Some of the common benefits for veterans include health care, education benefits (like the GI Bill), and others related to disability claims and appeals.
However, many veterans aren’t aware that many of their benefits can expire.
Although these deadlines are generally firm, the VA does have provisions to waive them if you have a legitimate reason for not applying before the given deadlines. These may include health and disability issues. However, the VA will not waive a time limit for not knowing the deadline for your benefits.
Missing these deadlines can impact your access to care and services.
Here are some quick examples of common VA benefits and their time limits:
VA Benefit | Time Limit |
| Education benefits | |
| Post-9/11 GI Bill: The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides 36 months of education, training, and on-the-job training (OJT) benefits to eligible veterans. The full in-state tuition and fees are covered at public schools. For private schools there is an annual maximum amount that is inflation adjusted. The Post-9/11 GI Bill also pays a housing allowance based on the E-5 with dependents BAH rate for the location of the school, and $1,000 annually for books and supplies. | 15 years from date of last discharge or release from active duty if you were discharged before Jan. 1, 2013. If you were discharged after that date, there is no expiration date. |
| Montgomery GI Bill for Active-Duty (MGIB): Provides 36 months of education, training and OJT benefits to eligible veterans. Payment rates are determined by the number of classes taken. | 10 years from date of last discharge or release from active duty. |
| Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR): Provides members of the Reserves and National Guard with up to 36 months of education, training, and OJT benefits. | 14 years from the date of eligibility for the program, or until released from the Selected Reserve or National Guard. Some extensions available if activated. |
| Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), formerly called (VocRehab), is available to veterans with service-connected disabilities. The program offers help preparing for, finding and keeping suitable employment. | Generally, 12 years of separation from service or within 12 years of being awarded service-connected VA disability compensation. |
| VA Life Insurance Programs | |
| Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) for service members and reservists is available in $50,000 increments up to a maximum of $500,000. SGLI coverage begins when the service member enters service or changes duty status. This includes the Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) program, which offers coverage ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. | Coverage ends 120 days after separation. or Can be extended up to two years for totally disabled veterans. |
| Family Group Life Insurance (FGLI): Automatically provides up to $100,000 in coverage for the spouse and $10,000 for children of service members insured under SGLI. | Coverage ends 120 days after separation. |
| Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI ): Offers up to $500,000 in renewable term life insurance (five-year term) for veterans. Service members may convert their SGLI to VGLI. | Must enroll within one year and 120 days from discharge or separation in order to be eligible to continue coverage |
| Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI): The VA stopped accepting applications for Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance in December 2022. Beneficiaries who already had the plan were allowed to keep it. | Veterans were able to apply within two years from the date of being notified of service-connected status |
| Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI): Offers up to $200,000 in mortgage protection insurance to severely disabled veterans who have received grants for Specially-Adapted Housing from the VA. | Must apply before age 70. |
| Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Programs | |
| Veterans health care: VA provides a wide range of health care services to veterans, including treatment for military sexual trauma and for conditions possibly related to exposure to Agent Orange, ionizing radiation and other environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf. | No time limit |
| PACT Act benefits: Expanded VA health care for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances | Veterans and survivors can file for benefits anytime |
| Combat Veterans Health care: Free VA health care is provided for any condition related to your service in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), or Operation New Dawn (OND) in Iraq. This is called an enhanced eligibility period. | Benefit is provided for up to 10 years after discharge or release for any condition related to the listed services |
| Dental treatment: If you qualify for VA dental care benefits, you may be able to get some or all of your dental care through VA. | The timeline to enroll varies depending on the specific category of eligibility. Read more here |
| VA Pension and Compensation | |
| Disability compensation: VA pays monthly compensation tax-free to veterans for disabilities incurred or aggravated during military service. Entitlement is established from the date of separation if the claim is filed within one year from separation. | No time limit |
| Disability pension: This income-based benefit is paid to veterans with honorable wartime service who are permanently and totally disabled due to non-service connected disabilities or who are 65 or older. | No time limit |
| VA Home Loan Guaranty Program | |
VA home loan: The VA Home Loan Guaranty Program offers veterans the chance to purchase a home with no down payment and with competitive interest rates. Click here to get started using your VA home loan benefit. | No time limit |
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