Welcome to Veterans Benefits Hub!

We’re glad you found us. Today, we’re highlighting five outstanding, highly valuable VA benefits that can make a significant difference for you and your family. These benefits often get overlooked as we focus on the more prominent programs, so let’s take a moment to explore them in detail.

1. VA Disability Compensation

VA disability compensation is a critical benefit for many veterans, yet 70% of veterans are not connected to it. This program provides financial support for service-related conditions that are chronic in nature. These conditions don’t need to be life-altering disabilities; they can range from migraines and arthritis to diabetes and motor tics.

To qualify, you typically need three things:

• Service time that establishes the eligibility window.
• A diagnosed condition that is chronic.
• A nexus letter linking the condition to your service.

For certain presumptive conditions, you don’t even need to prove the nexus if your service in specific locations aligns with the condition. Accredited representatives can help guide you through this process and ensure you explore all available options.

2. VA Healthcare

VA healthcare is one of the most undervalued benefits available to veterans. Accessing VA healthcare provides substantial financial savings over time, covering essential medical needs and even major surgeries.

The benefits are tiered, and as you progress through the disability rating schedule, costs can decrease significantly or even become free. Over a lifetime, this benefit can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, making it an essential resource for disabled veterans.

3. Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

VR&E is designed to help veterans with service-connected disabilities find suitable employment or achieve independent living. There are five distinct tracks in the program:

• Re-employment
• Rapid Access to Employment
• Self-Employment
• Employment Through Long-Term Services
• Independent Living

Depending on your circumstances, VR&E can provide career counseling, training, and financial support through a subsistence allowance. Veterans with even a 10% disability rating may qualify if their condition impacts their ability to work in their chosen field.

4. Chapter 35 Benefits

Chapter 35 is a valuable benefit for dependents of veterans who are 100% permanently and totally disabled. Eligible dependents, such as spouses or children, can receive a monthly stipend for education-related expenses.

The stipend varies based on enrollment status:

• Full-time: $1,536 per month
• ¾-time: $1,214 per month
• Half-time: $890 per month

While this doesn’t cover tuition directly, it can offset significant costs, especially for dependents attending affordable institutions like community colleges.

5. CHAMPVA Health Insurance

CHAMPVA is another incredible benefit for spouses and dependents of 100% permanently and totally disabled veterans. This health insurance program offers comprehensive coverage, including:

• Outpatient and inpatient services
• Mental health care
• Family planning and maternity care
• Prescription drugs

If no other insurance is available, CHAMPVA can serve as the primary coverage. If other insurance is present, it acts as secondary coverage, sharing costs for eligible medical needs.

In Summary

These five benefits—VA Disability Compensation, VA Healthcare, VR&E, Chapter 35, and CHAMPVA—are powerful tools to support veterans and their families. If you’re eligible, take the time to explore these programs and connect with resources to guide you through the application process.

At Veterans Benefits Hub, we’re here to ensure you don’t miss out on the support you’ve earned. Remember, when we take care of each other, we thrive together.

Let us know if you’d like further adjustments or additions!

Here are some more active active resource linksthat provide valuable information on the topics discussed:

HadIt.com Veterans Forum
An active community where veterans discuss VA disability compensation, share experiences, and provide support.

VA Claims Insider Blog
Offers insights and guidance on navigating VA disability claims and maximizing benefits.

Hill & Ponton Veterans Disability Blog
Provides articles on VA disability benefits, legal advice, and updates on veterans’ issues.

Veterans Law Blog
Focuses on educating veterans about VA benefits, disability compensation, and legal rights.

Military Disability Made Easy
Simplifies the VA disability process with comprehensive guides and resources.

These resources can offer additional insights and community support on VA benefits and related topics.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a wide range of benefits designed to support elderly veterans, many of whom may not be fully aware of the valuable assistance available. Veterans who served during wartime, are 65 years or older, or have significant disabilities could qualify for various forms of financial and healthcare support. This article explores several key benefits for elderly veterans, including the Aid and Attendance program, geriatric care, long-term care, and other home-based services.

Who Qualifies?

