Applying for Benefits

There are numerous ways to apply for VA benefits depending on the type of benefit you are seeking. We encourage you to work with an accredited representative who can assist you with the claims process. You can find and appoint or manage your accredited representative in eBenefits.

Benefits	How To Apply
Before Leaving Military Service – Pre-Discharge Program for Servicemembers	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 VA Pre-Discharge Program before leaving service.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits for Servicemembers and Veterans	The best way to file for vocational rehabilitation and employment services is to apply online at eBenefits. 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. Visit the VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment website.
Disability Compensation Benefits for Veterans	The best way to file for disability compensation is to apply online at eBenefits. To submit a paper application, download and complete VA Form 21-526EZ, "Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits" and mail the application to: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center PO Box 4444 Janesville, WI 53547-4444 Or, you can fax it to: (844) 531-7818 (inside the U.S.) (248) 524-4260 (outside the U.S.) You can also go to your local regional office and turn in your application for processing. Visit the VA Compensation website for more information about compensation benefits.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Benefits for Survivors and Dependents	You need to download and complete a VA Form 21P-534EZ, "Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits" and mail it to: Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center PO Box 4444 Janesville, WI 53547-4444 Or, you can fax it to: (844) 531-7818 (inside the United States) (248) 524-4260 (outside the United States) You may also go to your local regional office and turn in your application for processing. If the death was in service, the Military Casualty Assistance Officer will assist with completing a VA Form 21P-534a, "Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Death Pension and Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child" and in mailing the application to the Philadelphia Regional Office. Visit the VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation page for more information on compensation benefits for survivors and dependents.
Pension Benefits for Veterans	You can apply for pension benefits online at Vets.gov. 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. Visit the VA Veterans Pension website for more information about Pension benefits.
Pension Benefits for Survivors	You can download and complete VA Form 21P-534EZ, "Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits" and mail it to the Pension Management Center that serves your state. You may also visit your local regional office and turn in your application for processing. Visit the VA Survivors Pension website for information about benefits for survivors.
Education Benefits for Veterans	The best way to apply for your education benefits is online at Vets.gov. You can also apply for education benefits by doing any of the following options: Visit your nearest VA regional office to apply in person. Consult with the VA Certifying Official—who is usually in the Registrar’s or Financial Aid office—at the school of your choice. This official has application forms and can help you apply. Call 1-888-GI BILL-1 (888-442-4551) to have the application mailed to you. Visit the VA Education and Training website for more information education benefits.
Home Loan Benefits for Servicemembers and Veterans	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 complete VA Form 26-1880, "Request for Certificate of Eligibility" and send it to the Regional Loan Center that serves your state. Visit the VA Home Loans website for information about home loan benefits.
Home Loan Benefits for Survivors	Download and complete VA Form 26-1817, "Request for Determination of Loan Guaranty Eligibility - Unmarried Surviving Spouses. You can also call 1-877-827-3702 and follow the prompts for "Eligibility" and we will send the form to you. Mail your completed application to the Regional Loan Center that serves your state. Visit the VA Certificate of Eligibility web page for information about home loan benefits for survivors.
Life Insurance Benefits for Servicemembers, Veterans, and Survivors	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. Visit the VA Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance web page for more information on Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.
Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI): To file for VGLI, you can apply online at eBenefits. You may also download and complete SGLV 8714, "Application for Veterans' Group Life Insurance". Mail your application to this address: OSGLI PO Box 41618 Philadelphia, PA 19176-9913 Visit the VA Veterans’ Group Life Insurance web page for more information on Veterans’ Group Life Insurance.
Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI): To decline, reduce, or restore FSGLI coverage, complete and file form SGLV 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. Visit the VA Family Servicemembers’ Life Group Insurance web page for more information on Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance.
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Program (TSGLI): To file a claim for TSGLI, complete and file SGLV 8600, "Application for TSGLI Benefits" with your branch of service. Coverage for this benefit is automatic for all Servicemembers covered by SGLI. Visit the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Program web page for more information on the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Program.
Service-Disabled Veterans' Insurance (S-DVI): To file for S-DVI, apply online using the online access web page or complete VA Form 29-4364, "Application for Service-Disabled Veterans' Insurance." Mail your application to this address: Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office and Insurance Center (RH) P.O. Box 7208 Philadelphia, PA 19101 Visit the VA Service-Disabled Veterans' Insurance web page for more information on Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance.
Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI): To file for VMLI, complete and submit VA Form 29-8636, "Application for Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance" to your Specially Adapted Housing Agent. The agent will help you complete your application. Also, you must provide information about your current mortgage. Visit the VA Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance web page for more information on Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance.

