Veterans' Benefits: Expert Guides and Resources

Veterans are often surprised at the number and types of benefits that are available. If you're just getting started in applying for veterans benefits, there are some basic things you should know. Nobody is going to hand you your benefits Unfortunately, that would be too easy. Instead, you have to know what benefits there are, you must find out what the eligibility criteria is to receive a particular benefit, you need to know which government agency is in charge of that benefit, and then you have to ask for the benefit.

Veterans are entitled to a wide range of benefits, but unfortunately most veterans benefits aren’t well publicized. Sometimes they’re hidden in long, confusing pieces of legislation, and other times, they’re buried among broken links on half-dead government websites. Fortunately, this Cheat Sheet is here to help.

Military travel is a top benefit for veterans. Many veterans and their family members can travel for free on military aircraft by using the space-available travel program, often referred to as space A. Although this is a valuable benefit, space-A travel can often be frustrating, unless you follow these tips. Departure terminal choices for veterans Generally speaking, military air terminals on the West Coast have more scheduled flights to Pacific locations, such as Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, Korea, Australia, and Guam, while terminals on the East Coast have the most flights to Europe and the Middle East.

Tricare is a health insurance program available to veterans, and it comes in four varieties: Tricare Prime, Tricare Extra, Tricare Standard, and Tricare for Life. Tricare, the military's health insurance plan, actually covers everyone — active-duty members, retirees, and their families. Check your eligibility for veterans health insurance (Tricare) You’re eligible for Tricare benefits if you: Are a retired active-duty member.

Military medical retirement is intended to compensate for a military career cut short because of disability. Typically, a medical retirement is issued when a medical condition is severe enough to interfere with the proper performance of your military duties. Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation is intended to compensate for disabilities that interfere with civilian employment, and it is separate from medical military retirement pay.

Each time Congress passes a new veterans benefit law, it establishes specific eligibility criteria for that benefit. For the purpose of benefits, being a veteran is not enough. Whether you qualify for benefits, or certain types of benefits, depends on several factors: Your length of service Where and when you served Your discharge characterization Veteran benefits and length of service Eligibility for most veterans benefits requires a minimum length of military service.

Before you can claim any veterans benefit, you must prove your service eligibility. Some veterans benefits require active duty service, while other veterans benefits are not as strict in their requirements. In any case, you will need to prove your service and manner of discharge in order to apply for a particular benefit.

The VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program helps veterans who have service-connected disabilities get and keep a job. The VR&E Program (Chapter 31) also has other benefits for veterans, beyond education and training. After your evaluation by a VA vocational rehabilitation counselor (VRC), the VA may determine that you’re entitled to participate in the program but that you don’t need education or vocational training to meet your employment objectives.

Veterans with disabilities or medical conditions that were caused or worsened by military service can receive compensation and other government aid. VA pensions are paid to disabled veterans under 65, and any wartime veteran 65 or older with limited income. Low-income veterans who are totally and permanently disabled due to non-service-connected medical conditions and disabilities can receive a disability pension.