Due to the risky nature and environment the veterans and members in service are in, they may not be able to get insurance from private companies. Hence, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has taken it upon themselves to provide insurance benefits for the men and women who have risked and are continually risking their lives for the country.

The Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is a low-cost, low-term insurance for members of the service and reservists. Coverage begins as soon as an individual enters the service, expiring 120 days after leaving the service and with a covered amount of up to $400,000. The Traumatic SGLI is automatically included, which provides for payments of up to $100,000 for insured individuals who lose their limbs or incur other serious injuries.

The Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is a renewable term life insurance that is made available for veterans who want to convert their SGLI coverage up to a certain amount, as long as it is less than the individual’s coverage prior to leaving the service. Application must be made within a year and 120 days from separation. To know more about converting an SGLI policy to a VGLI, click on this link.

Another option for veterans is the RH Insurance, or the Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance, which allows service-connected veterans to be covered for up to $10,000. A supplemental policy of $20,000 may be included if totally disabled. The RH must be applied within two years of being rated by the VA.

For more information on Life Insurance, visit this link.

Service-disabled veterans may be eligible for one of the life insurance programs offered by the VA. If you were awarded a VA rating for a new service connected disability, you may be eligible for the Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI). If you received a VA specially-adapted housing grant, you may be eligible for the Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI). If you were recently separated from service with an SGLI coverage, you may be eligible for the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Disability Extension or the Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI). If you were seriously injured in service after October 7, 2001, you may be eligible for immediate payment under the Traumatic SGLI (TSGLI) Program.

There is also a one-stop Federal website, DisabilityInfo.gov, which offers individuals with disabilities, including veterans and military personnel, access to information and resources that will help them live full and independent lives. For information on prosthetics, medical devices and sensory aids, visit this link.

For more information on disability payment rates and other information on disability factors, a fact sheet is made available here.

For veterans who are suffering from service-connected disabilities, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs makes sure to provide assistance to them, so that they can maintain suitable employment after being of service. For those who are deemed seriously injured, however, the VA offers other services to ensure that they will still be able to live independently.

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program has been authorized by the U.S. Congress under Title 38, Federal Code of Regulations, Chapter 31. Also being referred to as the Chapter 31 Program, services may include comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation, vocational counseling, rehabilitation planning, employment services, job search assistance, trainings, supportive rehabilitation services and independent living services.

Since the early 1990’s, the VA has partnered with the Department of Defense to address the needs of disabled service members. Other major national partners include the Veterans Health Administration – Hospitals, Clinics, Vet Centers, Veterans Industries, the Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS), the National Veterans Employment Program, the Department of Defense Transition Assistance and Disabled Transition Assistance Programs (DTAP).

The VA offers five options: Reemployment, Rapid Access to Employment, Self-Employment, Employment through Long Term Services, and Independent Living. Assistance by the VA can be in the form of job search, vocational evaluation, career exploration, vocational training, educational training, and supportive rehabilitation services. Usually, veterans are given 12 years from the time the VA informs them that they have a 10% rating for a service-connected disability or from their date of separation from active military service, whichever comes later, so it is important to avail of these benefits immediately so that qualified individuals can be back on their feet, so to speak.

For more information on the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program, visit their website at www.va.gov. For online resources on the VR&E Program, click on this link.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will pay a monthly compensation to individuals who are at least 10% disabled as a result of being in military service. In terms of pension, a wartime veteran with limited income, at least 65 years old or has become permanently and totally disabled will also receive is eligible for monthly pension from the VA.

The VA Disability Compensation is a benefit offered to veterans who have suffered injuries of acquired diseases while on active duty, or whose conditions were made worse by being in the service. Even if you were discharged from the service, as long as it’s under any condition other than a dishonorable discharge, you become eligible for this particular VA benefit.

The amount paid by the VA depends on the degree of disability. It is possible that additional payments are made if you have very severe disabilities or loss of limb/s, you have a spouse, child/ren, or dependent parent/s, or you have a seriously disabled spouse. You can also check the Compensation Rate Tables for specific percentages of disability and the corresponding rates.

For more information on Compensation Benefits, visit this link. You may also call the VA via their toll-free number, 1-800-827-1000.

Having a loved one in service is already difficult for most families, but having to deal with their sometimes imminent death could be more than what they can handle. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs takes care of the veterans’ dependents and survivors by providing them with certain benefits.

Most benefits are the same regardless of whether the member in service or veteran died while in active service or during civilian life. However, to know more about the specifics, dependents and survivors can click on the Death in Service link or the Death After Service link.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is payable to certain survivors of service members who died on active duty, veterans who died from service-related disabilities and certain veterans who were being paid 100% Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation at the time of death.

