Eligibility for VA Benefits
Reservists who serve on active duty establish veteran status and may be eligible for the full-range of VA benefits, depending on the length of active military service and a discharge or release from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable. In addition, reservists not activated may qualify for some VA benefits.
National Guard members can establish eligibility for VA benefits if activated for federal service during a period of war or domestic emergency. Activation for other than federal service does not qualify guard members for all VA benefits. Claims for VA benefits based on federal service filed by members of the National Guard should include a copy of the military orders, presidential proclamation or executive order that clearly demonstrates the federal nature of the service.
Qualifying for VA Health Care
Effective Jan. 28, 2008, veterans discharged from active duty on or after Jan. 28, 2003, are eligible for enhanced enrollment placement into Priority Group 6 (unless eligible for higher Priority Group placement) for 5 years post discharge. Veterans with combat service after Nov. 11, 1998, who were discharged from active duty before Jan. 28, 2003, and who apply for enrollment on or after Jan. 28, 2008, are eligible for this enhanced enrollment benefit through Jan. 27, 2011.
Activated reservists and members of the National Guard are eligible if they served on active duty in a theater of combat operations after Nov. 11, 1998, and, have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
Veterans who enroll with VA under this “Combat Veteran” authority will retain enrollment eligibility even after their five-year post discharge period ends. At the end of their post discharge period, VA will reassess the veteran’s information (including all applicable eligibility factors) and make a new enrollment decision. For additional information, call 1-877-222-VETS (8387).
Disability Benefits
VA pays monthly compensation benefits for service-connected disabilities – those incurred or aggravated during active duty and active duty for training, and for residuals of heart attack or stroke that occurred during inactive duty for training. For additional information see “Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities”.
Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve
Members of reserve elements of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, and members of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, may be entitled to up to 36 months of educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) – Selected Reserve. To be eligible, the participant must:
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1. Have a six-year obligation in the Selected Reserve or National Guard signed after June 30, 1985, or, if an officer, agree to serve six years in addition to the original obligation.
2. Complete initial active duty for training.
3. Have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before applying for benefits.
4. Remain in good standing in a Selected Reserve or National Guard unit.
Reserve components determine eligibility for benefits. VA does not make decisions about eligibility and cannot make payments until the reserve component has determined eligibility and notified VA.
Period of Eligibility: Benefits generally end the day a reservist or National Guard member separates from the military. However, if you leave the Selected Reserve, you may still be eligible for a full 10 years from the date of eligibility (if eligible before Oct. 1, 1992), or a full 14 years from the date of eligibility on or after Oct. 1, 1992. Veterans may be eligible if separated because of a disability that was not caused by misconduct, the unit was inactivated, or otherwise involuntarily separated during Oct. 1, 1991, through Dec. 31, 2001. If in the Selected Reserve and called to active duty, VA can generally extend the eligibility period by the length of time on active duty plus four months. Once this extension is granted, it will not be taken away if you leave the Selected Reserve.
Payments: The rate for full-time training effective Oct. 1, 2007, is
$317 a month for 36 months. Part-time benefits are reduced proportionately. For complete current rates, visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/. DOD may make additional contributions.
Training: Participants may take undergraduate or technical training at colleges and universities. Those who have a six-year commitment beginning after Sept. 30, 1990, may also take the following training: graduate courses; State licensure and certification; courses for a certificate or diploma from business, technical or vocational schools; cooperative training; apprenticeship or on-the-job training; correspondence courses; independent study programs; flight training; entrepreneurship training; or remedial, deficiency or refresher courses
needed to complete a program of study.
Work-Study: Participants may be eligible for a work-study program in which they work for VA and receive hourly wages. Veterans must train at the three-quarter or full-time rate. The work allowed includes:
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1. Outreach services for VA.
2. VA paperwork.
3. Work at national or state veterans’ cemeteries.
4. Work at VA medical centers or state veterans homes.
5. Other VA approved activities.
Counseling: VA counseling is available to help determine educational or vocational strengths and weaknesses and plan education or employment goals. Additionally, those ineligible for MGIB may still receive VA counseling beginning 180 days prior to separation from active duty through the first full year following honorable discharge.
Reserve Educational Assistance Program
This program provides educational assistance to members of National Guard and reserve components – Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) – who are called or ordered to active duty service in response to a war or national emergency as declared by the president or Congress. Visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/ for more information.
