Veterans Benefits Guide

Find the next step for your situation. Start with a question below, then follow the official link for eligibility, forms or applications.

Sources checked September 17, 2026. Its Veterans is an independent guide, not the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA decides eligibility; an accredited representative can help with your individual claim.

What do you need help with?

I already have a rating or receive IU

80% rating with Individual Unemployability: benefits, work rules and 20-year protections

Your combined disability rating, Individual Unemployability (IU/TDIU), Permanent and Total (P&T) status, and the effective dates of your awards are different pieces of information. Gather these before comparing benefits. If you are unsure, choose “I do not know” on your own checklist and ask for help.

Download your VA benefit letters and keep your rating decisions together. Read VA’s explanation of IU.

I want to apply for benefits

Choose the benefit you need. These links go to official VA information, where you can check requirements and find the application.

Before submitting an application, read the benefit’s eligibility and evidence instructions, gather the requested documents, and keep a copy of what you send. Application requirements differ by benefit.

I need help for my family

Start with VA’s family and caregiver health and disability directory. For family health coverage, check CHAMPVA’s specific requirements. A Veteran’s percentage alone does not establish a family member’s eligibility.

Has something changed?

Ask four questions about any benefits headline: Is it a proposal or a final rule? Who does it affect? When does it take effect? Do I need to do anything? A news date is not always the date a rule starts.

Our Veterans Benefits news provides dated coverage. It is not a complete list of legal changes. Follow the official source linked in each story and check the effective date before acting. This guide does not provide automatic alerts.

I am not sure where to start

Find a VA-accredited representative. An accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative’s help with VA benefit claims is free. Attorneys and claims agents may charge fees.

A simple checklist to take to an appointment

  • Your question in one sentence.
  • Your latest benefit summary letter and relevant rating decisions.
  • The benefit or condition you are asking about, with its effective date if known.
  • Any VA notice you received, including its response deadline.
  • Your state of residence if asking about state or local benefits.

You do not need to send personal records to Its Veterans. Use VA’s official services or your chosen accredited representative for applications and claim documents. You can print this page using your browser’s Print command.