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Part of the journey from the military to the civilian world is the transition from one giant government bureaucracy, the Department of Defense, to another, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Your time in the military has already given you at least some experience navigating a soul-sucking government bureaucracy. Waiting in line for hours and filling out paperwork until your hand falls off is nothing new for someone who went through MEPS. But there is good news- I promise. As you move from the DoD to the VA, much of what you will want to access can be done through eBenefits.
Want to use your GI Bill (insert copyright)?
Go to ebenefits.
Need healthcare?
Start off at eBenefits.
Trying to land a job at Goldman Sachs?
Ok, sorry, eBenefits can’t hel[ you out there. But hey, if you are interested, they do have an internship just for veterans.
What is eBenefits?
It’s the main place you need to know about when thinking about your post-military VA benefits. Anytime someone asks me, “How do I apply for XYZ from the VA?” I always tell them, “There’s this thing called the internet, learn to use it.”
Just kidding. But seriously, search engines have all of the answers to life’s greatest mysteries. Use them.
No, I tell them to go to ebenefits.va.gov
All of your applications and requests for benefits from the VA can be accessed via eBenefits. You can also manage your healthcare and view where your benefits applications are in the process.
To learn more about applying for the most common VA benefits, start with this article.
What can I apply for on eBenefits?
Granted, I have not gone down the full rabbit hole of EVERYTHING on here, but I would be willing to bet that you can find just about everything you want.
As part of your process of leaving the military, Congress mandates that you sit in a briefing about everything the VA can provide. Let’s just say that it really is a lot.
eBenefits will allow you to apply for VA benefits with nothing more than accessing the website and creating an account.
Benefits you can apply for from eBenefits:
- GI Bill
- Healthcare
- Pension
- Burial benefits
- Veterans’ Group Life Insurance
- Disability compensation
Ok, while you sure can apply for disability compensation on your own, I STRONGLY recommend you don’t. Why? Because you can work with a Veteran Service Organization (VSO) and they can do the paperwork for you for free. Learn more about doing that here.
Oh, and while I have your attention, absolutely do not wait to start the disability claim process. You can start while you are still on active duty and you absolutely want to do that. The more you wait after your date of separation, the more doubt there can be that your ailments were caused by the military and are infringing on your ability to be employed.
You can also view your application and see where it is in the process once you’ve submitted it. This information can then guide how you follow-up with the VA about your application.
Manage healthcare
First, you may not know this, but if you served in a combat zone, you may be eligible for healthcare from the VA for the first five years after your military service.
Think you may be eligible? Learn more here.
Once you are in the VA healthcare system, you can manage your care through eBenefits:
- Refill prescriptions
- Make appointments
- Secure message care providers
- Share medical records
Ok, where’s the catch?
Look, it’s the US government here, folks. If you expect it to run perfectly, then you are in for a rude awakening. But you served in the military so you already get this.
I definitely had some issues when applying for benefits from the VA through eBenefits. One application told me I would have an answer within a week and after not hearing anything, I ended up re-applying…twice.
For another benefit, I submitted the application then never heard back. I then re-submitted and never heard back. I then physically went to a VA hospital to apply and then found out there that my electronic application had been approved, but no one let me know about it.
The point here is…yes, you should start with the online application. And it may work flawlessly for you. Or it may not. If the latter happens to you, don’t fret. You’ll live. You may have to just push the system a bit yourself.
Don’t let it beat you down.
Take ownership
The biggest thing that I can tell you about working with the VA is that you have to learn to be your own best advocate. Unfortunately, the VA is staffed with a lot of people who are overworked and underpaid. That being said, they also have some truly amazing individuals there. But if you get the former and not the latter, you may find yourself having to be persistent.
If you aren’t hearing back from your electronic applications on eBenefits, try calling. If your calling isn’t working, try going in person.
Have your paperwork ready. Know what benefits you are applying for.
It’s on you now so you have to take charge of it.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.