As a veteran, you have earned for yourself and potentially for your family, benefits as a result of your service to the country. This website contains brief overviews of some of the benefits for which you may qualify. Remember, you must apply for your benefits to receive them. Some benefits have time limitations in which they must be used. Please visit your  local county veterans service office or a Veterans' organization national service officer with a copy of your DD-214 or call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs to find out more about your veterans' benefits.

 

Federal Benefits Checklist

 

 Military Medals, Awards and Decorations Veterans are entitled to one replacement set of military medals. Requests for the issuance or replacement of military service medals, decorations, and awards should be directed to the specific branch of the military in which the veteran served. The eVetRecs is preferred for requesting medals and awards.
 
 VA Home Loan Guaranty Eligibility Center

VA guaranteed loans are made by private lenders, such as banks, savings & loans, or mortgage companies to eligible veterans for the purchase of a home which must be for their own personal occupancy. Toll free number: 1-888-244-6711

http://www.homeloans.va.gov/eligibility.htm

Most lenders have access to the VIP (Veteran Information Portal) system https://vip.vba.va.gov. VA Loans can be used to obtain a loan to:

1. Buy or build a home.

2. Buy a residential condominium.

3. Buy a residential cooperative housing unit.

4. Repair, alter or improve a home.

5. Refinance an existing home loan.

6. Buy a manufactured home with or without a lot.

7. Buy and improve a manufactured home lot.

8. Install a solar heating or cooling system or other weatherization

improvements.

9. Buy a home and install energy-efficient improvements.

 Home Loan Counseling and Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans

VA counselors at nine regional loan centers assist people with VA-guarantied loans avoid foreclosure through counseling and special financing arrangements. Counselors also can assist other veterans with financial problems. Depending on a veteran’s circumstances, VA can intercede with the borrower on the veteran’s behalf to pursue options -- such as repayment plans, forbearance, and loan modifications -- that would allow a veteran to keep a home. To obtain help from a VA financial counselor, veterans can call VA toll-free at 1-877-827-3702.

 

http://www.homeloans.va.gov/IRRRL.htm

 

 Naturalization Preference

Honorable active-duty service in the U.S. armed forces during a designated period of hostility allows an individual to naturalize without being required to establish any periods of residence or physical presence in the United States.  A service member who was in the United States, certain territories, or aboard an American public vessel at the time of enlistment, re-enlistment, extension of enlistment or induction, may naturalize even if he or she is not a lawful permanent resident.

 

On July 3, 2002, the president issued Executive Order 13269 establishing a new period of hostility for naturalization purposes beginning Sept. 11, 2001, and continuing until a date designated by a future Executive Order.  Qualifying members of the armed forces who have served at any time during a specified period of hostility may immediately apply for naturalization using the current application – Form N-400 -- “Application for Naturalization.”  Additional information about filing and requirement fees and designated period of hostility are available on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Web siteat http://www.uscis.gov/.  

 

Combat Veteran Health Care

Under the "Combat Veteran" authority, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides cost-free health care services and nursing home care for conditions possibly related to military service and enrollment in Priority Group 6, unless eligible for enrollment in a higher priority.

VA Form 10-10EZ - Application for Medical Benefits (Enroll)

All veterans are potentially eligible, however a veteran must apply and enroll for VA medical benefits. Most veterans’ health benefits are based solely on honorable active military service in the United States Armed Forces. Reservists and National Guard members who were called to active duty by a Federal Executive Order may qualify for VA health care benefits. 

Oregon VA Medical Facilities

 Eye Glasses and Vision
Eye Glasses and vision examination at no charge for veterans with 10% or greater service-connected disability of any kind, including former POW's. This benefit is also available to veterans with a service-connected disability for an eye condition, 0% or greater. Veterans not eligible for eyeglasses will receive a copy of their eyeglass prescription which may be used to purchase eyeglasses from a private source at the veteran's own expense.
 
 GI Bill
The GI Bill, an education assistance program administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, provides benefits to veterans, servicemembers, and some dependents of disabled or deceased veterans wishing to pursue an education. 
 
The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or “New GI Bill” has been enacted into law. (Factsheet)
 
GI Bill - 1-888-GI-BILL-1

Approved Education Programs

Colleges and Training Institutes
Licenses/Certifications
National Exams

 

Education Programs Covered
 
 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment VR&E Program
Education and Employment program for veterans with 20% or higher service-connected disability. Veterans generally have 12 years from the date they are notified of their entitlement to the program.  Eligible veterans may be allowed up to 48 months of full-time benefits.

Vocational Rehabilitation
1-800-827-1000
www.vetsuccess.gov

 Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP)
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has an active role in Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP) throughout the United States and around the world. Since the implementation of TAP/DTAP through the original legislation VA has provided benefit information to separating service members and their families. VA encourages all separating service members to contact their respective Family Service Centers/Transition Center to determine when the Transition Assistance Briefings are scheduled for a particular site and attend.
 