Veterans aged 65 and older, especially those who served during periods of conflict, such as World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War, may be eligible for these special benefits. These programs are designed to help address the changing health, financial, and support needs of elderly veterans as they age.

Key VA Benefits for Elderly Veterans

The VA offers several important programs tailored specifically for elderly veterans:

1. Aid and Attendance (A&A) Program

The Aid and Attendance (A&A) program provides additional financial assistance to veterans who need help with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing, or eating. This benefit is available to veterans who already qualify for a VA pension and meet specific criteria regarding their health needs.

2. Housebound Benefits

Housebound benefits offer increased monthly payments to veterans who are largely confined to their homes due to a disability. Like the A&A program, these benefits are only available to veterans who qualify for a VA pension.

VA Healthcare for Elderly Veterans

The VA also provides geriatric healthcare tailored to meet the complex needs of elderly veterans. This care can be offered in a variety of settings:

• In-home care: Veterans can receive assistance and healthcare in the comfort of their own homes.
• Community care: For those who prefer, or require, care in a community setting, the VA offers access to services through local healthcare providers.
• VA care centers: Some veterans may prefer to receive their care directly from a VA medical facility.

For more information about VA healthcare programs and geriatric services, visit the VA’s Geriatrics and Extended Care page.

Long-Term Care Options

Veterans who require long-term assistance may also be eligible for VA-sponsored extended care. This includes services for veterans of all ages who need daily support, whether at home, in a VA facility, or through community providers. Long-term care options include:

• Skilled nursing care
• Assisted living services
• Respite care for caregivers

More details about the VA’s long-term care programs can be found here.

Home-Based and Community Services

For veterans who wish to remain at home but still require regular support, the VA offers a variety of Home-Based and Community Services, including:

• Home Health Aide Care: Provides personal care services.
• Homemaker and Home Health Aide Programs: Support veterans with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation.
• Skilled Home Care: Offers professional healthcare services for veterans needing regular medical attention.

Learn more about these home-based services and how to access them on the VA’s Home and Community-Based Services page.

How to Apply for These Benefits

Veterans and their families can apply for elderly benefits in several ways:

1. Apply Online: Visit the VA’s online application portal to begin the application process.
2. Work with an Accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO): Accredited VSOs can assist veterans in applying for their benefits. A directory of these officers is available here.
3. File in Person: Veterans can also apply in person by visiting a VA regional office. To find the nearest regional office, visit the VA’s facility locator.
4. Submit a Paper Application: Fill out VA Form 21-526EZ for electronic filing, which can be downloaded here.

Veterans can also mail their applications to the following address:

Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444

Next Steps

After learning about the benefits available for elderly veterans, it’s essential to take action. Review the links provided to explore the various programs and determine which ones are most applicable. Don’t hesitate to seek assistance from a VSO or the VA directly if you have any questions. The process can sometimes feel overwhelming, but there are many resources available to ensure veterans receive the support and benefits they deserve.

For further information on VA benefits for elderly veterans, check out the Veterans Affairs Elderly Veterans page.

This guide has covered important VA benefits for elderly veterans, including the Aid and Attendance program, geriatric and long-term care, and home-based services. Understanding these options and knowing how to apply ensures veterans can access the support they need during their golden years.

FACT SHEET: President Biden to Announce 1 Million PACT Act Claims Approved, Benefits Delivered to Veterans in all 50 States and U.S. Territories

President Biden signed the landmark bipartisan Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act into law in August 2022, enacting the most significant expansion of benefits and services for toxic exposed veterans in more than 30 years.  Named in honor of Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson, a decorated combat medic who died from a rare form of lung cancer, this historic legislation is delivering timely benefits and services to veterans—across all generations—who have been impacted by toxic exposures while serving our country.

Thanks to this transformational law, the President will announce that more than 1 million PACT Act related claims have now been granted.  More than 888,000 veterans and survivors across all 50 states and U.S. territories are now receiving new service-connected disability benefits.
 
President Biden believes that our nation has a sacred obligation to properly prepare and equip the troops we send into harm’s way – and to care for them and their families when they return home. Sometimes military service can result in increased health risks for our veterans, and some injuries and illnesses like asthma, cancer, and others can take years to manifest. These realities can make it difficult for veterans to establish a direct connection between their service and disabilities resulting from military environmental exposures such as burn pits – a necessary step to ensure they receive the disability benefits and health care they earned. The PACT Act eliminated these barriers and ensures veterans get the care and services they deserve.

