Category: Veteran Benefits & Resources
News, benefits, resources and practical information for veterans, service members and military families. Explore VA benefits, education, employment, survivor resources, financial assistance, consumer alerts and other programs designed to help military families understand and access the benefits and support they’ve earned.
-
Quick answer A sudden wave of calls after you submit a form can be a warning sign, but it does not prove your information was sold. Check who runs the site, what its consent language says, and which companies may receive your information before sharing details. In February 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said…
-
You may have paid a VA funding fee when you bought or refinanced your home, and later learned you qualified for a service-connected disability benefit that could make you eligible for a refund. If that sounds familiar, it may be worth checking. This isn’t a pitch. If you’re owed money, you should get it back:…
-
First, an important note: CalVet is a California state home loan program, and it is available only for a home located in California. If you’re an out-of-state veteran looking to buy outside California, this benefit won’t apply to that home. We want you to know that right away. However, you may be eligible for a…
-
For many veterans, buying a home with a VA loan can mean no down payment. But no down payment does not always mean no money due at closing. Closing costs, prepaid expenses, and other items may still leave you with a cash-to-close amount. The good news: with a VA loan, the Hometown Hero Credit™, and…
-
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released its 2026 Federal Benefits Guide on October 1, 2026. The VA home loan benefit is a lifetime benefit, so eligible Veterans may be able to use it more than once. Certain spouses, dependent children, surviving spouses, and caregivers may have benefits of their own. You can find the…
-
If you are seeing VA rates above 7.00%, and sometimes as high as 7.75%, a rate as low as 5.50% (5.865% APR) may look like a red flag. That is a reasonable reaction. A rate that seems too good to be true often is. You should verify it rather than assume it is legitimate. The…
-
If you have seen headlines about VA rating changes, a possible disability raise, or underpayments, you are not alone. It can be difficult to tell what is official, what is proposed, and what is still being reviewed. This Friday educational update gives you a clear status report as of October 2, 2026. The goal is…
-
If you are a veteran or service member planning to buy or refinance a home, current rates deserve your attention. Rates we are seeing quoted for VA loans from most lenders today are above 7.00%, with some as high as 7.75%. This is not an official index or survey, and it does not mean every…
-
The new appraisal format is called the Uniform Appraisal Dataset 3.6, or UAD 3.6. The appraisal forms many real estate and mortgage professionals have used for years are being replaced for certain Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac appraisal submissions. This is not simply a new PDF design. It is a change in the data structure…
-
If you are a veteran seeking help with a VA disability claim, one question can protect your money and personal information: “Are you VA-accredited?” That question matters because New York and Illinois officials are investigating Trajector Medical, a Florida company accused of charging veterans as much as $20,000 for assistance with VA disability claims. This…