Veteran Benefits in Tennessee
Service members may obtain VA benefits in Tennessee through the state Department of Veterans Services (TDVS) and under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Available veterans benefits include professional nursing home care, burial allowances for service members and their families and property tax relief.
However, federal veterans administration benefits include disability compensation, health insurance and pension programs. Other benefits include education and employment assistance. To learn more about the assistance and benefits available to benefits and how to apply for them, review the information below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in Tennessee
Veterans may apply for VA disability pay in Tennessee if they have service-connected disabilities, including conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Available VA disability benefits include disability compensation, Dependency and Indemnity pay (DIC) and Special Monthly benefits (SMC).
To apply for disabled veterans benefits, service members must complete an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ), or they must complete an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (Form 21-534EZ) if they wish to apply for DIC.
To make SMC VA disability claims, veterans must complete Form 21-2680.
Furthermore, VA life insurance is available to veterans and their families. Available veterans life insurance policies include Servicemembers’ Group Life (SGLI), Veterans’ Group Life (VGLI), Family Servicemembers’ Group Life (FSGLI) and Servicemembers’ Group Life Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI).
Other types of life insurance for veterans includes Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance (S-DVI) and Veterans’ Mortgage Life (VMLI).
Note: For assistance in obtaining these benefits, service members may visit one of the nine Veterans Services Offices (VSO) throughout the state.
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in Tennessee
Veterans may enroll in VA health care to receive services like medical exams, immunizations, genetic counseling, emergency aid and prescription drug coverage.
Service members who meet VA health insurance eligibility also receive benefits, such as routine preventative tests, eye exams, and dental coverage (if applicable). Additionally, VA medical benefits in Tennessee include long-term nursing care at the state’s four Veterans Homes in Humboldt, Murfreesboro, Knoxville and Clarksville.
To obtain veterans health insurance and the benefits that come with it, servicemembers may apply using the following methods:
- Online
- In person at a VA medical facility
- By telephone at 1-877-222-8387
- By mailing an Application for Health Care (VA Form 10-10EZ) to the Health Eligibility Center in Georgia
To apply for health insurance for veterans by mail, service members must mail their application to the following address:
Health Eligibility Center 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
Pension Benefits for Veterans in Tennessee
Several VA pension programs are available to financially-needy veterans and their surviving family members. These veterans pension options include survivors payments, regular pensions, Housebound allowances and Aid and Attendance (A&A).
To apply for VA pension benefits in Tennessee, service members must complete VA Form 21P-527EZ, or they may complete Form 21P-534EZ to enroll in survivors payments.
To enroll in the A&A program or to receive Housebound benefits, claimants must mail proof of medical eligibility to the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attn: Milwaukee Pension Center P.O. Box 5192 Janesville, WI 53547-5192
Housing Benefits for Veterans in Tennessee
Federal and Tennessee VA housing programs are available to eligible veterans and their families. These veterans housing assistance programs include four local veterans homes for patients in need of skilled nursing care, property tax relief for service members with disabilities and affordable federal home loans.
Veterans may enroll in the TN VA housing assistance program by contacting the nursing home directly using the following telephone numbers:
- Humboldt Veterans Home: 731-784-8405
- Murfreesboro Veterans Home: 615-895-8850
- Knoxville State Veterans Home: 865-862-8152
- Clarksville Veterans Home: 931-245-4700
Additional VA housing benefits include property tax exemptions for veterans with disabilities or their surviving spouses. To apply for these benefits, claimants must contact their local VSO or TDVS Field Office.
Veterans may also obtain a VA home loan rates by obtaining a Purchase Loan, Adapted Housing Grant, Native American Direct Loan or Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan.
To apply for a VA home loan, veterans must first complete a Request for a Certificate of Eligibility (Form 26-1880) and mail it to the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs Atlanta Regional Loan Center P.O. Box 100023 Decatur, GA 30031-7023
Note: Service members can prevent VA Foreclosures and homelessness with the help of other assistance programs. To learn more about these programs, contact the Loan Guaranty Office at 1-877-827-3702.
Education Benefits for Veterans in Tennessee
Several VA education benefits are available to veterans and their eligible dependents. These veterans education benefits include financial assistance and counseling services.
The GI bill and its variants, which include the post 911 GI bill, help veterans obtain a postsecondary degree at little to no cost. Scholarships for veterans, such as the Helping Heroes Grant, are also available to help veterans with their educational expenses.
Additionally educational resources include the following:
- Assistance under the state Veterans Education Support Act (VETS)
- In-state college tuition rates
- Free tuition for the dependents of veterans with service-related disabilities
- Free college tuition for the dependents of prisoners-of-war or veterans deemed missing-in-action
- Honorary high school diplomas for past war veterans
- Training and apprenticeships under the state’s Labor Education Alignment Program (LEAP)
- Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
Note: To learn more about veteran scholarships and other education-related benefits, students may contact the state’s Higher Education Commission (THEC) or the TDVS. To apply for educational benefits under the Post-911 or Montgomery GI bill, students must complete an Application for Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990).
Employment Benefits for Veterans in Tennessee
Tennessee VA jobs services are available to help veterans with their employment needs and include several state and federal resources are available. Applicants seeking jobs for veterans receive employment preference on certain service jobs.
To learn more about employment preference, applicants may contact the state Department of Human Resources at 615-741-4841.
These veteran jobs resources include hiring fairs and networking events under the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development, as well as resume assistance through the Department of Labor Career Center.
Furthermore, the following VA employment resources are available under the VA:
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
- The Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRC)
- Skills coaching
- Job training
- Entrepreneurship assistance
For assistance in finding jobs for vets, applicants may enroll in the VR&E program online.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in Tennessee
Tennessee VA death benefits are available to eligible servicemembers and their families, including spouses and dependent children. For instance, VA burial benefits include free interment at any of the State Veterans Cemeteries in Nashville, Knoxville and Middle Tennessee.
For dependents, veterans death benefits require a $600 burial fee, or $150 for the interment of cremated remains. Additional veterans burial benefits include a headstone, Fallen Hero Medal (if applicable) and an Honor and Remember Flag.
Veterans may pre-register for funeral benefits by completing a pre-registration form pertaining to the cemetery of their choice.