Disability Benefits
100% Rating

Disability benefits rating goes from 0% to 100%. However, financial compensation starts from 10% and higher. If you’re rated at under 50% you do not get a separate check. Instead, the income is used to reduce your other taxable income. Only those rated at 50% or higher gets a separate check. However, there are many benefits that starts with a 0% rating and goes through to a 100% rating.

These are the benefits for a 100% rating.

Monthly Compensation
Those rated at 100% will start receiving monthly compensation. This will be a separate check. It is tax deductible.

Low-Cost Life Insurance
Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife). VALife is guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance that pays up to $40,000 in life insurance coverage (in $10,000 increments). You’re eligible for VALife if you have a VA service-connected disability rating—even if your rating is 0%. There’s no time limit to apply after getting your disability rating. There is no medical examination requirement. Approval is automatic once you meet the basic requirement. Coverage starts 2 years after you application is approved. Premiums are based on age and ranges from $43.60 if you’re 18 years old and $1,768.00 if you’re 95 years old. Remember you can buy it in increments of $10,000 (meaning $10,000, $20,000, $30,000 or $40,000)

Hiring Preference
Disabled veterans get a 10-point Veteran Preference in federal hiring if they have a 30% or more service connected-disability rating. They get 5-points for serving in combat zones and 0-points if they were released or discharged from a period of active duty from the armed forces, after August 29, 2008, by reason of being the only surviving child in a family. You also get hiring preference at the state government level. All states also offer this benefit. See more under State Benefits.

Free Healthcare
Receive free healthcare if you enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981 and served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty, unless you were discharged for a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service, or
You were discharged for a hardship or “early out,” or you served prior to September 7, 1980

If you’re a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard you must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. If you had or have active-duty status for training purposes only, you don’t qualify for VA health care.

All Veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving our country—at home or abroad—are now eligible for VA health care. This includes all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11. Apply today.

You must have an honorable discharge to be eligible for this benefit. Apply for Free Healthcare.

Dental
Disabled veterans get free Dental care from the VA if they receive monthly compensation for disability. You can also get this benefit if you have a non-compensable dental condition or a disability that is the result of combat wounds or service trauma. Apply for Dental Benefits.

Travel Allowance
This is a Travel Allowance for scheduled appointments for care at a VA medical facility or VA-authorized health care facility. To get this benefit you must have a VA disability rating of 30% or higher, or You’re traveling for treatment of a service-connected condition, even if your VA disability rating is less than 30%, or you receive a VA pension, or you have a low income or can’t afford the travel cost. You can also be re-imbursed for traveling to take the C&P Exam. File a Claim for Travel Reimbursement.

Commissaries/Exchanges/MWR
If you have a service-connected disability regardless of rating, you have access to Commissaries, Exchanges, and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) retail facilities, in-person and online.

Home Loan Fee Waiver
If you have a service-connected disability regardless of the rating level the funding fee for VA home loans will be waived. Learn more about VA Home Loans.

VR&E
You may receive Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) (Formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) services to help with job training, education, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching. Other services may be provided to assist Veterans and Service members in starting their own businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment. You must have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from VA and not receive a dishonorable discharge. If you’re on active-duty you have a 20% or higher pre-discharge disability rating (memorandum rating) and will soon leave the military, or you’re waiting to be discharged because of a severe illness or injury that occurred while you were on active duty. If you were discharged from active duty before January 1, 2013, you have 12 years to apply for this service. Apply for VR&E.

Burial
Burial and plot allowance.  For service-connected deaths the VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths on or after September 11, 2001, or up to $1,500 for deaths prior to September 11, 2001. If the Veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, some or all of the cost of transporting the deceased may be reimbursed.  For non-service-connected deaths the VA will pay up to $978 toward burial and funeral expenses for deaths on or after October 1, 2024 and a $978 plot-interment allowance (if not buried in a national cemetery). Apply for Burial Benefits.

Direct Hiring
Disabled Veterans can get hired through the non-competitive process for federal jobs.  Government agencies have Direct hire authority to do this. You must have a 30% or more service-connected disability to qualify for Direct Hiring.

Dependent Benefits
Spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member, may qualify for certain benefits, including health care, life insurance, money for school, burial cost and survivor compensation.

Concurrent Pay
As a disabled veteran with 20 or more years of service you can receive concurrent military retired pay and VA benefits.