Benefits

How To Apply

Before Leaving Military Service – Pre-Discharge Program for Servicemembers

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 VA Pre-Discharge Program before leaving service.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits for Servicemembers and Veterans

The best way to file for vocational rehabilitation and employment services is to apply online at eBenefits. 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.

Visit the VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment website.

Disability Compensation Benefits for Veterans

The best way to file for disability compensation is to apply online at eBenefits.

To submit a paper application, download and complete VA Form 21-526EZ, "Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits" and mail the application to:

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

Or, you can fax it to:
(844) 531-7818 (inside the U.S.)
(248) 524-4260 (outside the U.S.)

You can also go to your local regional office and turn in your application for processing.

Visit the VA Compensation website for more information about compensation benefits.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Benefits for Survivors and Dependents

You need to download and complete a VA Form 21P-534EZ, "Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits" and mail it to:

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

Or, you can fax it to:
(844) 531-7818 (inside the United States)
(248) 524-4260 (outside the United States)

You may also go to your local regional office and turn in your application for processing.

If the death was in service, the Military Casualty Assistance Officer will assist with completing a VA Form 21P-534a, "Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Death Pension and Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child" and in mailing the application to the Philadelphia Regional Office.

Visit the VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation page for more information on compensation benefits for survivors and dependents.

Pension Benefits for Veterans

You can apply for pension benefits online at Vets.gov.

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.

Visit the VA Veterans Pension website for more information about Pension benefits.

Pension Benefits for Survivors

You can download and complete VA Form 21P-534EZ, "Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits" and mail it to the Pension Management Center that serves your state.

You may also visit your local regional office and turn in your application for processing.

Visit the VA Survivors Pension website for information about benefits for survivors.

Education Benefits for Veterans

The best way to apply for your education benefits is online at Vets.gov.

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

Visit your nearest VA regional office to apply in person.
Consult with the VA Certifying Official—who is usually in the Registrar’s or Financial Aid office—at the school of your choice. This official has application forms and can help you apply.
Call 1-888-GI BILL-1 (888-442-4551) to have the application mailed to you.

Visit the VA Education and Training website for more information education benefits.

Home Loan Benefits for Servicemembers and Veterans

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 complete VA Form 26-1880, "Request for Certificate of Eligibility" and send it to the Regional Loan Center that serves your state.

Visit the VA Home Loans website for information about home loan benefits.

Home Loan Benefits for Survivors

Download and complete VA Form 26-1817, "Request for Determination of Loan Guaranty Eligibility - Unmarried Surviving Spouses. You can also call 1-877-827-3702 and follow the prompts for "Eligibility" and we will send the form to you. Mail your completed application to the Regional Loan Center that serves your state.

Visit the VA Certificate of Eligibility web page for information about home loan benefits for survivors.

Life Insurance Benefits for Servicemembers, Veterans, and Survivors

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.

Visit the VA Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance web page for more information on Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.

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

Mail your application to this address:

OSGLI
PO Box 41618
Philadelphia, PA 19176-9913

Visit the VA Veterans’ Group Life Insurance web page for more information on Veterans’ Group Life Insurance.

Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI): To decline, reduce, or restore FSGLI coverage, complete and file form SGLV 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.

Visit the VA Family Servicemembers’ Life Group Insurance web page for more information on Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance.

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

Visit the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Program web page for more information on the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Program.

Service-Disabled Veterans' Insurance (S-DVI): To file for S-DVI, apply online using the online access web page or complete VA Form 29-4364, "Application for Service-Disabled Veterans' Insurance."

Mail your application to this address:

Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office and Insurance Center (RH)
P.O. Box 7208
Philadelphia, PA 19101

Visit the VA Service-Disabled Veterans' Insurance web page for more information on Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance.

Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI): To file for VMLI, complete and submit VA Form 29-8636, "Application for Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance" to your Specially Adapted Housing Agent. The agent will help you complete your application. Also, you must provide information about your current mortgage.

Visit the VA Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance web page for more information on Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance.

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