Served in World War II? New law says you’re eligible for VA health care

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If you served in the U.S. military between Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946, a new law makes you eligible for VA health care benefits—including nursing home care—but you have to apply because VA cannot automatically enroll you.

The Cleland-Dole Act was signed into law Dec. 29, 2022. Section 101 of this law expands eligibility for VA hospital care, medical services and nursing home care for Veterans of World War II. If you served during World War II, now is the time to apply for VA health care, even if you applied before and were not approved due to your income level. 

VA health care benefits

• Medical care rated among the best in the United States
• Immediate benefits of health care coverage
• Exemption from copayments for inpatient and outpatient care
• Enrollment satisfies the Affordable Care Act’s requirement to have health care coverage
• No enrollment fees, monthly premiums or deductibles
• Low or no out-of-pocket costs
• Eligibility for VA Community Care
• When enrolled in VA health care, you can use your private providers, Medicare and other health insurance to meet your care needs.

Apply today

• Apply online.
• Call VA’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411).
• Visit your nearest VA medical center or clinic. 
• Call 800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411) to speak to a customer service representative, get answers to your questions and start the VA enrollment process. There are many ways to apply for VA benefits, depending on the type of benefit you seek. 
• Now is the time to enroll in VA health care benefits, even if you previously applied and were not approved.

WWII Veterans’ new eligibility for VA health care

If you served in World War II and are not currently enrolled in VA health care, this recent legislation ensures that you are now eligible for VA health care. WWII is defined as the period beginning Dec. 7, 1941, and ending Dec. 31, 1946.   

Apply today, even if you applied before and your application was not approved. Income level and service length do not matter.

WWII Veterans will be at minimum in Priority Group 6. You could be in a higher priority group if you have other eligibilities. Even if you were deferred before, please consider applying again. Please note, you must apply for VA health care if you are not currently enrolled. VA cannot automatically enroll you in VA care.

More details about VA health care:

• VA health care benefits
• Geriatric and extended care
• VA nursing homes and assisted living
• Cost of care
• Copay rates

This new eligibility is just one part of the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2022. This law requires VA to expand eligibility, establish pilot programs, ensure the quality of care and access to care, conduct a feasibility analysis for program expansion and other actions.

Apply today and get the VA health care benefits you earned and deserve.

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