NewsFlash | Financial Readiness

Financial Readiness

CREDIT UNIONS AND BANKING

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is an independent federal agency created by the U.S. Congress to insure deposits at federally insured credit unions, protect the members who own credit unions, and charter and regulate federal credit unions. While there are many options to receive and spend money, opening and maintaining accounts with a credit union will help with managing money and building wealth securely. Credit union checking or savings accounts are accessible and convenient. Plus, your individual accounts at federally insured credit unions are insured up to $250,000 by the U.S. federal government. 

Financial Well-Being of Servicemembers & Their Families - Servicemembers and military families face unique financial challenges, whether on active duty, returning to civilian life, or living as a Veteran. In recent years, servicemembers have joined the ranks of those who are considered most vulnerable to predatory lenders and identity theft. Most military families today are not saving adequately for retirement, and many do not have an emergency fund. Created by the U.S. Congress in 1970, NCUA is an independent federal agency that insures deposits at federally insured credit unions, protects the members who own credit unions, and charters and regulates federal credit unions.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

FDIC is an independent agency created by the Congress to maintain stability and public confidence in the nation’s financial system. The FDIC insures deposits; examines and supervises financial institutions for safety, soundness, and consumer protection; makes large and complex financial institutions resolvable; and manages receiverships. Since its creation in 1933, the FDIC has been an essential part of the American financial system. In the 1920s and early 1930s, a rise in bank failures created a national crisis, wiping out many Americans’ savings. Since FDIC insurance began in 1934, no depositor has lost a single penny of insured funds due to bank failure. The FDIC directly supervises and examines more than 5,000 banks and savings associations for operational safety and soundness. Banks can be chartered by the states or by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Banks chartered by states also have the choice of whether to join the Federal Reserve System. The FDIC is the primary federal regulator of banks that are chartered by the states that do not join the Federal Reserve System. In addition, the FDIC is the back-up supervisor for the remaining insured banks and savings associations.

MILITARY VETERANS BANKING

Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP)

VBBP, in conjunction with Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA) provides Veterans, Veteran beneficiaries and Veteran caregivers the resources needed to receive and manage VA monetary benefits and improve their financial health. VA, VBA, and the Association of Military Banks (AMBA) officially launched VBBP on December 20, 2019. At VBBP, we’re committed to helping Veterans navigate their financial challenges. VBBPs personalized guidance aims to ease financial worries and support mental wellness. VBBP offers tools and resources to help Veterans manage their finances and alleviate stress. Financial stress can affect your mood and mental health. VBBP provides resources and personalized plans to help you manage money and improve mental well-being. VBBP offers a safe space to discuss your financial concerns with financial and credit counselors. VBBP’s financial and credit counselors offer guidance on creating a budget and managing expenses, helping you reduce financial stress and improve overall well-being. Any Veteran, beneficiary, or caregiver (i.e., a VA-benefit recipient) who receives recurring federal monetary benefits or stipends can use VBBP. Since launching VBBP, thousands of VA-benefit recipients have opened accounts at participating banks and credit unions. The three ways VBBP can help you become more financially secure...

1. Find a Bank or Credit Union Convenience, cost and customer service are criteria that matter when you’re choosing a bank or credit union. Search our database to find yours.
2. Receive Free Counseling You have access to free financial counseling. A financial counselor can offer you insights on your financial options.
3. Improve Your Financial Health Improving your financial health offers you a wide range of benefits, from reducing stress and achieving your goals to securing your future. Start today!

VBBP provides options to VA-benefit recipients to receive their benefits through Direct Deposit, effectively manage monetary benefits, and reduce the risk of fraud. VA's VBBP helps Veterans, VA beneficiaries and caregivers by offering financial services to help achieve greater financial independence, resiliency and literacy. The program provides Veterans, beneficiaries, and caregivers (VA benefit recipients) a safe, reliable, and inexpensive way to receive and manage their VA monetary benefits. VBBP connects VA benefit recipients with banks and credit unions who understand Veterans’ financial needs and can provide Veterans and their families with the highest level of service. VBBP is accessible to VA benefit recipients’ regardless of their credit or legal history and can even help homeless Veterans open a checking or savings account. VBBP offers free financial or credit counseling through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education® (AFCPE). 

Defense Credit Union Council

DCUC is the trusted resource for credit unions on all military and veteran matters that came into existence through the selflessness and compassion of individuals who sought to provide consistent and reliable financial services to those dedicated to safeguarding our lives. Defense credit unions, serving a highly mobile membership, face unique and distinctive challenges that set them apart from traditional credit unions. As a founding partner of Veteran Saves we're encouraging all our members to join them in their important mission of guiding veterans, transitioning service members, and their families to financial wellbeing. Veteran Saves Week is November 4-7, 2025. The Council is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors consisting of a representative from each of the services -- Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force -- plus three representatives at large. ​The Council operates daily under the supervision of a President/CEO and a small staff from offices in Washington, D.C., and supports five active sub-councils --- the Overseas Sub-Council, the Hawaii Sub-Council, the Midwest Sub-Council, the Texas Sub-Council, and the Northwest Sub-Council.

NW MIRECC is a proud participant in Veteran Saves Week

As a Participating Organization for Veteran Saves Week 2025, NW MIRECC is just one of the hundreds of organizations that will take part in a national conversation, from Tuesday, November 4, to Friday, November 7, which encourages the military-connected community to take control of their financial future. The annual campaign focuses on increasing the financial confidence of Veterans, transitioning military members, and their families/caregivers while encouraging them to engage in a financial check-in, gaining valuable insights to enhance their financial well-being. Throughout the week, NW MIRECC encourages Veterans, transitioning military members, and their families/caregivers to become engaged in the following daily themes:

•    Tuesday, November 4: Survival Mode Spending: What to Do When There’s Not Enough
•    Wednesday, November 5: Building Trust with Your Financial Institution
•    Thursday, November 6: Paycheck Check-in: Making the Military-to-Civilian Financial Transition
•    Friday, November 7: The Real Cost of Housing After Service

Throughout the week, NW MIRECC will amplify resources, tools, and tips online at https://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn20/Newsflash/FinancialReadiness.asp. The Financial Readiness section is geared to help the military-connected community build stability, prepare for the unexpected, and plan for the future. Together, we’ll encourage smart saving habits, connect Veterans to trusted support, and remind each other that financial confidence starts with one small step. Those with a savings plan are twice as likely to save successfully. Taking the Veteran Saves Pledge is a pledge to yourself to start a savings journey and Veteran Saves is here to encourage you along the way. Take the first step toward creating a better financial future. Make a plan, set a goal, and pledge to yourself to start saving, today. 

Since 2007, Veteran Saves Week (Formerly Military Saves Week), coordinated by America Saves and its partners, has been an annual celebration as well as a call to action for military-affiliated Americans to commit to saving successfully. Through the support of hundreds of participating organizations, together, we encourage our local communities to do a financial check-in to get a clear view of their finances and saving behaviors. The Veteran Saves pledge is an online tool that allows Savers to set a goal and make a simple savings plan that works. Learn more at https://veteransaves.org/.

The Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA)

AMBA was founded in 1959. AMBA is a not-for-profit association of banks operating on military installations, banks not located on military installations but serving military customers, and military banking facilities designated by the U.S. Treasury. The association's membership includes both community banks and large multinational financial institutions, all of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Armed Forces Financial Network (AFFN)

AFFN's mission is to increase the versatility of participating financial institutions to better serve the U.S. military. AFFN is co-owned by AMBA and DCUC. AFFN was founded in 1985 at the request of the U.S. Army in support of the Surepay direct deposit system to provide U.S. military personnel (active, reserve, dependents and retired) with access to their funds through ATM and point-of-sale (POS) terminals at or near U.S. military bases worldwide.

FINANCIAL LITERACY, EDUCATION, AND WELLNESS GUIDES

VET CENTS

Launched in November 2023, VetCents is an award-winning online service that starts with a financial health assessment, followed by a custom strategy to help Veterans widen their financial knowledge and skills. VetCents was created by the Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN), a national nonprofit, to connect families to information and resources that they need to reach their financial goals. Today, VetCents is fully integrated in the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP), multiplying VetCents’ potential to support the financial wellbeing of those who have served our country as they navigate their financial journey. VetCents is provided at no cost to Veterans, Veteran beneficiaries and Veteran caregivers thanks to support provided by the Wells Fargo Foundation and the American Bankers Association (ABA) Foundation. Good financial health begins with VetCents, a celebrated online program designed specifically to help our military Veterans and family members improve their financial wellbeing. VetCents is your starting point for a brighter and healthier financial future. Gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to take control of your financial life and feel happier, less stressed, and more optimistic. Participants get regular feedback on their progress to help them stay on track with financial goals. VetCents is fully integrated with other VBBP services to help Veterans take command of their financial wellness. With each step in the assessment, you will unearth and gain a greater awareness of your financial interests, needs, and goals. You will also discover what you are doing well — and not so well — in your financial life.

MyCreditUnion.gov

MyCreditUnion's mission is to be a trusted resource for financial literacy tools and educational materials that empowers consumers to make informed financial decisions for themselves and their families. Credit unions offer a variety of financial products and services to help you manage, grow, and protect your money. The NCUA regularly hosts webinars for consumers, credit unions, and other educators on the latest financial trends and research, as well as to highlight financial literacy programming and resources. Find useful discussions and tips from NCUA experts and other collaborators. Part of our mission is to encourage financial literacy because we understand that when credit union members and consumers are more educated and informed, they’re better equipped to make the best financial decisions for themselves and their families. The NCUA offers a variety of tools to support credit unions in their financial literacy efforts, as well. The Money Basics Guides are a series of educational resources to assist financial educators, credit unions, and other financial institutions promote financial literacy in their communities. These guides are also for everyday people who want to build their financial knowledge with practical skills they can use to manage their money. You can use the guides for group and individual learning.

• Guide to Building and Maintaining Credit - Understanding how to build and maintain good credit can feel intimidating, especially if you've experienced financial setbacks along the way. This guide is designed to teach you the basics so you can protect yourself from credit errors and fraud, while also building good money habits that make credit work in your favor.
• Guide to Budgeting and Savings - Developing a budget can feel scary for many consumers. It requires you to be proactive about your financial situation and for many people, it can be hard to face. But having a budget is crucial to managing your money, staying out of debt, and ultimately building wealth. More than anything, budgeting helps you to keep track of what money is coming in and what money is going out of your pocket—also known as your income and expenses.
• Guide to Savings and Checking Accounts - Establishing a savings and checking account is one of the first steps in establishing your financial foundation. These accounts allow you to deposit, store, and your withdrawal money. To learn more about account features and the things you need to know to manage your accounts wisely, check out this guide.

Making₵ents Smart Money Strategies

Personal Finance Knowledge Center for military life providing step-by-step information and education for navigating auto loans, saving for retirement, paying for college, buying a home and much more. From expert advice to budget calculators, our tools and resources can help you achieve your financial goals. Saving and budgeting work together to help you enjoy a better today and build a more secure tomorrow.

Financial Wellness: Sound Principles For Successful Money Management

Published in collaboration with nonprofit Guideposts, this instructive booklet, Financial Readiness— Sound Principles for Successful Money Management, addresses an important aspect of preparedness. Financial strains of deployments, unforeseen emergencies and “over-the-top” phone bills can burden even the most purposeful among us. Advice from trusted mentors who work to help those with financial difficulties. Providing insight into setting goals, forming budgets, understanding credit, and investing for the future are treated in clear, understandable terms. These principles help obtain a more secure financial future through more careful spending and improved saving and investing habits.

Veterans Guide: Understanding Your Benefits

Reviewed by VA's Veterans Benefits Administration, the Veterans Guide is designed to offer veterans and their families valuable guidance and effective financial decision-making strategies. As a veteran, you’ll face many decisions affecting your family, your career after the military, and your financial wellbeing. You’ll need to decide where to live, choose whether to continue your education or take a new job, and select health insurance. If you have a disability connected to your service, you’ll want to initiate the claims process so that you can receive the health care and compensation you deserve. The VA offers special programs, resources, and individual support to help you take full advantage of the benefits it provides. This digital educational resource guide explains Veterans' choices and strategies for making solid financial decisions.

Financial Preparations for Deployment

Having a financial action plan can give you greater control and peace of mind during deployment. Here are some financial considerations before, during, and after deployment. Financial education and knowledge is important for everyone – take some time to explore the financial assessment, our tools, resources, and more.

Military Service Buy Back

If you’re currently a civilian employee who was previously enlisted in the military and were honorably discharged, you may be eligible to buy back your military service time to be added to your years of civil service with the federal government. Military Service Buy Back, also known as a Military Service Deposit, is a benefit of Federal Civil Service that gives you the ability to receive retirement benefits based on your military service. As a general rule, your military service time is creditable for Federal Civil Service purposes if it was active service terminated under honorable conditions. If you are applying to buy back your military service time within three years of civilian service, no interest will be assessed. For federal employees with more than three years of civilian employment prior to applying to military buy back, there may be interest charges. If you’re considering buying back your military service time for federal civil service retirement purposes but are not sure of the potential costs, Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) provides a Military Service Buy Back Estimator. By answering some simple questions, the online self-service tool will provide you an a quick estimate of your military earnings and the cost of buying back your military service time. To buy back military time, veterans must deposit money that covers their military service. The deposit is processed through DFAS and/or the Veteran's agency's Personnel or Human Resources Office.

