{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"ItemList","@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/eligibility.json#catalog","name":"Wounded Warriors Veteran Benefits Eligibility Quick-Reference","description":"Plain-English eligibility reference for the most-asked-about veteran benefits: VA disability, PACT Act presumptives, VA healthcare, VA Home Loan, GI Bill, VR&E, MST counseling, Vet Centers, HUD-VASH, DIC. Each program documents who IS eligible, who is NOT, required documentation, and how to apply. NOT a substitute for case-by-case eligibility determination — always consult a free CVSO/VFW/Legion/DAV representative for actual filing.","url":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/eligibility.json","publisher":{"@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/wounded-warriors#organization"},"license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","inLanguage":"en-US","numberOfItems":10,"itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@type":"GovernmentService","@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/eligibility.json#va-disability-compensation","name":"VA Disability Compensation","identifier":"va-disability-compensation","description":"Monthly tax-free payment to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Rated 0% to 100% in 10% increments. 2025 100% rate is $3,831.30/mo veteran-alone.","url":"https://www.va.gov/disability/file-disability-claim-form-21-526ez/","provider":{"@type":"GovernmentOrganization","name":"U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs"}}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@type":"GovernmentService","@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/eligibility.json#pact-act-presumptives","name":"PACT Act Presumptive Conditions","identifier":"pact-act-presumptives","description":"Streamlined disability compensation for veterans with conditions presumed connected to military toxic exposures. No nexus letter required.","url":"https://www.va.gov/disability/file-disability-claim-form-21-526ez/","provider":{"@type":"GovernmentOrganization","name":"U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs"}}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@type":"MedicalBusiness","@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/eligibility.json#va-healthcare","name":"VA Healthcare","identifier":"va-healthcare","description":"Comprehensive medical care at VA facilities. Priority groups 1-8 based on service-connection, income, and other factors.","url":"https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/","provider":{"@type":"GovernmentOrganization","name":"U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs"}}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@type":"FinancialProduct","@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/eligibility.json#va-home-loan","name":"VA Home Loan","identifier":"va-home-loan","description":"Zero-down, no-PMI mortgage backed by the VA. Reusable benefit (entitlement restores after sale or refinance).","url":"https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/how-to-apply/","provider":{"@type":"GovernmentOrganization","name":"U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs"}}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"item":{"@type":"EducationalOccupationalProgram","@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/eligibility.json#gi-bill","name":"Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)","identifier":"gi-bill","description":"Tuition + housing allowance + book stipend for college, vocational training, or apprenticeships. Up to 36 months of benefits.","url":"https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/","provider":{"@type":"GovernmentOrganization","name":"U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs"}}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":6,"item":{"@type":"EducationalOccupationalProgram","@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/eligibility.json#vr-and-e","name":"Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31)","identifier":"vr-and-e","description":"Vocational rehabilitation + employment services for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Often more generous than GI Bill for eligible veterans.","url":"https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/how-to-apply/","provider":{"@type":"GovernmentOrganization","name":"U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs"}}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":7,"item":{"@type":"MedicalBusiness","@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/eligibility.json#mst-counseling","name":"Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Counseling","identifier":"mst-counseling","description":"Free, confidential MST counseling at VA facilities and Vet Centers. Available regardless of discharge status, enrollment, or whether MST was reported