What Additional Benefits Are Available for Veterans with Permanent & Total Disability?

disabled veteran

Veterans with service-connected disability ratings can qualify for a wide range of 100 total and permanent disabled veteran benefits. These benefits support eligible veterans who are unable to work due to their conditions and provide access to financial assistance, healthcare, and other resources. 

What Is TDIU with the VA?

TDIU benefits, or Total Disability Individual Unemployability benefits, allow service members with VA disability ratings to receive 100 P&T VA disability benefits if they cannot maintain substantial employment. Even if a veteran doesn’t have a full 100 percent disability rating, they can still qualify for TDIU if their disability prevents them from working. Importantly, veterans can receive compensation at the 100 percent disability rate, even if their actual disability rating is lower. 

VA Disability Benefits Available for Veterans Permanently and Totally Disabled

Veterans who are considered totally and permanently disabled by the VA have access to a variety of 100 permanent and total disability benefits. These benefits include healthcare, housing assistance, and financial aid to help veterans maintain their independence and quality of life. Here are a few of the benefits you might be eligible to receive. 

VA Healthcare

Totally disabled veterans receive priority access to VA healthcare services and are often placed in higher healthcare priority groups. This priority status grants them access to a wide range of medical services at little or no cost, including routine care, specialized treatments, and prescriptions.

Healthcare Costs Reimbursement

Veterans can receive reimbursement for the out-of-pocket costs of healthcare services not provided directly by the VA. This benefit helps eligible service members recover without incurring financial hardship from medical bills stemming from service-connected disabilities. Reimbursements can cover treatments and services necessary for their care.

Transportation Reimbursement

Veterans who need to travel for VA medical appointments can receive transportation reimbursement. This benefit covers travel costs, whether by car, bus, or other forms of transportation and allows veterans to access essential medical care without additional expenses.  

Uniformed Services Sponsor Identification and Privilege Card

Veterans with 100 percent disability VA benefits can receive Uniformed Services Sponsor Identification and Privilege Cards. These cards allow access to numerous privileges, including the use of commissaries, exchanges, and other on-base services. The cards are available to veterans and their family members.

Disability Housing Grants

The VA provides housing grants as part of disability compensation to help veterans with service-related disabilities modify or build homes that meet their accessibility needs. This grant money allows veterans to live comfortably and safely with modifications like ramps, widened doorways, or accessible bathrooms.

Special Adapted Housing

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grants allow totally and permanently disabled veterans to build or modify their homes to accommodate their specific physical needs. These grants provide financial assistance for major adaptations, such as installing ramps, modifying bathrooms, or altering living spaces to improve accessibility.

Special Home Adapted

Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grants provide veterans with financial assistance to make smaller but necessary modifications to their homes. These adjustments, like widening doorways or modifying bathrooms, can help veterans with mobility challenges navigate their homes more easily. 

Temporary Residence Adaptation

Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grants provide funding for veterans who need to modify a family member’s home while living there temporarily. These grants allow veterans to make temporary living spaces more accessible without making permanent changes so they can comfortably live with loved ones while recovering or waiting for permanent housing solutions.

Automobile Allowance

Veterans can qualify for automobile allowances to help them cover the costs of purchasing new or used vehicles. This benefit provides funding for vehicle purchases so veterans have reliable transportation, which makes it easier to attend medical appointments and manage daily activities independently.

Specially Equipped Vehicle

Veterans who need specially equipped vehicles for mobility purposes can qualify for financial assistance. This special automobile allowance program helps veterans pay for modifications such as hand controls, lifts, or other devices that make driving possible despite physical limitations. 

Employment Services

The VA offers various employment services to help veterans with disabilities find meaningful work. These services include career counseling, job placement, and resume assistance, which can give veterans the tools they need to re-enter the workforce. For many veterans, these services provide a path to financial independence and long-term employment.

Training Programs

Several VA training programs exist to help veterans develop new skills or enhance existing ones to meet the demands of the job market. These programs provide education and hands-on training in various fields, helping veterans find suitable employment that accommodates their disabilities and builds long-term career opportunities.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational rehabilitation services are available to help veterans retrain for employment opportunities that match their abilities. Veterans can access career counseling, job placement assistance, and specialized training programs. These services provide veterans the support they need to re-enter the workforce, even if their previous career paths are no longer feasible due to their disabilities.

Dependents’ Educational Assistance

Dependents of disabled veterans are also eligible for educational assistance through the VA. These benefits are available to children and spouses of qualifying veterans. They help cover the costs of tuition, books, and other educational expenses so family members can pursue their academic goals. 

Student Loan Forgiveness

Disabled veterans are eligible for student loan forgiveness. Multiple forgiveness programs can help veterans and their families by eliminating the burden of federal student loans. This includes the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), the Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program (SELRP), the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP), and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

National Park Pass

Veterans are eligible for free lifetime National Park Passes, which grant access to national parks and federal recreation areas nationwide. This means veterans and their families can enjoy nature, engage in recreational activities, and explore America’s natural beauty at no cost.

Short Term Financial Support

Short-term financial support is available to veterans facing financial hardship. This support helps veterans cover basic living expenses and medical costs during difficult times so they can stay afloat while managing their disabilities and other obligations. 

Access to Federal Operated Recreation Sites

Veterans can also enjoy free or discounted access to federal recreation sites, including campgrounds, wildlife refuges, and other federally operated areas. 

Annual Clothing Allowance

Veterans who use prosthetics or other medical devices that cause wear and tear on their clothing can receive annual clothing allowances. These allowances cover the costs of replacing worn-out clothing so veterans do not face financial hardship due to the necessary use of their medical devices.

Contact a VA Disability Benefits Attorney Now

If you have questions about the benefits available to you as a disabled veteran, contact Disability Law Group for a free initial consultation. We want to help you secure all the VA compensation you are entitled to after dedicating your life to military service.