Veterans and family members

Washington State’s Veterans Benefit Enhancement Program (VBEP) works with WDVA to help eligible veterans and their families get assistance through Veterans Affairs (VA) health care.

• Since 2003, the VBEP has helped qualify over 15,600 Washington veterans and their families for federal benefits.
• Currently only 23 percent of veterans eligible for benefits are actually receiving them.

Who is eligible?

WDVA assists veterans, their family members and survivors in connecting to the benefits they earned through their military service. These benefits and services may be available to you if you meet VA eligibility criteria.

Some benefits may also be used by active service members, reservists, and National Guard members as well as eligible spouses, children, and survivors of veterans and service members.

“Under VA rules, anyone who served honorable for two years in a branch of the military is eligible for some benefits, even if they never left American soil or saw combat.” (Heather Kerrigan, "Moving Vets Off Medicaid and Onto VA," Governing, October, 2010.)

What benefits and services are available?

• Pensions or compensation
• Medical coverage
• Prescription drugs
• Medical devices
• Family benefits

For a full list of services and benefits you or your family may be eligible for, visit ExploreVA.

How do I apply?

To apply for benefits through WDVA, complete the following steps

1. Contact the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) by email at benefits@dva.wa.gov or by phone at 1-800-562-2308 for questions regarding available benefits.
2. WDVA will, in some cases, refer you to the County Veteran Service Officers (CVSO) to establish what benefits you may be entitled to. Find your local CVSO (by county) and a full list of resources.
3. The CVSOs will confirm you and/or your family's VA eligibility and assist you in applying for the benefits you have earned for your service to the nation.

What information do I need when applying?

The following items may be required when applying:

• DD214 or other separation papers
• Marriage certificate(s) and divorce decree(s)
• Birth records for each dependent child
• Death certificates
• Service medical records (if relevant)

What about CHAMPVA or TRICARE?

CHAMPVA

Are you the spouse or child of a veteran rated totally disabled for a service-connected disability or died from service-connected disability?

You may be eligible for Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) health insurance.

• For more information about CHAMPVA, visit Civilian Health and Medical Program.
• To apply, visit VHA Office of Community of Care.

TRICARE

Are you:

• Active duty military, retired military or a Guard/Reserve member, or
• A family member/survivor of a(n):
  • Active duty military,
  • Retired military,
  • Guard/Reserve member, or
  • Veteran who died in action?

You may be eligible for TRICARE health care.

• For more information about eligibility, visit TRICARE eligibility.
• To apply, visit TRICARE enroll or purchase a plan.