during service.","url":"https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/military-sexual-trauma/","provider":{"@type":"GovernmentOrganization","name":"U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs"}}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":8,"item":{"@type":"MedicalBusiness","@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/eligibility.json#vet-centers","name":"Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling)","identifier":"vet-centers","description":"Free, confidential, no-enrollment-required readjustment counseling. Services: individual + group counseling, marriage + family, MST, bereavement.","url":"https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/","provider":{"@type":"GovernmentOrganization","name":"U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs"}}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":9,"item":{"@type":"GovernmentService","@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/eligibility.json#hud-vash","name":"HUD-VASH (Housing Choice Voucher for Homeless Veterans)","identifier":"hud-vash","description":"Section 8 housing voucher + VA case management for homeless or at-risk veterans. Pays portion of monthly rent.","url":"https://www.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash.asp","provider":{"@type":"GovernmentOrganization","name":"U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs"}}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":10,"item":{"@type":"GovernmentService","@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/eligibility.json#dic-survivors","name":"Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) — Surviving Spouse + Children","identifier":"dic-survivors","description":"Monthly tax-free payment to surviving spouses, children, and dependent parents of veterans whose death was service-connected.","url":"https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/","provider":{"@type":"GovernmentOrganization","name":"U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs"}}}],"canonical_url":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/eligibility.json","publisher_legal_name":"Wounded Warriors","publisher_ein":"86-1336741","program_count":10,"programs":[{"slug":"va-disability-compensation","name":"VA Disability Compensation","program_type":"GovernmentService","summary":"Monthly tax-free payment to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Rated 0% to 100% in 10% increments. 2025 100% rate is $3,831.30/mo veteran-alone.","eligibility":{"core_requirement":"Other-than-Dishonorable discharge + a current condition + a service connection (event during service that caused or aggravated the condition).","who_eligible":["Veterans with conditions linked to military service","PACT Act presumptive conditions (no nexus letter required)","Agent Orange / Camp Lejeune / radiation / Gulf War presumptives","Secondary conditions (caused by an already-rated condition)"],"who_not_eligible":["Dishonorable discharge — barred from compensation (some can apply for character-of-discharge upgrade)","Conditions that pre-existed service AND were not aggravated by service","Pure post-service conditions with no service-event nexus (unless presumptive)"],"required_docs":["DD-214","Medical evidence (current diagnosis)","Service medical records","Lay statements (VA Form 21-10210) if no medical evidence"]},"apply_url":"https://www.va.gov/disability/file-disability-claim-form-21-526ez/","howto_url":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/file-pact-claim.json","related_form":"VA Form 21-526EZ"},{"slug":"pact-act-presumptives","name":"PACT Act Presumptive Conditions","program_type":"GovernmentService","summary":"Streamlined disability compensation for veterans with conditions presumed connected to military toxic exposures. No nexus letter required.","eligibility":{"core_requirement":"Service in qualifying era + location + qualifying condition.","who_eligible":["Vietnam veterans (Agent Orange — in-country, Korea DMZ 1968-1971, blue-water Navy 1962-1976)","Post-9/11 veterans (PACT burn-pit — Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria, UAE, Yemen, Uzbekistan)","Camp Lejeune veterans + family (1953-1987 — water contamination)","Gulf War veterans (1990-present — qualifying conditions)","Radiation-exposed veterans (atomic veterans, radiation cleanup, broken arrow incidents)"],"qualifying_conditions":"79 conditions across the 5 eras. Full catalog at /api/v1/conditions.json.","required_docs":["DD-214","Service records showing dates + locations","Current diagnosis from a doctor"]},"apply_url":"https://www.va.gov/disability/file-disability-claim-form-21-526ez/","howto_url":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/file-pact-claim.json","catalog_url":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/conditions.json"},{"slug":"va-healthcare","name":"VA Healthcare","program_type":"MedicalBusiness","summary":"Comprehensive