Veteran Benefits in Vermont
Many VA benefits in Vermont are available to servicemembers and their families under the state Office of Veterans Affairs. These veterans benefits include emergency financial assistance for low-income servicemembers, burial allowances, tax exemptions and employment and education resources.
Additionally, federal Veterans administration benefits include disability pay, health care, pension programs and life insurance. However, these benefits are administered under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and not through the state. To learn more about assistance available to veterans and how to apply, review the information below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in Vermont
Several types of VA disability pay are available to veterans with service-connected disabilities or diseases. These VA disability benefits include military-related disability compensation, Special Monthly pay (SMC) or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
Veterans may apply for disabled veterans benefits by completing the following applications:
- Form 21-526EZ for general disability claims
- Form 21-2680 for Special Monthly Compensation
- VA Form 21-534EZ for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
Furthermore, the following VA life insurance policies are available to eligible servicemembers:
- Veterans’ Mortgage Life – complete VA 29-8636
- Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance – complete VA 29-4364
- Veterans’ Group Life – complete SGLV 8714
- Servicemembers’ Group Life – complete SGLV 8286
- Family Servicemembers’ Group Life – complete SGLV 8286A
- Servicemembers’ Group Life Traumatic Injury Protection – complete SGLV 8600
Note: To receive veterans life insurance application assistance, servicemembers may contact the Office of Veterans Affairs at 802-828-3379.
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in Vermont
Veterans who meet VA health care qualifications may apply for health insurance through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. To apply for VA health insurance, service members must visit a local VA medical facility to enroll in person, or they may call 1-877-222-8387 to apply be telephone.
Alternately, veterans may apply for VA medical benefits online or by mailing an Application for Health Care (Form 10-10EZ) to the following address:
Health Eligibility Center 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
After obtaining veterans health insurance, patients receive federal medical benefits such as exams and immunizations, in addition to local services such as professional nursing home care and transportation to and from VA medical centers.
Additional benefits from health insurance for veterans include access to four local VA clinics, mental health counseling, Vet Centers and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics.
Pension Benefits for Veterans in Vermont
Several types of VA pension options are available to low-income servicemembers and their families. These veterans pension programs include Aid and Attendance (A&A), Housebound allowances, pensions and survivors payments.
However, claimants must apply for survivors or VA pension benefits before they may apply for A&A or Housebound allowances. As such, claimants may enroll in the VT veterans pension benefits by completing VA Form 21P-527EZ or 21P-534EZ.
To apply for Housebound or A&A allowances, servicemembers must send proof of medical eligibility (such as a physician’s report) to the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attn: Philadelphia Pension Center P.O. Box 5206 Janesville, WI 53547-5206
In addition to the federal VA pension program, service members may apply for emergency financial assistance through local organizations such as Vermont 211 or the Economic Services Division.
Furthermore, servicemembers may contact the state Office of Veterans Affairs to apply for a one-time emergency payment under the Veteran Assistance Fund.
To apply for the payment, veterans must contact the office at 888-666-9844.
Housing Benefits for Veterans in Vermont
Available VA housing in Vermont includes property tax exemptions, extended nursing home care and affordable home loans. VT veterans housing assistance programs also include tax exemptions for eligible veterans with disabilities or their surviving spouses.
To apply for this VA housing assistance benefit, homeowners must complete an application for Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans and Their Spouses.
An additional veterans housing assistance program includes the state’s Veterans Home in Bennington, or the VA-operated nursing home in North Hampton, Massachusetts.
Other housing programs include A&A or Housebound pensions, as these services allow patients in need of medical care to stay in their homes.
Furthermore, the federal VA home loan is available to servicemembers and their families, including Purchase Loans, Interest Rate Reduction Loans (IRRRL) and Native American Direct Loans (NADL).
To access VA home loan rates, service members must apply for a loan by completing a Request for a Certificate of Eligibility (Form 26-1880) and by mailing it to the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs Cleveland Regional Loan Center 1240 East Ninth Street Cleveland, OH 44199
Note: Other types of housing assistance for veterans include Adapted Housing Grants for veterans with service-connected disabilities. These benefits include the Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH) and Special Housing Adaptation Grants (SHA). To apply for the grant, veterans must complete VA Form 26-4555.
Education Benefits for Veterans in Vermont
Available VA education benefits in Vermont include federal benefits under the GI bill, apprenticeships under the state Department of Labor, and on-the-job training (OJT) opportunities. Scholarships for veterans and other education-related benefits include the following:
- The Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
- Assistance through the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC)
- Tuition assistance for National Guardsmen
- Dependents Education Assistance (DEA)
- The Armed Services Scholarship
To apply for benefits under the post 911 GI bill or other related bills, students must complete an Application for Education Benefits (Form 22-1990) and mail it to the following address:
VA Regional Office P. O. Box 4616 Buffalo, NY 14240-4616
Note: To learn more about these veterans education benefits, servicemembers may contact 888-442-4551.
Employment Benefits for Veterans in Vermont
Vermont VA jobs services are available to veterans through the state’s Department of Labor. Besides helping find jobs for veterans in VT, the DOL offers employment assistance at resource centers throughout the state.
When seeking veteran jobs in Vermont, applicants may visit employment centers in cities like Bennington, Burlington, Middlebury, Rutland and St. Albans. Additionally, applicants with disabilities may apply for VA employment assistance through the state or federal Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab) program.
Federal programs include VA Voc Rehab, while state services include AHS Voc Rehab. To learn more about the programs, contact 800-827-1000.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in Vermont
Vermont VA death benefits include interment at the state Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center, in addition to burial honors, a grave marker and burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and perpetual care.
In some cases, VA burial benefits may include additional allowances to cover funeral home costs. However, specific allowances for veterans death benefits vary depending on whether a servicemember dies in a service or non-service-connected death.
Note: To pre-register for burial benefits, military members must contact the Office of Veterans Affairs at 888-666-9844.