​Armed Forces Financial Guide: Mapping the Military Lifecycle

Armed Forces Financial Guide: Mapping the Military Lifecycle is a comprehensive resources to assist service members and their families with money management and financial planning through each stage of the military lifecycle, from enlistment and promotion to separation and retirement. Under one cover, it provides essential information on qualifying for and accessing military benefits, working as a family to make sound financial choices, transitioning from active duty to civilian life, and enrolling in essential veterans programs.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

TSP is a retirement savings and investment plan for federal employees and members of the Uniformed Services. It offers the same types of savings and tax benefits that many private corporations offer their employees under 401(k) plans. The TSP is a defined contribution plan, meaning that the retirement income you receive from your TSP account will depend on how much you (and your Service, if you are receiving Service contributions) contribute to your account during your working years and the earnings that accumulate over that time. The TSP is a retirement savings and investment plan for federal employees and members of the Uniformed Services. It offers the same types of savings and tax benefits that many private corporations offer their employees under 401(k) plans. The TSP is a defined contribution plan, meaning that the retirement income you receive from your TSP account will depend on how much you (and your Service, if you are receiving Service contributions) contribute to your account during your working years and the earnings that accumulate over that time.

Understanding the Blended Retirement System (BRS)

No matter your age, retirement is an important long-term financial goal. Being well informed can help you plan to have enough money to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle once you’ve stopped working. In this booklet, service members will learn the ins and outs of BRS and Total Savings Plan. Plus detailed information about how much can be saved, vesting and accessing funds.

Guide to the Military's Blended Retirement System

This booklet is the essential guide to DoDs retirement initiative. The guide clearly describes the key features and benefits of BRS, including the tax-deferred TSP account, matching contributions from the DoD, and investment choices and strategies for building a retirement portfolio. DoD matches 100% of the first 3% of basic pay that a member contributes to a TSP account, plus 50% of additional contributions, up to 5% of basic pay. That’s the same match available to civilian employees in the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS).

Blended Retirement System

The Blended Retirement System combines elements of the legacy retirement system with benefits similar to those offered in many civilian 401(k) plans. BRS is a modernized retirement plan for the Uniformed Services that is available to eligible service members. Features of the BRS includes a defined benefit (monthly retired pay for life) after at least 20 years of service, a defined benefit (consisting of government automatic and matching contributions) to a member’s TSP account, a bonus called continuation pay and a new lump sum option at retirement.

FDIC Money Smart

First released in 2001 and regularly updated since then, Money Smart has a long track record of success in reducing stress and improving financial readiness of Veterans. NW MIRECC started with the FDIC Money Smart program through the 'Helping Veterans #GetBanked and Manage Their Money' training program. The training program provided resources to Veterans Service Organizations, VA special Outreach Program Coordinators, and others who provide direct services to U.S. Veterans and have a direct interest in increasing Veterans’ financial capability. As a member of the Money Smart Alliance, NW MIRECC helps promote financial capability to strengthen the financial education efforts of Veterans, Servicemembers, and their families. The FDIC is an independent agency created by Congress to maintain stability and public confidence in the nation's financial system.

CREDIT, INCOME, AND RETIREMENT

Cost of Living Adjustments for Service-Connected Benefits and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) VA Compensation Calculator

Periodically, VA makes cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to VA compensation and pension benefits to ensure that the purchasing power of VA benefits is not eroded by inflation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an agency of the United States Department of Labor (DOL), is the principal fact-finding agency in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. BLS calculates and reports cost of living each month through Consumer Price Index (CPI) reports. CPI is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. Annual COLA is calculated through monthly Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) reports of the current fiscal year (July, August, September) to the average for the same months of the previous fiscal year.

Annual COLA is calculated through monthly Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) reports of the current fiscal year (July, August, September) to the average for the same months of the previous fiscal year. In September, the CPI-W increased 2.9 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 318.139 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.3 percent prior to seasonal adjustment. The calculated average CPI-W for the last three months of FY25 is 317.265. The 2026 COLA of 2.8% is derived from subtracting the FY25 calculated average from FY24 and then dividing from the FY24 baseline (317.265-308.729)/308.729 = 2.76%. Veterans, families and dependents eligible for VA benefits see the new amount reflected in their monthly checks effective Jan. 1. 2026.

Annual COLA increases affect VA service-connected disability compensation. VA service-connected disability compensation provides payments to Veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military. The monthly tax-free disability compensation includes Veterans whose service made an existing medical condition worse. Special benefit allowances, including automobile allowance, clothing allowance and Medal of Honor pension, are also provided a boost in benefit payments. MOAA publishes monthly updates and inflation figures (COLA Watch) used to set COLA for payments received by military retirees, disabled Veterans, Social Security beneficiaries, and many others receiving federal compensation. COLA affects certain VA benefits, including, but not limited to: disability compensation, clothing allowance, and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for spouses and children. COLA allowances are also applied to the payments provided to surviving spouse, child or parent of a service member who died in the line of duty, or the survivor of a Veteran who died from a service-related injury or illness. These VA survivor benefits are tax exempt. This means you won’t have to pay any taxes on your compensation payments. These adjustments help to make sure that the purchasing power of Veterans benefits keeps up with inflation. Learn more about VA disability ratings with the VA compensation calculator online at dav.org/disability-calculator. Please note that this calculator is to be used as an estimated evaluation and for informational purposes only. Many factors are considered with VA calculations, ratings, and monetary amounts. Contact an accredited Service Officer for additional questions or assistance with VA Benefits.

AnnualCreditReport.com

Credit reports may affect your mortgage rates, credit card approvals, apartment requests, or even your job application. The only official site explicitly directed by Federal law to provide free online credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Credit reports play an important role in your financial life and we encourage you to regularly check your credit history. Make sure that you recognize the information on your credit report including your personally identifiable information, such as names, addresses, Social Security Number, accounts and loans. Then check that the other information on your credit report is accurate and complete. If you find information that you believe does not belong to you or is not correct, contact the business that issued the account or the credit reporting company that issued the report.

OptOutPrescreen.com

The official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website to accept and process requests from consumers to Opt-In or Opt-Out of firm offers of credit or insurance. Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion, (collectively the "Consumer Credit Reporting Companies"), encourage you to make an informed decision about receiving firm (preapproved / prescreened) offers of credit or insurance. There are several benefits of receiving firm offers.

Request a Security Freeze

A security freeze is a step you take to prevent credit, loans and services from being opened in your name without your permission. You will need to request a freeze with each of the three credit reporting companies. It is important to know that if you place a security freeze on your credit report, businesses will not be able to obtain a copy of your report in connection with any new applications for credit. Before you apply for new credit, you will need to temporarily lift the security freeze following the procedures from the credit reporting company where you placed the freeze.

Lexis/Nexis Consumer Report

The report includes items such as real estate transaction and ownership data, lien, judgment, and bankruptcy records, professional license information, and historical addresses. You may order information on yourself by filling out a request, which must include proper identification. If you have questions or need to submit documents, you can do so via our LexisNexis Risk Solutions Reports Help page. Speak to a live LexisNexis Risk Solutions Consumer Center representative by calling 1-888-497-0011.

