Little-Known Veteran Benefits & Discounts

If you are rated 100% P&T (including permanent TDIU), the VA can issue you VA Form 21-0172, a certification that substitutes for a doctor's disability statement on your federal taxes. Most veterans and most tax preparers have never heard of this form.

What it gets you:

• IRS Schedule R (Credit for the Elderly or Disabled) - up to 15% of $3,750-$7,500, if you are under 65 and P&T. Subject to income limits.
• 10% early-withdrawal penalty waiver on IRA / 401(k) distributions before age 59½. For a veteran pulling $50,000 early, this alone saves $5,000.
• Verification for disability-related state tax benefits and banking purposes.

Who qualifies

Veterans with 100% schedular P&T rating or permanent TDIU.

How to apply

Request VA Form 21-0172 from your VA Regional Office. It must be signed by a VA official, not by you.

Source

M21-1 Part XIII, Subpart ii, Ch. 4, Sec. A | IRS Veterans Tax Info

If you are a military retiree and any part of your VA disability is combat-related (injuries from combat, training that simulates war, hazardous duty, or instrumentality of war), CRSC replaces the retirement pay that the VA offset. CRSC is tax-free. Unlike CRDP, it requires an application through your branch of service.

Who qualifies

Military retirees with a combat-related service-connected disability rated at least 10%.

How to apply

Apply to your branch (Army, Navy/Marines, Air Force/Space Force, Coast Guard). You cannot receive both CRDP and CRSC; pick the higher benefit each year.

Source

VA.gov CRSC

A one-time grant (paid directly to the dealer) to help buy a vehicle, plus separate grants for hand controls, lifts, power steering, and other modifications. A second allowance may be available 30+ years after the first.

Who qualifies

Service-connected loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, one or both hands, permanent vision loss (20/200 or worse), severe burn contractures, or ALS. Adaptive equipment alone: add ankylosis of one or both knees or hips.

How to apply

File VA Form 21-4502. VA must approve the claim and issue a Certificate of Eligibility before you purchase the vehicle.

Source

VA.gov Auto Allowance | 38 CFR § 3.808

Federal unemployment benefits for recently separated veterans, administered by state unemployment offices but funded by DoD. Most veterans are never told about this at separation. Benefit amount depends on the state where you file.

Who qualifies

Separated under honorable conditions from active duty (including activated Reserve / Guard) and currently unemployed and actively seeking work.

How to apply

File with the unemployment office of the state where you physically reside. Do it immediately after separation; most states have a one-week waiting period.

Source

U.S. DOL - UCX Program

Veterans rated 100% P&T can fly on U.S. military aircraft on a standby ("space-available") basis for free or a nominal fee. Includes continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, and international AMC routes. Dependents can travel with you on domestic and territory flights.

Who qualifies

Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected rating. Category 6 priority (lowest).

How to apply

Get a DD Form 2765 ID card at any military base ID card office (bring VA letter, DD-214, and state ID). Then register for flights at AMC passenger terminals or by email/fax.

Source

VA News - Space-A for Disabled Veterans

Since January 1, 2020, any veteran with a service-connected disability rating (even 0%) can shop at base commissaries (20-30% below retail groceries), exchanges (tax-free goods), and use MWR facilities. Purple Heart recipients, former POWs, and designated caregivers also qualify.

How to enter

Show your VHIC or a VA letter plus government-issued photo ID at the gate. No separate application.

Source

VA.gov - Commissary & Exchange

Most veterans know there's "a parks pass" but don't realize there are two, and the one with the camping discount is often more valuable:

• Military Lifetime Pass - Free lifetime entry for all veterans with valid ID. No camping discount.
• Interagency Access Pass - Free lifetime pass for anyone with a permanent disability (any rating, as long as it's permanent). Includes 50% off camping at federal campgrounds.

How to get

Free at any national park visitor center (bring ID + VA letter for the Access Pass). Online has a $5-$10 processing fee.

Source

NPS Military Pass | NPS Access Pass

If you use a VA-prescribed prosthetic, brace, wheelchair, or skin medication that wears or stains clothing, you get a yearly cash allowance. Up to 4 allowances per year depending on what you use.

Deadline

August 1 each year. Miss it and you wait 12 months. Once approved, future years auto-renew.

How to apply

VA Form 10-8678, submit to the prosthetics department at your VA medical center.

Source

VA.gov - Clothing Allowance | 38 CFR § 3.810

You do not need a service-connected hearing loss. Any veteran enrolled in VA health care can get hearing aids if a VA audiologist finds a medical need. The VA covers premium digital, rechargeable, and Bluetooth-capable models from major brands (ReSound, Phonak, Oticon, Widex, Signia, Starkey), plus all batteries, repairs, adjustments, and follow-up visits.

• No referral needed. Audiology self-schedules at your VA medical center or community-based outpatient clinic.
• Service-connected veterans: always free, including devices, batteries, and repairs.
• Priority Groups 1-6 (non-SC): generally free if clinically indicated.
• Priority Groups 7-8: may face a $50 specialty-care copay for the exam, but devices are often still free. Worth asking before you decline.
• Replacement cycle: typically every 4-5 years, sooner with medical justification.

Common pitfall

Veterans stop wearing aids after their hearing changes rather than going back for re-programming. Free adjustments are part of the benefit.

Reorder batteries

Phone 303-273-6200, mail VA Form 2346, or order online via My HealtheVet.

Source

VA Prosthetics & Sensory Aids: Hearing Aids

All enrolled veterans get free eye exams. Eyeglasses are a separate benefit with much narrower eligibility. Many long-enrolled veterans assume glasses are automatic. They are not.