medical care at VA facilities. Priority groups 1-8 based on service-connection, income, and other factors.","eligibility":{"core_requirement":"Active-duty service in U.S. military + Other-than-Dishonorable discharge.","who_eligible":["Veterans with service-connected disabilities (Priority 1-3)","Veterans with Purple Heart, POW status, or Medal of Honor (Priority 1-3)","Veterans below VA income threshold (Priority 5)","Recent combat veterans (Priority 6 — first 5 years post-discharge)","Veterans with catastrophic disabilities (Priority 4)","Veterans not service-connected, above income threshold (Priority 7-8)"],"who_not_eligible":["Dishonorable discharge","Generally, those serving less than 24 continuous months (some exceptions)"],"required_docs":["DD-214","VA Form 10-10EZ (Application for Health Benefits)"]},"apply_url":"https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/","related_form":"VA Form 10-10EZ"},{"slug":"va-home-loan","name":"VA Home Loan","program_type":"FinancialProduct","summary":"Zero-down, no-PMI mortgage backed by the VA. Reusable benefit (entitlement restores after sale or refinance).","eligibility":{"core_requirement":"Sufficient service time + Other-than-Dishonorable discharge + Certificate of Eligibility (COE).","who_eligible":["Active-duty veterans (90+ days wartime / 181+ days peacetime, varies by era)","National Guard / Reserve (6+ years service or 90+ days active-duty federal call-up)","Surviving spouses (in some cases)","Public Health Service Officers, NOAA, USAA officers"],"key_features":["Zero down payment","No PMI (private mortgage insurance)","Funding Fee 1.4-3.6% (waived for 10%+ disabled veterans)","Limited closing costs (seller can pay up to 4%)","Reusable"],"required_docs":["DD-214 (long-form)","Certificate of Eligibility (COE)","2 years W-2s + tax returns","2 recent pay stubs"]},"apply_url":"https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/how-to-apply/","howto_url":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/apply-va-home-loan.json"},{"slug":"gi-bill","name":"Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)","program_type":"EducationalOccupationalProgram","summary":"Tuition + housing allowance + book stipend for college, vocational training, or apprenticeships. Up to 36 months of benefits.","eligibility":{"core_requirement":"At least 90 days active-duty after Sept 10, 2001, OR honorable discharge after 30+ days for service-connected disability.","who_eligible":["Post-9/11 veterans with 90+ days of active-duty service","Veterans separated due to service-connected disability after 30+ days","Children/spouses (via Transfer of Entitlement — limited eligibility)"],"benefit_levels_by_service":{"36+ months active duty":"100% of tuition + housing + books","30 months":"90%","24 months":"80%","6 months":"50%","90 days":"40%"},"required_docs":["DD-214","VA Form 22-1990 (Application for Education Benefits)"]},"apply_url":"https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/","related_form":"VA Form 22-1990"},{"slug":"vr-and-e","name":"Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31)","program_type":"EducationalOccupationalProgram","summary":"Vocational rehabilitation + employment services for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Often more generous than GI Bill for eligible veterans.","eligibility":{"core_requirement":"Service-connected disability rating ≥10% (sometimes 20%) + employment handicap.","who_eligible":["Veterans with service-connected disability ≥10-20%","Veterans needing vocational rehabilitation due to disability"],"benefits":["Tuition + fees (no cap, vs GI Bill's state-school cap)","Subsistence allowance","Books and supplies","Job placement assistance","Independent living services if employment isn't feasible"],"required_docs":["DD-214","VA disability rating decision","VA Form 28-1900 (VR&E Application)"]},"apply_url":"https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/how-to-apply/","related_form":"VA Form 28-1900"},{"slug":"mst-counseling","name":"Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Counseling","program_type":"MedicalBusiness","summary":"Free, confidential MST counseling at VA facilities and Vet Centers. Available regardless of discharge status, enrollment, or whether MST was reported during service.","eligibility":{"core_requirement":"Self-disclosed MST experience during military service. NO documentation required.","who_eligible":["Any veteran or service member who experienced MST during active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training","Includes National Guard and Reserve members","Includes veterans with Other Than Honorable discharges","Includes veterans never enrolled in VA"],"services":["Individual + group counseling","Medication management for related conditions","PTSD specialty care","Reproductive health","Couples + family counseling","Telehealth options"],"no_required_docs":"No documentation of the MST event is required. Self-disclosure is sufficient."