Request a LexisNexis Security Freeze

Applying a security freeze prohibits LexisNexis Risk Solutions and SageStream from releasing your LexisNexis Consumer Disclosure Report, your SageStream Consumer Report, or your credit score without your express authorization. The security freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in your name without your consent. However, a security freeze does not apply to companies, or collection agencies acting on behalf of such companies, with which you have an existing account that requests information in your consumer report for the purposes of reviewing or collecting the account. Reviewing the account includes activities related to account maintenance, monitoring, credit line increases, and account upgrades and enhancements. LexisNexis Risk Solutions does not charge a fee to apply, lift or remove a security freeze from your file.

HOME BUYING, REFINANCING, AND HOME LOAN RELIEF

Veterans Home Buying Guide

A tailored resource aimed at assisting Veterans through the process of purchasing a home. This comprehensive guide offers invaluable insights to help navigate the complexities of homeownership, ensuring that Veterans are well-equipped to make informed decisions. ​From understanding the intricacies of the home buying process to managing expectations and achieving financial goals, this guide serves as a roadmap for success. While it provides essential information, we strongly recommend consulting with a military-connected realtor and a qualified mortgage lending officer to tailor your approach to your specific needs and goals.

VA Home Loans

The VA home loan benefit helps Veterans, Servicemembers, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners. VA Home Loans allow financing up to 100% of a primary home purchase with no mortgage insurance and no prepayment penalty. VA-guaranteed home loans are made by private lenders, such as credit unions, mortgage companies, savings and loans, and banks. The VA guaranty means the lender is protected against loss if the borrowing veteran fails to repay the loan. To be eligible, requirements include a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE), sufficient income, and satisfactory credit. VA home loan limits are the same as the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) limits. These are called conforming loan limits and loans above this amount are known as jumbo loans.

Main pillars of the VA home loan benefit:

No downpayment required
Competitively low interest rates
Limited closing costs
No need for Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
The VA home loan is a lifetime benefit: you can use the guaranty multiple times

Lenders offer competitive mortgage interest rates on VA-backed purchase loans. VA offers these three main types of guaranteed home loan benefits:

 Purchase Loans
 Cash-Out Refinance Loans
Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans (IRRRL)

VA home loan programs may be used to obtain single-family homes, new home construction, manufactured homes and lots, condominiums; or refinance an existing home loan; or install energy-saving improvements. 

Steps to starting the process and finding a home

1. Apply for your VA-backed home loan Certificate of Eligibility (VA Form 26-1880)
2. Review your credit profile, income, expenses, and monthly budget
3. Select a lender
4. Select a real estate agent
5. Shop for a home

The VA funding fee is a one-time payment that the Veteran, service member, or survivor pays on a VA-backed or VA direct home loan. Find out if you’re eligible—and how to apply for your Certificate of Eligibility (VA Form 26-1880). You’ll need to bring the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to your lender to prove that you qualify for a VA home loan. Use VA Form 26-1880 to apply for a VA home loan COE. If you need help or have questions about your eligibility, call us at 1-877-827-3702.

VA’s Native American Direct Loan (NADL)

If you’re a Veteran, and either you or your spouse is Native American, our Native American Direct Loan (NADL) program may help you get a loan to buy, build, or improve a home on federal trust land. You may also get a loan to refinance an existing NADL and reduce your interest rate. Find out if you qualify for an NADL—and how to apply. You can contact an NADL coordinator by email at NADL@va.gov or by phone at 1-888-349-7541 (TTY: 711).

VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL)

If you have an existing VA-backed home loan and you want to reduce your monthly mortgage payments an IRRRL may be right for you. The VA IRRRL can be used to refinance an existing VA loan to lower the interest rate. Often called a “streamline” refinance; refinancing lets you replace your current loan with a new one under different terms. Find out if you're eligible for a VA-backed cash-out refinance loan. A VA-backed cash-out refinance loan lets you replace your current loan with a new one under different terms. If you want to take cash out of your home equity or refinance a non-VA loan into a VA-backed loan, a VA-backed cash-out refinance loan may be right for you. 

1. Find a Lender. You’ll go through a private bank, mortgage company, or credit union—not directly through us—to get an IRRRL. Terms and fees may vary, so contact several lenders to check out your options.
2. Give your lender any needed information. If you have the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) you used to get your original VA-backed home loan, take it to your lender to show the prior use of your entitlement. If you don’t have your original COE, ask your lender to get your COE electronically through the VA Home Loan program portal.
3. Follow your lender’s process for closing on the IRRRL loan, and pay your closing costs. You may need to pay the VA funding fee. This one-time fee helps to lower the cost of the loan for U.S. taxpayers since the VA home loan program doesn’t require down payments or monthly mortgage insurance. Your lender will also charge interest on the loan in addition to closing fees. With an IRRRL, you can include these costs in the new loan so you don’t have to pay up front. Or, you may be able to make the new loan at an interest rate high enough so your lender can pay the costs.

VA Home Loan Temporary Financial Hardship

If you’re behind and missed mortgage payments, on your mortgage payments, contact a VA loan technician at 1-877-827-3702 or the servicer of your mortgage to get help. If you fall behind on your mortgage payments, your mortgage servicer (the company that handles collecting the money for your lender) can take your house to cover the money owed. This process is called foreclosure. VA works with the borrower to avoid foreclosure, including providing financial counseling and, in some cases, direct intervention with a mortgage loan servicer on the borrower’s behalf. Can I get VA counseling to help avoid foreclosure?

If you’re a Veteran or the surviving spouse of a Veteran, we’ll provide counseling– even if your loan isn’t a VA-guaranteed loan.
If you have a VA-guaranteed loan, you can contact us anytime to discuss your loan.
If you have a VA-guaranteed loan and it’s 61 days past due, we’ll automatically assign a VA loan technician to review your loan.

If you're behind on your mortgage payments, contact us or the servicer of your mortgage to get help. And be careful of scams. Work only with trusted organizations. If your loan ends in foreclosure, short sale, or deed in lieu of foreclosure, you'll need to pay back the amount we lost on your loan to restore your future benefit. We call this process “restoration of entitlement.” To find out the amount you need to pay to restore your entitlement, contact a VA loan technician at 1-877-827-3702.

State Department of Veterans Affairs located in VA's Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 20 provide Veterans assistance for home ownership, improvement, and financial readiness.

