FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

"I just want to know-What benefits do I qualify for?"

The short answer is each benefit has its own set of qualifications. Unless you have a VA disability rating benefits are not robust for veterans.

-Our question back is "what benefits are you interested in?" 

This is a list of some Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits categorized by degree of disability.  Please contact us for additional information.  Benefits can be subject to change.

BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO NON-SERVICE CONNECTED BENEFITS

Military service requirements and income and asset limits vary depending on the program.  Overseas service is not required.

Federal-

• Non-Service Connected Pension (Must have one day of service during a “wartime period.”)
• VA Healthcare and prescription service
• VA Home Loan Guaranty Program
• Headstones, Grave Markers and Medallions

State-

• WI GI Bill
• Aid to Needy Veterans Grants: Dental, Eyeglasses, Hearing Aids, Subsistence Aid (income replacement due to illness or injury)
• Vet-Ed Grant
• Burial in State Veterans Cemeteries (free to veteran, low cost for Spouse)
• Occupational License Waivers
• Veteran Identifier on Driver’s License
• Veterans Assistance Programs (Transitional Housing along with services focused on education, training and employment, health care, housing referral, counseling and legal assistance).

BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO SERVICE CONNECTED DISABLED VETERANS 0% TO 20%

Federal-

• Home Loan Guaranty fee exemption
• Eligibility for VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP), the opportunity to purchase dental insurance at a reduced cost
• Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling under Title 38 USC Chapter 31 (must be at least 10%)
• Service Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (maximum of $10,000 coverage), must file within 2 years from date of new service connection and prior to age 64 ½.
• 10-point Civil Service preference (10 points added to Civil Service test score)
• Clothing allowance for veterans who use or wear a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance (artificial limb, braces, wheelchair) or use prescribed medication for a skin condition which tend to wear, tear or soil clothing.
• Temporary 100% evaluation for a service connected disability requiring:
  • Hospitalization in excess of 21 days; or
  • Surgical treatment requiring at least on month convalescence; or
  • Immobilization by a cast of one or more joints.

State-

• None

   

  30%                                                                   In addition to the above:

  Federal-

• Additional allowance for dependents (spouse, children, dependent parents, step children, full time students between ages 18 and 23 and parents.
• Additional allowance for a spouse who is a patient in a nursing home or helpless or blind or so nearly helpless or blind as to require aid and attendance of another person.
• Non-competitive Federal employment.
• Special adaptive equipment may also be applied for if there is ankyloses of one or both knees or one or both hips.

State-

• WI GI Bill- Free tuition for a veteran’s spouse and/or dependents at a state university or technical college for 128 credits or 8 semesters if the veteran enlisted from Wisconsin, or resided in Wisconsin for the five years immediately prior to entering the school year AND dependent must also meet same five-year residence requirements.

   

   

  40%                                                                   In addition to the above:

  Federal-

• Automobile grant and/or special adaptive equipment for an automobile provided there is loss or permanent loss of use of one or both, loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or permanent impaired vision of both eyes with central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in better eye.

  State-

• None

   

  50%                                                                   In addition to the above:

  Federal-

• Copay exempt VA Medical care for any condition except dental.
• Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) is a Department of Defense (DoD) program that allows some individuals to receive both military retired pay and VA disability compensation.

State-

• Disabled Veterans Recreation Card entitles the veteran to a fishing license, small game license and a park admission sticker for $7.00.

  60% to 90%                                                       In addition to the above:

  Federal-

• Possible increase compensation, paid at 100% rate, based on Individual Unemployability (IU); applies to veterans who are unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to service connected disability. (See the 100% rating for IU).

  State-70% or higher

• Waivers of vehicle admission and trail pass fees for state of Wisconsin Parks and Trails.
• Resident Disabled Veteran Reduced-Fee Fishing License for $3.00

100%- (Individual Unemployable)                    In addition to the above:

Federal-

• Dental Treatment at VA Facilities
• National Service Life Insurance total disability income provisions.
• Veteran Employment preference for spouse.
• Military ID & Authorization to access Military Base Exchange and Commissaries.
• Specially Adapted Housing for veterans who have:
  • Loss of permanent use of one extremity together with an organic disease which affects the functions of balance and propulsion