Taps Slideshow
 
Turbo TAP  - The official Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Personal Finance & Transition web site operated on behalf of U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Compensation & Pension

A variety of benefits and services for veterans, their dependents and survivors, including, but not limited to: service-connected compensation, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), non-service connected pension, burial & accrued benefits, guardianship and public contact services. To inquire concerning the status of your compensation, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), pension, burial, accrued, clothing allowance, automobile, specially adapted housing, or spina bifida claim or to ask any general Compensation & Pension (C&P) benefit question, you may call VA toll-free at 1-800-827-1000.

http://www.va.gov/onlineapps.htm

Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) 

The VA VCS has partnered with Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) to offer more products and services for veterans. Since 1946, the VCS has provided Veteran patients of the U. S. Armed Forces and those who provide for their care with quality merchandise, food, vending, and related services at reasonable prices in VA medical centers across the country. Veterans enrolled at VA medical centers may use the online system at www.vacanteen.va.gov.

 

 Commissary and Exchange Privileges

Unlimited exchange and commissary store privileges in the United States are available to honorably discharged veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 100 percent, unremarried surviving spouses of members or retired members of the armed forces, recipients of the Medal of Honor, and their dependents and orphans. Certification of total disability is done by VA. Reservists and their dependents also may be eligible. Privileges overseas are governed by international law and are available only if agreed upon by the foreign government concerned.

 
Travel Reimbursement
Certain veterans may be eligible for reimbursement for travel costs to receive VA medical care. Reimbursement is paid at 28.5 cents per mile and is subject to a deductible of $7.77 for each one-way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, and a monthly maximum of $46.62.

VA Travel Reimbursements
 
Need a Ride to a Medical Appointment? Check the DAV Van Schedule

 Military Service and Social Security
Earnings for active duty military service or active duty training have been covered under Social Security since 1957. Social Security has covered inactive duty service in the armed forces reserves (such as weekend drills) since 1988. If you served in the military before 1957, you did not pay Social Security taxes, but we gave you special credit for some of your service. You can get both Social Security benefits and military retirement. Generally, there is no reduction of Social Security benefits because of your military retirement benefits. You’ll get your full Social Security benefit based on your earnings.

 

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10017.html

 

 Social Security and Wounded Warriors

Military service members can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security. Benefits available through Social Security are different than those from the U.S. Dept. Veterans Affairs (VA) and require a separate application. The expedited process is used for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs.

http://www.ssa.gov/woundedwarriors/index.htm

 

 Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)
CRSC may entitle you to additional funds which are designed to compensate you for the reduction of your military retired pay due to the receipt of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation (also known as the VA waiver's). With CRSC, you can receive either partial or full concurrent receipt of your military retirement pay and your VA disability compensation.

 

Even though you may not have qualified for CRSC in the past, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2003 expanded CRSC eligibility to retired military personnel who have a combat-related Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability rating between 10% and 50% effective January 1, 2004. Your branch of service will determine which disabilities (if any) qualify as combat-related.

 

http://www.dfas.mil/retiredpay/combat-relatedspecialcompensationcrsc.html

 

 Loans for Farms and Homes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides loans and guarantees to buy, improve or operate farms. Applications from veterans have preference. Loans and guarantees are available for housing in towns generally up to 20,000 in population. For further information, contact Farm Service Agency or Rural Development, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250, or apply at local Department of Agriculture offices, usually located in county seats.

 

 Housing and Urban Development

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sponsors the Veteran Resource Center (HUDVET), which works with national veterans service organizations to serve as a general information center on all HUD sponsored housing and community development programs and services. To contact HUDVET, call 1-800-998-9999, TDD 800-483-2209, or visit their Web site at http://www.hud.gov/hudvet.

 
 Specially Adapted Housing Program
Veterans or servicemembers who have specific service-connected disabilities may be entitled to a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the purpose of constructing an adapted home or modifying an existing home to meet their adaptive needs.  The goal of the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant Program is to provide a barrier-free living environment that affords the veterans or servicemembers a level of independent living he or she may not normally enjoy.

http://www.homeloans.va.gov/sah.htm

 

 Life Insurance
Honorably discharged veterans with service-connected disabilities may qualify for insurance. The Insurance programs developed to provide benefits for veterans who may not be able to get insurance from private companies because of the extra risks of a service connected disability. Veterans with service-connected disability must sign-up within the first two years.

Life Insurance Benefits for Service-Disabled Veterans 
 
VA Life Insurance

File a Death Claim

Department of Veterans Affairs
Regional Office and Insurance Center
P O Box 7208
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101
(888) 748-5822

 Small Businesses Economic Injury Disaster Loan

A special Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan is available for self-employed Reservists whose small businesses may have been damaged through extended absences of the owner or essential employee as a result of activation of the owner or essential employee to military active duty. The SBA also conducts important research in veterans’ entrepreneurship.  A Veterans Business Development Officer is stationed at every SBA District Office.  Information about SBA’s full range of services can be found at http://www.sba.gov/vets/ and for Reservists at http://www.sba.gov/reservists/, or by calling 202-205-6773 or 1-800-U-ASK-SBA (1-800-827-5722).

 
 Burial and End of Life
Veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable, their spouses and dependent children can be buried in a national cemetery. Other burial benefits available for all eligible veterans, regardless of whether they are buried in a national cemetery or a private cemetery, include a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and a government headstone or marker.

Oregon Military Funeral Honors Program

A burial allowance (if receiving or entitled to receive USDVA benefits at time of death), burial flag, grave marker and, if desired, burial in a national cemetary.

Burial Flags

Veterans and family members are also eligible for Burial At Sea. Anyone desiring burial at sea should indicate that preference in writing (in a will or other legal document).

Burial At Sea Program