Veteran Benefits

US Department of Veterans Affairs

Benefits are generally dependent upon the Veteran meeting certain active duty requirements. The Veteran must also have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. Please contact the Veteran Service Office for help with applying for benefits or to see if you are eligible for a discharge upgrade.

Health Care

The VA health care system offers primary care, specialty care, pharmacy services, medical equipment, prosthetics, hearing aides, and more to enrolled Veterans. 

  • You may be eligible for health care benefits if:
    • You received a discharge other than dishonorable, and
    • You served at least one day on active duty prior to September 7, 1980, or
    • You served at least 24 consecutive months on active duty after September 7, 1980, or were discharged for a hardship or "early out" or
    • You were in the Reserves or National Guard and served for the full period for which ordered to federal active service, or
    • You were awarded Disability Compensation

 Health Care Checklist

Priority Groups

  • If you cannot find your documentation, your Veteran Services Officer may be able to help you obtain new copies.

Compensation (Service-Connected)

Disability Compensation is a benefit paid to Veterans who are suffering from injuries or illness related to their time on active duty. There is no minimum service requirement, but you must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

  • You may be eligible for compensation if:
    • You received a discharge other than dishonorable, and
    • You have a service-related injury or illness, or
    • Your service aggravated a pre-existing injury or illness, or
    • You were injured while under the care of the VA.

Compensation Checklist

Compensation Rates

  • If you cannot find your documentation, your Veteran Services Officer may be able to help you obtain new copies.

Individual Unemployability

Some Veterans who are awarded Compensation are unable to work because of their service- connected disabilities, even if those disabilities were rated at less than 100%. Veterans granted Individual Unemployability are paid at the 100% service-connected disability rate.

  • You may be eligible if:
    • You are unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of your service-connected disability. You must have been granted service-connected compensation for one disability at a rate of 60% or higher, or
    • You must have been granted service-connected compensation for multiple disabilities totaling 70% or higher. In this latter case, one of the disabilities must be rated at least 40% disabling.

 

Pension (Nonservice-Connected)

Pension is a benefit paid to Veterans who served on active duty during a prescribed period of war, who meet certain age or disability requirements, and who have limited income and net worth.

  • You may be eligible if:
    • You received a discharge other than dishonorable, and
    • You served on active duty with at least 1 day during a period of war, and
      • Before September 8, 1980, served at least 90 days on active duty, or
      • After September 7, 1980, served at least 24 months on active duty (or the full period for which you were ordered to active duty)
    • Your income and net worth fall below certain limits, and
    • You meet one of the following conditions:
      • You are at least 65 years old, or
      • You have a permanent and total disability, or
      • You are a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability, or
      • You are getting Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income

 Pension Checklist

Pension Rates

Wartime Period

Dates

World War II

December 7, 1941 through December 31, 1946

Korean Conflict

June 27, 1950 through January 31, 1955

Vietnam Era

August 5, 1964 through May 7, 1975

February 28, 1961 through May 7, 1975 for Veterans who served “in country” before August 5, 1964

Gulf War

August 2, 1990, through date to be determined

 

 

Education and Training

Home Loan Guarantee

Burial Entitlements

 

California Department of Veterans Affairs

Home Loan

Veterans Homes of California

Veterans License Plate Program / Veteran Driver License/ID Card

Disabled Veteran Hunting and Fishing License

State Parks and Recreation Pass

Business License, Tax and Fee Exemption

Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Program

 

Veteran Services Homepage