The Benefits

• Reasons to File a VA Disability Claim
• VA Disability Rates

You can obtain information directly from the Department of Veterans Affairs by selecting a link listed below.

• Department of Veterans Affairs
• Federal Benefits Manual for Veterans and Dependents - 2001
• Setting the Record Straight: The Facts About Enrollment for VA Health Care
• Education Benefits
• VA Home Loans
• VA Insurance Programs
• VA Insurance Hoax
• Veterans Preference Issues

For information on state veterans benefits take a look the following links.
National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where can I find the telephone number for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Regional office for my area?
A. The VA now has one toll free number that will connect the called to the VA Regional office for their area. The toll free number is: 1-800-827-1000.

Q. My first husband died of a service connected disability and I was receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) until I remarried. My second husband passed away last year. Since my second marriage has ended, can I begin to receive DIC again?
A. Yes. Legislation has since been enacted that allows for reinstatement of DIC for remarried survivors of members who died(s) of service connected causes, but whose second or subsequent marriages ended by death or divorce. The new law authorizes reinstatement to begin on Oct 1, 1998. There will be no payment of retroactive benefits. To apply for DIC contact the closest VA Regional Office at 1-800-827-1000.

Q. What is  DIC and when is it payable?
A. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is payable by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when the military member’s death was due to service-connected causes. The monthly rate for this tax-free income for 2002 is $935.00. An additional $234 is payable for each child younger than 18. Also, an additional $202 a month is added to the basic rate if the deceased service member had been entitled to receive 100% service-connected compensation for at least eight years immediately preceding death and the surviving spouse was married to the service member for those same eight years.

Q. Are there circumstances whereby DIC is payable to a surviving spouse where death by the military member was not due to service-connected causes?
A. Yes. DIC is also payable if your death is not due to service-connected causes with the following provisions:

• you held the VA total service-connected disability rating continuously for 10 or more years immediately before death, or
• you held the VA total service-connected disability rating continuously since last release from active duty for at least five years, and you were married one or more years on the date of death.