ALASKA

• Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
• Home loan programs for Veterans - Alaska Housing is proud to offer several loan programs for Veterans. Qualified Veterans may purchase owner-occupied, single-family residences and, with certain restrictions, a duplex, triplex or fourplex. Long-term financing is also available for owner-built, newly constructed, single-family homes.
• Current maximum loan amount is $1,374,037 for a single-family home.
  https://www.ahfc.us/buy/resources/loan-limits
• Affordable Housing Enhanced Loan program - The Affordable Housing Enhanced Loan program (AHELP) is designed to work in partnership with other agencies to promote affordable home ownership. It helps Alaska Housing meet its core mission of providing quality, safe, affordable housing and serving low to moderate income Alaskan borrowers. Homeownership helps improve quality of life for families and individuals, and strengthens neighborhoods and communities.
• Energy efficiency interest rate reduction - Alaska Housing offers interest rate reductions when financing new or existing energy-efficient homes or when borrowers make energy improvements to an existing home. Any property that can be energy-rated, and otherwise eligible for Alaska Housing financing, may qualify for this program.
• Interest rate reduction for low-income borrowers - Qualified veterans receive a 1% interest rate reduction on the first $50,000 of the loan amount. Veterans must meet "State Vet" income limits. (State Veteran’s Interest Rate Preference is not eligible to be combined with the Veteran’s Mortgage Program). Qualified borrowers may participate in the IRRLIB program to lower the interest rate on any owner-occupied single-family loan. Reductions of 0.5% or 1% are available depending on family income, which may not exceed income limits for the area. The interest rate reduction applies to the first $180,000 of the loan amount. Loans exceeding $180,000 receive a blended interest rate rounded up to the next 0.125%.

CALIFORNIA

• Disabled Veterans' Property Tax Exemption
• CALVET Home Loans - California state agency authorized to provide home loans to California Veterans and their families as a thank you for the sacrifices made for our state and country. California state voter-approved bonds provide funding for this financing. CalVet Home Loans is a self-funded state organization which means we can provide this financing to qualified Veterans without cost to California taxpayers.
• CalVet’s maximum loan amount is dependent upon varying loan features, such as the loan program or property type. CalVet offers a loan amount that exceeds conventional conforming loan amount limits.
  https://www.calvet.ca.gov/calvet-programs/home-loans

IDAHO

• Property Tax Benefit for Disabled Veterans
• VA Home Loan - Idaho Division of Veterans Services Office of Veterans Advocacy is a full-service bureau that helps Veterans, their family members and survivors operating as an advocate to aggressively pursue federal VA home loan guaranty benefits and other housing-related programs to help you buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for your own personal occupancy.  VA Home Loans are provided by private lenders, such as banks and mortgage companies. VA guarantees a portion of the loan, enabling the lender to provide you with more favorable terms.
• Veteran grants for food, fuel, shelter, and other necessities of daily living - Relief grants are provided to eligible individuals for the purchase of food, fuel, shelter, and other necessities of daily living in a time of temporary emergency need. No grants will be made to residents of domiciliaries or long-term care facilities or to a potential recipient who refuses to take advantage of available government benefits or federal-state- local relief. Applicants will be required to obtain certification that they have applied for available assistance programs. Emergency relief funds may not be used to duplicate assistance from other sources.

MONTANA

• Reduced or No Real Property Taxes for Qualified Disabled Veterans
• Montana Veterans’ Home Loan Mortgage Program - Established in 2011 by the Montana State Legislature to provide first mortgage funds to Montana residents who are serving or have served in the Montana National Guard or in the United States Armed Forces and Reserves.
• Current maximum loan amount is $517,020. Funds for the program are provided from the principal of the Montana Coal Tax Trust Fund as authorized by 90-6-6 MCA. (Effective 13MAY2025)
  https://commerce.mt.gov/Housing/Lenders-Realtors/Veterans-Home-Loan-Program

OREGON

• Disabled Veteran or Surviving Spouse Property Tax Exemption
• Veterans Emergency Financial Assistance Program
• Oregon Veterans Home Loan Program - Currently, the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) home loan program offers eligible veterans fixed-rate financing for a single-family residence. Property must be located within the state of Oregon; however, Veteran borrowers are not required to be an Oregon resident upon application. ODVA home loans are limited to the Fannie Mae limit, or up to 95 percent of the purchase price or appraised value of the property — whichever is the lesser. For the limited refinance transactions available, no more than 80 percent of the home’s appraised value may be borrowed from ODVA.
• Current maximum loan amount is $832,750
  https://www.oregon.gov/odva/Home-Loans/Pages/default.aspx 
  

WASHINGTON

• Property Tax Relief for Veterans and Widows(ers) of Veterans
• Veterans Innovation Program (VIP)
• Veterans Downpayment Assistance Loan Program - Every year, the Washington State Housing Finance Commission’s home loans and downpayment assistance programs enable thousands of Washington families to become homeowners. Washington's Veterans Downpayment Assistane Loan Program serves military veterans in Washington state by combining with the Home Advantage or House Key Opportunity first-mortgage loan programs. Financed at 3% for up to $10,000 in downpayment assistance.
• Need to find which downpayment program is best for you? Complete the request form and a Washington State Housing Finance Commission staff member will get back to you with a recommendation about which downpayment assistance programs might meet your needs.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Disability Grants for Veterans

VA provides housing, automobile, and clothing grants for Veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities. VA provides a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant to assist with the cost of building, buying, adapting existing homes or paying to reduce indebtedness on a currently owned home that is being adapted, up to a maximum benefit amount. VA's SAH grant provides up to $121,812. VA may approve a Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant to assist with the cost of adapting or purchasing a home to live more independently. VA's SHA grant provides up to $24,405. 

Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA)

This benefit provides medically necessary improvements and structural alterations to Veterans/Servicemembers’ primary residence. VA provides up to $6,800 in lifetime benefits for service-connected Veterans. Up to $2,000 in lifetime benefits for nonservice-connected Veterans to make home improvements and/or structural changes necessary for the continuation of treatment or for disability access to the Veterans home and essential lavatory and sanitary facilities. All HISA projects must be medically justified for the service connected disability and/or non-service connected disability. Contact VA's Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service to determine your available lifetime HISA benefits.

Helping a Hero

Helping a Hero provides specially adapted homes for qualifying service members through partnerships made with the builders, developers, communities, and the Veteran. Ordinarily, homes are built in master-planned communities where the developer donates the lot and the builder builds at cost.

Gary Sinise Foundation Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment (R.I.S.E.)

The Gary Sinise Foundation serves our nation by honoring our defenders, Veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. Core programs include R.I.S.E. which provides homes and/or home modifications for severely wounded Veterans; Relieve & Resiliency which supports families facing hardships before, during or after serving; First Responders Outreach which supports firefighters, police and EMTs who sacrifice daily to ensure our safety, with funding, equipment, PPE and training.

GRANTS AND ALLOWANCES

VA's Automobile Allowance and Adaptive Equipment grant changes a vehicle so it has features like power steering, brakes, seats, windows, or lift equipment to help you get into and out of the vehicle. 

If you have a service-connected disability that prevents you from driving, we may pay up to $27,074.99 toward a specially equipped vehicle for you.

VA provides Veterans with a clothing allowance to replace clothes damaged by a medicine or prosthetic or orthopedic device related to your service-connected disability.

If a skin medicine, prosthetic, or orthopedic device related to your service-connected disability damages your clothes, we may pay you $1,024.50 to replace the damaged clothes. This may be a one-time payment or we may pay this amount once a year.

Veterans eligible for clothing allowance benefit:

Veterans who are rated for a service-connected disability for which they use a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance(s) may be entitled.
Veterans whose service-connected skin condition requires a prescribed skin medication that irreparably damages the Veteran's outer garments may be entitled.

