Va Benefits: Traveling Abroad

Veterans living or travelling abroad can still receive benefits and services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA Foreign Medical Program (FMP) provides health care benefits for veterans with VA-rated service-connected conditions. This includes medications and durable medical equipment (DME) to treat conditions related to a service-connected disability. The VA may also reimburse veterans for emergency care for treatment associated with a service-connected disability. Veterans can also receive direct deposit payments, education benefits, and specially adaptive housing grants.

Veterans can receive medical care for service-connected disabilities through the Foreign Medical Program (FMP)

The Foreign Medical Program (FMP) is a Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) healthcare benefits program for veterans with VA-rated service-connected conditions who are residing or traveling abroad. Under FMP, the VA assumes payment responsibility for certain necessary healthcare services associated with the treatment of VA-adjudicated service-connected conditions. This includes disabilities associated with and held to aggravate a service-connected condition.

To enrol in the FMP, veterans will need to fill out and submit the FMP Registration Form (VA Form 10-7959f-1). This can be completed online, mailed, or faxed. Eligible veterans who are travelling abroad and do not have a permanent foreign mailing address should apply for the FMP before they travel, using their U.S. address.

Upon registering for the FMP, veterans will receive a benefits authorisation letter that lists their service-connected conditions that are covered. Veterans can then file FMP claims for care related to their covered conditions. It is important to note that the FMP is not part of the Medical Benefits Package, and veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA healthcare system to participate.

The FMP is specifically designed to support veterans with service-connected disabilities while they are abroad. This ensures that veterans can access necessary healthcare services and treatments, even when they are outside the United States.

VA may pay for health care services, medications and durable medical equipment (DME) to treat service-connected disabilities

If you are a veteran living or travelling abroad, you may be eligible for medical services through the VA Foreign Medical Program (FMP). This program provides treatment for conditions related to a service-connected disability.

Through the FMP, the VA can pay for health care services, medications, and durable medical equipment (DME) to treat service-connected disabilities. The VA also provides reimbursement for emergency care associated with a service-connected disability.

To enrol in the FMP, you will need to fill out and submit the FMP Registration Form (VA Form 10-7959f-1). You can complete the form online, or mail it to the following address:

VHA Office of Community Care

Foreign Medical Program (FMP)

Denver, CO 80246-9061

If you are travelling abroad and do not have a permanent foreign mailing address, you should apply for the FMP before you travel, using your U.S. address.

To speed up your claim processing, ensure that your provider submits the claim directly to the VA. If they do not, you will need to pay the provider first and then submit a claim to the VA for reimbursement.

When filing the claim, include the following information:

• Veteran's full name
• Social Security Number
• VA file number
• Mailing address
• VA Form 10-7959f-2, FMP Claim Cover sheet

Additional documentation may be required depending on the type of claim.

For more information, you can contact the VA FMP by calling 877-345-8179 or sending an email to [email protected].

Examples of Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

• Blood pressure monitors
• CPAP machines and supplies
• Hearing aids and batteries
• Incontinence supplies
• Orthopedic braces, therapeutic shoes and socks
• Pill boxes and cutters
• Shower chairs and equipment

The VA's Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service has over 70 locations for the custom fabrication and fitting of state-of-the-art medical devices and aids. They also have over 600 local contracts with accredited providers to ensure all veterans have access to care.

Veterans can receive reimbursement for emergency care for treatment associated with a service-connected disability

If you are a veteran living or travelling abroad, you may be eligible for medical services through the Foreign Medical Program (FMP) for treatment associated with your service-connected disability. The FMP is a US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare benefits program for veterans with VA-rated, service-connected disabilities.

Through the FMP, the VA can pay for healthcare services, medications, and durable medical equipment (DME) to treat conditions related to a service-connected disability. The VA also provides reimbursement through the FMP for emergency care for treatment associated with a service-connected disability.

To enrol in the FMP, you will need to fill out the FMP Registration Form (VA Form 10-7959f-1) and send it to the VA. You can complete fillable PDFs online, by mail, or by fax.

