Veteran Benefits in Connecticut
Many VA benefits in Connecticut are available under the state Department of Veterans Affairs, including burial and funeral allowances, tuition coverage and property tax exemptions. Other veterans benefits include medical and hospice care, employment resources and substance abuse recovery.
Federal veterans administration benefits are also available to eligible servicemembers and their families, including disability compensation and pensions for financially needy claimants. Other federal benefits for veterans include life insurance or adapted housing grants. To learn more about veterans assistance programs and how to apply, review the sections below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in Connecticut
Federal VA disability benefits are available to eligible veterans and their family members. Of these disabled veterans benefits in CT, service members may apply for Disability Compensation, Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
To file for VA disability pay, claimants must complete Form 21-526EZ (for va disability compensation), Form 21-2680 (for SMC) or Form 21-534EZ (for DIC). Alternately, applicants may file fully-developed VA disability claims online or by calling 1-800-827-1000.
Furthermore, life insurance for veterans is available through the following veterans life insurance programs: Veterans’ Mortgage (VMLI), Service-Disabled (S-DVI), Servicemembers’ Group Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI), Family Servicemember’s Group (FSGLI), Veterans’ Group (VGLI) and Servicemember’s Group (SGLI).
To apply for VA life insurance, military members must complete the following VA applications:
- VMLI: Form 29-8636
- S-DVI: Form 29-4364 or apply online
- FSGLI: Form SGLV 8286A
- VGLI: Form SGLV 8714 or apply online
Note: Coverage for SGLI veteran life insurance is automatic; however, applicants may use Form 8286 to modify coverage or designate beneficiaries. Additionally, TSGLI benefits are automatic with coverage under SGLI. Applicants may file a claim for TSGLI benefits using Form SGLV 8600.
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in Connecticut
Service members may apply for VA health care in Connecticut either online, in person at a VA health care center, by telephone or by mail. To apply for VA health insurance by telephone, patients must call 1-877-222-8387, or they may complete an application for VA medical benefits (Form 10-10EZ) and mail the form to the following address:
Health Eligibility Center 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
Veterans in need of long-term VA medical care must complete an Application for Extended Care Services (Form 10-10EC).
Under federal veterans health insurance, veterans receive services such as preventative care, inpatient hospital procedures, emergency aid, mental health assistance and prescription medication coverage. Additionally, long-term healthcare for veterans is available at the Veterans’ Healthcare Center in Rocky Hill.
Pension Benefits for Veterans in Connecticut
Federal VA pension programs provide veterans and surviving family members with supplemental income as they cope with financial challenges. Servicemembers in need of VA pension benefits may apply for the following types of assistance:
- Veterans Pension
- Survivors Pension
- Housebound benefits
- Aid and Attendance (A&A)
To apply for veterans pension benefits in Connecticut, claimants must complete an Application for Pension (VA Form 21P-527EZ) or an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (VA Form 21P-534EZ) to obtain survivor benefits.
An additional veterans pension program includes Housebound or A&A benefits. To apply for these programs, veterans must mail medical evidence and a physician’s report to their local Pension Management Center (PMC) at the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attn: Philadelphia Pension Center P.O. Box 5206 Janesville, WI 53547-5206
Housing Benefits for Veterans in Connecticut
Service members who meet VA health care eligibility may apply for admission at the Veterans’ Home at Rocky Hill, a long-term care facility. The Connecticut VA housing facility provides veterans with rehabilitation services or hospice, respite or palliative care.
To apply for admission in the veterans housing assistance program, eligible servicemembers must complete an Application for Residential or Health Care Center and mail it to the facility in Rocky Hill.
Additional va housing assistance services are also available, including the Patriots’ Landing Temporary Housing Program or recovery and support services under the Veterans Recovery Center (VRC).
To enroll in the Patriots’ Landing Program, veterans must complete an Application for Admission (Form H-110) and mail it to the attention of the Patriot’s Landing Program at the address below.
To enroll in the VRC’s veterans housing assistance program, candidates must complete an Application for the Veterans Recovery Program and mail the form to the attention of the VRC in Rocky Hill.
Veterans may fax all applications to 860-616-3548 or they may mail them to the following address:
Healthcare Center Admissions Coordinator Department of Veterans Affairs 287 West Street Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Federal veteran housing benefits are also available, including access to VA home loan rates and property tax exemptions. To apply for a VA home loan, veterans must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) online, in person through VA home loan lenders or by mailing a Request for COE Eligibility (VA Form 26-1880) to the following address:
Department of Veteran Affairs Cleveland Regional Loan Center 1240 East Ninth Street Cleveland, OH 44199
Education Benefits for Veterans in Connecticut
Connecticut va education benefits provide qualifying veterans with free college tuition at state universities or community and technical colleges. However, veterans education benefits and waivers exclude additional fees, such as books, room and board, parking or student activities.
To learn more about obtaining veteran education benefits, applicants must contact the Financial Aid office for the school they wish to attend.
Note: Additionally, the post 911 gi bill provides eligible veterans with educational benefits. To apply for benefits under the gi bill, veterans must complete an Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990).
Employment Benefits for Veterans in Connecticut
Connecticut VA jobs assistance provides job seekers with Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) services. In addition to helping applicants find jobs for veterans, these services provide vets with job training, skills coaching and resume development.
To apply for VA employment assistance, candidates must begin the process online, or they may complete VA Form 28-0588 if they hold a service-related disability.
Additional CT veterans jobs services are available to servicemembers who meet eligibility requirements. For instance, workers who leave their jobs to serve in the armed forces may be reinstated in their former position if they reapply within 90 days of ending their service.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in Connecticut
Veterans are eligible to receive VA death benefits in CT after serving at least 90 days of active duty. As such, VA burial benefits include a government headstone, plot, the opening and closing of the grave and perpetual care of the grave.
Servicemembers may pre-register for veterans burial benefits at any state veterans’ cemetery.