How to Contact the VA: Phone Numbers & Online Resources

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Contact, Benefits & Services

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the federal agency that provides health care, disability compensation, education, housing, insurance, and survivor benefits to eligible veterans and their families. The VA benefits hotline is 1-800-827-1000, available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM ET. The VA health care hotline is 1-877-222-8387. Apply online at VA.gov. In 2026, the VA is processing disability claims in an average of 75.6 days — down from 141.5 days in January 2025 — and has awarded more than $207 billion in compensation and pension benefits this fiscal year.

Quick Facts

How to Contact the VA

The VA offers multiple contact channels depending on what you need. Using the right number or portal saves time and connects you with the correct office.

Main VA Contact Numbers

Online Resources

• VA.gov — Apply for benefits, check claim status, manage health care, download forms

• My HealtheVet — Refill prescriptions, view medical records, message your care team

• VA Health & Benefits App — Manage claims, payments, and appointments from your phone

• Ask VA (ask.va.gov) — Submit questions online and receive responses from VA staff

VA Regional Offices

VA regional offices process disability compensation, pension, and survivor benefit claims. Find your nearest office at va.gov/find-locations. Major regional offices include:

VA Disability Compensation

VA disability compensation is a monthly tax-free payment to veterans who became sick or injured during military service or whose existing condition was made worse by service. The amount depends on your combined disability rating, not on income. In 2026, a veteran with a 100% rating and no dependents receives $3,938.57 per month.

2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates

The 2026 COLA was 2.8%, applied by Public Law 119-42, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025. Rates took effect December 1, 2025.

Veterans rated 10% or 20% receive the same amount with or without dependents. Add-ons for dependents begin at 30%.

Who Qualifies for VA Disability Compensation

To qualify, you must meet all three requirements:

1. You have a current physical or mental condition — illness, injury, or disability

2. Your condition is connected to your military service — it occurred during, was aggravated by, or was caused by active duty

3. You were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions

You do not need to have served in combat. A condition connected to service — an injury in training, an illness that began on active duty, or hearing loss from the flight line — can qualify.

Presumptive Conditions Under the PACT Act

The PACT Act (Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act), signed August 10, 2022, expanded VA health care and disability benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. As of December 2025, the VA has received 3.2 million PACT Act-related claims since August 2022, of which more than 3.0 million have been processed.

Presumptive conditions include:

• Burn pit exposure — more than 20 categories of presumptive diseases

• Agent Orange — two new presumptive conditions added, plus expanded geographic locations

• Radiation exposure — three new geographic locations and time periods added

• Persian Gulf War — amended statute for Gulf War Veterans

How to Apply for VA Disability Compensation

1. File an Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) — this locks in your effective date and protects your back pay

2. Gather evidence — DD-214, medical records, service treatment records, buddy statements, private nexus letter

3. Complete VA Form 21-526EZ — Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits

4. Submit online at VA.gov — fastest method; also available through an accredited VSO or by mail

5. Track your claim — check status at va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status or call 1-800-827-1000

Required VA Forms for Disability Claims

Common Mistakes When Filing Disability Claims

• Not filing an Intent to File first. This can cost you months of back pay.

• Listing conditions vaguely. “PTSD from combat exposure in Iraq” is better than just “PTSD.”

• Missing the one-year appeal deadline. You have one year from the decision notice to file an appeal.

• Not submitting private medical records. VA requests federal records, but private records often tell a better story.

• Ignoring secondary conditions. Conditions caused by a service-connected disability (like depression from chronic pain) also qualify.

Appeals Process

Under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA), the VA offers three appeal lanes. You have one year from the date of your decision notice to file.

If the Board denies your appeal, you may appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

VA Health Care

VA health care is available to most veterans who served on active duty and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is America’s largest integrated health care system, with more than 1,700 sites of care serving over 6 million veterans.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

• Served on active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard

• Discharged under other than dishonorable conditions

• Minimum service requirement: Veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty

VA Health Care Priority Groups

When you apply for VA health care, the VA assigns you to one of eight priority groups. Higher priority groups receive earlier access and reduced costs.