Eligible veterans who are travelling abroad and do not have a permanent foreign mailing address should apply for the FMP before they travel, using their US address. To speed up your claim processing, have your provider submit the claim directly to the VA. If your provider does not send the claim directly to the VA, you will need to pay the provider and then submit a claim to the VA for reimbursement.

When filing the claim, include the veteran's full name, Social Security Number, VA file number, mailing address, and a VA Form 10-7959f-2, FMP Claim Cover sheet. Additional documentation may be needed depending on the type of claim.

It is important to note that claim information submitted in a language other than English can be translated but will cause a delay.

Veterans can receive disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and employment and burial

Veterans who live or travel abroad remain entitled to the benefits and services earned through their military service. Most VA benefits are payable regardless of the veteran's place of residence or nationality. These benefits include disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial.

Disability Compensation

Veterans with a service-related disability and a discharge that is "other than dishonorable" can qualify for a monthly tax-free VA Disability Compensation benefit ranging from $133 to over $3,400. The amount can be higher if the veteran has a spouse, child(ren), or dependent parent(s), or if they have a seriously disabled spouse.

Pension

The Veterans Pension program provides monthly payments to wartime veterans who meet certain age or disability requirements and whose income and net worth are within certain limits.

Education and Training

Veterans with a Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating and an employment handicap may be entitled to Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) services, which include counseling, training, education, and job placement assistance.

Health Care

The VA Foreign Medical Program (FMP) provides health care benefits for veterans residing or traveling abroad who have VA-rated, service-connected disabilities. The FMP covers health care services, medications, and durable medical equipment (DME) to treat conditions related to a service-connected disability. The program also provides reimbursement for emergency care associated with a service-connected disability.

Home Loans

Veterans who are disabled may be eligible for a Specially Adaptive Housing grant to accommodate their disability. To be eligible, the veteran must have a substantial ownership interest in the home to be adapted or built, and any improvements or modifications must be approved by the VA.

Insurance

The VA offers life insurance programs such as SGLI (Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance) and VGLI (Veterans' Group Life Insurance).

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

The VR&E program offers a range of services to help veterans with employment, including vocational counseling, employment services, on-the-job training, and financial assistance for post-secondary training.

Burial

The VA provides burial and memorial benefits for veterans, including a burial flag, a headstone or marker, and burial in a VA national cemetery.

Veterans can apply for Specially Adaptive Housing grants to accommodate their disabilities

If you're a veteran living overseas, you remain entitled to the benefits and services you earned through your military service. Most VA benefits are payable regardless of your place of residence or nationality. One such benefit is the Specially Adaptive Housing (SAH) grant.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides grants to veterans with certain permanent and total service-connected disabilities to help purchase, construct, or modify a home to accommodate their disabilities. The grant can be used to install ramps, widen doorways, and make other necessary changes to improve accessibility and independence.

To be eligible for the SAH grant, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must own or plan to own the home.
• You must have a qualifying service-connected disability.

Qualifying service-connected disabilities include:

• Loss or loss of use of more than one limb.
• Loss or loss of use of a lower leg, along with residual effects of an organic disease or injury.
• Blindness in both eyes (with 20/200 visual acuity or less).
• Certain severe burns.
• Loss or loss of use of one lower extremity (foot or leg) after September 11, 2001, which affects your balance or walking ability without assistive devices.

It's important to note that only 120 veterans and service members can qualify for a grant based on the loss of one extremity after September 11, 2001, as set by Congress. If you qualify but can't receive the grant due to this limit, you may be able to receive it in future years.

The maximum SAH grant amount for Fiscal Year 2024 is $117,014. You can use the grant money up to six different times over your lifetime, depending on the adaptations you need and the cost.

To apply for the SAH grant, you'll need to fill out and submit VA Form 26-4555, "Veteran's Application In Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant." You can download the form from the VA website and mail the completed application to the Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center. You can also bring the completed application to your nearest VA regional office.

Frequently asked questions