Veteran Benefits in Arizona
Many VA benefits in Arizona are available for military members and their families to take advantage of, including disability, health insurance and pension benefits. Other veterans benefits include housing, education, employment and funeral assistance. Specific veterans administration benefits are available on a federal and state level.
Furthermore, local veterans assistance programs are overseen by the Veterans Services Division (VSD) under the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (ADVS). To learn more about benefits for beterans, including programs provided by the ADVS, review the information below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in Arizona
Eligible veterans may apply for VA disability pay in Arizona, including service-connected VA disability compensation, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).
Other VA disability benefits include service-disabled veterans life insurance or mortgage life insurance. To apply for VA life insurance, service members must complete an Application for Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (Form 29-4364) or an Application for Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (Form 29-8636).
To apply for disabled veterans benefits, military members may apply online or by completing a mail-in Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (Form 21-526EZ). When applying for DIC or SMC veteran disability benefits, veterans must complete an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (Form 21-534EZ) or Form 21-2680.
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in Arizona
Veterans may apply for VA health care in AZ at any VA medical center in the state. However, specific VA medical benefits vary depending on whether veterans hold a service-related disability or not.
To apply for VA health insurance, eligible applicants may apply online, in person at a VA health care office, by telephone or by mail. To apply for veterans health insurance by telephone, servicemembers must call 1-877-222-8387.
When applying for veterans health care by mail, military members must complete an Application for Health Care (Form 10-10EZ) and mail it to the following address:
Health Eligibility Center 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
Keep in mind that while the term VA Medicaid is sometimes used to describe the medical benefits available to veterans, VA health care and Medicaid are two separate programs offered through separate government entities.
Pension Benefits for Veterans in Arizona
Financially-needy servicemembers may apply for VA pension benefits in Arizona, including veterans or survivors pension. Other veterans pension benefits include the Housebound or Aid & Attendance (A&A) programs.
To apply for A&A or Housebound VA pension services, military members must visit a local VA branch, or they may write to an office of the Pension Management Center (PMC) serving the state of Arizona.
To apply for general veterans pension, however, service members must apply, in person at a VA office or by mailing an Application for Pension (Form 21P-527EZ) to their local PMC office.
To enroll in the veterans pension program for surviving family members, eligible spouses or dependents must complete an Application for DIC, Death Pension and/or Accrued Benefits (Form 21P-534EZ) and submit the form in person at a local VA office or by mailing it to the PMC office in Wisconsin at the address below:
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attention: St. Paul Pension Center Janesville, WI 53547-5365
Housing Benefits for Veterans in Arizona
Two Arizona VA housing programs are available to provide chronically ill or geriatric veterans with professional nursing and rehabilitative care. As such, eligible servicemembers may receive veterans housing assistance and care through the State Veteran Homes (ASHV) in Tucson or Phoenix.
To apply for VA housing assistance and medical care through either of the two State Veteran Homes, candidates must complete an Application for Admission (ASVH 05-001), a Financial Information Statement (ASVH-P 05-042), a Functional Assessment (ASVH-P 05-003) and they must submit a Physician’s Statement (ASVH 05-035).
Additionally, military members may apply for a VA home loan if they plan to purchase, build or repair a home. Home loans for veterans include a Purchase Loan, Cash-Out Refinance, Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL), Native American Direct Loan (NADL) or an adapted housing grant. Veterans may apply through VA home loan lenders of their choice or online.
Education Benefits for Veterans in Arizona
If veterans apply for VA education benefits under the GI bill, they may defer tuition payments for up to 120 days without penalty, as long as they apply for benefits through a State Approving Agency (SAA).
Under the post 911 GI bill, candidates may also apply for scholarships for veterans, including the Fry Scholarship or the Survivors’ and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) program. Additionally, VA education waivers are available to wounded military members and their eligible family members.
To apply for veterans education benefits in Arizona, applicants must complete an Application for VA Education Benefits and a Tuition Waiver and Verification Form (if applicable), and mail the application(s) to the following address:
Arizona Department of Veterans' Services Veterans Services Division Training Officer 3839 N. 3rd Street Phoenix, AZ 85012-1570
Employment Benefits for Veterans in Arizona
There is Arizona VA jobs assistance that service members can access after leaving the military, including VA offers vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits or education and career counseling.
In addition to helping service members find jobs for veterans in AZ, the programs provide them with resources for starting a business or learning to live independently. Other available VA employment resources include resume development, job training, skills coaching and career counseling.
To apply for veteran employment assistance, military members must complete the process online.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in Arizona
Eligible service members receive VA burial benefits through local cemeteries such as the Southern Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista, the Memorial Cemetery at Marana and Camp Navajo and the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix.
Military members may pre-register for VA death benefits in AZ by completing an Application for Pre-Registration for Burial Determination and by faxing the form to 520-458-7147 or mailing it to the address below:
Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery 1300 Buffalo Soldiers Trail Sierra Vista, Arizona 85650
Note: Other veterans burial benefits are available at a federal level. For instance, federal veterans death benefits include a free burial flag, government headstone and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. However, specific VA funeral benefits vary depending on whether a servicemember dies in the service or in a non-service-connected death.
To apply for AZ death benefits, applicants must complete an Application for Burial Benefits (Form 21P-530) and submit documentation to support the death of the military member.