Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) in Military: Active Duty and Veterans December 19, 2018 Overview Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) is life insurance for Veterans who have received a service-connected disability rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The basic S-DVI program, commonly referred to as "RH Insurance", insures eligible Veterans for up to $10, 000 of coverage. Veterans who have the basic S-DVI coverage and are totally disabled are eligible to have their premiums waived. If a waiver is granted, totally disabled Veterans may apply for additional coverage of up to $30, 000 under the Supplemental S-DVI Program. Premiums for Supplemental S-DVI coverage, however, cannot be waived. Administration Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) is administered by Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). Program Requirements: In order to qualify for S-DVI, you must be a Veteran of the uniformed services who meets the following criteria: You were released from active duty under other than dishonorable conditions on or after April 25, 1951; AND You were rated for a service-connected disability (even if only 0 percent); AND You are in good health except for any service-connected conditions; AND You apply within 2 years from the date VA grants your new service-connected disability Application Details To complete an application online, visit our Automated Forms website.
VMLI is only available to Servicemembers and Veterans with severe service-connected disabilities who: Received Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) to help build, remodel, or purchase a home, AND Have the title to the home, AND Have a mortgage on the home Veterans must apply for VMLI before their 70th birthday. Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Disability Extension The SGLI Disability Extension allows Servicemembers who are totally disabled at time of discharge to retain the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage they had in service at no cost for up to two years. You are eligible for the SGLI Disability Extension if you are totally disabled at time of discharge. To be considered totally disabled, you must have a disability that prevents you from being gainfully employed OR have certain medical conditions. SGLI Traumatic Injury Protection Program (TSGLI) Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) provides automatic traumatic injury coverage to all Servicemembers covered under the SGLI program.
"We were automatically enrolled into the program at the highest level of coverage, " Tracy said. Matt went online to figure out how that happened. He found a form that says "automatically covered at the maximum rate" unless he submitted a form declining the coverage. Matt and Tracy Keil. At the time, Matt says he was on his back "paralyzed from the neck down, hooked up to a ventilator. " Future premiums will be taken out of his disability check. "I don't understand why I'm being forced to pay into a program that I ultimately can't benefit from or that my wife can't benefit from, " Matt said. He's one of 19, 000 disabled veterans who received the letter from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), which handles all of the Pentagon's financial transactions. "We're angry. We are very angry, " Tracy said. "But it's not just about us. " On Facebook, 260 veterans have joined a group comparing how much they owe and how much is being taken out of their disability checks. "We're all trying to figure this out, " Tracy said.
Veterans may be instructed to participate in a re-examination of their disability claim, and they may want to if they feel their condition has worsened or is not improving. VA Disability Benefits by Rating Use these links to learn about disability benefits based on their ratings: 40% VA disability compensation benefits 50% VA disability benefits 60% VA disability benefits 70% VA disability benefits 80% VA disability benefits 90% VA disability compensation benefits 100% P&T disabled veteran benefits Ways to Increase Your VA Disabled Vet Benefits Here are some tips you can use to increase your benefits: Use MyHealtheVet to document your current symptoms in your VA medical records. Pursue high-value VA disability claims. Have a private provider complete DBQs for service-connected conditions. Obtain a buddy letter from someone who is a first-hand witness. Obtain a Medical Nexus Letter for a secondary service connection. Complete a Compensation and Pension Exam. File a claim for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU).
Getting Help with Filing and Tracking Claims Many agencies are authorized to help you file your claim for VA disability benefits, including: AMVETS American Legion Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) DAV You can find a full list of veterans service organizations on the official VA site. VA Pensions for Low-Income Veterans and Survivors If you are a low-income wartime veteran or their survivor, you may qualify for a tax-free pension. These payments are made based on financial need. Disabled Veteran Housing Assistance Some veterans, such as those with aging-related disabilities or certain service-connected disabilities, can qualify for housing assistance. You can apply for a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant to: Widen doors or install ramps Build an adapted home Make modifications to your home to allow you to live independently Vehicle Modifications and Training Eligible veterans may be eligible for assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs in modifying their vehicles.
Waiver of Premiums for Totally Disabled Veterans Under certain conditions, the basic S-DVI policy provides for a waiver of premiums in case of total disability. Policyholders who carry the basic S-DVI coverage and who become eligible for a waiver of premiums due to total disability can apply for and be granted additional Supplemental S-DVI of up to $30, 000. Supplemental S-DVI The Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010, provided for $30, 000 of supplemental coverage to S-DVI policyholders. Premiums may not be waived on this supplemental coverage. S-DVI policyholders are eligible for this supplemental coverage if they: are eligible for a waiver of premiums. apply for the coverage within one year from notice of the grant of waiver. are under age 65 How Can I Apply for Supplemental S-DVI? To apply for Supplemental S-DVI, you must file VA Form 29-0188, Application for Supplemental Service-Disabled Veterans (RH) Life Insurance or send a letter requesting this insurance over your signature. You must apply for the coverage within one year from notice of the grant of waiver of premiums.