Priority Groups 1–5 have no copayments for medical care. Groups 6 and 7 have copayments for care and medications.

How to Apply for VA Health Care

1. Complete VA Form 10-10EZ — Application for Health Benefits

2. Submit online at va.gov/health-care/apply, by phone at 1-877-222-8387, or in person at any VA medical center

3. Provide documentation — DD-214, previous year’s household income, medical expenses

4. Receive your priority group assignment — VHA determines eligibility using SSA and IRS income data

You can apply even if you have private insurance or Medicare. VA health care does not replace other coverage but can supplement it.

What VA Health Care Covers

• Preventive care and immunizations

• Outpatient diagnostic and treatment services

• Hospital inpatient care

• Prescription drugs

• Mental health counseling and treatment

• Rehabilitation services

• Long-term care services

• Women’s health services

• Dental care (limited eligibility)

GI Bill Education Benefits

The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) is the VA’s largest education program. It covers full in-state tuition at public colleges, up to **$30,908.34 per year** at private or foreign schools for the 2026-2027 academic year, a monthly housing allowance, and an annual book stipend of up to $1,000.

Education Benefit Programs Compared

Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility

You qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill if you served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after September 10, 2001, and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. The benefit percentage ranges from 40% (90 days) to 100% (36 months) of the maximum benefit.

How to Apply

1. Complete VA Form 22-1990 online at va.gov

2. Receive your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

3. Provide your COE to your school’s certifying official

4. VA pays tuition directly to the school and sends housing and book stipends to you

VA Home Loan Guaranty

VA home loans allow eligible veterans, service members, and surviving spouses to purchase a primary residence with no down payment and no mortgage insurance. The VA guarantees a portion of the loan, reducing risk for lenders.

Eligibility Requirements

How to Apply

1. Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — apply online at va.gov, through your lender, or by mail using VA Form 26-1880

2. Find a VA-approved lender

3. Get pre-approved — VA sets no minimum credit score, but lenders typically require 580–620

4. Make an offer and close — VA loans can finance up to 100% of the purchase price

Key Benefits of VA Loans

• No down payment required

• No private mortgage insurance (PMI)

• Competitive interest rates

• No prepayment penalty

• Reusable benefit — you can use it multiple times

VA Pension and Survivor Benefits

Veterans Pension

VA pension is a need-based benefit for wartime veterans with low income and limited net worth. To qualify, you must meet all of these requirements:

• Discharged under other than dishonorable conditions

• Served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a recognized wartime period

• Age 65 or older, OR permanently and totally disabled, OR living in a nursing home, OR receiving Social Security disability

• Annual household income and net worth below limits set by Congress

The 2026 net worth limit is $163,699. Pension claims are processed in an average of 57 days as of March 2026.

Aid and Attendance

Aid and Attendance is an enhanced pension for veterans who need daily help with personal functions like bathing, dressing, or eating. It provides additional monthly payments on top of the basic pension.

Survivor Benefits

Required Forms for Survivor Benefits

Additional VA Benefits and Services

VA Life Insurance

The VA administers several life insurance programs:

• Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) — up to $500,000 coverage for active duty

• Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) — conversion of SGLI after separation; apply within 1 year and 120 days

• Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife) — guaranteed acceptance whole life coverage up to $40,000 for veterans with service-connected disabilities

• Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) — for veterans with severe service-connected disabilities who have adapted housing grants

Apply for VALife on or after January 1, 2026, and your S-DVI coverage ends the day your VALife application is approved.

VA Caregiver Support Program

The VA Caregiver Support Program offers two levels of support:

• Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) — open to all caregivers of enrolled veterans; provides education, peer support, and coaching

• Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) — for caregivers of veterans with serious injuries; provides a monthly stipend, health insurance, and mental health services

The Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274.

VA Burial Benefits

The VA provides burial and memorial benefits for eligible veterans:

• Burial allowance: Up to $2,000 for service-connected deaths; $1,002 for non-service-connected deaths

• Plot allowance: Reimbursement for burial plot costs

• Burial flag: Provided for every eligible veteran

• Headstone or marker: At no cost

• Presidential Memorial Certificate: Signed by the President

• Burial in a national cemetery: At no cost to the family, including gravesite opening and closing

Apply using VA Form 21-530. National Cemetery Scheduling Office: 1-800-535-1117.

