CalVet Home Loan for Veterans: Complete Guide

California CalVet Home Loan Program Eligibility 2026: Complete Guide

To be eligible for a CalVet Home Loan in 2026, you must have served at least 90 days of active duty (excluding training) and received an honorable discharge — or be serving honorably on active duty currently . There is no minimum income requirement and no minimum credit score, though the program does review your credit history and income-to-debt ratio . You must be purchasing an owner-occupied home in California and have not yet obtained an interest of record in the property .

Quick Facts

What Is the CalVet Home Loan Program?

The CalVet Home Loan Program is a state-run mortgage program that provides eligible veterans, active duty service members, and some surviving spouses with low-cost financing to purchase a home in California . Unlike a standard VA loan, CalVet is funded by the sale of state and federal tax-exempt bonds, not by taxpayer dollars .

What It Is

• A state benefit, not a federal VA loan — though CalVet is also an authorized VA lender 

• Provides below-market interest rates with low or no down payment 

• Funds the purchase of single-family residences, condominiums, planned unit developments, and mobile homes 

Who Qualifies

CalVet has broad eligibility criteria:

• Active duty service of at least 90 days — not including training 

• Discharge under honorable conditions 

• Can be wartime or peacetime service 

• National Guard and Reservists activated under federal orders qualify 

Why It Matters

California has some of the highest home prices in the nation. CalVet helps veterans overcome the down payment barrier and offers flexible underwriting that can be more forgiving than conventional mortgages .

What Veterans Should Do Next

• Contact CalVet at 1-800-952-5626 to get started 

• Apply online before you have an interest in a property 

• Get your documents ready: DD-214, Certificate of Eligibility, VA disability letter (if applicable)

CalVet Home Loan Eligibility Requirements

⚔️ Active Duty Service Requirement

You must have served on active duty for at least 90 days .

• Does not include active duty for training purposes only 

• Service does not need to have been during a war period, unless you lack a campaign medal — in that case, you must have served during the Persian Gulf, Vietnam, Korean, or WWII eras 

• No age limit — veterans who served decades ago can still apply 

✅ Character of Service

• You must have an honorable discharge 

• Active duty members can provide a Statement of Service instead of a DD-214 

🏡 Property Requirements

• You must be purchasing an owner-occupied home in California 

• The property must be a single-family residence (including condos, PUDs, mobile homes) 

• Property must meet CalVet’s minimum property standards (zoning, water, sewer, heating, etc.) 

💰 No Minimum Credit Score

CalVet does not have a minimum credit score requirement . Loans are manually underwritten to maximize flexibility .

💵 Income and Debt Requirements

• No minimum income requirement 

• Maximum income limits vary by county and are based on the higher of statewide median income or county median income, adjusted for family size 

• Your “balance available for family support” must be at least 40% of your adjusted gross income after accounting for the CalVet loan payment and other debts 

📄 Application Timing

You must file your CalVet loan application before obtaining an interest of record in the property you wish to purchase .

Surviving Spouse Eligibility

The un-remarried surviving spouse of an eligible veteran may qualify if the veteran:

• Died after filing a CalVet loan application 

• Died from injuries incurred in the line of duty 

• Is a POW or MIA 

Active Duty Personnel Eligibility

Current active duty service members are eligible even without having been discharged . You must demonstrate that you or a member of your immediate family will be able to occupy the home . The CalVet loan is also available to National Guard and Reserve members who were called to active duty under federal orders .

Required Documents

How to Apply for a CalVet Home Loan

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

Review the service, discharge, and property requirements above. If you have any questions, call CalVet at 1-800-952-5626 .

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

Collect your DD-214 or Statement of Service, VA Certificate of Eligibility (if applicable), income documentation, and any VA disability rating letters.

Step 3: Apply Online

Submit your CalVet loan application before you make an offer on a property . Applying early gives you a pre-approval and positions you to act quickly when you find a home.

Step 4: Get Pre-Approved

CalVet will manually underwrite your loan, reviewing your credit history and income .

Step 5: Find Your Home

Once pre-approved, you can search for a property. The home must meet CalVet’s minimum property standards .

Step 6: Finalize the Loan

Submit the purchase agreement and complete the closing process. CalVet provides up to 100% financing for eligible veterans with full VA entitlement .

