Veteran Benefits in New Mexico
Available VA benefits in New Mexico include educational assistance, scholarships, property tax exemptions and honorary high school diplomas. However, additional veterans benefits programs include apprenticeships, on-the-job training (OJT) and hiring preference.
To apply for veterans administration benefits such as these, veterans may do so through the state’s Department of Veterans Services (NMDVS). Federally administrated benefits are also available, including health care, disability compensation and pensions. To learn more about NM veterans assistance programs and how to apply for them, review the information below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in New Mexico
Veterans can obtain VA disability pay in New Jersey through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Available VA disability benefits includes Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
To apply for these benefits, veterans must complete VA Form 21-526EZ, or they may complete VA Form 21-534EZ to apply for DIC. To make SMC disability claims, veterans must complete VA Form 21-2680.
Service members may obtain VA life insurance in addition to these disability benefits, including the following policies:
- Veterans’ Group Life
- Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance
- Veterans’ Mortgage Life
- Servicemembers’ Group Life Traumatic Injury Protection
- Family Servicemembers’ Group Life
- Servicemembers’ Group Life
To receive veterans life insurance application assistance, visit a local NMDVS office.
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in New Mexico
Servicemembers may apply for VA health care in New Mexico by visiting a veteran medical facility, or by completing the process online, by telephone or by mail. To enroll in VA health insurance by telephone, veterans must call 1-877-222-8387.
Alternately, service members may obtain benefits by completing an Application for Health Care (Form 10-10EZ) and by mailing it to the following address:
Health Eligibility Center 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
With VA medical benefits in NJ, military members receive preventative care services such as immunizations, health exams and genetic counseling, as well as emergency aid and prescription drug coverage.
Veterans who qualify for veterans health insurance receive local benefits, as well, including access to the state’s Network of Care portal. Through the one-stop-shop portal, patients can find information regarding the services, support and benefits available to themselves and their families.
Other local healthcare for veterans includes behavioral and mental assistance through Veteran and Family Support Services (VFSS).
Note: Health insurance for veterans includes free transportation to and from certain VA medical centers in the state. To arrange a ride in the northern or central part of the state, contact 505-256-2821, or 575-622-0729 to schedule a ride in the southeastern region.
Pension Benefits for Veterans in New Mexico
New Mexico VA pension options are available to provide servicemembers and their surviving spouses with tax-free monetary payments. These veterans pension programs include Aid and Attendance (A&A), Housebound allowances, regular pensions and survivors benefits.
To apply for VA pension benefits under the A&A or Housebound program, servicemembers must mail medical evidence (or a physician’s report) to the state’s Pension Management Center (PMC) at the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attn: St. Paul Pension Center P.O. Box 5365 Janesville, WI 53547-5365
To enroll in the NM veterans pension benefits, claimants must complete an Application for Pension (VA Form 21P-527EZ) or an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (21P-534EZ) to apply as a surviving spouse.
Housing Benefits for Veterans in New Mexico
New Jersey VA housing assistance is available to servicemembers and their families as they transition into civilian life, or patients requiring long-term nursing care. These NM VA housing programs include the following:
- The State Veterans’ Home (NMSVH) in Truth or Consequences
- Transition services for homeless or at-risk veterans
- Property tax exemptions
Note: To apply for admission into the NMSVH VA housing assistance program, veterans must complete an Application for Admission and a Healthcare Intake Sheet. To apply for property tax exemptions, servicemembers must complete an Application for Certificate of Eligibility for Veterans’ Tax Exemption or Disabled Veteran Property Tax Waiver (DVS Form 1), along with an Affidavit of Loss (DVS Form 2).
Furthermore, VA home loan benefits exist for eligible veterans to purchase homes. To learn more about VA home loan rates or to receive counseling for preventing foreclosures, contact the Loan Guaranty Office at 1-877-827-3702.
Education Benefits for Veterans in New Mexico
Available VA education benefits in New Mexico include schooling and training services under the State Approval Office, scholarships and honorary high school diplomas. Assistance under the GI bill or any of its variants, such as the post 911 GI bill, can help veterans pay for most or all of their educational expenses.
Other scholarships for veterans and education benefits include the following:
- Tuition assistance under the Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
- In-state tuition for veterans, spouses and their children
- The Vietnam Veteran Scholarship
- The Wartime Veteran Scholarship Fund
- High school diplomas for World War II or Korean Veterans
- Full tuition waivers for children of servicemembers killed in service
- Priority enrollment status for children of servicemembers
- On-the-job training (OJT) and apprenticeships
To apply for these veterans education benefits, students must complete an application pertaining to the type of assistance they wish to receive. Available veteran scholarship and educational benefits applications include the following:
- The Application for Vietnam Veterans’ Scholarship (DVS Form 7)
- The Application for Wartime Veteran Scholarship (DVS Form 14)
- The High School Diploma Application for New Mexico Veterans of World War II and Korea (DVS Form 12)
- The Application for Scholarship for Children of Deceased Military Personnel (DVS Form 6)
- An Application for OJT (SAA-OJT)
To learn more about these VA school benefits, contact an NMDVS Veteran Service Office.
Employment Benefits for Veterans in New Mexico
Service members seeking New Mexico VA jobs assistance may take advantage of the many services available to them through local Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).
Through the veteran jobs program, veterans receive services such as business training and counseling. Additionally, servicemembers seeking jobs for veterans may apply for federal employment benefits as well.
Federal employment services include Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) and the Transition Assistance Program (TAP). To apply for assistance, veterans must complete an online application.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in New Mexico
Military members and their spouses receive VA death benefits in New Mexico through the State Veterans’ Cemetery Program. As part of these VA burial benefits, servicemembers receive free burial at four state cemeteries, including those in Gallup, Ft. Stanton, Carlsbad and Angel Fire.
Veterans may obtain these veterans burial benefits by completing a Pre-Application and mailing it to the following address:
New Mexico Department of Veterans Services State Veterans Cemetery Program 407 Galisteo, Room 142 Santa Fe, NM 87501
Note: Additional veterans burial benefits include a gravesite, the opening and closing of the grave, a concrete liner (for caskets), perpetual care, and a headstone marker. To learn more about these benefits, contact 866-433-8387.