VA Benefits for National Guard and Reservists

National Guard and Reserve members may qualify for VA benefits if they were called to active duty by a Federal Executive Order (other than for training only) and completed the full period for which they were called.

Eligible Guard and Reserve members can access:

• VA health care (after federal activation)

• VA home loans (6 years of service, or 90 days with 30 consecutive)

• GI Bill benefits (Post-9/11 and Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve)

• Disability compensation (for conditions connected to federal active duty)

Processing Times and Payment Dates

2026 VA Claim Processing Times

The VA has significantly reduced claim processing times in 2026.

The VA processed more than 3 million disability claims in fiscal year 2026 and awarded more than $207 billion in compensation and pension benefits. Claims processing accuracy is 94%, the highest rate in two years.

When Payments Arrive

VA disability compensation payments are deposited on the first business day of each month. If the first falls on a weekend or holiday, payment arrives the preceding business day.

Effective Dates and Back Pay

Your effective date is generally the date the VA received your claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later. Filing an Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) locks in your effective date, ensuring you receive back pay from the earliest possible date.

Example: If the VA receives your claim on January 17, 2026, your effective date is January 17. Since monthly benefits begin the first day of the month following the effective date, the VA would owe benefits starting February 2026.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for VA Benefits

• Not filing an Intent to File. This simple step can cost you months of back pay.

• Using the wrong form. Disability compensation uses VA Form 21-526EZ; health care uses 10-10EZ.

• Missing the appeal deadline. You have one year from the decision notice to file.

• Not providing a DD-214. This is required for nearly every VA benefit.

• Assuming you need a high disability rating. Even a 10% rating provides monthly compensation.

• Not reporting income changes. For pension and health care, income determines eligibility.

• Ignoring secondary conditions. Conditions caused by a service-connected disability also qualify for compensation.

• Not checking claim status. Monitor your claim at va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status.

• Failing to update direct deposit. Ensure your banking information is current to avoid payment delays.

• Not keeping copies of everything. Retain copies of all forms, medical records, and correspondence.

Key Changes for 2026

2.8% COLA Increase

VA disability compensation rates increased 2.8% effective December 1, 2025, under Public Law 119-42. The next adjustment is due December 1, 2026.

PACT Act Implementation

The PACT Act continues to expand benefits. As of March 2026, the VA has completed 6.7 million toxic exposure screenings, with 4.2 million current enrollees in the PACT Act planning population. More than 1.9 million veterans have received approved PACT Act-related claims.

VA Form 21-526EZ Simplification

The VBA is undertaking an initiative to streamline and simplify VA Form 21-526EZ, aiming to reduce the length and complexity of the form by the end of Calendar Year 2026.

Record Claims Processing

The VA processed more than 3 million disability claims in FY 2026, already surpassing the record set in FY 2025. The backlog of veterans waiting for benefits has been reduced by more than 70% since January 2025.

New Healthcare Facilities

The VA has opened 41 new healthcare facilities since January 2025, expanding access for veterans around the country. The VA also completed a record high 82 million direct care appointments in FY 2025.

Common Questions

What is the VA benefits hotline number?

The VA benefits hotline is 1-800-827-1000, available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern Time. For health care questions, call 1-877-222-8387. For crisis support, dial 988 and press 1.

How do I apply for VA disability compensation?

Complete VA Form 21-526EZ online at VA.gov, through an accredited Veterans Service Organization, or by mail. First, file an Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) to lock in your effective date and protect your back pay. Average processing time in 2026 is 75.6 days.

Who qualifies for VA health care?

Most veterans who served on active duty and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions qualify. Veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980, must have served 24 continuous months. Apply using VA Form 10-10EZ online, by phone, or in person.

What is the 2026 VA disability rate for 100%?