Other benefits include Death Pension, which is payable to some surviving spouses and children of deceased wartime veterans, depending on the family’s financial need; Parents’ DIC, which is payable to some surviving parents, based on financial need; the CHAMPVA or the VA Civilian Health and Medical Program, which shares in the medical expenses of eligible dependents and survivors; Education and Training, for some eligible family members of disabled or deceased veterans; Home Loans, for certain surviving spouses; and Time Limits, or the duration in which the application for certain benefits remains applicable.

For more information on Survivor Benefits, visit this link.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs allows eligible veterans, reserve and active duty members to undergo approved education and training programs, depending on the type of military service.

There are different programs made available, such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, the Reserve Educational Assistance Program, and the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program.

The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing. Approved training under this program includes undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as vocational or technical training.

The Montgomery GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits, which can be used for degrees, certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship and correspondence courses.

The Reserved Educational Assistance Program provides for educational benefits for members of the Reserve who are called into active duty.

The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program offers up to 45 months of educational benefits to eligible dependents of veterans who died on active duty or those who have been permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition.

In order for eligible veterans to claim their education and training benefits, they must apply within 10 years upon being released from active duty; for the Reserve and National Guard members, they have until 14 years from the date of their eligibility, unless they leave before completing their obligation.

For more information on VA Education & Training Benefits, click on this link.

The matter of death and dying is still taboo for some people, but for those who are in service, especially those who risk their lives, it is important for them and their family to understand the benefits that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have for them in terms of death and burial.

In honor of the Nation’s deceased veterans, the Veterans Affairs (VA) offers headstones and markers as a monument to mark the grave of an eligible veteran. A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC), which is a gold-embossed certification with the veterans name and bearing the signature of the current U.S. President, can also be provided by the VA for those eligible. An American flag can also be provided for the burial, to be draped above the eligible veteran’s casket. Most veterans and some dependents can be buried in a VA National Cemetery.

To help somehow financially help relieve the family, the VA generally pays a burial allowance of $2,000 for veterans who passed away from service-related causes. For other veterans, the VA can pay $300 for the burial and funeral expenses and another $300 for the burial plot. There is no time limit for the family to claim reimbursement for a service-related death. Otherwise, there stands a two-year time limit for claiming funeral- and burial-related expenses.

For more information on Burial Benefits, visit their website at www.cem.va.gov.

Because of the nature of their work, individuals in service are offered certain benefits by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. These benefits include hospital, outpatient medical, pharmacy and prosthetic services; domiciliary, nursing home and community-based residential care; specialized health care for women veterans; health and rehabilitation programs; alcohol and drug dependency treatment programs; and medical evaluation for those who served in the Gulf War, who were exposed to Agent Orange, radiation and other environmental hazards.

Combat veterans, or those who served in a theater of combat operations from November 11, 1998, are also provided of free health care, with five years to enroll, from the date of discharge from active duty.

For a complete list of medical benefits available for veterans, click on this link. For more information on health care and other medical benefits, click on this link. For concerns on Benefits, you may also call 1-800-827-1000. For Health Care, you may call 1-877-222-8387 (VETS).

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a wide range of benefits to eligible individuals. To qualify, one must first be either of the following: a veteran, a veteran’s dependent, a surviving spouse, child or parent of a deceased veteran, an active duty military service member, or a member of the Reserve or National Guard.

To know more about VA Health Care Eligibility and Enrollment, read up on this section by clicking on this link. Eligibility for other benefits, such as Compensation and Pension, Education, Home Loans, Life Insurance, Vocational Rehabilitation, Pharmacy Benefits, CHAMPVA or Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Burial Benefits, visit their respective sections here.

For more information on VA Benefits and Eligibility, visit www.va.gov or call their toll-free number, 1-800-827-1000.

Getting in touch with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can be done through several avenues, depending on what’s most convenient for you.

If you want to acquire information on VA benefits or have any related queries, you may visit the nearest regional office or call their toll-free number, 1-800-827-1000. For a listing of the VA offices, you may click on this link to search for the office nearest you. You can also send a letter to the Veterans Benefits Administration by sending your mail to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420.

Other toll-free numbers include the Health Care department (1-877-222-8387), Education & Training (1-888-442-4551), VA Life Insurance (1-800-669-8477), Office of the SGLI (1-800-419-1473), CHAMPVA or the VA Civilian Health and Medical Program (1-800-733-8387), Helpline or Agent Orange & Gulf War (1-800-749-8387), Direct Deposit (1-877-838-2778), Headstones Regarding Status of Claims (1-800-697-6947), and Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (1-800-829-4833).

If you want to get detailed information on the benefits and services of the VA, just log on to the Internet and visit their website at www.va.gov. You can apply online for compensation, pension, health care, education, or vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits, by clicking on the Apply Online link. You can also contact the Department by clicking on this link.