This allowance is also available to any Veteran whose service-connected skin condition requires prescribed skin medication that irreparably damages their outer garments.

VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND MILITARY SUPPORT

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Financial Assistance for Service Members

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard and reserve forces. Many veterans are unaware they are owed money and benefits. Those who know often struggle with how to get them. VFW’s National Veterans Service (NVS) professionals help veterans cut through red tape to find and get the money and benefits they earned. The VFW mission is to support programs that increase awareness of the sacrifices America's veterans make through their military service. Financial stress can take a toll on mental health. Financial strain can contribute to stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. The VFW Financial Assistance for Service Members program helps America's active-duty service members and their families who run into unexpected financial difficulties as as a result of deployment or other military-related activity or injury. The program provides financial assistance up to $2,500 to assist daily necessities in the form of a grant – not a loan – so no repayment is required. To be eligible, you must be a service member, who is currently on active duty (to include activated Guard/Reserve members) whose financial hardship is a direct result of a current deployment, military pay error at no fault of the service member, or currently pending a medical discharge due to service-connected injuries/illnesses received while on active duty. The financial hardship cannot be caused by misconduct, civilian, legal, or domestic issues, any issues that are a result of spousal separation or divorce, and/or financial mismanagement by self or others, or due to bankruptcy. All grants are paid directly to the creditor and not to the applicant. The applicant must provide the most current bills due. VFW renders payment for eligible current bills only. Expenses Eligible for consideration of payment (daily necessities):

Housing expenses - mortgage, rent, repairs, and homeowners’ insurance (establishing residence/insurance or paying off expenses for a residence that is no longer being occupied will not be considered).
Vehicle expenses – payments, repairs, insurance (purchasing/paying off loan, major repairs for vehicles over 10 years old, registering, establishing insurance will not be considered).
Utilities (establishing/paying off utilities for a residence no longer being occupied will not be considered).
Childcare.
Medical bills (the patient’s portion for necessary or emergency medical care only).

To qualify for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, an individual must meet the following TWO requirements:

1. Honorable Service – must have served in the Armed Forces of the United States and either received a discharge of Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions) or be currently serving.
2. An authorized campaign medal (list of qualifying medals and badges)

• China Service Medal
• American Defense Service Medal
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
• American Campaign Medal
• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
• Army of Occupation Medal
• Navy Occupation Service Medal
• Korean Service Medal
• Navy Expeditionary Medal
• Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
• Vietnam Service Medal
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
• Southwest Asia Service Medal
• Kosovo Campaign Medal
• Combat Infantryman Badge
• Combat Medical Badge
• Combat Action Ribbon
• Combat Action Medal (Air Force Combat Action Medal)
• Combat Action Badge
• SSBN Deterrent Patrol Insignia
• Korea Defense Service Medal
• Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
• Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon WITH GOLD BORDER
• Purple Heart
• Korea Duty (Service in Korea for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days)
• Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger Pay (verified by a military pay statement)

This information is usually available through a veteran’s DD-214. If other information is needed or if a veteran’s DD-214 is not complete, they can contact the National Personnel Records Center at 314-801-0800 or online at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/ to request more information.

VFW recently reported that 24 participating Burger King franchisees and 880 restaurants provided $348,559 for VFW’s NVS through the annual fundraiser. Each year, the fundraising campaign invites guests to donate $1 or more with their purchased meals. Funds help provide free VA claims assistance through NVS for military and veteran families, ensuring they receive the benefits they have earned. Since 2007, Burger King franchisees have raised more than $7.8 million in support of VFW programs. Last year, VFW’s National Veterans Service helped more than 590,500 veterans receive $14.62 billion of VA disability benefits, including back pay. VFW’s network of VA-accredited service officers has been helping veterans receive their earned pay. Visit the VFW website to locate and communicate with your nearest VFW Post.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Service Foundation

The DAV National Service Foundation develops financial resources for the assistance, aid, maintenance, care, support and rehabilitation of sick and injured veterans and their dependents, either directly or by contributions to the service programs of the DAV national organization or its departments and chapters. To carry out this responsibility, the DAV National Service Foundation supports DAV’s daily work to meet the most significant and immediate needs of veterans, which includes providing free, professional assistance with disability claims and benefits; no-cost transportation to and from medical appointments; and other vital services imperative to the quality of life of veterans and their families. For decades, sick and injured veterans have counted on DAV National Service Officers (NSOs) to receive earned benefits. NSOs also provide emergency relief, counseling and claims assistance. Service is the cornerstone of DAV’s longstanding mission to empower veterans to lead high quality lives with respect and dignity. Last year, DAV helped veterans and their families file hundreds of thousands of claims—to get the health care, disability, employment, education and financial benefits they earned—and helped every step of the way. All of these outstanding services are provided to veterans free of charge. Visit the DAV website to locate and communicate with your nearest NSO and DAV Chapter

American Legion National Emergency Fund (NEF)

Since the early 1920s, American Legion has been actively involved in meeting the needs of both the community and individual Legion Family members in the wake of disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and wildfires. American Legion's NEF provides up to $3,000 for qualified American Legion members and up to $10,000 for American Legion posts. Applicant must have been displaced from their primary residence due damage sustained during a declared natural disaster. The American Legion NEF is not meant to replace or repair items, only to meet most immediate needs (i.e., temporary housing, food, water, clothing, diapers, etc.) during the period immediately following the disaster. Visit the American Legion website to locate and communicate with your nearest American Legion Post.

Army Emergency Relief

Charged with relieving undue financial stress on the force, AER serves the enduring priorities of the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. Soldiers medically evacuated from hostile fire or imminent danger area, peacekeeping operations or training exercises within CONUS receive immediate financial assistance. A $1,000 grant is provided at the time of hospitalization. Company commanders or first sergeants can approve immediate financial assistance up to $2,000 through the Quick Assist Program. 

Navy Safe Harbor Foundation (NSHF)

Since 2009, Navy Safe Harbor Foundation has been the Navy Wounded Warrior (NWW) Program’s first call when a Navy or Coast Guard Sailor is in need. NSHF provides financial assistance and support to Navy and Coast Guard Sailors and their families enrolled in the Navy Wounded Warrior Program. NSHF aims to ensure that every seriously wounded, ill and injured Navy and Coast Guard Sailor is given every opportunity for a full recovery by providing non-medical care and support to them and their families. Enrollees include those wounded in action, injured in on-duty training or liberty accidents, or suffering from serious illness. Financial Support of the family system, childcare, family camps, and respite care. NSHF aims to ensure that every seriously wounded, ill and injured Navy and Coast Guard Sailor is given every opportunity for a full recovery by providing non-medical care and support to them and their families. NSHF Services & Accommodations:

• Financial Support
• Travel Expenses
• Wounded Warriors Weekend
• Housing \ Rental Support
• Family Support
• Adaptive Athletics
• Housing Modifications
• Vehicle Modifications
• Specialized Equipment
• Public Awareness
• PTSD Programs & Education

