official site explicitly directed by Federal law to provide free online credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Free weekly online credit reports are available from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Credit reports play an important role in your financial life and we encourage you to regularly check your credit history.

OptOutPrescreen.com — The official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website to accept and process requests from consumers to Opt-In or Opt-Out of firm offers of credit or insurance.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Unmet Needs Financial Grant — VFW Unmet Needs Financial Grant helps America's active-duty service members who have run into unexpected financial difficulties as a result of deployment or other military-related activity or injury. The program provides financial assistance up to $2,500 to assist daily necessities in the form of a grant – not a loan – so no repayment is required. To further ease the burden, we pay the creditor(s) directly. Unmet Needs assists with any expenses that are classified as “daily necessities,” which 
includes, but is not limited to the following: household expenses such as mortgage, rent, repairs, insurance, vehicle expenses such as payments, repairs, insurance, utilities and primary phone, childcare expenses, and medical bills – the patient’s portion for necessary or emergency medical care only.

American Legion National Emergency Fund (NEF) — American Legion's NEF provides up to $3,000 for qualified American Legion members and up to $10,000 for American Legion posts. Since the early 1920s, American Legion has been actively involved in meeting the needs of both the community and individual Legion Family members in the wake of disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and wildfires. By providing this emergency funding, NEF has prevented damaged posts from closing and enabled American Legion Family members to recover from tragedy. 

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Use of these Materials and Finding VA Health Care

Please note that the information provided in these materials is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a financial advisor for advice on savings and investments. Investing in your future means saving for retirement, college or a rainy day fund. If you're working with an investment professional, or someone is trying to sell you an investment, check them out before handing over your hard-earned money. As a Veteran, you have access to information about legal services and financial guidance from reliable sources including, but not limited to; VA, Vet Centers, and accredited Veterans Service Organizations. If you are looking for professional medical care, find your local VA healthcare center by using the VA Facilities Locator & Directory. This page may contain links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.

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Today's VHA - the largest of the three administrations that comprise the VA - continues to meet Veterans' changing medical, surgical, and quality-of-life needs. VHA is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. There are 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) in VHA operating as regional systems of care to better meet local health care needs and provides greater access to care. Spanning 23% of the US land mass, VISN 20 is the largest geographic region of VA. In the Pacific Northwest, VISN 20 serves Veterans in 135 counties in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Operating across three time zones over 817,417 square miles, VISN 20 is home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. VISN 20 also serves Veterans in Del Norte and Siskiyou counties of California and Lincoln County Montana.

Browse facilities by state

Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) provides health care for Veterans from providers in the local community. VCCP includes General Community Care, Urgent Care, Emergency Care, Foreign Medical Care, Home Health and Hospice Care, Indian and Tribal Health Services, In Vitro Fertilization, State Veterans Home, and Flu Shots.

VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS) serves Veterans from a five-state area in the Pacific Northwest with two main divisions: American Lake VA Medical Center and Seattle VA Medical Center. Veterans Medical Centers are also located in Spokane, Vancouver, and Walla Walla. VA Outpatient Clinics and Vet Centers are located in Bellingham, Bellevue, Bremerton, Chehalis, Edmunds, Everett, Federal Way, Lacey, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Port Angeles, Puyallup, Richland, Renton, Silverdale, Seattle, Spokane, Union Gap, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, and Yakima.

VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) serves Veterans in Oregon and Southwest Washington with two main divisions: Portland VA Medical Center and Vancouver VA Medical Center. Veterans Medical Centers are also located in Roseburg, White City, and Vancouver, Washington. VA Outpatient Clinics and Vet Centers are located in Astoria, Bend, Boardman, Brookings, Enterprise, Eugene, Fairview, Grants Pass, Hines, Hillsboro, Klamath Falls, LaGrande, Lincoln City, Newport, Portland, Salem, The Dalles, and West Linn.

VA Regional Offices

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) helps service members transition out of military service, and assists with Veterans with education, home loans, life insurance and much more. Service members, Veterans, their families, and Survivors are invited to request information on VA Benefits including disability compensation, pension, fiduciary, education, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), Home Loans, and Insurance. In addition to information on VA Benefits Veterans may initiate an intent to file and request assistance with filing compensation and pension claims. Visit regional office websites to learn about the services the regional office provides, directions to the facility, hours of operation, and the leadership team that serves the regional office.

Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran

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. Veterans with a service-connected (SC) disability rated at 50% or more.
2. 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 discharge.
3. Veterans seeking care for a SC disability only or under a special treatment authority.
4. 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 Open Burn Pit Registry).

Find out how to apply for VA health care benefits as a Veteran or service member. For other mental health services, contact a VA medical center for information on eligibility and treatment options.

Vet Centers in VISN 20

Vet Centers in the VISN 20 Health Care Network are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. 1-877-WAR-VETS is an around the clock confidential call center where Veterans, service members and their families can talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in transitioning after military service or trauma and get connected to their nearest Vet Center.

Plan your trip to VA

In 1946, Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) was established by law to provide comfort and well-being to America’s Veterans. With our many retail stores, cafés and coffee shops across the country, we serve those who have served our country. We are a self-sustaining entity providing merchandise and services to Veterans enrolled in VA’s healthcare system, their families, caregivers, VA employees, volunteers and visitors. We are honored to give back to the VA community through many programs established for the health and well-being of our nation’s heroes. Revenues generated from VCS are used to support a variety of programs, such as VA’s Rehabilitation Games, Fisher Houses, Poly-Trauma Centers for OIF/OEF/OND Veterans, disaster relief efforts, Substance Abuse Cessation, VA’s Homelessness initiatives, Women Veterans, Veteran Suicide Prevention and other activities.

Hospital Service Directory

To find out whether there is a van near you use the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Hospital Service Coordinator Directory to contact your nearest HSC for information or assistance. Please remember that the DAV Transportation Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is unable to cover every community.