How to get help with veterans benefits
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) runs the main federal benefits for veterans. You apply through VA.gov, by mail or in person. Trained helpers will work on your claim with you for free. You never have to pay anyone to file your first claim.
1. See what VA offers
VA benefits cover much more than a disability check. The main ones are:
- Disability compensation. A monthly tax-free payment for veterans who got sick or injured while serving, or whose service made an existing condition worse.
- Health care. You can apply online, by phone at 877-222-8387, by mail with VA Form 10-10EZ, or in person.
- Pension. Monthly payments for wartime veterans and survivors with limited or no income who meet certain age and disability requirements.
- Education. The GI Bill and other programs help pay for college and training programs.
- Home loans. VA direct and VA-backed loans help veterans, service members and survivors buy, build, improve or refinance a home. You still need the credit and income for the loan. A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) shows the lender you qualify.
- Burial. Burial in a VA national cemetery, an allowance to help pay for a veteran's funeral and burial, and headstones and markers.
Spouses, dependents, survivors and caregivers can get some benefits too.
2. Find your DD214
The DD214 is your discharge paper. It shows your character of discharge. VA reviews it when it decides a disability claim, and the health care application asks for it.
If you have lost it, the National Archives gives most veterans and their next of kin a free copy. Request it online with the eVetRecs tool. You will need to verify your identity with ID.me. You can also mail or fax Standard Form 180. Next of kin means a surviving spouse who has not remarried, a parent, a child or a sibling. Wait at least 90 days before you follow up on a request.
If you are applying for VA benefits, you may not need to do this at all. VA says it will request your DD214 itself when it receives your application.
3. Get free help from an accredited representative
VA accredits three kinds of helpers: Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representatives, attorneys and claims agents. A VSO representative can help you gather evidence, file a claim or ask for a decision review, and can talk to VA for you. Their help on your VA claim is always free.
Attorneys and claims agents work differently. Some help for free on a first claim. They can charge you only after VA has decided your first claim, and only after VA has a fee agreement signed by both of you.
To find someone, use VA's search tool for accredited representatives, or look on the veterans services page for local offices. To make it official, you and the representative both sign VA Form 21-22 for a VSO, or VA Form 21-22a for an attorney or claims agent. You can drop a representative at any time, for any reason.
4. Apply
You can file a disability claim online, by mail with VA Form 21-526EZ, in person at a VA regional office, by fax, or with your representative. If you start online, VA sets your start date when you begin. You then have 365 days to finish. If you use a paper form, you can send an intent to file first so you do not lose that earlier date.
You do not have to send evidence with your claim, but sending what you have can speed things up. VA may schedule a claim exam. Do not miss it. In September 2026, VA took 68.2 days on average to complete disability-related claims.
5. If you disagree with the decision
You have three main choices. A Supplemental Claim is for new and relevant evidence. A Higher-Level Review asks a higher-level reviewer to look at your case again. You cannot add new evidence. A Board Appeal sends your case to a Veterans Law Judge. Your representative can help you choose. This is the stage where accredited attorneys and claims agents are allowed to charge fees.
Where it works differently
- State benefits. Every state and several territories have their own veterans agency. VA notes that each state has its own programs and resources. Wisconsin, for example, offers state veterans homes and property tax credits.
- County veterans service officers. In some states the county has its own veterans office. Wisconsin has a County Veterans Service Officer in each of its 72 counties, plus Tribal Veterans Service Officers in 11 tribal nations. They help with federal, state and local benefits. The National Association of County Veterans Service Officers says its workforce of county and state employees comes from 29 states.
- State counselors. In other states the state agency does the local work. Arizona's Department of Veterans' Services has more than 50 benefit counselors across the state.
Watch out for claim sharks
VA warns about people and companies who try to charge veterans for help with a first claim. VA calls this predatory claims practices. Its advice:
- It is unlawful for anyone to charge you a fee for preparing an initial claim. There are no costs or hidden fees to apply with VA.
- Do not trust anyone who promises a faster decision or a 100% disability rating. Only VA decides disability ratings.
- Do not sign a contract to pay a share of your award for help with a first claim. Never sign a blank form.
- Do not give your Social Security number or medical records to anyone offering claims help until you check them in VA's accreditation search tool.
The same goes for records. The National Archives warns that some companies charge for DD214 copies that it provides for free. To report a suspicious helper, call VA's VSAFE line at 833-38V-SAFE (8-7233).
If you are in crisis
The Veterans Crisis Line is free, confidential and open 24/7. Dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255. You do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to use it.
State by state
The official statewide page for each state and territory. For a local office near you, search your county or city above.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: VA.gov home
- VA: VA disability compensation
- VA: How to file a VA disability claim
- VA: How to apply for VA health care
- VA: VA pension benefits
- VA: VA education and training benefits
- VA: VA-backed Veterans home loans
- VA: VA burial benefits and memorial items
- VA: Request your military service records (including DD214)
- National Archives: Request Military Service Records
- VA: VA accredited representative FAQs
- VA: Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSO
- VA: VA decision reviews and appeals
- VA VSAFE: Predatory claims practices
- VA: Veterans Crisis Line
- VA: Veteran suicide prevention
- VA: State Departments of Veterans Affairs
- Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs: County and Tribal Veterans Service Officers
- National Association of County Veterans Service Officers
Checked against the sources above on Oct 16, 2026. GovDir is a guide, not legal advice. The agency that handles your case has the final say.