Each year, NSHF supports the Navy and Coast Guard Wounded Warrior Team as prepares for participation in the Warrior Games – a Paralympic-style competition for more than 200 wounded, ill and injured service members from all branches of the U.S. military. Providing hope is our purpose.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society provides financial assistance and education, as well as other programs and services, to active duty and retired Sailors, Marines and their families in financial need. NMCRS can help with everyday living expenses such as rent, food or a car repair, military pay issues, permanent change of station (PCS) support, or medical and dental costs. We offer a range of assistance along with financial education to help you navigate your financial future. If you need to travel due to the illness or death of an immediate family member, NMCRS offers expedited service to assist with the cost of transportation. NMCRS also provides for Disaster Relief. Hurricanes, tornados, wildfires, and floods can have an unexpected impact on Sea Service families. NMCRS stands ready to help when a natural or human-made incident occurs. Since 1904, NMCRS has provided over $2 billion in financial assistance to more than 5 million active duty and retired Sailors, Marines and their families.

Semper Fi & America’s Fund

The Fund can help critically wounded, ill, and injured Service members, Veterans, and military families with an array of modifications to improve accessibility and mobility throughout their home. Many of our Service members, Veterans, and military families assisted by Semper Fi & America’s Fund require essential, but expensive, home modifications to improve accessibility. Whether it’s wheelchair ramps, widening doorways, or modifying showers and bathrooms, The Fund ensures that homes are tailored to comfortably accommodate their needs. We ensure that those we serve have a safe place to call ‘home’ by granting assistance for urgently needed rent, mortgage, and utility payments, as well as non-adaptive home repairs.​

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

Supporting and offering aid to the entire Coast Guard family; Active-duty and retired military personnel, civilian employees, commissioned officers of the Public Health Service serving with the Coast Guard, Reservists, Auxiliarists, and their families.

Air Force Aid Society

The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) works to support and enhance the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force missions by providing emergency financial assistance, educational support, and community programs to Air Force and Space Force families.

American Red Cross Emergency Services

The Department of Defense (DoD) and the American Red Cross have partnered since 1881. The American Red Cross works in partnership with military aid societies to provide quality, reliable financial assistance to eligible applicants 24/7/365. The American Red Cross delivers verified messages to deployed service members during emergencies at home. The American Red Cross Hero Care Center is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The American Red Cross has supported veterans since the first World War and remains committed to those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces wherever they may reside. The American Red Cross offers confidential services to all veterans and their families by connecting them with local, state and national resources through our network of chapters in communities across the United States and offices on military installations worldwide.

LIFE INSURANCE, WILLS, AND ESTATE MANAGEMENT

Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife)

VALife provides low-cost coverage to Veterans with service-connected disabilities. As part of the VA mission to serve Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families, VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your family is protected. VALife is guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance available to all Veterans aged 80 and under, who have a VA disability rating of 0 to 100%, with no medical underwriting and no time limit to apply. Veterans who are 81 or older and apply for VA Disability Compensation for a service-connected disability before age 81 and receive a rating for that same disability after turning 81 are also eligible if they apply within two years of receiving notification of their rating. The VALife program includes key dates and features impacting the Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) program. VA's S-DVI program stopped taking new applications in 2022. VALife is guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance. This means that if you meet the eligibility requirements for VALife, we’ll automatically approve your application. You won’t need to prove you’re in good health. And you can keep your coverage for the rest of your life.

• If you applied for VALife by December 31, 2025, you can keep your S-DVI during the 2-year waiting period for VALife benefits. Your S-DVI (including policies with premium waivers) will end when your full VALife coverage starts. You must pay premiums for both policies during the 2-year waiting period.
• If you apply for VALife on or after January 1, 2026, your S-DVI (including policies with premium waivers) will end the day we approve your VALife application. You’ll need to pay only VALife premiums during the 2-year waiting period. But you won’t have full coverage during this time.

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI)

With VGLI, you may be able to keep your life insurance coverage after you leave the military for as long as you continue to pay the premiums. You can get between $10,000 and $500,000 in term life insurance benefits. The amount you’ll get will be based on how much SGLI coverage you had when you left the military.

Navy Mutual Life Insurance

Membership with Navy Mutual is reserved for active duty, reserve/guard, and retired servicemembers in any branch of the United States military or uniformed services.

American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association (AAFMAA)

Armed Forces Mutual’s life insurance policies are designed exclusively for the military community. AAFMAA is dedicated to providing the most affordable solution without sacrificing quality or personal service.

United Services Automobile Association (USAA) Life Insurance

USAA was founded on military values. We consider it a privilege to serve those who defend our country. Our unwavering commitment to serve with excellence means we work to support our members’ changing needs today, tomorrow and for generations to come. USAA is a company with a simple, yet meaningful mission: to empower members to achieve financial security through competitive products, exceptional service and trusted advice. USAA products and services have no membership fees. USAA can help you get the coverage and savings you need with products from USAA Life Insurance Company, USAA Life Insurance Company of New York and more.

Trust, Will and Estate Management

Planning ahead for your loved ones’ future is a huge deal. It’s how you protect and manage your assets, make sure your heirs won’t overpay taxes and ensure your wishes are honored. When it comes to your trust, will and estate, our partners are ready to serve you. Navy Federal Investment Services partners with Trust & Will to provide online tools with step-by-step instructions to help you create a will, trust or both. A trust is an account you set up while you’re alive to hold your assets; it doesn’t replace a will. It will go into effect as soon as it’s set up, but you control how and when assets are distributed. You’ll appoint someone to manage the trust and distribute assets according to your instructions, which could help your heirs avoid probate and lower their tax burden. Trusts can also help protect you if you become disabled or incapacitated. Like a will, you can name guardians and declare your preferences for final arrangements. But, trusts can be more complicated and costly than wills—partly because of fees for set-up, continual management and other services.

Legal Help for Veterans

If you are a service member or Veteran in need of legal assistance now, there are several resources available to assist you. Many legal service providers offer free legal clinics in VA facilities. The VA contacts listed in these resources are not attorneys and therefore incoming email is not attorney client privileged nor a secure form of communication. VA provides monthly updates for Medical Legal Partnerships and VA-Affiliated Legal Clinics. The VA contacts can provide additional information about the legal clinics operating in their facilities, but they cannot give legal advice, determine your eligibility for a legal clinic, or schedule a legal clinic appointment for you.

VA’s Veterans Benefits Administration Online Will Preparation Service

Financial planning and online will preparation services available at no cost to beneficiaries of service members’ group life insurance, traumatic injury protection, family service members’ group life insurance and Veterans’ group life insurance. VA also offers free legal service clinics at VA centers throughout the country. You can see a list of these legal service clinics on the VA website. You can also contact your local VA department directly or talk to an outreach specialist at a VA Medical Center. The online will preparation service enables beneficiaries to quickly and easily prepare a will without an attorney. After answering a series of straightforward questions, the beneficiary will receive a legal will, valid in all states, ready to print and sign. This service provides beneficiaries with free, professional financial advice from FinancialPoint, an independent company whose team of professionals are experts in handling a wide range of financial matters. Beneficiaries can access this service online 24/7 to request a financial plan.

