Veteran Benefits in Wisconsin
Wisconsin VA benefits range from education and employment services to grants and homelessness assistance for financially-needy servicemembers. Service members may obtain these veterans benefits under the state Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Federal Veterans Administration benefits include health insurance coverage, pension programs for low-income servicemembers and disability compensation. Other types of veterans assistance includes burial benefits, extended nursing home care and military honors. To learn more about these benefits, review the sections below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in Wisconsin
Several types of VA disability pay in Wisconsin are available to service members with military-connected disabilities or diseases, including mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
These VA disability benefits include service-connected compensation, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).
To apply for disabled veterans benefits, claimants must complete an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (Form 21-526EZ), or Form 21-534EZ to apply for DIC.
Veterans may make SMC VA disability claims by completing Form 21-2680. For assistance in applying for va disability compensation in WI, petitioners may visit a local WDVA Claims Assistance Office, or they may call 414-902-5757.
Service members may apply for VA life insurance, including Veterans’ Mortgage Life (VMLI), Veterans’ Group Life (VGLI) and Service-Disabled Insurance (S-DVI).
Other veterans life insurance policies include Family Servicemembers’ Group Life (FSGLI), Servicemembers’ Group Life (SGLI) and Servicemembers’ Group Life Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI). To obtain life insurance for veterans, claimants must submit the following applications:
- VMLI – complete VA 29-8636
- VGLI – complete SGLV 8714
- S-DVI – complete VA 29-4364
- FSGLI – complete SGLV 8286A
- SGLI – complete SGLV 8286
- TSGLI – complete SGLV 8600
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in Wisconsin
Service members who meet VA health care qualifications receive medical coverage for services, such as preventative and emergency aid, immunizations, mental health treatments and routine eye exams.
Additionally, Wisconsin VA health insurance benefits include transportation to and from medical appointments. These Wisconsin VA medical benefits are available under the Department of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and under local County Veterans Service Offices (CVSOs).
Service members may apply for veterans health insurance in person at a VA medical center, online, or by telephone at 1-877-222-8387. Alternately, service members can enroll in health insurance for veterans by completing an Application for Health Care (Form 10-10EZ) and submitting it by mail to the following address:
Health Eligibility Center 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
Pension Benefits for Veterans in Wisconsin
Low-income veterans may apply for a VA pension in Wisconsin if they meet financial, age, and/or disability qualifications.
These veterans pension options include survivors and service members pensions, Housebound allowances and Aid and Attendance (A&A). To apply for survivor or veterans pension benefits, claimants must complete VA Form 21P-527EZ or 21P-534EZ.
To apply for A&A or Housebound payments, 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
Note: Additional veterans pension benefits in WI include the Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant (ANVG). Through the grant, servicemembers receive limited financial aid to pay for the cost of health care. To apply for the veterans pension program, claimants must complete an Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant Application (WDVA 2450) and submit it through their local CVSO.
Housing Benefits for Veterans in Wisconsin
Wisconsin VA housing programs include homelessness prevention, property tax credits and long-term nursing care at State Veterans Homes in Chippewa Falls, King and Union Grove.
Through these veterans housing assistance programs, the WDVA offers homelessness assistance through its Veterans Housing and Recovery (VHRP) and Outreach and Recovery (VORP) programs.
These VA housing assistance programs help service members to access affordable housing, education, counseling and rehabilitative services. To learn more about homeless veterans housing assistance, claimants may call 608-267-7135.
Furthermore, long-term housing assistance for veterans is available to service members and their spouses requiring long-term nursing care.
To apply for admission, servicemembers must complete the following applications:
- Application for Admission (WDVA 4000)
- Authorization for Disclosure of Health Information (WDVA 4002)
- Applicant Admission Checklist (WDVA 4006)
- Admission Agreement – Attachment A (WDVA 4020A)
- Admission Agreement – Attachment F (WDVA 4020F)
The federal VA home loan guaranty program provides service members with affordable rates and mortgage servicing assistance.
To learn more about VA home loan rates, call 1-877-827-3702. Additional housing benefits include the Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit. To apply for the tax credit, claimants must obtain and complete an application booklet (WDVA B0106).
Education Benefits for Veterans in Wisconsin
Available VA education benefits in Wisconsin include the GI bill, scholarships, grants and honorary high school diplomas. The post 911 GI bill also helps veterans pay for their educational expenses.
Available scholarships for veterans and other tuition-related benefits include the following:
- Academic credit for military experience
- Honorary high school diplomas
- The Vet Ed Reimbursement Grant
- Troops to Teachers (TTT)
- Veterans Upward Bound (VUB)
Note: To learn more about veteran scholarships, contact the WDVA at 414-902-5757.
Employment Benefits for Veterans in Wisconsin
Wisconsin VA jobs resources include the following:
- Veterans Employment Representatives
- Apprenticeships
- Transitional services for veterans leaving active duty
- Federal and state civil service preference
- Unemployment compensation
- Professional/occupational licensures
- WiscJobsforVets
Additional veteran jobs benefits include monthly payments under the WDVA Veterans Retraining Grant. Under the grant, unemployed servicemembers may apply for monthly payments as they retrain for employment.
To apply for the benefit, veterans must complete a Retraining Grant Application (WDVA 2019) and submit it through their local CVSO.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in Wisconsin
Wisconsin VA death benefits are available to honorable servicemembers, as well as their spouses and eligible dependent children.
These VA burial benefits include interment at three state Veterans Cemeteries in the state, including the facilities in Union Grove, Spooner and King. However, additional veterans burial benefits include a headstone or marker, perpetual care of the grave, a burial flag, the opening and closing of the grave, and optional funeral honors.
To pre-register for these veterans death benefits, servicemembers must complete a Pre-Registration for Cemetery Interment Application (WDVA 2111) and mail it to the cemetery of their choice.