Veteran Benefits in Georgia
Many VA benefits in Georgia are available under the state’s Department of Veterans Service (GDVS). These veterans benefits include nursing home care, employment assistance and on-the-job training.
Additional veterans assistance services include homestead tax exemptions for servicemembers with disabilities, employment preference and funeral benefits. Other veterans administration benefits are available on a federal level, including VA health care and disability pay. To learn more about veterans benefits by state, including GDVS programs, review the information below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in Georgia
Veterans qualify for VA disability pay in Georgia if they have a service-connected injury or disease. However, other VA disability benefits are available to the surviving spouses and dependents of servicemembers.
These disabled veterans benefits include VA disability compensation and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Veterans may also make VA disability claims to receive Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), an additional tax-free benefit.
To apply for VA disability benefits, claimants must complete Form 21-526EZ for disability pay or 21-534EZ for DIC. Claimants must complete Form 21-2680 to apply for SMC.
Note: Other benefits for disabled veterans in GA include tax exemptions, free disability license plates, employment preference and a reduction in state park entrance fees.
Furthermore, VA life insurance options are available to eligible servicemembers and their families. To apply for veterans life insurance, applicants must complete the following forms, depending on the type of coverage they wish to receive:
- Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI): Form SGLV 8286
- Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI): Form SGLV 8714
- Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI): Form SGLV 8286A
- Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance (S-DVI): VA Form 29-4364
- Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI): VA Form 29-8636
- Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI): Form SGLV 8600
To receive assistance when applying for life insurance for veterans, claimants may visit any of the state’s 50 Veterans Field Service Offices.
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in Georgia
Federal VA health insurance is available to veterans who meet eligibility requirements, including minimum service requirements. As such, service members who meet VA health care eligibility may apply for VA medical benefits in GA either online, in person at a veteran health care center, by telephone or by mail.
To apply for veteran medical benefits by mail, candidates must complete an Application for Health Care (Form 10-10EZ) and mail it to the address below:
Health Eligibility Center 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
Note: To apply for VA health care by telephone or to receive assistance when enrolling in veteran’s health insurance, contact 1-877-222-8387.
Pension Benefits for Veterans in Georgia
Federal VA pension benefits are available to financially-needy servicemembers and their surviving family members. To apply for a VA pension in Georgia, veterans may complete VA Form 21P-527EZ; however, surviving family members must complete Form 21P-534EZ.
Additional veterans pension programs are also available, including Housebound or Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefits. To receive these veterans pension benefits, eligible claimants must submit medical evidence and a physician’s report to the state’s Pension Management Center (PMC) at the address below:
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attn: Philadelphia Pension Center P. O. Box 5206 Janesville, WI 53547-5206
Housing Benefits for Veterans in Georgia
Georgia VA housing benefits are available to eligible veterans requiring nursing home care. These Georgia VA housing assistance programs include access to State War Veterans Homes in Augusta and Milledgeville.
For admission in the veterans housing assistance program, patients must call 706-721-2531 for the Augusta home, or 478-445-4295 for the facility in Milledgeville.
Federal veterans housing assistance options are also available, including VA home loan rates and mortgage servicing assistance. To apply for a VA home loan, veterans must submit a Request for a Certificate of Eligibility (Form 26-1880) and submit it to the address below.
Department of Veterans Affairs Atlanta Regional Loan Center P.O. Box 100023 Decatur, GA 30031-7023
Note: To learn more about mortgage assistance, contact the VA Loan Guarantee Office at 1-877-827-3702.
Education Benefits for Veterans in Georgia
Under the gi bill, veterans receive va education benefits such as free tuition and fees, and they receive allowances for books, housing and other school-related supplies. To apply for grants under the post 911 gi bill, veterans must complete an Application for Veteran Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990) and mail it to the following address:
VA Regional Office P. O. Box 8888 Muskogee, OK 74402-8888
Students applying for veterans education benefits in Georgia may use VA Form 22-1990 to apply for benefits under the Montgomery GI bill, or the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP). The post 911 GI bill is also available to veterans to help with their educational needs.
In addition to VA GI bill benefits, service members receive access to on-the-job-training (OJT) and apprenticeship programs under the Veterans Education & Training Division. For additional information on VA school benefits, students must contact the division at 404-656-2306.
Employment Benefits for Veterans in Georgia
Georgia VA employment benefits include preference when applying for certain state va jobs. When servicemembers apply for veteran jobs, they receive five points when applying for a position as a war veteran, or 10 credits if they hold a disability.
However, other veteran employment resources are also available. For instance, assistance in finding jobs for veterans is available under the state Department of Labor or the Workforce Division of the state Department of Economic Development.
Additionally, the state’s veterans employment center (or the Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center) offers educational coaching, counseling and workforce training.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in Georgia
GA veterans death benefits includes burial at either of the two Veterans Memorial Cemeteries in the state, including the cemetery in Glennville and Milledgeville. Additional va burial benefits include the gravesite, marker, vault and the interment service.
Furthermore, federal va death benefits include a Presidential Memorial Certificate and additional burial allowances. However, allowances for veterans burial benefits vary depending on whether a veteran dies in a non-service or service-related death.