Veteran Benefits in Massachusetts
Many VA benefits in Massachusetts are available under the state’s Department of Veterans’ Services and through the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA). These veterans benefits include employment and training resources, affordable housing opportunities and specialized support for women service members.
Federal veterans administration benefits include disability pay, health care services and life insurance. Additional programs include education resources, scholarships, financial counseling and funeral benefits. To learn more about veterans assistance, review the information below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in Massachusetts
Servicemembers may apply for VA disability pay in Massachusetts if they meet eligibility requirements. These MA VA disability benefits include general compensation, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).
To apply for disabled veterans benefits, veterans must complete an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ), or they must complete VA Form 21-534EZ or 21-2680 to apply for DIC or SMC.
Additionally, service members may obtain disabled veteran life insurance through the following policies: Service-Disabled Insurance (S-DVI); Veterans’ Mortgage Life (VMLI); Servicemembers’ Group Life (SGLI) or Servicemembers’ Group Life Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI).
Other VA life insurance options include Veterans’ Group Life (VGLI) and Family Servicemembers’ Group Life (FSGLI). To apply for veterans life insurance, servicemembers must complete an application pertaining to the type of insurance they wish to obtain.
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in Massachusetts
Veterans who qualify for VA health care in Massachusetts may apply for medical coverage online, in person at a VA health care center, by telephone or by mail.
To apply for VA health insurance by telephone, servicemembers must call 1-877-222-8387, or they may complete an Application for Health Care (VA Form 10-10EZ) and mail it to the following address:
Health Eligibility Center 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
After veterans obtain VA medical benefits in MA, they receive coverage for basic health services such as preventative and emergency care, assisted living, prescription medications and inpatient hospital procedures. Additionally, local veterans health insurance benefits include support groups for military members and their families, counseling, outreach and legal assistance.
Pension Benefits for Veterans in Massachusetts
Federal VA pension benefits in Massachusetts are available to financially-needy service members and their surviving family members. A veterans pension includes survivors benefits, Housebound payments and Aid and Attendance (A&A).
To apply for VA pension benefits in MA, claimants must complete VA Forms 21P-527EZ to apply as a servicemember, or 21P-534EZ to apply as a surviving spouse.
To apply for A&A or Housebound benefits, claimants must mail medical evidence and a physician’s report to the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attention: Philadelphia Pension Center P. O. Box 5206 Janesville, WI 53547-5206
Note: Other veteran pension benefits in MA include a $2,000 annuity under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Welcome Home bonuses under the State Treasurer’s Office. To apply for annuity, veterans, surviving spouses or parents must complete an Annuity Form and submit it along with all required documentation. To apply for the Welcome Home bonus, veterans must contact the Office of the Treasurer at 617-367-9333, Ext. 859.
Housing Benefits for Veterans in Massachusetts
Available Massachusetts VA housing programs include home loans, rental assistance and placement in the Chelsea and Holyoke Soldiers’ Homes. Additional veteran housing assistance includes the following:
- The VA home loan program
- The Home for the Brave Home Loan Program
- Military forbearance
- Soldiers’ Homes for veterans with medical needs
- DVS-supported permanent housing
- MA veterans rental assistance
- State-aided public housing
- Housing programs for female veterans
- Transitional housing and shelters for homeless servicemembers
- The VA Supported Housing (VASH) program, providing section 8 for veterans
- Subsidized housing for homeless veterans
Note: Eligible servicemembers may apply for an annual property tax exemption through their county assessor’s office. To learn more, visit a local assessor’s office or contact the Department of Revenue at 617-626-2300.
Education Benefits for Veterans in Massachusetts
Many VA education benefits in Massachusetts are available for service members to take advantage of, including financial assistance services. Benefits include scholarships for veterans, tuition and fee waivers and additional awards under the GI bill or Montgomery bill.
Other Veterans education benefits include programs such as Troops to Teachers, Operation Recognition and Veterans Upward Bound.
Available veteran scholarships in MA include the following:
- The American Legion Scholarship Program
- The American Legion Auxiliary’s Non-Traditional Student Scholarship
- The American Legion Auxiliary’s Children of Warriors National President’s Scholarship
- The AMVETS Scholarship
- Veterans United Foundation Scholarship
- Horatio Alger Association scholarships
- The Heidrea for Heroes, Inc. Veteran Legacy Scholarship
- Smith College School for Social Work Scholarship for Military Personnel
- Soldiers Legacy Fund
Note: The Montgomery GI bill also offers educational benefits for veterans and their eligible dependents. To apply for post 911 GI bill benefits, veterans must complete an Application for Education Benefits (Form 22-1990) and mail it to the following address:
VA Regional Office P. O. Box 4616 Buffalo, NY 14240-4616
Employment Benefits for Veterans in Massachusetts
Service members seeking Massachusetts VA jobs assistance can take advantage of the many local employment resources available to them, including the Veterans Employment and Training Services Program (VETS), the 37 one-stop career centers in the state and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) services.
Other veteran jobs resources include training and job placement services for homeless veterans. Servicemembers can even find jobs for veterans online through the MassCareers website.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in Massachusetts
VA death benefits in MA include burial at any of the three veterans’ cemeteries in the state, including the national cemetery in Bourne and the state facilities in Winchendon and Agawam. Additional VA burial benefits include the gravesite, the opening and closing of the grave, a headstone or marker and perpetual care.
To learn more about these veterans death benefits, veterans may contact the cemetery of their choice.
Additional VA burial benefits may include military funeral honors, a certificate and various medals. Available certificates include the Cold War Service and Presidential Certificate, while available medals include the following: Medal of Liberty; the Global War on Terrorism; the Korean Defense Service and the WAC Service Medal.