Veterans Affairs Benefits for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn Transitioning Service Members

Transition assistance

Find out about the VA's services through the Transition Assistance Program, which offers classes to keep transitioning service members up-to-date information on VA and other benefits. Spouses are invited to these classes, too. Contact your installation Transition Assistance Program office for class schedules and information. Special service member and veteran groups can get information about VA programs through:

• Transition assistance for Guard and reserve members. The VA is reaching out to transitioning Guard and reserve members at their demobilization sites. Veterans trained by the VA to be National Guard Bureau liaisons are in every state to help veterans transition back to the not-so-familiar life of a civilian. VA's Returning Service Members website has tips and suggestions for adjusting.
• Disabled Transition Assistance Program. For transitioning service members with medical disabilities, the VA's Disabled Transition Assistance Program covers disability compensation, medical services and vocational rehabilitation. Visit the program's website for details.
• Transition assistance for wounded service members and their families. For severely injured service members, the VA provides special liaisons at military hospitals who have information on health care, disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation and employment. Before discharge, coordinators help smooth the transition from the military medical center to VA services closest to the veteran's home.

Medical services

Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn veterans can access medical benefits through the VA for up to two years after discharge, including hospital care, outpatient health care, preventive care and nursing home services. The Returning Service Member website will tell you more. The program goes directly to seriously injured service members at hospitals and medical centers so that all service members are kept informed.

Other services for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn veterans include:

• Readjustment counseling. Mental health teams at VA medical centers focus on early identification and management of stress-related disorders. Combat veterans work as readjustment counselors to help service members with military-related transitions. Visit the Vet Center Program website for details.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder program. The VA's PTSD programs around the country help veterans cope with the emotional fallout from combat tours. These counseling programs provide easy access to services not directly connected to traditional VA medical centers. Visit the National Center for PTSD to see what's available near you.

Caregiver Support

People who care for injured service members and veterans need support, too, and they can find it through VA Caregiver Support service. Resources include a caregivers' toolbox, tips and information on the challenges of caregiving, a caregivers support line and guidance for finding local caregiver support. Special services are available for caregivers of post 9/11 veterans. Check out Services for Caregivers of Post 9/11 Veterans for more details and to see if you qualify.

Other Veterans Affairs benefits and services

Many VA benefits and services extend to both service members and veterans, regardless of your disability status, including:

• Education. The Post-9/11 GI Bill^® helps cover the cost of education and training for veterans who served at least 90 days on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001. Service members with at least 36 months of service can receive the full benefit amount. Benefits cover tuition and fees up to the highest in-state tuition at a public college or university. Service members who served at least six years may also be eligible to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill^® benefits to family members. Get more details at the GI Bill^® website.
• Life insurance. Service members, including Guard and reserve members, can buy $400,000 of life insurance through the VA's low-cost Service members' Group Life Insurance program, and veterans can choose to convert their SGLI to Veterans' Group Life Insurance. The VA life insurance website has more information.
• Home loan guaranties. The VA's Home Loan Guaranty program helps service members and veterans get competitive rates on home loans with little or no down payment. VA guarantees part of the loan, which is funded and processed through private lenders like your bank or a mortgage company. Visit the VA Home Loan Guaranty website for details.
• Homelessness Prevention Programs. Veterans Affairs provides personal, comprehensive care to prevent and end homelessness among Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn and other veterans. If you or a veteran you know is struggling to find permanent housing or is facing foreclosure, call 877-4AID-VET, or chat online.

Services for veterans with disabilities

VA programs for service members with disabilities include:

• Disability compensation. Payment is based on the severity of your disability, and additional payments are available if you have a spouse or other dependents. Apply for disability compensation at the Veterans Online Application site. Special monthly compensation is also available to veterans with serious disabilities.
• Rehabilitation and employment services. The VA helps disabled service members and veterans with rehabilitation and employment services to help transition out of the military, along with counseling, education and training, job assistance and financial aid. Active-duty service members awaiting discharge because of disabilities can also access these services. Find more details at the Disabled Transition Assistance Program website.

You earned your benefits through your service. Take advantage of these programs to help make your civilian life a bit easier. Start by visiting the Transition Assistance Program website.