Veteran Benefits in Rhode Island
Service members may obtain VA benefits in Rhode Island through the state Office of Veterans Affairs and under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). RI veterans benefits help service members transition into civilian life by offering state benefits that include education and employment services, burial honors and housing assistance.
Federal veterans administration benefits include pension programs, health insurance and disability pay. For assistance in obtaining these benefits, service members may contact their local Office of Veterans Affairs. To learn more about the various benefits that are available to veterans and how to apply to them, review the information below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in Rhode Island
Veterans with disabilities may apply for VA disability pay in RI online, or they may download and complete a paper application. Several VA disability benefits are available to eligible service members, including general disability compensation, Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (SMC).
To apply for disabled veterans benefits in Rhode Island, claimants must complete an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (Form 21-526EZ), or they must complete Form 21-534EZ to apply for DIC.
To make SMC va disability claims, veterans must complete Form 21-2680. Other benefits include the following:
- Caregiver support services through the Providence VA Medical Center (PVAMC)
- The Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP)
- The Bus Pass Program
Additionally, servicemembers’ may apply for VA life insurance, including Veterans’ Mortgage Life, Group Life and Service-Disabled Life. Other veterans life insurance policies include Servicemembers’ Group Life, Family Servicemembers’ Group Life, Service-Disabled Group Life and Servicemembers’ Group Life Traumatic Injury Protection.
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in Rhode Island
Veterans who meet VA health care qualifications receive state and federal medical benefits. However, veterans must apply for VA health insurance before they may access the many benefits available to them.
To obtain VA medical benefits, service members must visit a local VA medical center to enroll in person, or they may call 1-877-222-8387 to apply be telephone. Alternately, veterans may health care online or by completing VA Form 10-10EZ and submitting it by mail to the following address:
Health Eligibility Center 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
RI veterans health insurance benefits include the following:
- Preventative and emergency care services
- Long-term care through the State Veterans’ Home in Bristol
- Community-Based Outpatient Clinics
- Local Vet Centers
- Counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance abuse treatments
- Geriatrics and extended care
- Enhanced health care services (if eligible)
- The Women Veterans Health Care program
Note: For assistance in applying for these VA medical benefits, veterans may contact the PVAMC at 401-273-7100 (Ext. 3250).
Pension Benefits for Veterans in Rhode Island
Financially-needy veterans may apply for VA pension, survivors payments, Aid and Attendance (A&A) or Housebound allowances.
To apply for veterans pension, servicemembers must complete VA Form 21P-527EZ, or they may complete Form 21P-534EZ to apply for benefits as a surviving spouse. To obtain VA pension benefits through the A&A or Housebound program, veterans must submit medical evidence to the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attn: Philadelphia Pension Center P.O. Box 5206 Janesville, WI 53547-5206
Furthermore, additional Rhode Island veterans pension benefits are available to certain qualifying servicemembers and their families. These benefits include the following:
- The RI Family Relief Fund
- The American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) program
Note: To learn more about the Family Relief Fund, contact 401-275-1241. Contact 401-726-2126 to learn more about the TFA program.
Housing Benefits for Veterans in Rhode Island
Federal and Rhode Island VA housing benefits are available to eligible veterans and their families. These veterans housing assistance programs include long-term care at the state Veterans’ Home in Bristol, VA home loan programs and foreclosure prevention assistance.
To apply for VA housing assistance through the state Veterans’ Home, patients must complete a Veterans’ Home (VAU-120) or Palliative Care Application (VAU-120A) before submitting all required documentation directly to the facility.
Other housing benefits in RI include property tax exemptions under the Department of Revenue (DOR). To learn more about the exemption, veterans must contact their town’s Tax Assessor.
Veterans may apply for a VA home loan rates, such as a Purchase Loan, Interest Rate Reduction Loan, Adapted Housing Grant or a Native American Direct Loan. To learn more about current VA mortgage rates or to receive financial servicing assistance, contact the Loan Guaranty Office at 1-877-827-3702.
Note: State and federal law protects veterans from VA Foreclosures for the nine months following their military discharge date. To learn more about protection from foreclosures, call 401-726-2126.
Education Benefits for Veterans in Rhode Island
Rhode Island VA education benefits include in-state tuition rates at schools such as CCRI, RIC and URI, waivers for veterans with disabilities, and additional financial aid under the State Tuition Assistance and Exemption Program.
To learn more about scholarships for veterans under the tuition assistance or exemption program, call 401-275-4039.
The GI bill helps to cover the costs of obtaining a college education for many qualifying veterans. Its variants, such as the Post 911 GI bill, can also help cover most or all of the costs of obtaining a post-secondary degree at many colleges and universities. Other veterans education benefits include the following:
- The Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
- Benefits under the Montgomery GI bill (MGIB or MGIB-SR)
- Yellow Ribbon benefits
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
Note: To apply for educational benefits, complete an Application for Education Benefits (Form 22-1990).
Employment Benefits for Veterans in Rhode Island
Rhode Island VA jobs resources are available to servicemembers as they seek employment and training opportunities. To help applicants find jobs for veterans, the following employment resources are available to servicemembers and their families:
- The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS)
- RING Employment Transition
- Veterans’ hiring preference
- VA Educational and Vocational Counseling
- The Laborers Apprenticeship Program
If applicants cannot find suitable veteran jobs, they may apply for unemployment benefits.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in Rhode Island
RI VA death benefits include burial services for servicemembers, spouses and eligible dependent children at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter. Additional VA burial benefits include a burial flag, headstone or marker, and additional funeral allowances (if applicable).
Furthermore, veterans may pre-register for veterans death benefits by completing an online Memorial Cemetery Application, or they may download and complete a paper Pre-Qualification Application.
To pre-register for burial benefits, service members must submit their military discharge papers along with the pre-registration application.