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Who's Eligible

Eligibility for most federal, state and local benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. However, some military personnel may be eligible for certain veterans benefits while on active duty when they have completed:

  • 90 days of service during wartime and/or conflict periods
  • or two years of military service since 1980
  • or 181 days during peacetime

War Time Service
Some VA benefits and medical care require wartime service. As specified in law, the VA recognizes these war periods:

  • World War II (September 16, 1940 to July 25, 1947)
  • Korean Conflict (June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955)
  • Vietnam Era (August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975)
  • Persian Gulf War (August 2, 1990 to present) requires service for 2 years or the full period for which called to active duty.  Exceptions applying to service between September 7, 1980 and August 1, 1990 also apply to Persian Gulf War.

You must have served at least 90 days on active duty and must have been discharged or released under other than dishonorable conditions. If you served less than 90 days, you may be eligible if discharged because of a service-connected disability.

Peacetime Service
If your service fell entirely within any one of the following periods:

  • July 26, 1947 to June 26,1950
  • February 1, 1955 to August 4, 1964
  • May 8, 1975 to September 7, 1980 (if enlisted) or to October 16, 1981 (if officer).

You must have served at least 181 days of continuous active duty and you must have been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. If you served less than 181 days, you may be eligible if discharged because of a service-connected disability.

Family and Survivor
Some family members of disabled or deceased veterans are eligible for certain benefits.

  • Educational benefits
  • Home Loan Guaranty for surviving spouse
  • Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
    • DIC payments to surviving spouse
    • DIC payments to parents and children
    • Spina Bifida benefits
  • Medical Care for family and survivors (CHAMPVA)
  • Death Pension
  • Burial of spouse and eligible family members