If you’re a National Guard or Reserve member, you may be wondering how long you need to serve to qualify for VA benefits. The good news is that you might be eligible for disability compensation, education assistance, health care, home loans, and more. However, your eligibility depends on your service type, length, and duty status. Letโs break it all down.
Disability
If youโre a traditional National Guard or Reserve member (serving one weekend a month and two weeks a year), you may qualify for VA disability compensation. However, your disability must have been caused or aggravated during:
- Active duty or active duty for training
- Inactive duty training (only if caused by an injury, heart attack, or stroke)
Health Care
To qualify for VA health care, you must have served on active duty under federal orders and completed your required period of service.
- If you served in a combat zone after November 11, 1998, youโre eligible for free VA health care for five years after discharge.
- Active Guard Reserve (AGR) members, who serve full-time under Title 10 (federal orders) or Title 32 (state orders), are considered on active service, making them more likely to qualify.
Education
For education benefits, there are two main programs:
Benefit | Minimum Service Requirement |
---|---|
Post-9/11 GI Bill | 90 days of active service |
Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) | Six-year commitment in the Selected Reserve |
Home Loans
To qualify for a VA home loan, you must meet one of the following:
- 90 days of active duty during a wartime period
- Discharged due to a service-connected disability
- Six years of service in the Selected Reserve or National Guard
State Active Duty vs. Federal Active Service
If youโre activated by your state governor (State Active Duty) for things like disaster response, it does NOT count as active service for VA benefits. Only federal active duty qualifies, so keep that in mind when planning your service.
Burial and Life Insurance
- Burial Benefits: You must have served on active duty, or your death must be linked to an injury or disease from active duty, training, or inactive duty training.
- Life Insurance: Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is available for Reserve and Guard members who meet training requirements.
Your eligibility for VA benefits depends on how long you serve and your duty status. To look into your options, visit www.ebenefits.va.gov. The VA is here to help, so donโt hesitate to reach out with questions!
FAQs
How long do I need to serve for VA benefits?
It depends on the benefit, but at least 90 days of active duty is required for many programs.
Do National Guard members qualify for VA home loans?
Yes, with 90 days of wartime active duty or six years of service.
Does State Active Duty count for VA benefits?
No, only federal active duty qualifies for VA benefits.
How can I apply for VA benefits?
Visit www.ebenefits.va.gov to check eligibility and apply.
Do Reservists qualify for VA health care?
Yes, if they served on federal active duty and completed their required period.