President Biden has made clear that supporting our veterans is a commitment that unites all Americans – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents — and it’s why he made supporting our veterans a core element of his Unity Agenda. Under President Biden’s leadership, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has processed claims at the fastest rate in history, and is delivering health care to more veterans than ever before. Today, to mark a key milestone in this effort, the President will join veterans and their families at the Westwood Park YMCA in Nashua, New Hampshire to discuss how the historic PACT Act has delivered lifesaving health care and benefits to more than 888,000 veterans and survivors.

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration will also release new national and state-by-state data on PACT Act claims granted. 
 
The Administration has helped veterans in every state and territory receive the services and care they deserve by:

• Screening veterans for toxic exposures: More than 5.4 million veterans have received free screenings for toxic exposures from VA under the PACT Act – a critical step to catching and treating potentially life-threatening health conditions as early as possible.
• Delivering benefits to veterans and their survivors: Since enactment, VA has delivered more than $5.7 billion in earned PACT Act-related benefits to veterans and their survivors. VA is delivering these benefits to veterans at the fastest rate in history, processing 1.57 million total claims thus far in this fiscal year – 28% more year-to-date than the previous all-time record. In total, VA has processed 1,327,228 PACT Act claims since August 10, 2022.
• Prioritizing veterans with cancer: As a part of President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot, VA has prioritized claims processing for veterans with cancer – delivering nearly $637 million in PACT Act benefits to veterans with cancer. VA also prioritizes claims for veterans with terminal illnesses and veterans experiencing homelessness.
• Spreading the word to veterans and their survivors: Thanks to the PACT Act outreach campaign, veterans and survivors are applying for their earned benefits at record rates. Since August 2022, veterans and survivors have submitted 4.17 million total claims. This includes 1,655,810 PACT Act-specific claims applications.
• Increasing VA’s capacity to serve veterans: Thanks to new PACT Act authorities, VA has been able to expand its workforce in order to serve veterans as quickly and effectively as possible. In total, both the Veterans Health Administration and the Veterans Benefits administration have achieved their highest growth rates in 20 years.
• Eliminating benefits delays for veterans: Instead of phasing in conditions over several years (as outlined in the legislation), the Biden-Harris Administration decided to make all conditions in the PACT Act presumptive for benefits as of August 10, 2022, the day the bill was signed into law. This decision expedited the timeline for veterans to receive their earned care and benefits by several years.
• Accelerating health care eligibility for veterans: As of March 2024, VA opened up eligibility for toxic exposed veterans to enroll in VA Health Care without first having to prove a service-connected disability and regardless of their deployment location, nearly ten years earlier than called for in the PACT Act. Thanks to new PACT Act eligibility, more than 145,000 veterans have newly enrolled in VA Health Care since August 10, 2022.

These historic efforts to address military toxic exposures build on the Biden-Harris Administration’s recent work to support our nation’s veterans, including:

