Veteran Benefits in Maryland
Maryland VA benefits are available under the state’s Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), an agency working to assist veterans and their families in securing the many programs and services available to them. These veterans benefits include access to the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, educational scholarships, employment resources and payments under the state Veterans Trust.
Other local veterans assistance services include Outreach and Advocacy and the MDVA’s Cemetery and Memorial Program. Additionally, federal veterans administration benefits are available to servicemembers and their families, including VA disability pay and employment assistance. To learn more about the veterans benefits administration and how to apply, review the information below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in Maryland
Veterans may apply for VA disability benefits in Maryland if they hold service-connected disabilities and meet all other eligibility requirements.
Available disabled veterans benefits include general payments, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). To apply for va disability compensation, service members must complete VA Form 21-526EZ and submit it along with medical evidence to support the claim.
To make DIC or SMC VA disability claims, service members must complete VA Forms 21-534EZ or 21-2680.
Additionally, servicemembers may apply for disabled veteran life insurance, including Servicemembers’ Group (SGLI), Servicemember’s Group Life Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI), Service-Disabled Life (S-DVI) and Veterans’ Mortgage Life (VMLI).
Other VA life insurance policies include Veterans’ Group Life (VGLI) and Family Servicemembers’ Group Life (FSGLI). To apply for veterans life insurance, servicemembers must complete the following applications:
- SGLI: Form SGLV 8286
- TSGLI: Form SGLV 8600
- S-DVI: Form VA 29-4364 or apply online
- VMLI: Form VA 29-8636
- VGLI: Form SGLV 8714 or apply online
- FSGLI: Form SGLV 8286A
Note: To learn more about life insurance for veterans or to receive application assistance, contact the MDVA at 410-260-3838.
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in Maryland
VA health care benefits are not available through the state, but through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Veterans can apply for VA health insurance to receive services such as preventative care, emergency aid, mental health treatments and home health care.
Service members can apply for VA medical benefits online, in person at a veteran health care facility, by mail or by telephone. To apply for veterans health insurance by telephone, service members may call 1-877-222-8387, or they may complete an Application for Health Care (Form 10-10EZ) and mail it to the following address:
Health Eligibility Center 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
VA health care eligibility in Maryland gets you access to the following services through the MDVA:
- Gulf War and Agent Orange Registry and Health Exams
- Guide and Service Dogs
- The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s (DHMH) Commitment to Veterans program
- 24-hour counseling and support
- The Maryland Health Connection
- The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)
Pension Benefits for Veterans in Maryland
Veterans may apply for a VA pension in Maryland if they meet eligibility requirements, including age and income qualifications. Available veterans pension benefits include those for service members and their survivors, Housebound payments and Aid and Attendance (A&A).
To apply for VA pension benefits, servicemembers must complete VA Form 21P-527EZ (Application for Pension). Surviving family members must complete Form 21P-534EZ (Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits).
To enroll in the A&A or Housebound veterans pension program, applicants must submit medical evidence supporting the claim to the Pension Management Center (PMC) at the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attention: Philadelphia Pension Center P. O. Box 5206 Janesville, WI 53547-5206
Additional veterans pension benefits are available in the state. These benefits include the Military Retirement Pay Income Tax Deduction, the Pension Exclusion, and the Veterans Trust Fund. Other benefits for veterans in MD include the CASH Campaign, a program offering free tax preparation for veterans earning less than $54,000 annually.
Housing Benefits for Veterans in Maryland
Maryland VA housing benefits are available to eligible servicemembers and certain spouses, including admission to the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.
Through the veterans housing assistance program, residents receive assisted living care, skilled nursing, and on-site amenities such as a library, game room, pharmacy, and transportation to and from VA medical centers. To learn more about applying for admittance, contact 301-884-8171, Ext. 409.
Note: Additional VA housing assistance benefits include property tax exemptions for veterans with disabilities. To apply for the tax exemption, veterans must complete an Application for Exemption for Disabled Veterans (SDAT EX 4A) and submit it along with a copy of their military discharge papers. Furthermore, veterans may apply for a VA home loan or they may contact a VA Loan Guaranty Office to receive mortgage servicing assistance. To learn more about VA home loan rates, requirements and available lenders, contact 1-877-827-3702.
Education Benefits for Veterans in Maryland
Qualifying veterans receive VA education benefits, including scholarships under the state Higher Education Commission. Scholarships for veterans in MD include the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Program and the Edward T. Conroy Memorial grant.
Additional veterans education benefits are available under the GI bill, Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP) and the Montgomery bill. To apply for benefits under the post 911 GI bill, veterans must complete an Application for Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990) and mail it to the following address:
VA Regional Office P. O. Box 4616 Buffalo, NY 14240-4616
Employment Benefits for Veterans in Maryland
When searching for Maryland VA jobs services, the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) is available to assist servicemembers as they search for gainful employment. Through the VA employment program, veterans receive career and skills training, medical and support services, job placement assistance and more.
Additionally, veteran jobs services for military members with disabilities are available under the Office of Field Services and the Office for Blindness and Vision Services.
When seeking jobs for veterans, servicemembers can search for positions online through the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation’s website.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in Maryland
Maryland VA death benefits are available through the MDVA’s Cemetery and Memorial Program. As part of these veterans death benefits, veterans and eligible dependents receive VA burial benefits at any of the state’s five national cemeteries in Prince George, Anne Arundel, Dorchester, Owings Mills and Allegany County.
Additional veterans burial benefits in MD include interment services and the burial plot, headstone and grave liner. Military members may complete a Pre-Interment Application to pre-determine burial eligibility if they wish.
Note: Funeral honors are available to members of the Armed Forces. For additional information, contact 410-576-6133.