VA benefits, in plain English.
The VA writes in its own language. We translate every benefit you earned into words that make sense, then show you exactly how to get it.
Find your benefit
40 benefits explained, grouped the way veterans actually look for them.
Just getting out? Start here.
Seven steps, in order. Most veterans who miss money they earned skipped one of these.
See the full checklistGet your DD-214
Your DD-214 proves your service for almost every benefit. Keep several copies, and if you lost yours, request it through milConnect or the National Archives.
Create a verified VA.gov account
Sign in to VA.gov with Login.gov or ID.me and verify your identity. This lets you file claims, check status, refill prescriptions and update your address in one place.
File an Intent to File
This quick form saves your start date for one year while you gather evidence. If you are approved, VA can pay back to that date.
File a BDD claim 180 to 90 days before you separate
If you are still serving, Benefits Delivery at Discharge lets VA rate your conditions before you leave, so payments can start soon after you separate.
Your state adds more
Property tax breaks, free college tuition, hunting licenses and more, on top of what the VA pays.
- ALAlabama
- AKAlaska
- AZArizona
- ARArkansas
- CACalifornia
- COColorado
- CTConnecticut
- DEDelaware
- DCDistrict of Columbia
- FLFlorida
- GAGeorgia
- HIHawaii
- IDIdaho
- ILIllinois
- INIndiana
- IAIowa
- KSKansas
- KYKentucky
- LALouisiana
- MEMaine
- MDMaryland
- MAMassachusetts
- MIMichigan
- MNMinnesota
- MSMississippi
- MOMissouri
- MTMontana
- NENebraska
- NVNevada
- NHNew Hampshire
- NJNew Jersey
- NMNew Mexico
- NYNew York
- NCNorth Carolina
- NDNorth Dakota
- OHOhio
- OKOklahoma
- OROregon
- PAPennsylvania
- PRPuerto Rico
- RIRhode Island
- SCSouth Carolina
- SDSouth Dakota
- TNTennessee
- TXTexas
- UTUtah
- VTVermont
- VAVirginia
- WAWashington
- WVWest Virginia
- WIWisconsin
- WYWyoming
Never pay for help with a VA claim. You never have to pay for help filing a VA claim. Accredited Veterans Service Organization representatives are always free, and federal law bars anyone from charging you to prepare or file an initial claim, so walk away from any company that asks for a cut of your back pay. Before you share your information, look up the person or group with VA's accredited representative search at va.gov/get-help-from-accredited-representative/find-rep, which uses the VA Office of General Counsel's accreditation records. Find free, accredited help.
Thinking about buying a home?
Your VA home loan can mean no down payment and no mortgage insurance. Our sister site walks through every step, with calculators.
Visit VALoanBenefit.com