Total Disability Due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
If you can’t work because of a disability related to your service in the military, you may qualify for TDIU. This means you may be able to get disability compensation or benefits at the same level as a Veteran who has a 100% disability rating. You must be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities. You will need to have a single service-connected disability rated at 60% or higher, or multiple service-connected disabilities with a combined rating of 70% or higher, with at least one disability rated at 40% or higher.  Apply for TDIU with VA Form 21-8940 and the VA Form 21-4192.

Special Restorative Training (SRT)
Special restorative training is special training for a child, spouse, or surviving spouse for the purpose of lessening the effects of a physical or mental disability.  They are paid a minimum of $1,200 per month during the training.  To qualify the veteran must have served on active duty, active duty for training for a period of 6 or more consecutive months, or an initial period of active duty for training of not less than 3 months or more than 6 months in the Ready Reserve and must be Permanently and Totally (P&T) disabled. To apply for the program contact (888)442-4551.

CHAMPVA
CHAMPVA–Civilian Health and Medical Program.  This is healthcare for your spouse, dependents or survivors if you don’t qualify for TRICARE. (unemployability must be considered permanent). You qualify if you’re the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran who’s been rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability, or you’re the surviving spouse or dependent child of a Veteran who died from a service-connected disability, or you’re the surviving spouse or dependent child of a Veteran who was at the time of their death rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability. Apply online or use VA Form 10-10d.

Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA)
Dependents Educational Assistance (unemployability must be considered permanent). Your dependents may be able to get a monthly payment to help you cover the cost of school or their expenses while they’re participating in on-the-job training or an apprenticeship.

To qualify the Veteran must be permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, or died as a result of a service-connected disability, or died in the line of duty, or is missing in action or was captured in the line of duty by a hostile force for more than 90 days, or was forcibly detained (held) or interned in the line of duty by a foreign entity for more than 90 days, or is in the hospital or getting outpatient treatment for a service-connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability
Apply for DEA Benefits using VA Form 22-5492

Student Loan Discharge
Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge for Federal Student Loans. U.S. military veterans that are totally and permanently disabled can qualify for discharge of 100% of their outstanding federal loans.

If you get a TPD discharge, you won’t have to repay the following loan types:
– Federal Perkins Loans
– William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan)
– Program loans Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans

Apply for the TPD Discharge.

Aid and Attendance
Aid and Attendance or Housebound Benefits can be received under the Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) program.

Aid and Attendance Benefit and Housebound Allowance
Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits are part of the VA’s Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) program.

Aid and Attendance: You may be eligible for this benefit if you get a VA pension and you have a total and permanent disability; you reside in a nursing home or have limited eyesight.

Housebound Allowance: You qualify for this benefit if you get a VA pension and you spend most of your time in your home because of a permanent disability (a disability that doesn’t go away).

Apply by using VA Form 21-2680. If you’re in a Nursing Home apply using VA Form 21-0779.

NOTE: You can’t get Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound benefits at the same time.

DIC
Surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a Veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness, may be able to get a tax-free monetary benefit called VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC).

Apply as follows:
If you’re the surviving spouse or child of a service member who died while on active duty:
VA Form 21P-534a

If you’re the surviving spouse or child of a Veteran:
VA Form 21P-534EZ

If you’re a surviving parent:
VA Form 21P-535

State Benefits
States provides benefits to disabled benefits that include education, property tax exemptions, exemption from vehicle sales tax, Retirement pay tax exemption, State Parks fee exemptions, handicap plates (and benefits that go along with that such as free toll access and free airport parking), etc.

ID Card
As a 100% disabled veteran you qualify for the Next Generation Uniformed Services ID Card.  Lookup the nearest ID Card office and schedule an appointment.  Take a copy of your 100% letter. Learn more about ID Cards.

Space-A (or Space Available) Travel
Space-A travel is a privilege that allows eligible military members and their families to travel using Department of Defense aircraft when seats are available after all priority passengers (Space Required – Space-R) have been accommodated.

It is available for active-duty service members, retirees, dependents, reservists, ROTC, 100% disabled veterans and surviving spouses of service members who died in active duty, inactive duty training, or annual training status. 

Since space is based on availability there is no guarantee you will be selected for a seat.  So, be prepared to cover commercial travel expenses in case you do not get a seat. 

Space-A travel is typically free of charge for the airfare itself.  However, there may be fees for head taxes and inspection fees on certain flights, especially for travel to or from overseas. Additionally, travelers should be prepared to cover costs for things like meals, lodging, and transportation to and from the airport. 

Use the link below to visit the AMC website to see travel requirements, terminal locations and flight information.

Visit the Space-A Travel website.