How to Check if I Have Military Benefits
- 1). Determine whether you should contact DEERS or Veterans Affairs. If you are a current service member, whether active duty, a guardsman or a reservist, you should contact DEERS. Spouses and dependents of current service members must also contact DEERS. If you are a veteran or the spouse or dependent of a veteran, you must contact the VA.
- 2). Call the VA at 800-827-1000 if you are a veteran or a veteran's dependent. If you are a service member or a service member's dependent, contact your local DEERS/RAPIDS office. Use the RAPIDS site locator tool (see Resources) if you do not know how to contact your local DEERS office.
- 3). Give the operator your name and Social Security number. Provide your sponsor's Social Security number if you are not a service member or veteran. Your sponsor is the person in your family whose military service entitles you to military benefits.
- 4). Ask if you are receiving or are eligible to receive military benefits. The operator may ask you to specify which benefits you wish to receive information on. For example, a service member's child does not automatically receive educational benefits but does automatically receive medical benefits; providing this information will assist the operator in determining what benefits you have. Visit the VA's website (see Resources) for a complete list of benefits available to service members and their dependents.
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