Federal Veteran Benefits

Disability Compensation — Tax-free monthly payments to Veterans with injuries or illnesses incurred or aggravated during active service, based on the VA disability rating. How to apply: va.gov/disability, or your ADVA Service Officer. VA benefits line 1-800-827-1000.

VA Pension — Needs-based, tax-free monthly benefit for wartime Veterans with limited income who are age 65+ or permanently and totally disabled, including Aid and Attendance. How to apply: va.gov/pension, or your ADVA Service Officer.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) — Tax-free monthly benefit for eligible surviving spouses, children, and parents of service members who died in the line of duty or from a service-connected condition. How to apply: va.gov (search “DIC”), or your ADVA Service Officer.

VA Health Care — Comprehensive medical care through the VA, including the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System and outpatient clinics statewide. How to apply: va.gov/health-care, or call 1-877-222-8387.

Post-9/11 GI Bill — Tuition and fees, a housing allowance, and a books stipend for Veterans who served on or after September 11, 2001, sometimes transferable to a spouse or children. How to apply: va.gov/education, or call 1-888-442-4551.

Montgomery GI Bill — Monthly education benefits for eligible Veterans and active service members who paid into the program. How to apply: va.gov/education, or call 1-888-442-4551.

Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) — Education and training benefits for the spouse and children of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled, or who died in service or from a service-connected cause. How to apply: va.gov/education, or your ADVA Service Officer.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31) — Job training, counseling, and education for Veterans with service-connected disabilities that affect their ability to work. How to apply: va.gov/careers-employment, or your ADVA Service Officer.

VA Home Loan Guaranty — VA-backed home loans with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance for eligible Veterans, service members, and certain surviving spouses. How to apply: va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans, or your ADVA Service Officer.

VA Life Insurance — Programs including SGLI, VGLI, FSGLI, TSGLI, Service-Disabled Veterans' Life Insurance (S-DVI), and Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI). How to apply: va.gov/life-insurance, or call 1-800-669-8477

National Cemetery Burial — Burial in a VA national cemetery (three in Arkansas), including the grave, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and perpetual care. How to apply: va.gov/burials-memorials; schedule a burial at 1-800-535-1117.

Burial Allowance & Military Funeral Honors — Possible allowances toward burial and funeral costs, plus military funeral honors. How to apply: Allowances: va.gov/burials-memorials. Honors: Arkansas National Guard, 866-280-7542 or 501-212-6031.

Federal Veterans' Hiring Preference — 5- or 10-point preference for eligible Veterans in federal civil service hiring and retention. How to apply: Learn more at fedshirevets.gov; apply for federal jobs at usajobs.gov.

USERRA Reemployment Rights — Protects the civilian job, seniority, and benefits of Veterans and Guard/Reserve members who leave work for military service. How to apply: U.S. DOL Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), 1-866-487-2365, dol.gov/agencies/vets.