Veterans' Faith Form: Obtaining And Filling Out The Application

Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a range of benefits for veterans, including health care, disability compensation, pension, education, home loans, and life insurance. To access these benefits, veterans need to fill out and submit various forms, which can be done online, by phone, by mail, or in person. The specific form required depends on the type of benefit being sought. For example, veterans seeking health care benefits need to complete VA Form 10-10EZ, while those applying for disability compensation need to fill out VA Form 21-526EZ. Additionally, veterans can apply for a Veteran ID Card (VIC) by submitting specific documents, including their Social Security number and discharge papers. It is recommended that veterans work with an accredited representative to assist with the claims process and ensure they have the necessary information, such as military discharge papers and insurance details, to complete their applications.

Eligibility requirements for a Veteran ID Card

To be eligible for a Veteran ID Card (VIC), you must meet the following two requirements:

• You must have served on active duty, in the Reserves, or in the National Guard (including the Coast Guard).
• You must have received an honorable or general discharge (under honorable conditions).

If you received a discharge characterised as "other than honorable", "bad conduct", or "dishonorable", you are not eligible for a Veteran ID Card. If you have an uncharacterised or unknown discharge status, your eligibility will need to be verified before your application can be approved.

To apply for a Veteran ID Card, you will need to provide the following:

• Your Social Security number.
• A digital (scanned) copy of your DD214, DD256, DD257, PHS1867, or NGB22 that you can upload. This could be in a .pdf, .jpeg, or .png file format.
• A copy of a current and valid government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, passport, or state-issued identification card.
• A digital color photo of yourself from the shoulders up, meeting specific requirements.

Please note that a Veteran ID Card does not replace your Veteran Health Identification Card or your Department of Defense ID Card. It also cannot be used to prove your eligibility for federal benefits, access military bases or installations, present as a form of identification at the airport, or check into a VA hospital.

How to apply for VA health care benefits

To apply for VA health care benefits, you must first determine your eligibility. Service members who separated under any condition other than dishonorable may qualify for VA health care benefits. Reservists and guardsmen who were ordered to active federal service and fulfilled their tour of duty may also be eligible. The Health Benefits Explorer - Military Service Questions (va.gov) can help determine health benefits. The VA website also has additional eligibility information.

If you are eligible, you can apply for VA health care benefits in four ways:

• Online: Fill out the VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Health Benefits online. A submission number will be issued once completed.
• By phone: Call 877-222-VETS (877-222-8387) to complete the application. A VA Form 10-10EZ will be mailed for review, signature, and return.
• In person: Visit a VA health care facility and complete VA Form 10-10EZ on-site. Locate the nearest facility using the VA website.
• By mail: Download and complete a VA Form 10-10EZ, and return it to the Health Eligibility Center.

The following information is required to complete the application:

• Social Security numbers for you, your spouse, and your qualified dependents.
• Your military discharge papers (DD214 or other separation documents), military service history information, and details about exposure to any toxins or other hazards.
• Insurance card information for all insurance companies that cover you, including any coverage provided through a spouse or significant other. This includes Medicare, private insurance, or insurance from your employer.
• Gross household income from the previous calendar year for you, your spouse, and your dependents. This includes income from a job and any other sources.
• Your deductible expenses for the past year, including certain health care and education costs.

Once your application is processed, the VA will send a letter with your enrollment information, Priority Group assignment, and copay status. The letter will also provide instructions on how to appeal the decision.

What to do if you're homeless or at risk of becoming homeless

If you are a veteran who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, there are several resources available to help you. Here are some steps you can take:

• Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: You can call the hotline at 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) to speak to a specialist and access free and confidential support 24 hours a day. They can provide assistance with finding safe housing and other supportive services through VA programs.
• Visit your local VA Medical Center: At your local VA Medical Center, you can ask for a Homeless Coordinator who can help connect you with housing solutions, health care, and other necessary services.
• Explore VA Homeless Programs: The Department of Veterans Affairs offers various programs to assist veterans in obtaining permanent and sustainable housing, accessing high-quality health care, and receiving supportive services. These programs include:
• Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF): This program provides case management and supportive services to prevent imminent housing loss, identify more suitable housing situations, and rapidly re-house homeless veterans and their families.
• Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program: This program provides capital grants and per diem payments to state, local, and tribal governments, as well as nonprofits, to develop transitional housing and service centers for homeless veterans.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH): A collaborative program between HUD and VA that combines housing vouchers with supportive services to help homeless veterans and their families find and sustain permanent housing.
• Homeless Veteran Community Employment Services (HVCES): This program connects employers with Community Employment Coordinators (CECs) to facilitate hiring veterans exiting homelessness.
• Compensated Work Therapy (CWT): CWT provides transitional work and supported employment to assist homeless veterans in returning to competitive employment, paying at least the federal or state minimum wage.
• Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program: HCHV offers outreach, case management, and residential treatment services to help veterans transition into stable housing. This includes providing exams, treatment, referrals, and case management.
• Community Resource and Referral Centers (CRRCs): CRRCs offer veterans one-stop access to community-based, multi-agency services that promote permanent housing, health and mental health care, career development, and access to VA and non-VA benefits.
• Dial 211: In most areas of the U.S., dialing 211 can connect you with local social services that can provide referrals for emergency housing.
• Contact your local public housing agency (PHA): Your local PHA can provide assistance and resources to help you move from homelessness to more permanent housing solutions.

How to apply for a home loan certificate of eligibility

To apply for a home loan certificate of eligibility, you can apply online using eBenefits. Alternatively, you can apply for a certificate of eligibility through your lender.

To apply by mail, download and complete VA Form 26-1880, "Request for Certificate of Eligibility". Send it to the Regional Loan Center that serves your state.

If you are a surviving spouse, download and complete VA Form 26-1817, "Request for Determination of Loan Guaranty Eligibility - Unmarried Surviving Spouses". You can also call 1-877-827-3702 and follow the prompts for "Eligibility". The VA will then send you the form to fill out and mail to the Regional Loan Center that serves your state.

How to apply for disability compensation

To apply for disability compensation as a veteran, you can either apply online or submit a paper application.

The best way to file for disability compensation is to apply online at www.va.gov/disability.

To submit a paper application, you need to download and complete VA Form 21-526EZ, "Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits". You can then mail the application to:

> U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center

> PO Box 4444

> Janesville, WI 53547-4444

Alternatively, you can fax it to:

> (844) 531-7818 (inside the U.S.)

> (248) 524-4260 (outside the U.S.)

You can also go to your local regional office and turn in your application for processing.

Before starting your application, you should gather the following information:

• Social Security numbers for yourself, your spouse, and your qualified dependents.
• Your military discharge papers (DD214 or other separation documents), military service history information, and details about exposure to any toxins or other hazards.
• Insurance card information for all insurance companies that cover you, including any coverage provided through a spouse or significant other. This includes Medicare, private insurance, or insurance from your employer.
• Gross household income from the previous calendar year for you, your spouse, and your dependents. This includes income from a job and any other sources. Gross household income is your income before taxes and any other deductions.
• Your deductible expenses for the past year, including certain health care and education costs.

Note that you don’t have to tell the VA about your income and expenses when you apply. However, if you’re not eligible based on other factors, they will need this information to decide on your application.

Frequently asked questions