Are Transitioning Veterans Using

VA Benefits and Services ? 

In a continued effort to promote awareness of characteristics of the Veteran population being served by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the benefits and services provided, the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics (NCVAS) conducted a study on the two-year take-up rate of Veterans who have used at least one of the 22 benefits and services provided by VA between fiscal years 2005 to 2020.  The take-up rate measures the percentage of Veterans who were eligible for a VA program and who were able to access their benefits within two years of transitioning out of military service [1].  This is a measurement of those who were eligible to apply for benefits [2].  This study does not measure whether the Veteran qualified for a specific program, since qualification differs for each benefit or service.

Key questions addressed:

  • What were the demographic characteristics of Servicemembers who have transitioned out of military service?
  • What was the overall take-up rate of Veterans who transitioned out of military service?
  • What was the take-up rate by race/ethnicity?  Was the take-up rate lower for Black Veterans?
  • What was the take-up rate by race/ethnicity and gender?
  • What was the take-up rate of specific VA programs by race/ethnicity?

Key findings:

  • There were over 4.4 million living Veterans who were eligible to apply for VA benefits and services FY 2005 to 2020.
  • Most Veterans (75%) received at least one benefit or service from VA within the first two years of separating from military service.
  • The highest take-up rate was among White and Black/African Americans (76%), while the lowest was among Asian and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHOPI) (67%) and for those whose race/ethnicity could not be determined (12%).
  • Black/African American female Veterans had the highest take-up rate at 77%. 
  • Black/African American Veterans had higher take-up rates for all programs except home loan guaranty and pension.

Overview

Over 200K service members transition out of the military each year [3].  From 2005 to 2020, there were over 4.4 million living Veterans who transitioned from military service to civilian status that were eligible to apply for VA benefits and services.  This includes separating and retiring service men and women [4].  In the spirit of VA’s commitment to serve Veterans, the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics gathered data to explore the take-up rate of Veterans receiving benefits within two years of transitioning.  Most Veterans (75%) received at least one benefit or service from VA within the first two years of separating from military service, whether it be education, healthcare, vocational rehabilitation, life insurance, home loan guaranty, disability compensation or pension.

What were the Demographic Characteristics of Servicemembers Who Have Transitioned Out of Military Service?

Twenty-five percent of the 4.4 million Servicemembers that transitioned to Veteran status from FY 2005 to 2020 are racial and ethnic minorities.  The largest cohort of minority Veterans were Black/African American (16%) and the smallest was American Indian and Alaskan Natives (AIAN).  Thirteen percent were Hispanic of any race [5].  Approximately 756K were women, and they constituted 17% of transitioned Servicemembers.  The majority of this population separated from military service, with only 17% retired from military service.

What was the Overall Take-up Rate of Veterans who Transitioned Out of Military Service?

The take-up rate was 75% for this population.  Veterans who retired had a higher take-up rate than those who separated, 97% and 71% respectively.  The take-up rate was similar between men (75%) and women (74%).  The take-up rate was highest among White and Black/African American Veterans (76%).  It was considerably lower for Veterans for whom we could not determine race/ethnicity (12%).

What was the Take-up Rate by Race/Ethnicity and Gender?

In honor of Black History Month, VA wishes to explore the take-up rate of Black/African American Veterans using VA benefits and services after separation from military service.  Of the 4.4 million Veterans who separated from military service, nearly 712K were Black/African American.  The two-year take-up rate for Black/African American Veterans was 76%.  Black/African female Veterans had the highest take-up rate of 77%.  For those that race and ethnicity could be determined, there weren’t substantial differences between men and women within each race/ethnicity group.  Retired Black/African American Veterans’ take-up rate was higher than those that separated from military service (99% and 70%, respectively).

What was the Take-up Rate of Specific VA Programs by Race/Ethnicity?

VA provides 22 benefits or services to Veterans, which can be grouped into eight programs.  Only seven of these programs are included in this analysis [6].  The chart below shows the take-up rate of the seven programs within two years of separating from military service by race and ethnicity.  For all races and ethnicities, the take-up rate for each program was at or below 55%.  The programs with the highest take-up rates include education, compensation, and healthcare.  The rates for home loan guaranty and education reflect only new home loans and use of educational benefits for that fiscal year.  Veterans may take advantage of both programs while still serving in the military.  Black/African American Veterans had higher take-up rates for all programs except home loan guaranty and pension.  There may be disparities in program use, but further analysis is needed to understand differences that exist by race.

Did You Know?

Minority Veterans are more likely to NOT report their race and ethnicity on forms when asked.  Over 20K Veterans in this study did not have their race identified and 76K whose ethnicity is not specified.  Accurate reporting helps NCVAS and the Center for Minority Veterans collect data on disparities in benefits and services.  Call your health clinic soon to ensure they have your correct information!
Invitation to Apply for Benefits
VA encourages the nearly 712K Black Veterans as well as all Veterans to learn about VA programs and to apply for the benefits and services they have earned.  Programs are administered through three VA administrations.  Follow these links for detailed information, eligibility criteria and application instructions.
·         Veterans Benefits Administration -  https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/
·         Veterans Health Administration -  https://www.va.gov/health-care/
·         National Cemetery Administration -  https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/


Footnotes and Credits

  1. This study measures the two-year take-up of Veterans' use of at least one VA program within two years of transitioning.  For example, if the Veteran separated in fiscal year 2005, it is the rate at which they participated in at least one VA benefit or service by the end of fiscal year 2007.  The rate is abbreviated for Veterans who separated in 2019 and 2020, since data is not yet available for the two years following their transition out of military service.
  2. Eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions.  Active service means full-time service, other than active duty for training, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, Environmental Science Services Administration, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or its predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey. Dishonorable and bad conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial may bar VA benefits.
  3. Department of Defense, "Military Separations Data," 12 December 2019. [Online]. Available: https://dodskillbridge.usalearning.gov/separation-map.htm. [Accessed 22 January 2020].
  4. Data source: Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Enterprise Integration, U.S. Veterans Eligibility Trends and Statistics, 2020. USVETS dataset, described here:   https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/for_researchers/cyber_seminars/archives/video_archive.cfm?SessionID=3626.  For USVETS summary data see: https://www.va.gov/vetdata/.
  5. In the data above, Hispanic includes individuals of any race who are identified as Hispanic ethnicity. All other groups exclude Hispanics, e.g. white means non-Hispanic white.  Veterans identified as multiracial are included in the Other category.
  6. Programs used in this study include healthcare, education, home loan guaranty, life insurance, disability compensation, and pension.

Contact Information

Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Enterprise Integration
For questions, please email us at VANCVAS@va.gov