You qualify for VA-paid eyeglasses if you have any of the following:

• Any compensable service-connected disability (any rating, any condition, does not have to be vision-related)
• Former POW or Purple Heart recipient
• Receiving VA benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 or increased pension for housebound / aid & attendance
• Vision problems caused by a VA-treated condition: diabetes, stroke, multiple sclerosis, TBI, polytrauma, post-cataract surgery, or medication side effects
• Functional or cognitive impairment severe enough that glasses meaningfully reduce its impact
• Combined vision-and-hearing loss that affects your ability to participate in your own care

What's covered: standard frames, single-vision / bifocal / trifocal / progressive lenses, photochromic and anti-reflective coatings when documented, low-vision rehab equipment (magnifiers, CCTV readers). Contacts only if medically necessary (mainly keratoconus). Designer frames, backup pairs, and routine convenience contacts are not covered.

How to get

Schedule the eye exam through VA, then the Prosthetics department orders the glasses. VA will not fill an outside prescription unless community care was pre-authorized.

Common myth

"I've been enrolled for 20 years, I get free glasses." Not unless you meet one of the criteria above.

Source

VA.gov: Vision Care | VHA Directive 1034

If you qualify, the VA reimburses your travel to and from approved VA healthcare appointments at 41.5 cents per mile, plus tolls and parking. The deductible is $3 one-way / $6 round-trip, capped at $18/month. After that, no deductible for the rest of the month.

You qualify if any of these apply:

• Service-connected rating of 30% or higher (any appointment)
• Traveling for treatment of a service-connected condition (any rating, even 0%)
• Receiving a VA pension
• Traveling for a C&P exam (no rating required, deductible waived)
• Income at or below the maximum annual VA pension rate

Hard deadline: 30 days from the appointment. Late claims are routinely denied with no exception. File online through the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) for fastest payment (3-5 business days), or use paper VA Form 10-3542.

For more detail, including ambulance / wheelchair-van transport, lodging reimbursement, and the most common denial reasons, see our full Beneficiary Travel guide.

File online

Sign in at va.gov/health-care/file-travel-pay-reimbursement

Source

VA.gov: Travel Reimbursement & Mileage Rate

VA disability compensation is not taxable income, ever. Don't include it on your federal return. The VA does not send you a W-2 or 1099 for it. This applies at any rating, 10% or 100%, the rule is the same. Also tax-free: VA pension, SMC, DIC, the Post-9/11 GI Bill housing allowance, SAH/SHA grants, and VR&E benefits.

Taxable (often confused): military retirement pay is taxable unless offset by VA disability through CRDP or CRSC.

Free tax prep options for veterans:

• VITA (IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance): in-person prep at community sites. Income limit ~$67,000. Veterans are a priority population. Find a site at irs.gov or call 800-906-9887.
• AARP Tax-Aide / TCE: age 60+, no income cap, no AARP membership required. Strong with pension, retirement, and Social Security income. Locator at aarpfoundation.org/taxaide or 888-687-2277.
• MilTax (Military OneSource): free software + military-trained tax consultants. Eligible up to 365 days after separation. Best option for recently separated vets. 800-342-9647.
• IRS Free File: free guided online software. Income limit is set annually by the IRS (most recently $84,000 AGI for tax year 2024). Always start at irs.gov/freefile. Going to a provider's site direct may route you to a paid product.

If you paid tax in error

If you previously included VA disability as income on a federal return, you can file an amended return (Form 1040-X) to recover the overpaid tax for up to 3 years back.

Source

IRS: Veterans Tax Information | IRS Publication 907

Not just for 100% veterans. If you have a 10% or higher rating and your disability affects your ability to work, VR&E pays for college, vocational training, apprenticeships, tools, books, and gives you a monthly living stipend. Veterans who separated on or after Jan 1, 2013 have no time limit to use it.

Who qualifies

10%+ service-connected rating with an employment handicap. Includes an "Independent Living" track for veterans who cannot work.

How to apply

Apply online at VA.gov or in person at a VA Regional Office.

Source

VA.gov - VR&E Eligibility

Many states waive or reduce tuition at public colleges and universities for the dependents or children of disabled or deceased veterans. The details vary significantly by state: which family members qualify, what disability rating threshold applies, and how much of tuition is covered.

Oregon stands out as one of the most expansive programs. Under Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 350.285, qualifying dependents of an Oregon veteran who is total and permanently disabled, died on active duty, or died as a result of military service may receive a tuition waiver at Oregon public colleges and universities. Key features reported by veterans familiar with the program:

• Who is covered: Both children (under age 23 at the time of application) and spouses or unmarried surviving spouses, which is broader than most state programs.
• Degree level: The waiver can cover tuition for a first bachelor's degree (up to four years of full-time equivalent credit hours) and a first master's degree (up to two years of full-time equivalent credit hours).
• What is not covered: Room, board, and books are not covered by the waiver. Professional programs such as law school are excluded.
• No DEA offset: The waiver is not reduced by concurrent use of the VA Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35 / DEA) benefit, according to program descriptions.

Other states

Texas, Illinois, Virginia, Florida, and others have similar programs with different thresholds, coverage levels, and family-member definitions. See our State Benefits guide for a state-by-state overview with direct links.

Source

Oregon Student Aid Commission - Veterans Dependents Education Act

Medal of Honor recipients receive a separate monthly pension on top of all other VA compensation and retirement pay. No offset, no income test. Recently increased by the MEDAL Act of December 2025.

Source

VA.gov - Special Benefit Rates