Federal Benefits

As we are a State Agency, we have no authority over benefits from the US Department of Veterans Affairs. We can only offer assistance in understanding and applying for these benefits, we can also help Veterans and family members find suitable advocates that can guide you through the some times long and tedious claims process.

Contacting the VA

Contacting the VA to inquire about the status of a claim, request documentation or get information can be a very frustrating process at times. It is important to know that we are not the VA and due to privacy we cannot access your VA file. The only way to reach the VA on the phone is to call 1-800-827-1000.

However, the best way to make contact with VA is to use the IRIS system, which is a system that allows you to make electronic inquiries to the VA. Go to www.va.gov, click on “contact the VA” then “ask a question” or follow this link: https://iris.va.gov
A VA Representative will get back to you.

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VA Compensation & Pension Services

Compensation & Pension Service administers a variety of benefits and services for veterans, their dependents and survivors, including, but not limited to: service-connected compensation, dependency & indemnity compensation and non-service connected pension.

VA Disability Compensation is a benefit paid to a veteran because of injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, active duty training or were made worse by active military service. This benefit is paid tax-free. You may be eligible if you have a service-related disability and you were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

VA Pension is a benefit paid to wartime veterans with limited income, and who are permanently and totally disabled or age 65 or older. You may be eligible if
- you were discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions AND

- you served 90 days or more of active duty with at least 1 day during a period of war time AND
- you are permanently and totally disabled OR
- you are age 65 or older.

You can apply for VA Disability Compensation and Pension by filling out VA Form 21-526, Veterans Application for Compensation or Pension. You can also apply on line at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp.

VA Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of a

military service member who died while on active duty OR
veteran whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease OR
veteran whose death resulted from a non service-related injury or disease, and who was receiving, or was entitled to receive, VA Compensation for service-connected disability that was rated as totally disabling
- for at least 10 years immediately before death, OR
- •since the veteran’s release from active duty and for at least five years immediately preceding death OR
- •for at least one year before death if the veteran was a former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999.

You can apply for DIC by completing VA Form 21-534, Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.

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Veteran Service Organizations

There are non-profit organizations that exist to assist Veterans and their dependents in filing and receiving due entitlement to VA benefits. These Service Organizations offer a trained hand in navigating the VA process from initial filing though hearings, appeals and to the final decision. As they are non-profit, there is no fee at any point in the process and Veterans have the option to chose who they want as a representative and can change that at any point.

Here is the contact information for the service organizations that have a presence in Utah:

American Legion (801) 326-2380
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) (801) 326-2375
Military Order of the Purple Heart (801) 326-2471
Utah Dept of Veterans Affairs (801) 326-2372
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) (801) 326-2385

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VA Home Loan Services

http://www.homeloans.va.gov/

The VA does not offer loans, they offer the guarantee of a loan. Meaning, that eligible Veterans will receive a certificate of eligibility that shows a dollar amount that the VA will back on the loan towards the purchase of a home, the refinancing of or the remodeling of a home. This means that if the Veteran were to default on the loan, the VA would pay the guaranteed amount to the lender and the Veteran would then owe the VA.

The benefits of using this program are that often times it enables a Veteran to get the loan without a down payment and can eliminate the requirement to pay mortgage insurance.

VA Certificates of eligibility are good for life and may be used more than once, however, they can only be on one loan at a time. Once one loan is satisfied, that certificate can be used again. To request your certificate of eligibility you must complete a VA Form 26-1880 and send it, along with proper documentation of service, to the VA Home Loan office in Winston-Salem North Carolina. The application is available on va.gov/vaforms.

You can also contact the VA Home Loan Office at 1-800-244-6711.

Please Note: for Veterans with a VA service connected disability rating the funding fee for the home loan program is waived. Also be aware that the State of Utah offers a property tax abatement, see state benefits for more information.

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Post 9-11 GI Bill

From the VA’s website there are links to information concerning the Post 9-11 GI Bill. http://www.gibill.va.gov/Training/Pamphlets.htm

Pamphlets & Factsheets

Here you will find pamphlets, brochures, and information sheets relating to the GI Bill. Some of these documents require the free Adobe PDF Reader version 6.0 or above which may be obtained by clicking HERE

If you wish to order bulk copies of any pamphlets, please click HERE.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Information