Veteran Benefits in West Virginia
West Virginia VA benefits include cash bonuses, burial allowances, transportation services and college tuition assistance for eligible servicemembers and their dependents. Veterans may obtain these veterans benefits through the state Department of Veterans Assistance (WVDVA), an organization working to aid and advise veterans as they transition into civilian life.
Furthermore, federal Veterans Administration benefits are available to servicemembers and their families under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These veterans assistance programs include health care, life insurance, disability pay and college grants. To learn more about these programs and how to apply, review the information below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in West Virginia
Eligible veterans may obtain VA disability pay in WV, including Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) or Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).
Under these VA disability benefits, service members receive tax-free monetary payments for service-connected disabilities, illnesses, or diseases. To receive disabled veterans benefits, veterans must complete an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (Form 21-526EZ) or 21-534EZ to apply for DIC.
To apply for disability under SMC, claimants must complete Form 21-2680Veterans may also apply for VA life insurance policies like the following:
- Servicemembers’ Group Life (SGLI)
- Veterans’ Group Life (VGLI)
- Family Servicemembers’ Group Life (FSGLI)
- Servicemembers’ Group Life Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI)
- Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance (S-DVI)
- Veterans’ Mortgage Life (VMLI)
For assistance in obtaining veterans life insurance or other disability benefits, servicemembers may contact one of the 16 WVDVA field and claim offices throughout the state.
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in West Virginia
VA health care in West Virginia is available to service members who meet basic, minimum duty or enhanced eligibility requirements.
VA health insurance benefits include transportation to and from medical appointments and long-term nursing home care at the state Veterans Homes in Clarksburg or Barboursville.
Additional VA medical benefits in WV include medical exams, immunizations, emergency services and mental health treatments. Patients who meet veterans health insurance eligibility may apply for coverage in person at a veterans medical center, online, by telephone or by mail.
To enroll in health insurance for veterans by telephone, servicemembers must call 1-877-222-8387, or they may 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
Note: To learn more about health for veterans in WV, including transportation services, military members must contact their local VA Medical Center and ask for a Volunteer Coordinator.
Pension Benefits for Veterans in West Virginia
Low-income veterans may apply for a VA pension in West Virginia, including survivors payments, Housebound allowances or Aid and Attendance (A&A).
To apply for a veterans pension, claimants must complete an Application for Pension (VA Form 21P-527EZ), or an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (Form 21P-534EZ) to apply as a surviving spouse.
To apply for VA pension benefits under the A&A or Housebound programs, claimants must mail proof of medical eligibility to the Pension Management Center (PMC) at the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attn: Philadelphia Pension Center P.O. Box 5206 Janesville, WI 53547-5206
In addition to these federal veterans pension benefits, the WVDVA administers one-time payments under the Veteran Bonus program.
To apply for a bonus of between $400 and $600, servicemembers must complete a Veteran’s Bonus Application and mail it with all required documentation to the following address:
West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance 1321 Plaza East, Suite 109 Charleston, WV 25301
Note: To obtain the bonus as a surviving spouse or dependent, claimants must contact 304-558-3661.
Housing Benefits for Veterans in West Virginia
Several types of WV VA housing programs are available to military members and their families. These veterans housing assistance programs include homestead exemptions, long-term nursing care, and federal home loans.
Veterans may apply for property tax exemptions if they hold total service-connected disabilities. To apply for the exemption, homeowners must contact their County Assessor’s Office.
Additional housing assistance for veterans includes the state Veterans Home in Barboursville and the Veterans Nursing Facility (WVVNF) in Clarksburg.
To learn more about these veteran housing programs, patients must contact each facility directly using the following telephone numbers:
- Clarksburg Veterans Nursing Facility: 304-626-1600
- Barboursville Veterans Home: 304-736-1027
Veterans can also apply for VA home loan to help them purchase a home and get access to special interest rates. For more information, servicemembers may contact the Loan Guaranty Office at 1-877-827-3702.
Education Benefits for Veterans in West Virginia
Several VA education benefits are available under the WVDVA and through the federal government.
These veterans education benefits include in-state tuition rates for non-resident servicemembers, scholarships for veterans, tuition waivers and many other types of assistance and resources.
Benefits under the GI bill, including the Yellow Ribbon Education Enhancement Program, can help veterans pay for many of their educational expenses.
- The Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
- Honorary high school diplomas for World War II, Vietnam or Korean veterans
- Veterans Reeducation Assistance
- The War Orphan Education Program
- Purple Heart and Medal of Honor Tuition Waivers
- The Upward Bound program
To apply for post 911 GI bill benefits or to obtain assistance under the Montgomery GI bill, students must complete an Application for Education Benefits (Form 22-1990), or they may apply online. Students must submit paper applications to the following address:
VA Regional Office P.O. Box 32432 St. Louis, MO 63132-0832
Employment Benefits for Veterans in West Virginia
To help veterans find West Virginia VA jobs resources, several federal and state resources are available to job seekers. These resources for finding jobs for veterans include the Military Connection and the Veterans and Warriors to Agriculture program.
To help applicants find veteran jobs, the Military Connection serves as an online employment center, while the Warriors to Agriculture Program partners with the Department of Agriculture to recruit eligible servicemembers.
To learn more about the program, contact 304-558-3200. VA employment benefits also include the Military Incentive Program, Veterans’ Preference, and Veterans’ Awards for Excellence.
To learn more about these benefits, servicemembers may contact WorkForce West Virginia at 1-800-252-5627.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in West Virginia
West Virginia VA death benefits are available to veterans and their families. These VA burial benefits include a free gravesite or niche, concrete pre-set crypt, headstone or niche cover, Presidential Memorial Certificate and perpetual care of the grave.
To pre-register for veterans death funerals, servicemembers must complete a Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery Pre-Eligibility Application and mail it to the following address:
Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery 130 Academy Drive Dunbar, WV 25064
Additional veterans death benefits are available to indigent families under the Jack Bennett Fund. These veterans burial benefits provide families with a $380 payment to cover the cost of grave marker installments.
To apply for these veterans funeral benefits, claimants must complete a John F. “Jack” Bennett Fund Application and mail it to the address below.
West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance Office of the Secretary 1514-B Kanawha Blvd. East Charleston, WV 25311