VA’s new website landing page makes it easier for Veterans and family members to access VA benefits and services information. The website, www.va.gov/getstarted, provides two newly updated booklets on information about VA benefits and services, as well as how to apply for them.
The first booklet is the 2020 Federal Benefits Handbook for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors. The handbook contains a comprehensive listing of VA benefits and services with direct links to contact benefits and services representatives. In fact, an index located on the inside cover lists both phone numbers and websites for easy reference.
Importantly, the handbook provides a legal overview on eligibility requirements to include the definition of a Veteran. Additionally, as VA serves many generations of Veterans, there are specific qualification guidelines for distinct periods of service to clarify eligibility during both peacetime and wartime environments.
The handbook aligns with benefits information and services for VA’s three administrations: Veterans Health Administration; Veterans Benefits Administration; and Veterans Cemetery Administration. Also, a section of the handbook discusses non-healthcare services, such as homelessness, survivor assistance, women and minority Veterans, and many other programs.
The handbook is a one-stop resource for Veterans, family members and survivors. Limited printed copies may be available at medical centers or VBA regional offices. The website allows Veterans to access VA benefits and services information. 
Welcome to VA
The second resource booklet, the VA Welcome Kit, complements the handbook with easy-to-understand words and graphics to better navigate VA’s many benefits.
This booklet is structured on the idea that no two Veterans are the same, and not all experience major life events and moments in the same order.
Based on where a Veteran is in his or her life, VA serves Veterans in different ways. This resource includes a journey map to help explore how VA supports Veterans both now and in the future.
This resource also reviews VA benefits and services. This includes a useful check list to help Veterans learn and organize important documents needed for application purposes. In addition, Veterans can also learn eligibility periods for certain benefits, such as education or life insurance. The best part is that one can simply crosswalk a search by benefit, how it can help, documents required and VA points of contact.
Want to apply for health care, education, compensation, assistance for care givers, or memorial benefits? These are just a few of the resources in this booklet that can save Veterans time, increase their awareness and understanding of how to apply.
VA is working to take the complexity out of navigating its myriad benefits and services. Visit www.va.gov/getstarted to learn more about the VA benefits Veterans have earned with their service.
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Absolutely worthless to this homeless disabled veteran.
Give us the high level positions in the VA!
Husband Randy Fink was in Vietnam during agent Orange. Would like to know where my application for benefit is?
Ma’am, in a perfect world you would get a response from a VA representative with the knowledge to help you and the audacity to tell you to drop that attitude. Listen, you can maintain that approach if you want; but, you need to fully understand this: THE WORLD WILL NOT END IF YOU NEVER, EVER, Ever see the first dime from this agency. So, Barbara… Pick your path; but, be honest with yourself… Your ARE the Biggest obstacle in your way.
Ajay Gray, you have a perfect example of the attitude of the VA and their representatives.
Hello when I was on basic training, I was diagnosed with asthma, and got my fifth rib broke while standing in formation, because another squad was playing baseball where they weren’t supposed to do I get anything from that…I have my DD214 … please help.
Since this is Customer Experience Week I thought I would share one we just had. My husband has been hospitalized for over 7 months this year at the James Haley facility in Tampa. He is home now and I take care of him. He is 74 years old has Parkinson’s, a fib, ischemic colon problems amongst other things many of which are hard to treat because of the PD. He was exposed to agent orange, burn pits and Camp LeJuene toxic water and God only knows what else these vets were put through, Carl has always been treated well by the VA until this year. I don’t understand what happened but we have had to beg and fight for his care this year and it’s not getting any better for him. He was supposed to have surgery Oct 7 and on Oct 5 had to go for pre-op. This was to include a covid swab and urine test, additionally they did a chest xray and blood work. When they escorted us to our vehicle Carl told me they did not do the urine test so I went back in to see what happened. Ultimately was told by the man in charge that Carl was not able to provide a sample and that they would just do it on the day of the surgery and that this happens all the time. Needless to say we got a last minute call the night before cancelling the surgery because there was no urine test done and even after explaining what happened it was cancelled. Carl has limited mobility now and the next day he had to go back to get a sample done and the surgery will now be re-scheduled (we don’t have a new date yet).. We have been told that when it is rescheduled he will have to do all the pre-op stuff again. There was lots of finger pointing between the lab and the doctors but the bottom line is my husband’s treatment has been delayed. This is only the latest incident in months of problems. I have sat on calls, read the many messages the leadership sends out telling us how much you are doing but the vets and their families are telling you that this is broken and you are not hearing us. The system is broken.
I need information on the New GI Bill and Housing….
I would like info on rhis