Benefits you may be missing
Plain answers and the official place to go for the things people often miss when they leave the service.
Pick a topic. Each one opens to a short answer and the official place to go next.
Free help with a VA claimDo not pay to file
Accredited representatives can help you file a VA disability claim. Veterans service organizations (VSOs) do it for free. Use VA’s search to find one near you.
If you are still on active duty, ask your transition office about filing 180 to 90 days before you leave through Benefits Delivery at Discharge. File an Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) early to protect your start date.
Watch for scams. Be careful with any company that promises a higher rating for a fee. Federal rules limit what anyone can charge for help with an initial claim.
Toxic exposure and the PACT ActBurn pits and more
The PACT Act expanded VA benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins. More conditions are now presumed to be service connected, which can make a claim easier. Many veterans have not checked.
VA offers a toxic exposure screening to veterans enrolled in VA health care. If you served overseas, it is worth checking.
Wills, powers of attorney and beneficiariesDo it before you leave
Before your date, make sure you have a will, a power of attorney and a health care directive, and that your beneficiaries are current on your life insurance, TSP and bank accounts.
Installation legal assistance offices often help service members with wills and powers of attorney at no cost. Rules for retirees vary by location, so ask.
If you are leaving without retired pay, look at converting SGLI to VGLI. If you retire, review your Survivor Benefit Plan choice.
Burial and military funeral honorsPlan ahead for your family
Veterans and many family members can be buried in a VA national cemetery at no cost, and veterans can receive a headstone and military funeral honors. Telling your family where your DD-214 is kept saves them stress.
Retiree privileges and discountsCommissary, exchange, Space-A
Retirees can use the commissary and exchange. Many veterans can shop the exchange online. Retirees can usually fly Space-A on military aircraft when seats are open. What you can use depends on your status, so check before you count on it.
A VA ID card or Veteran ID Card can unlock discounts at many stores.
Long-term careLater in life
Medicare pays for very little long-term care, such as help with daily living. VA offers some long-term care services depending on your eligibility and priority group. It is easier to look into this early than in a crisis.
Something missing?
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