VA.gov | Veterans Affairs (2024)

If you are a member of the armed forces serving on either active duty or full-time National Guard duty, you should apply through the VAPre-discharge claim program before leaving service.

The best way to file for Veteran Readiness and Employment services is to apply online at va.gov/careers-employment. To submit a paper application, download and complete a VA Form 28-1900, "Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation" and mail it to your local regional office. You may also go to your local regional office and turn in your application for processing.

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The best way to file for disability compensation is to apply online at www.va.gov/disability.

You can also go to yourlocal regional officeand turn in your application for processing.

For more information, visit the VA Compensation website.

If you’re the surviving spouse or child of a service member who died while on active duty, your military casualty assistance officer will help you to complete an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child (VA Form 21P-534a). The officer will help you mail the form to the correct VA regional office.
Download VA Form 21P-534a (PDF)

If you’re the surviving spouse or child of a Veteran, fill out an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (VA Form 21P-534EZ).
Download VA Form 21P-534EZ (PDF)

If you’re a surviving parent, fill out an Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by Parent(s) (VA Form 21P-535).
Download VA Form 21P-535 (PDF)

You can apply for this benefit in any of these ways:

• Mail the form to the Pension Management Center (PMC) for your state.
  Find your PMC
• Work with an accredited representative.
  Get help filing your claim
• Go to a VA regional office and get help from a VA employee.
  Find a VA regional office near you

For more information, visit the VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC).

You can apply for pension benefits online at www.va.gov/pension.

To submit a paper application Pension benefits, download and complete VA Form 21P-527EZ, "Application for Pension" and mail it to the Pension Management Center that serves your state.

For more information, visitwww.va.gov/pension/eligibility.

By mail

Fill out an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (VA Form 21-534EZ).
Download VA Form 21-534EZ (PDF)

Mail it to the pension management center (PMC) for your state.
Find your PMC

In person

Bring your application to a VA regional office near you.
Find a VA regional office near you

With the help of a trained professional

You can work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to get help applying for VA survivors pension benefits.
Get help filing your claim

For more information, visitwww.va.gov/pension/survivors-pension.

The best way to apply for your education benefits is by going to www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/.

You can also apply for education benefits by doing any of the following options:

By mail

Call 888-442-4551, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, to request that we send the application to you. Fill it out and mail it to the VA regional claims processing office that’s in the same location as your school.
See a list of regional claims processing offices

In person

Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee help you.
Find a VA regional office near you

Work with your school’s certifying official. This person is usually in the Registrar or Financial Aid office at the school.

With the help of a trained professional

You can work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to get help applying for education benefits.
Get help filing your claim

For more information education benefits, visitwww.va.gov/education/.

You can apply for a home loan certificate of eligibility online using eBenefits.You may also apply for a home loan certificate of eligibility through your lender.

To apply by mail, download and completeVA Form 26-1880, "Request for Certificate of Eligibility" and send it to theRegional Loan Center that serves your state.

For more information on home loan benefits, visit theVA Home Loans website.

For information about home loan benefits for survivors,visit theVA Certificate of Eligibility web page.

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI): SGLI coverage is automatic. You do not need to apply. To designate beneficiaries, or reduce, decline or restore SGLI coverage, you must use either the SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES) or form SGLV 8286, "Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Election and Certificate.

To find out whether you should use SOES or to download the form visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/INSURANCE/resources-forms.asp#sgli.

For more information, visit the VA Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance web page.

Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI): To file for VGLI,you can applyonline at eBenefits.You may also download and completeSGLV 8714, "Application for Veterans' Group Life Insurance".

Mail your application to this address:

OSGLI
PO Box 41618
Philadelphia, PA 19176-9913

For more information, visit the VA Veterans’ Group Life Insurance web page.

Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI): To decline, reduce, or restore FSGLI coverage, complete and file formSGLV 8286A, "Spouse Coverage Election and Certificate" with your branch of service.

To find out whether you should use SOES or to download the form visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/INSURANCE/resources-forms.asp#fsgli.

For more information, visit the VA Family Servicemembers’ Life Group Insurance web page.

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Program (TSGLI): To file a claim for TSGLI, complete and fileSGLV 8600, "Application for TSGLI Benefits" with your branch of service. Coverage for this benefit is automatic for all Servicemembers covered by SGLI.

For more information, visit theServicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Program web page.

For more information, visit the VA Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance web page.