Next Steps

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers lots of information, including:

• An overview of the VA Disability Compensation program
• A series of videos about a variety of VA programs
• Compensation 101 videos explaining different aspects of VA benefits and services
  • Compensation 101: What is Disability Compensation?
  • Compensation 101: What is Service Connection?
  • Compensation 101: How did I get this rating?
• An annual benefits booklet
• Overviews of its Pre-Discharge and Fully Developed Claims (FDC) programs
• Details about its Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program

If you have a service-connected condition, are still in military service, and have 180 to 90 days until your separation date, you can apply through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program.

If you have already left military service or have less than 90 days left, you can:

• File online, or
• Download VA Form 21-526EZ, print it out, complete it, and submit it
  • By mail to:
    Department of Veterans Affairs
    Claims Intake Center
    PO Box 4444
    Janesville, WI 53547-4444
  • In person at the oficina regional de Phoenix de la VA, or
  • By fax to 1-844-531-7818 if you are in the U.S., or 1-248-524-4260 if outside the U.S.

Filing a claim to get VA Disability Compensation and making sure you get the benefits you are entitled to can be complicated. It is best to get help. The VA authorizes three types of accredited representatives to help with the application process:

• Accredited Service Officers (who do not charge for their services) from VA-recognized veterans service organizations
• Accredited Claims Agents (non-attorneys who may charge for some services), and
• Accredited Attorneys (who usually charge fees).

You can search the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website for accredited representatives, claims agents, and attorneys.

• Be Connected at 1-866-429-8387 provides support and connection to resources for all Arizona service members, veterans, and their families.
• The Arizona Department of Veterans' Services helps Arizona veterans and their families with information, resources, and support, including its Arizona Veterans Benefits Guide. Call 1-602-255-3373 or find your local ADVS office.
• Get help applying for benefits from a Veterans Benefits Counselor.
• The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has an online database to find an accredited attorney, claims agent, or service officer from a Veterans Service Organization (VSO). It’s easier to search by state than by postal code.
• Contact the oficina regional de Phoenix de la VA.
• The VA's Office of Survivors Assistance at 1-800-827-8000 helps family members and spouses of deceased veterans.
• Find local veterans services of all kinds in the National Resource Directory.

Puede utilizar 2-1-1 Arizona para encontrar servicios sociales cerca de usted, desde aplicaciones para beneficios a consejería de empleo.

Busque servicios para veteranos en la página para veteranos y militares de 2-1-1 Arizona.

Si usted está recibiendo beneficios de SSI, SSDI o CDB ahora y anda buscando empleo, debe de ser elegible para recibir servicios de asesoría gratis. Los consultores/as de incentivos de trabajo del programa Benefits 2 Work Arizona podrán ayudarle a comprender los incentivos de trabajo del Seguro Social, los programas de beneficios para personas con discapacidad y la manera en que el trabajo los afecta. El objetivo de estos servicios es ayudarle a evitar complicaciones mientras usted desarrolla un plan financiero sostenible para su futuro.

Usted puede comunicarse con el programa Benefits 2 Work llamando al teléfono 1-866-304-WORK (9675) para localizar a un/a consultor/a de incentivos de trabajo que preste servicios en su comunidad. La llamada es gratis.