Veterans
How Do Veterans Apply for Benefits?
You’ve served your country well and Allied applauds your brave dedication. Now it’s your turn. As a United States veteran, you are entitled to receive benefits for the valuable service you provided. And the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has created a convenient, location where veterans can apply for their benefits directly online: VONAPP (Veterans On Line Application).
Using VONAPP, a veteran and their beneficiaries can apply for military benefits. For example, veterans can apply for vocational rehabilitation benefits within six months of separation and education benefits (with two years of service) by completing an online application.
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VA applications forms in VONAPP include:
- VA Form 21-526: Veteran’s Application for Compensation and/or Pension
- VA Form 21-530: Application for Burial Benefits
- VA Form 21-686c: Declaration of Status of Dependents
- VA Form 21-4138: Statement in Support of Claim
- VA Form 22-1990: Application for VA Education Benefits
- VA Form 22-1995: Request for Change of Program or Place of Training
- VA Form 22-5490: Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
- VA Form 22-5495: Change of Program or Place of Training Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
- VA Form 28-1900: Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation
VONAPP can be an efficient alternative to visiting your local VA office. As soon as you complete your online application, it is automatically sent to the VA office that has jurisdiction over your application and you will receive an automated email response that confirms receipt.
Using VONAPP is a convenient way to apply for your education benefits. However, only use VONAPP if you are changing schools, changing education programs or filing for another/different education benefit. For example, some veterans may be eligible for two types of education benefits. So, if you are currently using one benefit program, you can utilize VONAPP to apply for the other benefit program.
Another good rule of thumb when using VONAPP to access your military benefits – Don’t resubmit an application when you already have one pending, as it can slow down the processing of your application.
VONAPP simplifies the application process. But what if you need help completing an application or simply want to learn more about your benefits, but want to avoid a trip to your local VA office? You can seek help from a service organization. In fact, these service organizations are dedicated to helping veterans with filling out applications and utilizing benefits, like how to pursue an education or vocational training. You can visit http://www1.va.gov/vso/ to obtain more information on locating a service organization near you.
As a military veteran, you deserve easy access to all of your benefits. And with a variety of service organizations and the convenience of the online VONAPP system, tapping into your benefits just got easier. Don’t miss out on your benefits because of confusing forms or a lack of time. Prepare for your future from home using the Internet, complete and track your applications using VONAPP and utilize assistance from a variety of service organizations when you need it.