Eligibility: Eligibility is determined by DoD or the Dept. of Homeland Security. Generally, a servicemember who serves on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, for at least 90 consecutive days is eligible.
Payments: The educational payment rate is based on the number of continuous days of active duty service performed by the Reservist or National Guard service member. Full-time students receive payments on a monthly basis.
2008 Reserve Educational Assistance Rates*
| Active-Duty Service for Reservists and National Guard | Monthly Payment Rate for Full-Time Students |
|---|---|
| 90 days but less than one year | $440.40 |
| One year but less than two years | $660.60 |
| Two or more continuous years | $880.80 |
*As of Oct. 1, 2007
Training: Approved training includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, vocational/technical training, on-the-job or apprenticeship training, correspondence training, and flight training. Licensing and certification test reimbursement is effective Jan. 6, 2006.
Period of Eligibility: Members of the Selected Reserve called to active duty are eligible as long as they continue to serve in the Selected Reserve. They lose eligibility if they go into the IRR. Members of the IRR called to active duty are eligible as long as they stay in the IRR or Selected Reserve. Members who separate from the IRR or Selected Reserve for a disability which was not the result of willful misconduct are entitled to benefits for 10 years after date of eligibility.
Home Loan Guaranty
National Guard members and reservists are eligible for a VA home loan if they have completed at least six years of honorable service, are mobilized for active duty service for a period of at least 90 days, or were discharged because of a service-connected disability. Reservists who do not qualify for VA housing loan benefits may be eligible for loans on favorable terms insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), part of HUD. Additional information can be found at “Home Loan Guaranty”.
Life Insurance
National Guard members and reservists are eligible to receive Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, Veterans’ Group Life Insurance, and Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance. They may also be eligible for Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance or Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance if called to active duty and injured with a service-connected disability, and Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance if approved for a Specially Adapted Housing Grant.
Complete details can be found at “VA Life Insurance”.
Burial and Memorial Benefits
VA provides a burial flag for memorialization of members or former members of the Selected Reserve who served their initial obligation, or were discharged for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or died while a member of the Selected Reserve. Information on benefits and eligibility can be found at “Burial and Memorial Benefits”.
Re-employment Rights
A person who left a civilian job to enter active duty in the armed forces is entitled to return to the job after discharge or release from active duty if they:
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1. Gave advance notice of military service to the employer.
2. Did not exceed five years cumulative absence from the civilian job (with some exceptions).
3. Submitted a timely application for re-employment.
4. Did not receive a dishonorable or other punitive discharge.
The law calls for a returning veteran to be placed in the job as if they had never left, including benefits based on seniority such as pensions, pay increases and promotions. The law also prohibits discrimination in hiring, promotion or other advantages of employment on the basis of military service. Veterans seeking re-employment should apply, verbally or in writing, to the company’s hiring official and keep a record of their application. If problems arise, contact the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) in the state of the employer.
Federal employees not properly re-employed may appeal directly to the Merit Systems Protection Board. Non-federal employees may file complaints in U.S. District Court. For information, visit http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra/main.htm.
Army Reserve Warrior and Family Assistance Center
The Army Reserve Warrior and Family Assistance Center (ARWFAC) provides Army reserve soldiers, veterans, families, and units with a single source to resolve situations related to medical issues and education on programs available to Army reserve soldiers. The center was established in 2007 to ensure that reservists receive appropriate support under the Army Medical Action Plan. The center provides a sponsor to each Army reserve soldier and family currently assigned to a Warrior Transition Unit, Community Based Health Care Organization, or VA PolyTrauma center. The AR-WFAC also assists Army reserve commands at all echelons with the resolution of medical and other issues and provides education on programs and benefits available to Army reserve soldiers. For information, call 1-866-436-6290 or visit http://www.arfp.org/wfac.
National Guard Transition Assistance Advisors
The Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA) program places a National Guard/VA-trained expert at each National Guard State Joint Forces Headquarters to act as an advocate for Guard members and their
families within the state. They also serve as an advisor on Veterans Affairs issues for the Family Programs and Joint Forces Headquarters staffs. TAAs receive annual training by VA experts in health benefits for both Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs and help Guard members and their families access care at VA and TRICARE facilities in their state or network. The TAA works with the State Director of Veterans Affairs and other state coalition partners to integrate the delivery of VA and community services to Guard and Reserve veterans. You can reach your Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA) through your state National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters.