PHILADELPHIA – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has expanded its online benefits applications to include Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance.
VA's Web site already provides online convenience for applications for compensation, pension, health care and vocational rehabilitation benefits as well as education enrollment certification. The addition of Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) means veterans can be assured their application is transmitted to the VA Insurance Center in Philadelphia without mailing delay.
The application can be accessed through the online applications link at VA's main Web page at www.va.gov or through the insurance Web pages at www.insurance.va.gov. To initiate the process through a secure Web site protecting users' privacy, eligible veterans should click on "Apply for S-DVI Insurance Online Using Our Autoform Application."
S-DVI is a VA program of life insurance that provides $10,000 of coverage to veterans who have received a service-connected disability rating for a new condition from VA within the past two years; were separated from service on or after April 25, 1951, under other than dishonorable conditions; and are in good health except for their service-connected conditions.
The online application process guides applicants through each step of the application with easy-to-use help screens and tools. The first steps of the process will allow veterans to immediately determine if they are eligible for the insurance. They will also be able to learn about the different types of insurance plans and premiums available to them.
Once transmitted, applications are immediately processed. However, veterans who are uncomfortable submitting their application online may also print their application from the Web site and mail or fax it, just as they may do now with the paper version of the application.
"The new S-DVI online application allows veterans to apply for insurance at their own convenience," Tom Lastowka, director of the VA Regional Office and InsuranceCenter, noted. "Not only can they go online and apply 24 hours, 7 days a week, but they can also stop while they are completing the application and come back and begin again where they left off."
"We think that veterans will find the online application the easiest way to apply, and believe that this will hold true for other online applications we are developing," Lastowka said.
