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New to VA
Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
New to VA
Welcome to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and thank you for your service to our country. The VA was established for one purpose
"To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan…"– by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s Veterans.
Abraham Lincoln
Benefits and Services Available
VA provides a wide range of benefits including, Disability, Education and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Home Loan Guaranty, Dependant and Survivor Benefits, Medical Treatment, Life Insurance and Burial Benefits. VA Benefits in Brief is a printable document that provides an at-a-glance description of VA benefits, as well as contact phone numbers and locations.
Eligibility for VA Benefits
You may be eligible for VA benefits if you are a:
- Veteran, Veteran's dependent
- Surviving spouse, child or parent of a deceased Veteran
- Uniformed service member
- Present or former reservist or National Guard member
How to Apply for VA Benefits
VA has several ways to apply for your benefits depending on your category and status.
The Pre-Discharge Program
A joint VA and Department of Defense (DoD) program that affords service members the opportunity to file claims for disability compensation up to 180 days prior to separation or retirement from active duty or full time National Guard or Reserve duty (Titles 10 and 32). Read more on the Pre-Discharge Program.
The VONAPP (Veterans On Line Application)
The VONAPP web site is an official VA web site that enables service members, veterans and their beneficiaries, and other designated individuals to apply for benefits using the Internet.
Apply at your Local Regional Offices
VA regional offices can assist you with filing the appropriate VA forms. In addition VSO's (Veteran Service Organizations) can assist you as well by answering general question and even petitioning on your behalf for services they believe you are qualified to receive.
Active Duty |
Surviving Spouse/Child/Parent |
Veteran/Veteran Dependant |
|---|---|---|
Pre-Discharge Program |
- |
- |
VONAPP |
VONAPP |
VONAPP |
Local Regional Offices |
Local Regional Offices |
Local Regional Offices |
VA Structure
The Department is structured into three main service lines which provide the following benefits:
Veterans Benefits Administration
–All VA benefits - Compensation, Education, Home Loan Guaranty, etc.
–Administered by VA Regional Office
Veterans Health Administration
–All VA health care services
–Administered by VA Medical Centers, Ambulatory Care & Community Based Outpatient Clinics, etc.
National Cemetery Administration
–National and State Veterans Cemeteries
–Headstones , Markers & Presidential Memorial Certificates
–Request burial in a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemetery
Information and Assistance
For more information about specific benefits, visit your nearest VA regional office or call one of our toll-free numbers.
Toll-Free Services
| Benefits Information & Assistance | 800-827-1000 |
| Health Care | 877-222-8387 |
| Education & Training | 888-442-4551 |
| VA Life Insurance | 800-669-8477 |
| Office of SGLI | 800-419-1473 |
| CHAMPVA | 800-733-8387 |
| Helpline (Agent Orange & Gulf War) | 800-749-8387 |
| Direct Deposit | 877-838-2778 |
| Headstones (status of claims only) | 800-697-6947 |
| Telecommunication Device for Deaf (TDD) | 800-829-4833 |