• Ending veteran homelessness. No one should be homeless in this country, especially not those who served it. That’s why President Biden is proposing a guaranteed voucher for extremely low-income veterans, a population at especially high risk of homelessness. Last year, VA found permanent housing for over 46,000 veterans, expanded access to health care for homeless Veterans, expanded access to legal assistance for homeless Veterans, helped more than 145,000 Veterans and their families retain their homes or otherwise avoid foreclosure, and awarded more than $1 billion in grant funding to help homeless Veterans. These efforts are leading to results: from 2020 to 2023, there was a nearly 5 percent decline in veteran homelessness. And, tomorrow, Dallas will announce that it has effectively ended veteran homelessness.
• Securing jobs for our veterans. Roughly 200,000 service members transition from the military each year and the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to providing them and their spouses the support they need to find good paying jobs. This includes helping connect veterans to registered apprentice programs, so they can transfer the skills they learned in the military.
• Removing barriers to mental health care. Next week, VA will take action to remove all cost-sharing for the first three behavioral health visits for veterans enrolled in VA health care, helping to ensure that all those in need can get the care they need. This action builds on VA’s new policy allowing eligible veterans and certain former service members in acute suicidal crisis to go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for no-cost emergency health care – over 50,000 veterans and service members have used this benefit since it launched in 2023. VA is doing everything it can, including expanding mental health screenings, increasing access to legal and financial support, and hiring more mental health professionals, to help veterans get the help they need. For veterans and family members who may be experiencing a crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 by dialing 988 and then pressing 1.
• Supporting veterans and caregivers. Last year, President Biden signed an Executive Order directing the VA to cut red tape and give veterans who need assistance at home more flexibility to pick their own caregivers. As part of those actions, VA also launched a pilot program, known as the Virtual Psychotherapy Program for Caregivers, to provide mental health counseling services to family caregivers caring for our nation’s heroes. The program successfully completed its pilot phase and is now a permanent program. Since October 2023, the program has provided over 4,937 psychotherapy sessions to family caregivers. And, last year, President Biden signed an Executive Order calling for the most comprehensive set of administrative actions in our nation’s history to support the economic security of military and veteran spouses, caregivers, and survivors.

If you are a veteran, visit www.va.gov/PACT or go to your local VA hospital to see if you are eligible for PACT Act benefits and services.

For a state-by-state breakdown of PACT Act data, click here.

The Veterans Pension program provides monthly payments to wartime Veterans who meet specific age or disability criteria and have income and net worth within certain limits. Learn more about your eligibility for this benefit.

Veterans Benefits Hub is committed to keeping you informed on the latest benefits for veterans with a 100% disability rating.

If you’re a veteran receiving 100% disability from the Department of Veterans Affairs, you might be wondering what benefits are available to you. There are 14 key benefits, with only two requiring special considerations. Let’s start with the first and most well-known benefit: compensation. A veteran rated at 100% can receive over $3,700 per month, tax-free, with no restrictions on how that money can be used.

Benefit number two is additional compensation for eligible dependents, which can be significant. For example, as of this video’s production, a veteran alone receives $3,737.85, while a veteran who is married with one child receives $4,098.87. The third benefit is no-cost health care and prescription medications, covering everything from hearing aids to hospital beds.

If you’re not yet enrolled, details on how to do so are in the video description below. Benefit number four is a travel allowance for scheduled medical appointments. Whether you drive, take a taxi, bus, or train, the VA can help cover those costs, and more details are provided below. Benefit number five is also substantial: no-cost dental care, covering everything from cleanings to dentures.

Benefit number six is a waiver of the U.S. VA funding fee for a U.S. VA home loan. If you’ve ever purchased a home, you know how expensive the upfront costs can be, but this benefit significantly reduces that financial burden. Benefits seven and eight relate to U.S. employment. You’ll receive a 10-point preference when applying for United States federal jobs, and many U.S. states offer the same. You may even be eligible for direct hire, meaning you don’t have to compete for the job. However, hiring authorities are not required to use this option, so it’s worth asking the HR department.

If you’re retired from the military, benefit number nine allows you to receive your full military retirement pay alongside your VA disability without any offset. Benefit number ten is a burial and plot allowance, and you can even get pre-need authorization. It’s not a pleasant topic, but planning ahead can ease the burden on your

Benefit number eleven is a uniformed services ID card, and one of my personal favorites, benefit number twelve, is the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program. This program helps veterans start a new career with education, training, and more, including tuition, supplies, housing, and personalized counseling. If your current job is aggravating or worsening a service-connected disability, VR&E can help you find a more suitable position to improve your quality of life.

The final two benefits are specific to veterans with a 100% permanent disability. Benefit number thirteen is Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35), which helps your dependents pay for school or job training. Benefit number fourteen is CHAMPVA, a comprehensive health care program where the VA shares the cost of health care services and supplies.

So, there you have it—14 benefits that veterans rated at 100% disability are eligible for. Thanks for tuning in. If you haven’t already, be sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss any future episodes of the VETERANS DISABILITY HUB. Our mission is to help you connect with the benefits you’ve earned, and we’re offering more resources than ever to do just that.