Benefits You May Not Know You Qualify For
Many veterans are leaving money and services on the table simply because they don't know what's available or assume they don't qualify. The VA offers several major benefits — disability compensation, pension, healthcare, and housing assistance — and many veterans are eligible for more than one. Even if you were denied in the past, it may be worth applying again, as rules and evidence standards change.
This guide covers the VA benefits most relevant to veterans who are struggling financially or dealing with housing instability. If you're in a housing crisis right now, also see our HUD-VASH guide and veteran-specific resource page.
Get Free Help Filing Claims
You don't have to navigate the VA alone. These organizations provide free claims assistance from accredited representatives who know the system:
- Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) — DAV, VFW, American Legion, and others have trained claims agents who will help you file for free. Find one at va.gov/vso.
- County Veterans Service Officers — most counties have a veterans service officer who provides free, in-person help. Call your county government to find yours.
- VA.gov — you can file claims online at va.gov, but working with a VSO significantly improves your chances of approval.
VA Disability Compensation
VA disability compensation is a tax-free monthly payment for veterans who have a service-connected disability — a health condition or injury that was caused by, or worsened during, military service. This includes physical injuries, chronic conditions, mental health conditions like PTSD and depression, and illnesses from toxic exposures.
Who Qualifies
You may qualify if you have a current diagnosed condition that is connected to your military service. You need three things: a current diagnosis, evidence of an in-service event or exposure, and a medical connection (nexus) between the two. You do not need to have been injured in combat — conditions from training, environmental exposures, military sexual trauma, and repetitive stress all count.
How Much It Pays
Compensation is based on your disability rating, which ranges from 0% to 100% in 10% increments. As of 2025, monthly payments range from approximately $171 (10%) to $3,737 (100%) for a single veteran with no dependents. Higher rates apply if you have a spouse, children, or dependent parents. Veterans rated at 30% or higher receive additional amounts for dependents.
How to Apply
- Gather your evidence. Military service records, medical records (both military and civilian), buddy statements from people who witnessed your condition or the event that caused it, and any diagnosis from a doctor.
- Contact a VSO. They'll review your case, help you identify all conditions you should claim (many veterans under-claim), and prepare the strongest possible application.
- File your claim. You can file online at va.gov, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office. If you work with a VSO, they'll file on your behalf.
- Attend your C&P exam. The VA will likely schedule a Compensation & Pension exam where a VA doctor evaluates your conditions. Show up, be honest about your worst days, and don't downplay your symptoms.
Common Conditions Veterans Miss
Many veterans don't realize they can claim conditions like tinnitus (ringing in the ears), sleep apnea, migraines, back and knee conditions from carrying heavy gear, mental health conditions including anxiety and depression, and conditions secondary to an already-rated disability (for example, a knee condition that causes a hip problem). A VSO can help you identify everything you should claim.
If You Were Previously Denied
A denial is not necessarily final. You can file a supplemental claim with new evidence, request a higher-level review by a senior reviewer, or appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Many veterans are approved on a second or third attempt, especially with the help of a VSO and additional medical evidence. There is no limit to how many times you can file.
VA Pension
VA Pension is a needs-based benefit for wartime veterans who have limited income and are either 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled. Unlike disability compensation, pension is not based on a service-connected condition — it's based on your financial need and wartime service.
Who Qualifies
You must meet all of the following: you served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a wartime period (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, etc.); you were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable; your countable income is below the annual pension limit (which varies based on your situation); and you are age 65+ or permanently and totally disabled.
How Much It Pays
The maximum annual pension rate for a single veteran is approximately $16,551 (about $1,380/month). The actual amount you receive is the maximum rate minus your countable income. If you have a spouse or dependents, the maximum rate is higher. Certain medical expenses can be deducted from your countable income, which can increase your pension amount.
Aid & Attendance
If you receive VA Pension and need help with daily activities — bathing, dressing, eating, adjusting prosthetics, or are bedridden — you may qualify for Aid & Attendance, which significantly increases your pension. For a single veteran, Aid & Attendance can raise the maximum annual rate to approximately $27,611 (about $2,301/month). This benefit can help cover the cost of in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home care.
Housebound Benefit
If you're substantially confined to your home because of a disability, you may qualify for the Housebound benefit, which provides an increased pension rate between standard pension and Aid & Attendance.
VA Healthcare
The VA operates the largest healthcare system in the country, and many veterans are eligible for free or low-cost medical care. This includes primary care, mental health services, substance use treatment, prescriptions, and specialty care.
Who Qualifies
If you served in the active military and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, you're likely eligible for VA healthcare. The VA uses a Priority Group system (1-8) that determines your copay obligations and access. Veterans with service-connected disabilities, low income, or who are homeless are placed in higher priority groups with lower or no copays.
If you have a service-connected disability rated at 50% or higher, your VA healthcare is completely free — no copays for anything.
What's Covered
- Primary care — regular checkups, preventive care, chronic condition management
- Mental health — therapy, psychiatry, PTSD treatment, military sexual trauma counseling. You do not need a service-connected rating to access VA mental health care.
- Substance use treatment — inpatient and outpatient programs, medication-assisted treatment
- Prescriptions — the VA pharmacy is often significantly cheaper than civilian pharmacies
- Dental care — available for veterans with service-connected dental conditions, 100% disability rating, or who are homeless
- Vision care — routine eye exams and glasses for eligible veterans
- Emergency care — including at non-VA facilities in emergencies
How to Enroll
Apply online at va.gov, by phone at 877-222-8387, or in person at your nearest VA medical center. You'll need your DD-214 (discharge papers), Social Security number, and financial information. If you've lost your DD-214, you can request a replacement at archives.gov.
VA Mental Health: No Rating Required
A common misconception is that you need a disability rating to access VA mental health care. That's not true. Any veteran who served in a combat zone can receive free mental health care for up to 5 years after discharge, regardless of disability status. And the Veterans Crisis Line (call or text 988, then press 1) is available to all veterans 24/7, no enrollment required.
PACT Act and Toxic Exposure
The PACT Act (2022) significantly expanded VA healthcare and disability benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, and other toxic substances. If you served in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Gulf War, Vietnam, or at certain bases and were exposed to toxic substances, you may now qualify for benefits you didn't qualify for before. The VA has expanded the list of presumptive conditions, meaning you no longer need to prove the direct connection — the VA presumes the connection based on your service.
If you were previously denied for a condition that may be related to toxic exposure, file a supplemental claim. Visit va.gov/pact for details.
How These Benefits Work Together
You can receive multiple VA benefits simultaneously. For example:
- Disability compensation + VA healthcare — the most common combination. Your disability rating can also reduce or eliminate healthcare copays.
- Pension + Aid & Attendance — if you're low-income and need help with daily activities
- Disability compensation + HUD-VASH — housing voucher plus income from disability payments. See our HUD-VASH guide.
- VA benefits + civilian benefits — you can receive VA disability or pension alongside SSI/SSDI, SNAP, Medicaid, and other programs, though some may affect income calculations
Other VA Benefits Worth Knowing
- VA home loans — no down payment, no private mortgage insurance, competitive rates. Available to veterans, active duty, and some surviving spouses.
- GI Bill and education benefits — tuition, housing allowance, and books for qualifying veterans
- Vocational rehabilitation (VR&E) — job training, resume help, and career services for veterans with service-connected disabilities
- SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) — can help with rent, utilities, and other housing costs during a crisis
- Veteran Readiness and Employment — career counseling and employment support