The Department of Veterans Affairs administers billions of dollars in benefits each year, but studies consistently show that a significant percentage of eligible veterans never claim the benefits they have earned. Some do not know these benefits exist; others assume they do not qualify. Here are eleven benefits that every veteran should know about, whether you served for two years or twenty.
1. VA Home Loan Guarantee
The VA home loan is arguably the most valuable financial benefit available to veterans, and it is frequently underutilized. The VA does not make loans directly; instead, it guarantees a portion of a mortgage issued by a private lender, which allows the lender to offer significantly better terms. The key advantages include no down payment required, no private mortgage insurance, competitive interest rates, and limited closing costs. These terms can save a veteran tens of thousands of dollars over the life of a mortgage compared to a conventional loan.
What many veterans do not realize is that the VA home loan benefit can be used multiple times. If you sell a home purchased with a VA loan, your entitlement is typically restored and you can use it again. In some cases, you can even have two VA loans simultaneously. The benefit has no expiration date and is available to veterans who meet the service requirements, which for most eras of service means 90 consecutive days of active duty during wartime or 181 days during peacetime.
2. VA Healthcare Enrollment
VA healthcare is not just for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Many veterans with honorable discharges are eligible for VA healthcare based on factors including income level, combat service, and exposure to environmental hazards. The VA operates the largest integrated healthcare system in the country, with over 1,200 facilities including hospitals, clinics, and community-based outpatient centers.
Recent expansions under the PACT Act have significantly broadened eligibility, particularly for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. If you served in a combat theater after 9/11, you are eligible for five years of VA healthcare after separation regardless of other factors. Even if you have private insurance, enrolling in VA healthcare creates a safety net that can be invaluable if your circumstances change.
3. Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer
If you served at least six years on active duty and committed to an additional four years of service, you may have been eligible to transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to your spouse or children. This is one of the most generous education benefits available to any American family, covering tuition at public institutions, providing a monthly housing allowance, and offering a book stipend. The transferred benefit can cover a bachelor's degree or significant graduate education for a dependent.
4. Disability Compensation for Conditions You Might Not Associate with Service
Veterans often assume that disability compensation is only for dramatic combat injuries, but the VA compensates for any condition that was caused or aggravated by military service. This includes hearing loss and tinnitus (the most commonly claimed conditions), back and knee injuries from carrying heavy equipment, sleep apnea, mental health conditions including PTSD and depression, and a long list of conditions presumed to be connected to specific environmental exposures.
If you have a condition that began during or shortly after your service, it is worth filing a claim. Free help is available from accredited Veterans Service Officers at your local American Legion or VFW post. These trained advocates can help you gather evidence, complete paperwork, and present the strongest possible case to the VA.
5. State-Level Veterans Benefits
Every state offers its own package of veterans benefits on top of federal programs, and the variation is significant. Some states exempt military retirement pay from state income tax. Others offer property tax exemptions, free or reduced-cost hunting and fishing licenses, free state park access, tuition waivers at state universities, and preferential hiring for state government positions. A few states even offer cash bonuses for combat deployment.
These state benefits are entirely separate from federal benefits and must be claimed separately. Your state's Department of Veterans Affairs (most states have one, though the name varies) is the best starting point for learning what is available to you based on your service record and state of residence.
6. Veterans Preference in Federal Hiring
Veterans receive preference in competitive federal hiring. Depending on your disability rating and service history, you may receive 5 or 10 additional points on your federal job application score, which can make a significant difference in a competitive hiring process. Some hiring authorities allow agencies to appoint eligible veterans directly without going through the full competitive process.
7. Free Legal Services
Multiple organizations provide free legal services to veterans, including help with VA claims appeals, discharge upgrades, landlord-tenant disputes, family law issues, and criminal defense. Legal aid organizations, law school clinics, and programs like the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program and Stateside Legal offer these services at no cost to veterans who meet eligibility requirements.
8. Commissary and Exchange Access
All honorably discharged veterans now have access to online military exchanges (Army & Air Force Exchange Service, Navy Exchange, Marine Corps Exchange) where they can purchase goods at tax-free prices. Veterans with a VA disability rating of 0% or higher also have in-person access to commissaries and exchanges on military installations.
9. National Cemetery Burial Benefits
Any veteran who received an honorable or general discharge is eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery at no cost. This includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Spouses and dependent children may also be eligible for burial in a national cemetery. These benefits represent significant savings compared to private cemetery costs, which average over $7,000 for a burial plot and marker alone.
10. Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
Veterans with service-connected disabilities who face barriers to employment may be eligible for the VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program, known as VR&E or Chapter 31. This program provides career counseling, job training, resume assistance, education benefits beyond the GI Bill, self-employment support, and independent living services. For veterans with significant disabilities, VR&E can cover the cost of a complete career change including education, certification, and job placement assistance.
11. Life Insurance Options
Veterans have access to several life insurance programs that may offer better terms than commercial policies, particularly for veterans with service-connected health conditions. Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) allows you to convert your Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage to a renewable term policy after separation, without medical underwriting. This is especially valuable for veterans who developed conditions during service that might make them difficult or expensive to insure commercially.
Getting Started
The single best step you can take is to visit your local veterans post and speak with a Veterans Service Officer. These trained professionals can review your service record, identify benefits you may be eligible for, and help you through the application process. Every American Legion and VFW post has access to service officers, and their help is always free. Use our directory to find a post near you and start claiming what you have earned.