VA Benefits in Washington D.C
District of Columbia VA benefits are overseen by the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs (MOVA) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). To help servicemembers access veterans benefits such as health care, disability pay and college tuition waivers, the MOVA offers claims assistance and employment services, such as resume writing and development.
Additionally, federal veterans administration benefits include home loans, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) and apprenticeships. Other veterans assistance programs include employment services and unemployment compensation. To learn more about benefits available to veterans in Washington D.C., review the information below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in Washington D.C.
Service members may apply for VA disability pay in Washington D.C., including Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
To apply for these VA veterans benefits, claimants must complete an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ), or an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (VA Form 21-534EZ) to obtain benefits under DIC.
To claim disabled veterans benefits under SMC, servicemembers must complete Form 21-2680. Additionally, veterans may enroll in VA life insurance, including policies such as Servicemembers’ Group Life (SGLI), Veterans’ Group Life (VGLI) and Veterans’ Mortgage Life (VMLI).
Other veterans life insurance policies include Family Servicemembers’ Group Life (FSGLI), Service-Disabled Insurance (S-DVI) and Servicemembers’ Group Life Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI).
Note: For disability compensation application assistance, or to learn more about life insurance options, claimants may contact the MOVA at 202-724-5454.
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in Washington D.C.
Servicemembers who qualify for VA health care in Washington D.C. may apply for it online, in person, by mail or by telephone. To apply for VA health insurance by telephone, veterans must call 1-877-222-8387 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Alternately, individuals may apply for VA medical benefits by completing Form 10-10EZ (or 10-10EC to apply for extended care services) and submit the application by mail to the following address:
Health Eligibility Center 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
After enrolling in veterans health insurance, patients receive the following benefits and services:
- Health exams
- Prescription drug coverage
- Genetic counseling
- Immunizations
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
- Mental health treatments
- Assisted living
- Routine eye exams
Note: To learn more about obtaining these benefits, contact the MOVA at 202-724-5454.
Pension Benefits for Veterans in Washington D.C.
Eligible servicemembers may apply for federal a VA pension, survivors payments, Aid and Attendance (A&A) or Housebound allowances. To qualify for a veterans pension claimants must meet income, disability, and/or age requirements.
As such, claimants who qualify for District of Columbia VA pension benefits may apply by completing the following applications:
- VA Form 21P-527EZ for tax free pensions
- VA Form 21P-534EZ for tax free survivors benefits
To enroll in the A&A or Housebound veterans pension program, claimants must submit their applications along with medical evidence to the Philadelphia Pension Center in Wisconsin at the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attn: Philadelphia Pension Center P.O. Box 5206 Janesville, WI 53547-5206
Housing Benefits for Veterans in Washington D.C.
District of Columbia VA housing programs include federal home loans, mortgage servicing assistance and Adapted Housing Grants.
Under the VA home loan guaranty program, veterans may apply for a Purchase or Cash-Out Refinance Loan, an Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan or a Native American Direct Loan.
To access VA home loan rates, service members must complete a Request for a Certificate of Eligibility (Form 26-1880).
Alternately, veterans may apply for veterans housing assistance grants, such as the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant. To apply for this assistance, veterans must complete VA Form 26-4555.
Note: To learn more about current VA mortgage rates or to receive mortgage servicing assistance, veterans may contact the Loan Guaranty Office at 1-877-827-3702. Veterans at risk of VA Foreclosures or homelessness may contact the Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC) at 202-636-7660 for assistance.
Education Benefits for Veterans in Washington D.C.
Several VA education benefits in Washington D.C. are available to eligible servicemembers, including scholarships for service members and their dependents.
Federal scholarships for veterans include the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program, a grant providing students with a monthly education or training allowance.
To apply for these veterans education benefits, claimants must complete a Dependents’ Application for Education Benefits (VA Form 22-5490) and mail it to the following address:
VA Regional Office P.O. Box 4616 Buffalo, NY 14240-4616
The GI bill also provides many additional educational benefits, including tuition assistance, vocational and technical training or reimbursements for licensing and certifications.
Additionally, the Montgomery GI bill, including the Active Duty (MGIB-AD) or Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) programs can help veterans with their educational needs. To apply for post 911 GI bill, veterans must complete an Application for Education Benefits (Form 22-1990) and mail it to the VA Regional Office in New York.
Employment Benefits for Veterans in Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. VA jobs assistance is available under the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES). DOES helps find jobs for veterans through Priority of Service, career counseling, training opportunities and placement services. Additional veteran jobs assistance includes the following programs and services:
- Services under local American Job Centers (AJC)
- Apprenticeships and on-the-job training (OJT)
- Vocational rehabilitation for veterans with disabilities
- DC Career Connections
- Project Empowerment
- Unemployment insurance
- Skills assessments
- The federal VR&E program
Note: To learn more about these VA employment services or for assistance in finding District of Columbia jobs, servicemembers may contact DOES at 202-442-4460.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. VA death benefits include free burial at any of the 135 national cemeteries in the country. Additional VA burial benefits include a government headstone or marker, Presidential Memorial Certificate, burial flag, and perpetual care of the grave.
To pre-register for veterans death benefits, servicemembers may complete an Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery (VA Form 40-10007), and submit it by mail to the following address:
National Cemetery Scheduling Office P.O. Box 510543 St. Louis, MO 63151
Note: To learn more about veterans burial benefits, servicemembers or surviving family members may contact the National Cemetery Administration at 314-416-6310.