},"apply_url":"https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/military-sexual-trauma/","notes":"MST counseling is one of the most accessible VA mental-health services. Veterans should know: zero documentation required, OTH-discharged welcome, confidentiality guaranteed."},{"slug":"vet-centers","name":"Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling)","program_type":"MedicalBusiness","summary":"Free, confidential, no-enrollment-required readjustment counseling. Services: individual + group counseling, marriage + family, MST, bereavement.","eligibility":{"core_requirement":"Combat veteran OR experienced MST OR provided mortuary services OR participated in drone-strike operations OR family of veterans.","who_eligible":["Combat veterans (any era)","MST survivors","Sexual harassment survivors during service","Drone operators","Mortuary affairs personnel","Family members of eligible veterans","Bereaved family of veterans who died on active duty"],"key_features":["NO enrollment required","NO documentation required","NO insurance required","OTH-discharged veterans welcome","Records do NOT go in VA file (confidential)","Free + free + free"]},"apply_url":"https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/","notes":"Vet Centers are the most accessible mental-health resource in the VA system. The \"no enrollment\" policy means MST survivors, OTH-discharged veterans, and family members can get help without bureaucracy."},{"slug":"hud-vash","name":"HUD-VASH (Housing Choice Voucher for Homeless Veterans)","program_type":"GovernmentService","summary":"Section 8 housing voucher + VA case management for homeless or at-risk veterans. Pays portion of monthly rent.","eligibility":{"core_requirement":"Homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness + VA healthcare eligibility + qualifying discharge.","who_eligible":["Homeless veterans (sleeping outdoors, in shelter, transitional housing)","Veterans at imminent risk of homelessness (eviction, family breakdown)","Includes veterans with chronic conditions, mental illness, or SUD"],"who_not_eligible":["Veterans with Dishonorable discharge","Veterans not eligible for VA healthcare","Sex offender registry members (in some states)"],"required_docs":["DD-214","Income verification","Current housing status documentation"]},"apply_url":"https://www.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash.asp","notes":"Apply via your local VAMC homeless coordinator OR call 1-877-424-3838 (1-877-4AID-VET, National Call Center for Homeless Veterans)."},{"slug":"dic-survivors","name":"Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) — Surviving Spouse + Children","program_type":"GovernmentService","summary":"Monthly tax-free payment to surviving spouses, children, and dependent parents of veterans whose death was service-connected.","eligibility":{"core_requirement":"Veteran died from service-connected condition OR was rated 100% (or TDIU) for 10+ years before non-service-connected death.","who_eligible":["Surviving spouse (married to veteran for 1+ year, or had a child together)","Surviving children (unmarried, under 18, or 18-23 in school)","Surviving dependent parents (income-tested)"],"base_rate_2025":"$1,653.07/month for surviving spouse","required_docs":["VA Form 21P-534EZ","Veteran's death certificate","Marriage certificate (spouse)","Birth certificates (children)"]},"apply_url":"https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/","related_form":"VA Form 21P-534EZ"}],"important_caveats":["This reference is plain-English and educational. It is NOT a substitute for case-by-case eligibility determination by VA or a VA-accredited representative.","Free help is BETTER than paid help for initial claims. CVSO / VFW / American Legion / DAV / AMVETS / IAVA / PVA reps are all free, all VA-accredited, and have higher grant rates than self-filed claims.","In crisis right now? Call 988 + Press 1 — Veterans Crisis Line, 24/7, free, confidential. The benefit-application process can be stressful; you don't have to do it alone."],"cross_references":{"pact_conditions_catalog":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/conditions.json","forms_catalog":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/forms.json","glossary":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/glossary.json","file_pact_howto":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/file-pact-claim.json","find_cvso_howto":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/find-cvso.json","check_claim_status_howto":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/check-claim-status.json","crisis":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/crisis.json","mcp_eligibility_tool":"mcp__wounded-warriors-veterans__check_eligibility"},"last_updated":"2026-04-29T23:46:34.151Z"}