Veterans & military families

How Long Does a VA DIC Claim Take? Status and Next Steps

VA finished DIC claims in 73 days on average (April 2026). Check status online, answer evidence requests within 30 days, and ask for priority if you qualify.

VA Pension With Aid and Attendance: Does Your Parent Qualify?

A wartime veteran 65+ who needs daily help, with net worth up to $163,699, qualifies once care costs pull income under $29,093. How to apply.

VA Decision Review Options: Supplemental Claim, HLR or Board?

New evidence? File a Supplemental Claim. VA misread your file? Ask for Higher-Level Review. Want a judge? Go to the Board. File within 1 year to keep back pay.

VA Benefits When You Can't Work: Build an Individual Unemployability Claim

Build an IU claim with service-connected work limitations, earnings, employer forms, and medical evidence. Learn what to check after approval or denial.

Post-9/11 vs Montgomery GI Bill: Compare Your Actual School Costs

Compare Post-9/11 and Montgomery GI Bill eligibility, tuition payments, housing support, and transfer options against your service history and school costs.

VA SMC Eligibility: Loss of Use, Daily Care, and Housebound Examples

Compare SMC eligibility for hands and feet, blindness, regular care, advanced R allowances, and the two SMC-S paths. Prepare evidence for the correct category.

CHAMPVA: Comprehensive Health Care for Veteran Dependents

CHAMPVA shares health care costs for eligible Veteran family members. Review sponsor and dependent rules, other insurance, and application documents.

HUD-VASH Program: Housing and Support for Homeless Veterans

HUD-VASH pairs rental assistance with VA support for eligible homeless Veterans. Learn how VA screening, referral, and housing search assistance work.

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD, Chapter 30): Your Education Benefits Explained

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty benefits help pay for approved education and training. Check service eligibility, payment factors, and VA application steps.

Native American Direct Loan (NADL) Program: Home Loans for Native American Veterans

NADL provides direct VA home loans for qualifying Native American Veterans on Federal Trust Land. Review property rules, repayment checks, and VA contact steps.

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) Explained: Education & Housing Benefits

Explore Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition, housing, and book benefits, service eligibility, and the steps from a VA application to school enrollment certification.

Presidential Memorial Certificates (PMC): Honoring Deceased Veterans

Request a Presidential Memorial Certificate to honor an eligible deceased Veteran. See who can apply, which records to copy, and how to submit VA Form 40-0247.

Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant: A Guide for Veterans

The VA SHA grant helps eligible Veterans adapt a home for specific service-connected disabilities. Review qualifying conditions and the VA Form 26-4555 process.

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant: Home Accessibility for Veterans

The VA SAH grant helps eligible Veterans buy, build, or adapt an accessible home. Review disability requirements, approved uses, and application steps.

Survivors Pension (Death Pension): A Guide for Spouses and Children of Wartime Veterans

VA Survivors Pension supports eligible low-income families of wartime Veterans. Check service, relationship, income, and asset rules before filing a claim.

Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35) Explained

DEA Chapter 35 provides education and training support for eligible Veteran spouses and children. Review family eligibility, benefit periods, and VA Form 22-5490.

Transition Assistance Program (TAP): Your Guide to Civilian Life

TAP helps separating service members plan for civilian work, education, and benefits. Explore counseling, workshops, optional tracks, and unit scheduling.

VA Burial Allowance: Rates, Eligibility, and Applying

VA burial allowances can help with an eligible Veteran's funeral and burial costs. Review death-related eligibility, claim deadlines, and expense records.

VA Community Care Program: Accessing Non-VA Healthcare

VA Community Care can connect eligible Veterans with non-VA providers. Review access criteria and the referral and authorization steps for planned care.

VA Dental Care: Eligibility, Benefits, and How to Apply

VA dental benefits depend on your eligibility class. Compare covered care, discharge-related deadlines, dental clinic contact steps, and VADIP options.

VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): A Guide for Survivors

DIC provides tax-free support to eligible survivors of service members and Veterans. Review relationship and death-related rules, evidence, and claim steps.

VA Headstones, Markers, and Medallions: Honoring Veteran Service

Compare VA headstones, markers, and medallions, including service and cemetery eligibility, available memorial choices, and forms for submitting a request.

VA Health Care Enrollment: Who Qualifies, Copays, How to Apply

Who qualifies for VA health care, the 8 priority groups, 2026 income limits and copays ($15 primary, $50 specialty), and how to apply with Form 10-10EZ.

VA HISA Grant: Home Improvement and Structural Alterations for Veterans

The VA HISA grant supports medically necessary home alterations. Review medical prescriptions, eligible work, lifetime limits, and VA Form 10-0103.

VA Individual Unemployability (IU): Get 100% Disability Pay if You Can't Work

VA Individual Unemployability can pay eligible Veterans at the total-disability rate. Check rating and work requirements, employment forms, and medical evidence.

VA Mental Health Services: Comprehensive Support for Veterans

Find VA mental health treatment, Vet Center counseling, and crisis support. Review access options for enrolled Veterans and people seeking help before enrollment.

VA National Cemeteries: Eligibility and Burial Benefits

Check eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery, compare advance planning with at-need requests, and prepare service and family records.

VA Purchase Loan: Your Guide to Homeownership Benefits

Review VA purchase loan eligibility, the Certificate of Eligibility, lender approval, funding fees, and closing steps before planning a home purchase.

VA Refinance Loan (IRRRL & Cash-Out): Your Guide to Lower Payments or Home Equity Access

Compare VA IRRRL and cash-out refinance options, existing-loan requirements, fees, and lender application steps before deciding how to refinance.

VA Special Monthly Compensation: Which Benefit Fits Your Needs?

Understand SMC-K, L, S, and advanced care benefits, the evidence each needs, how to request consideration, and what to check in the decision.

Veteran Employment Support: VA Careers, VR&E, and Transition Help

Choose a current VA employment support route: career counseling, VR&E for service-connected disabilities, or assistance with the transition to civilian life.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31): Your Guide to Career Support for Disabled Veterans

VR&E helps eligible Veterans with service-connected disabilities plan for work or independent living. Explore counseling, training, and the VA application process.

Veterans Disability Compensation: A Guide for Service-Connected Disabilities

VA disability compensation supports eligible Veterans with service-connected conditions. Review rating factors, medical and service records, and the claim process.