Veterans benefits extend beyond disability compensation for service-connected injuries, illnesses, or medical conditions. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides financial aid in a number of different areas for veterans who have served in our armed forces. Many of those benefits are highlighted in Chapter 33 of the Post-9/11 GI Bill that provides support for veterans who served after September 11, 2001. Veterans in need of additional support may be asking — what are Chapter 33 VA benefits — and we are here to help at VA Benefits Attorneys.

Guide to Chapter 33 VA Benefits for Veterans

The veterans benefits highlighted in Chapter 33 of the Post-9/11 GI Bill apply primarily to financial aid for education and housing for veterans who want to pursue further education. This financial assistance can be applied to many things including school tuition, housing allowances for veterans in school, a stipend for school books, college fund kicker payments, a one-time rural benefit payment for veterans who move from a rural area to attend school, and the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The Yellow Ribbon Program is an added element included in Chapter 33 that provides additional financial support for tuition and fees that are not covered by the standard GI Bill. This program can help veterans pay for tuition at out-of-state private schools, foreign schools, or post-graduate tuition. Schools that qualify under the Yellow Ribbon Program must be a higher learning institution, offer GI Bill benefits, not exceed the maximum number of students using the Yellow Ribbon Program, and must be able to certify the veteran’s enrollment. 

Who Is Eligible for Chapter 33 VA Benefits? 

Eligibility for veterans benefits is always a chief concern — and one we may be able to help you better understand at VA Benefits Attorneys. Veterans who hope to utilize Chapter 33 benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill must meet a strict set of criteria. 

• The veteran must have served a minimum of 90 days on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Active duty service may be counted all at once or with breaks in service OR
• The veteran must have received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001 and have an honorable discharge OR
• The veteran must have served for a minimum of 30 continuous days on or after September 11, 2001 with an honorable discharge due to a service-connected disability OR
• The applicant must be the dependent child of a veteran or service member who qualifies for Chapter 33 benefits.

READ MORE: What Are the Most Common VA Disability Claims? 

If you are a veteran in need of financial assistance, you may have heard of Chapter 33 and you may be asking — what are Chapter 33 VA benefits? We hope that this quick overview has answered your questions and we are happy to help answer more here at VA Benefits Attorneys.

Contact the VA Benefits Attorneys legal team today for a FREE case review of your veteran benefits!