NW MIRECC disseminates mission-relevant knowledge through publications and continuing health care education programs across VISN 20 and nationally. Sign up for email updates or access your subscriber preferences: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVHAVISN20/subscriber/new.

Use of these Materials and Finding VA Health Care

Please note that the health care information provided in these materials is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a medical practitioner for advice on care and treatment. If you are looking for professional medical care, find your local VA healthcare center by using the VA Facilities Locator & Directory. This page may contain links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.

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Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Disclaimer of Hyperlinks: The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized VA activities, the Department does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the Department and the VA website. Please let us know about existing external links which you believe are inappropriate and about specific additional external links which you believe ought to be included.
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Reference from this web page or from any of the information services sponsored by the VA to any non-governmental entity, product, service or information does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the VA or any of its employees. We are not responsible for the content of any "off-site" web pages referenced from this server.
Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services on the part of the VA.

VA Regional Offices

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) helps service members transition out of military service, and assists with Veterans with education, home loans, life insurance and much more. Service members, Veterans, their families, and Survivors are invited to request information on VA Benefits including disability compensation, pension, fiduciary, education, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), Home Loans, and Insurance. In addition to information on VA Benefits Veterans may initiate an intent to file and request assistance with filing compensation and pension claims. Visit regional office websites to learn about the services the regional office provides, directions to the facility, hours of operation, and the leadership team that serves the regional office.

Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran

The following four categories of Veterans are not required to enroll but are urged to do so to permit better planning of health resources:

1. Veterans with a service-connected (SC) disability rated at 50% or more.
2. Veterans seeking care for a disability the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but which VA has not yet rated, within 12 months of discharge.
3. Veterans seeking care for a SC disability only or under a special treatment authority.
4. Veterans seeking health registry examinations. VA’s health registry evaluation is a free, voluntary medical assessment for Veterans who may have been exposed to certain environmental hazards during military service. The evaluations alert Veterans to possible long-term health problems that may be related to exposure to specific environmental hazards during their military service. VA has established several health registries to track and monitor the health of specific groups of Veterans. You may be eligible to participate in one or more of these health registries: Agent Orange Registry, Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, Gulf War Registry (includes Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn), Ionizing Radiation Registry, Depleted Uranium Follow-Up Program, and Toxic Embedded Fragment Surveillance Center. Use the chart below to help determine your eligibility.

Find out how to apply for VA health care benefits as a Veteran or service member. For other mental health services, contact a VA medical center for information on eligibility and treatment options.

Community Care (Mission Act)

The MISSION Act became law in 2018, bringing the VA’s previous Veterans Choice Program to an end and establishing the Community Care Program. VA provides health care for Veterans from providers in your local community outside of VA. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. This care is provided on behalf of and paid for by VA. Community care is also available to Veterans based on certain conditions and eligibility requirements, and in consideration of a Veteran’s specific needs and circumstances. VA offers urgent care services to eligible Veterans at in-network urgent care clinics to treat minor injuries and illnesses that are not life-threatening, such as colds, strep throat, sprained muscles, and skin and ear infections. Community care must be first authorized by VA before a Veteran can receive care from a community provider.

Vet Centers in VISN 20

Vet Centers in VISN 20 are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corp, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. 1-877-927-8387 is an around the clock confidential call center where combat Veterans and their families can call to talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in their readjustment to civilian life. The staff is comprised of combat Veterans from several eras as well as families members of combat Veterans. This benefit is prepaid through the Veteran’s military service.

Alaska

Idaho

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Washington

Plan your trip to VA

In 1946, Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) was established by law to provide comfort and well-being to America’s Veterans. With our many retail stores, cafés and coffee shops across the country, we serve those who have served our country. VCS is proud to offer Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare, their families and VA employees exclusive shopping benefits online through Patriot Store Direct. Product categories range from Military Caps and apparel, Outdoors, Electronics, Automotive tires (Goodyear, Bridgestone, Firestone, and Fuzion), Tickets and Travel, Vision (Glasses and Contact Lenses), Home and Kitchen, Floral, Toys, Gifts, Watches, and more. We are honored to give back to the VA community through many programs established for the health and well-being of our nation’s heroes. Revenues generated from VCS are used to support a variety of programs, such as VA’s Rehabilitation Games, Fisher Houses, Poly-Trauma Centers for OEF/OIF/OND Veterans, disaster relief efforts, Substance Abuse Cessation, VA’s Homelessness initiatives, Women Veterans, Veteran Suicide Prevention and other activities.

Hospital Service Directory

To find out whether there is a van near you, use the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Hospital Service Coordinator Directory to contact your nearest HSC. The vans are driven by volunteers, and the rides coordinated by more than 133 Hospital Service Coordinators around the country. Our nation’s heroes travel around the globe to protect our freedoms—it’s only right that we return their dedication. Volunteering to drive a Vet ensures that even those living remotely from VA hospitals can make their appointments and never go without the treatment they need. Please remember that the DAV Transportation Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is unable to cover every community. Learn more about the DAV transportation network through the VISN 20 NewsFlash Resources section.

Today's VHA - the largest of the three administrations that comprise the VA - continues to meet Veterans' changing medical, surgical, and quality-of-life needs. There are 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) in VHA operating as regional systems of care to better meet local health care needs and provides greater access to care. In the Pacific Northwest, VISN 20 serves Veterans in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, most of Idaho, and one county each in California and Montana. Spanning 23% of the US land mass, VISN 20 is the largest geographic region of VA. Operating across three time zones over 817,417 square miles, VISN 20 is home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. According to DoD, American Indians and Alaska Natives have one of the highest representations in the United States Armed Forces. VA consults with American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments to develop partnerships that enhance access to services and benefits by Veterans and their families. VA is committed to ensuring that Native American Veterans and their families are able to utilize all benefits and services they are entitled to receive. As of the end of FY2024, 39% of VISN 20 enrollees resided in rural or highly rural areas.

• VISN 1: VA New England Healthcare System
• VISN 2: New York/New Jersey VA Health Care Network
• VISN 4: VA Healthcare - VISN 4
• VISN 5: VA Capitol Health Care Network
• VISN 6: VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network
• VISN 7: VA Southeast Network
• VISN 8: VA Sunshine Healthcare Network
• VISN 9: VA MidSouth Healthcare Network
• VISN 10: VA Healthcare System
• VISN 12: VA Great Lakes Health Care System
• VISN 15: VA Heartland Network
• VISN 16: South Central VA Health Care Network
• VISN 17: VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network
• VISN 19: Rocky Mountain Network
• VISN 20: Northwest Network
• VISN 21: Sierra Pacific Network
• VISN 22: Desert Pacific Healthcare Network
• VISN 23: VA Midwest Health Care Network