Tips & Special Topics
VA Eligibility: Determine if You Qualify
Added January 22, 2008 | Updated November 20, 2008
A veteran who has served on active duty during World War II or later and who was honorably discharged, is eligible for a VA home loan. Veterans who had at least ninety days of service during World War II, the Korean Conflict, or Vietnam War, may be eligible for a VA home loan. If a veteran was on active duty during a time of peace, then the veteran must have at least 181 continuous days of service or more.
A veteran who enlisted in the Armed Forces after Sept. 7, 1980, or entered service as an officer after Oct. 16, 1981, is required to have served 24 months of continuous service and was not dishonorably discharged. A veteran may meet the eligibility requirement for a VA loan if the veteran has a compensable service-related disability, or has been discharged after 181 days of service for a service-related disability. An individual may also qualify if he or she was released from active duty due to certain medical conditions, an involuntary reduction in force, and in some cases, for the convenience of the government.
A United States citizen who has served in the armed forces of a government that was allied with the United States during World War II may qualify for a VA home loan. Cadets of the United States Military, Air Force, Coast Guard Academy, midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy, merchant seamen with World War II service, Public Health Service officers, and officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and others may also qualify.
If a veteran meets any of these requirements, then he or she is probably eligible for VA home loans and should check with the VA to determine eligibility.
Individuals who served in the National Guard or the Reserves for six years or more may be eligible for a VA home loan. If one served less than six years, he or she may be eligible if they were discharged due to a service-related injury.
The spouse of a veteran, who has not remarried, may be eligible for a VA loan or VA home loan refinance. The surviving spouse of a veteran may be determined eligible if his or her spouse died of a service-related disability or while in service. It is important to remember that in order to qualify; the spouse must not be remarried. A spouse of a serviceperson who is a prisoner of war or declared to be missing in action for at least 90 days may also be eligible.
Because of the complexities related to these requirements and an individual’s personal history/circumstances this report cannot be all inclusive. The final determination comes from VA. It is advisable to submit a formal eligibility application for final determination.
