Veteran Benefits in Idaho
Idaho VA benefits are available under the state Division of Veterans Services (IDVS), an organization working to provide service members and their families with superior care, advocacy and assistance. Other veterans benefits include interment services, employment preference and tax exemptions.
Additional state veterans assistance programs provide vets with financial assistance, access to skilled VA nursing homes and reduced fees for hunting and fishing licenses. Federal veterans administration benefits are also available, including medical care, disability compensation and pensions. To learn more about benefits for veterans and how to apply, review the sections below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in Idaho
Eligible veterans may apply for VA disability pay in Idaho, including general compensation, Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
To apply for disabled veterans benefits, claimants must complete Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits) or Form 21-2680 to apply for SMC. To make DIC VA disability claims, applicants must complete Form 21-534EZ.
Additionally, service members in need of VA disability benefits may also apply for veterans life insurance, including Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance (S-DVI), Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI), Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) or Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI).
Additional VA life insurance options include Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) and Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI).
To apply for life insurance for veterans, service members or eligible dependents must complete Form SGLV 8714 to apply for VGLI, or Form SGLV 8286A to enroll in FSGLI. To enroll in Department of Veterans Affairs life insurance, applicants must file the following forms:
- S-DVI: VA Form 29-4364
- VMLI: VA Form 29-8636
- SGLI: Form SGLV 8286
- TSGLI: Form SGLV 8600
For assistance in applying for VA disability compensation or life insurance, service members may contact the IDVS.
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in Idaho
Federal VA health care is available to service members who meet eligibility requirements. As such, veterans who are eligible for VA health insurance receive access to State Veterans Homes in Boise, Lewiston and Pocatello, as well as preventative care services, emergency aid and mental health treatments.
To enroll in VA medical benefits, service members must complete an Application for Health Care (Form 10-10EZ) and mail it to the address below:
Health Eligibility Center 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
Note: Servicemembers may apply for veterans health insurance online, in person at a veteran health care facility, or by calling 1-877-222-8387 if they cannot enroll by mail.
Additionally, healthcare for veterans in ID includes access to the state’s Live Better Idaho program. The service connects veterans to VA Medicaid programs and food and nutrition resources.
Pension Benefits for Veterans in Idaho
Veterans may apply for VA pension benefits in Idaho if they meet income restrictions and other eligibility requirements. Additionally, VA pension benefits are available to surviving spouses as well.
To apply for a veterans pension, applicants must complete VA Form 21P-527EZ, or they must complete Form 21P-534EZ to apply for survivors benefits. Other veterans pension benefits include Aid and Attendance (A&A) or Housebound payments.
Housebound pension benefits are available to veterans who are confined to their homes due to a permanent disability, and A&A benefits are available to service members who require the aid of another person.
To apply for these programs, claimants must submit medical evidence to the state’s Pension Management Center (PMC) in Wisconsin.
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attn: St. Paul Pension Center P.O. Box 5365 Janesville, WI 53547-5365
Note: An additional veterans pension program in Idaho is available under the IDVS. In cases of extreme emergency, veterans may receive up to $1,000 in financial assistance. To learn more about this benefit, contact 208-780-1380.
Housing Benefits for Veterans in Idaho
Available VA housing in Idaho includes access to the state’s three nursing facilities (veteran homes) in Pocatello, Boise and Lewiston. Each home is certified by VA Medicaid and Medicare programs, and they accept veterans and their eligible spouses.
However, additional VA housing assistance programs are also available. For instance, low-income service members may receive property tax reductions or exemptions. Additional information is available under the State Tax Commission.
In addition to local veterans housing assistance programs, federal services are also available, including mortgage servicing assistance. To enroll in the veterans housing assistance program, call the VA’s Loan Guaranty Office at 1-877-827-3702.
Furthermore, eligible service members may apply for a VA home loan after completing a Request for a Certificate of Eligibility (Form 26-1880). Veterans who meet VA home loan requirements may apply for a Purchase or Cash-Out Refinance Loan, or an Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL).
Education Benefits for Veterans in Idaho
Under the post 911 GI bill, veterans may receive VA education benefits at colleges and universities throughout the state. Under the GI bill, eligible service members and/or their dependents receive payments for college tuition and fees, monthly housing allowances and stipends of up to $1,000 per year for books and other school supplies.
Generally, veterans may apply for GI bill benefits using VA Form 22-1990, or they may apply online. Students applying for benefits under the VA GI bill may use the same form to apply for benefits under the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP), Post-911 or Montgomery GI bill.
Note: Veterans education benefits in Idaho include access to IDVS education events, professional license reimbursements and the state’s Successful Transition and Retention Track (START) program. Other VA school benefits include education counseling under the Center for New Directions (CND) or veteran scholarships through the National Guard Tuition Program.
Employment Benefits for Veterans in Idaho
Idaho VA employment benefits include veteran preference when applying for certain VA jobs, in addition to on-the-job-training (OJT) or apprenticeship programs. Veterans may apply GI bill payments toward OJT or apprenticeships if they wish.
Furthermore, federal veteran jobs benefits include Vocational Rehabilitation (VocRehav) services, the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC).
Additionally, service members seeking jobs for veterans may enroll in the VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program to receive assistance with resume development, skills coaching and job training.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in Idaho
VA death benefits in Idaho include burial at the state’s Veterans Cemetery in Boise, in addition to interment fees. In some cases, VA burial benefits include additional allowances, depending on whether veterans die in a service or non-service-related death.
Furthermore, service members may pre-register for veterans death benefits by completing the cemetery’s Pre-Registration Application. To pre-register for veterans burial benefits, military members must submit a copy of their discharge papers and a certified marriage certificate (if applicable).