A veteran with a 100% disability rating and no dependents receives **$3,938.57 per month** in 2026. With a spouse, the rate is $4,197.57; with a spouse and one child, $4,446.57. Rates increased 2.8% effective December 1, 2025.

How long does it take to get a VA decision?

As of September 2026, the average time to complete a disability claim decision is 75.6 days, down from 141.5 days in January 2025. Pension claims average 57 days, and DIC claims average 73 days.

What is the PACT Act?

The PACT Act (signed August 10, 2022) expanded VA health care and disability benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. It added more than 20 presumptive conditions and expanded geographic locations for radiation and herbicide exposure.

How do I check my VA claim status?

Check your claim status online at va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status, through the VA Health & Benefits App, or by calling 1-800-827-1000. You will need to sign in with Login.gov, ID.me, DS Logon, or My HealtheVet.

What is the VA home loan benefit?

VA home loans allow eligible veterans to purchase a primary residence with no down payment, no PMI, and competitive interest rates. Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility at va.gov or through your lender. VA loans can finance up to 100% of the purchase price.

How do I appeal a VA decision?

Under the Appeals Modernization Act, you have three options: Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995), Higher-Level Review (VA Form 20-0996), or Board Appeal (VA Form 10182). You must file within one year of your decision notice.

What is the difference between VA disability compensation and VA pension?

VA disability compensation is for veterans with service-connected conditions and is not need-based. VA pension is for wartime veterans with low income who are 65 or older or permanently disabled, regardless of service connection. You cannot receive both for the same period.

Who qualifies for VA survivor benefits?

Surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents of veterans who died from service-connected causes may qualify for DIC, Survivors Pension, education benefits, and home loan guaranty. Apply using VA Form 21-534EZ.

Does the VA provide caregiver benefits?

Yes. The VA Caregiver Support Program offers two levels: General Caregiver Support Services (education and coaching) and the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (monthly stipend, health insurance, mental health services). Call 1-855-260-3274.

What is the VA burial benefit?

The VA provides a burial allowance of up to $2,000** for service-connected deaths and **$1,002 for non-service-connected deaths, plus plot allowance, burial flag, headstone or marker, and burial in a national cemetery at no cost.

Are National Guard and Reserve members eligible for VA benefits?

Guard and Reserve members may qualify for VA benefits if they were called to active duty by a Federal Executive Order (other than for training only). Benefits include health care, home loans, GI Bill, and disability compensation for conditions connected to federal active duty.

Key Takeaways

• The VA benefits hotline is 1-800-827-1000; health care hotline is 1-877-222-8387; Veterans Crisis Line is 988 (press 1).

• 2026 VA disability rates increased 2.8%; a 100% rating pays $3,938.57/month for a veteran alone.

• Average disability claim processing time is 75.6 days as of September 2026, down from 141.5 days in January 2025.

• Apply for disability compensation using VA Form 21-526EZ; health care uses VA Form 10-10EZ; GI Bill uses VA Form 22-1990.

• The PACT Act has generated 3.2 million claims since August 2022 and added more than 20 presumptive conditions.

• VA health care assigns veterans to one of eight priority groups; Groups 1–5 have no copayments.

• The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers full in-state tuition, up to $30,908.34/year at private schools, plus housing and book stipends.

• VA home loans require no down payment and have no PMI; obtain a COE at va.gov.

• Appeals must be filed within one year of the decision notice using VA Form 20-0995, 20-0996, or 10182.

• The VA awarded more than $207 billion in compensation and pension benefits in FY 2026.

Official Resources

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — va.gov

• VA Benefits Portal — benefits.va.gov

• VA Health Care — va.gov/health-care

• VA Disability Compensation — va.gov/disability

• VA Education Benefits — va.gov/education

• VA Home Loans — va.gov/housing-assistance

• VA Pension — va.gov/pension

• VA Life Insurance — insurance.va.gov

• VA Caregiver Support — caregiver.va.gov

• VA National Cemetery Administration — cem.va.gov

• Social Security Administration — ssa.gov

• IRS — irs.gov

• Medicare — medicare.gov

• USA.gov — usa.gov

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