Across the country, thousands of troops will return home before the end of the year.  That transition from military life to civilian life can be difficult, especially without help from benefits and services of Federal, State and County Veterans offices. The process to get those benefits and services can be confusing or overwhelming. Benefits like housing assistance, home loans, health insurance, and school tuition are out there for veterans. But some may not even realize they're not receiving the benefits they're eligible for.  Some people have received Veterans Affairs benefits for years because of their service-related injuries or their need for counseling. But other veterans have spent decades distant from the VA system. As those vets grow older, they may not realize that benefits can give them greater access to health care and can help them through difficult financial times. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a wide range of benefits and services to eligible veterans, members of their families, and survivors of deceased veterans. VA programs include disability compensation and pensions, readjustment benefits, and health care programs. The VA also provides life insurance, burial benefits, housing and other loan guaranty programs, and special counseling and outreach programs. While eligibility for specific benefits may vary, veterans generally must meet requirements related to discharge type and length of active-duty military service. In fiscal year 2007, federal appropriations for veterans’ benefits, services, and administration were 73.7 billion.Veterans of the United States armed forces may be eligible for a broad range of programs and services provided by the VA. Eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions, and certain benefits require service during wartime. If you are new to the VA, the Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors booklet will help you get started.

Health Care - VA's health care offers a variety of services, information, and benefits. As the nation’s largest integrated health care system, VA operates more than 1,400 sites of care, including hospitals, community clinics, community living centers, domiciliaries, readjustment counseling centers, and various other facilities.

Benefits & Services - VA administers a variety of benefits and services that provide financial and other forms of assistance to Veterans, their dependents, and survivors. Major benefits include Veterans’ compensation, Veterans’ pension, survivors’ benefits, rehabilitation and employment assistance, education assistance, home loan guaranties, and life insurance coverage.

Burial and Memorials - Burial and memorial benefits are available for eligible service members, Veterans, reservists, National Guard members, and eligible family members. Service include interment, headstones and markers, and Presidential memorial certificates. VA operates 128 national cemeteries in the United States and Puerto Rico, together with oversight and management of 33 soldiers' lots, confederate cemeteries, and monument sites. 

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