Loan Programs Available

🏠 CalVet VA Guaranteed Loan

• Up to 100% financing for veterans with full VA entitlement 

• Competitive interest rates

• VA funding fee can be financed 

• Veterans with 10%+ disability rating are exempt from the funding fee 

🏠 CalVet 97 Loan

• Alternative financing for veterans or property types outside VA requirements 

• Only 3% down payment required 

🔧 CalVet Construction Loan

• Buy a home site and build your home with one loan and one escrow 

• Saves time and money compared to separate loans

🔨 CalVet Rehabilitation Loan

• Purchase a home and fund repairs and renovations in one loan 

• Great for fixer-uppers

🏠 CalVet Home Improvement Loan

• Financing for home renovations and repairs 

2026 Updates

💰 $150 Million Bond Allocation

The California Debt Limit Allocation Committee approved a $150 million tax-exempt bond allocation for the CalVet Home Loan Program in January 2026 . This is expected to assist approximately 363 homebuyers, of which 40% must be low-income .

📊 Income Limits

Maximum income limits for 2026 are based on the higher of statewide or county median income for 2025, as published by HUD, adjusted for family size .

🗳️ Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 (SB 417)

California voters will decide in November 2026 on SB 417, which includes $1.25 billion in self-supporting revenue bonds for the CalVet Home Loan Program . If passed, this would provide the largest funding in history for CalVet home loans.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Applying After You Make an Offer

You must file your CalVet application before obtaining an interest in the property . Applying early avoids delays.

2. Assuming Training Time Counts

Active duty for training purposes only does NOT count toward the 90-day requirement .

3. Not Checking Discharge Character

You must have an honorable discharge — general or other than honorable discharges may not qualify .

4. Ignoring the Occupancy Requirement

You must occupy the home as your primary residence — the property cannot be an investment or rental property .

5. Forgetting to Include VA Disability Letter

Veterans with a 10%+ disability rating are exempt from the VA funding fee. Without this documentation, you may pay a fee you didn’t need to .

Common Questions

1. Who is eligible for a CalVet Home Loan in 2026?

Veterans with at least 90 days of active duty service (not including training) and an honorable discharge. Active duty members, National Guard, and Reservists activated under federal orders also qualify .

2. Is there a minimum credit score for CalVet loans?

No. CalVet does not have a minimum credit score requirement. Loans are manually underwritten to maximize flexibility .

3. Is there a minimum income requirement for CalVet?

No. There is no minimum income requirement, though maximum income limits vary by county .

4. Can I use a CalVet loan to refinance?

Generally no. CalVet is prohibited from refinancing existing loans on real property, except in limited cases for portfolio stabilization .

5. Can I get a CalVet loan if I served decades ago?

Yes. All veterans who served on active duty can apply regardless of age or how long ago they served .

6. Can surviving spouses get a CalVet loan?

Yes, if the veteran died after filing a CalVet application, died from service-connected injuries, or is a POW/MIA, and the spouse has not remarried .

7. Does CalVet offer 100% financing?

Yes. CalVet can finance up to 100% of the purchase price for eligible veterans with full VA entitlement .

8. What types of properties qualify?

Single-family residences, condominiums, planned unit developments, and mobile homes in California that meet CalVet’s property standards .

9. How do I apply for a CalVet Home Loan?

Apply online through the CalVet website before you make an offer on a property. You’ll need your DD-214, income documentation, and credit authorization .

10. What is the 2026 bond allocation for CalVet?

The state approved a $150 million tax-exempt bond allocation in January 2026, expected to help about 363 homebuyers. Additionally, SB 417 proposes $1.25 billion in new bonds for veterans housing if approved by voters in November 2026 .

Key Takeaways

• Eligibility: 90+ days active duty (not training), honorable discharge, purchasing owner-occupied home in California 

• No minimum credit score and no minimum income — loans are manually underwritten 

• Surviving spouses of eligible veterans may qualify under specific conditions 

• Apply before you make an offer — you cannot have an interest of record in the property when you apply 

• 2026 updates: $150 million bond allocation approved in January; SB 417 proposes $1.25 billion in new bonds for November 2026 vote 

• Funding fee exemption: Veterans with 10%+ disability rating are exempt from VA funding fee 

• Property standards: Homes must meet CalVet’s minimum requirements for zoning, utilities, heating, and access 

• Contact CalVet: 1-800-952-5626 for assistance 

Official Resources

• CalVet Home Loans – Official program information

• California Department of Veterans Affairs – Main agency website

• CalVet Application Instructions – Detailed application guidance 

• VA Certificate of Eligibility – Apply for COE through VA.gov