A Guide to the Benefits and Services Earned

Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors know that VA has no shortage of technical handouts, benefits books and informational materials. Even with all these resources, Veterans ask, “Where do I start?”

Whether a Veteran is just getting out of the service or hung up the uniform years ago, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide them to the benefits and services they earned.

Start by viewing the VA Welcome Kit Video. 

No matter where in life they might be, the VA welcome kit will help Veterans navigate VA. Veterans can understand the process and their responsibilities, and get started using the benefits promised by a grateful nation.

In addition to a broad overview of services VA offers; this guide contains:

• A map of the benefits and resources available at specific moments in your journey,
• Contact information for each of VA’s programs,
• Checklists to ensure you gather the right documents, forms and information needed,
• Quick start guides so that you hit the ground running with your benefits.

The kit is available for download or print on VA.gov.

The Veterans Experience Office created the kit using human-centered design principles, including feedback from more than 150 Veterans throughout the country. VEO continually updates the guide based on additional feedback and information.

While the welcome kit does not provide all of the technical information on VA’s programs included in the Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors handbook, it does provide a summary and the steps required to enroll in VA services.

Please visit VA.gov to download or print a VA Welcome Kit, and feel free to share this guide with friends and family who might also need help with their benefits.