Eligibility

A veteran of any of the five branches of military service (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard) is eligible for VA home loan benefits if he or she has served on active duty and was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable after:

• 90 days or more during wartime, OR
• 181 continuous days or more during peacetime prior to September 8, 1980

A greater length of service is required for a veteran who:

• enlisted after September 7, 1980, OR
• was an officer AND began service after October 16, 1981

These veterans must have completed either:

• at least 24 continuous months, OR
• the full period ordered to active duty, (not less than 90 days during wartime, or 181 days during peacetime)

For veterans in the Reserves or National Guard, the veterans mist complete a total of six years in the Select Reserves or National Guard with an honorable discharge and not be otherwise eligible. Members may also be eligible with less than six years if they were called to active duty for at least 90 days during the Persian Gulf era.

A member of the military who is currently serving on active duty is eligible after having served on continuous active duty for at least 181 days (90 days during the Gulf War period) unless discharged or separated from a previous qualifying period of active duty service.

Certain other individuals may have eligibility such as the Unmarried Surviving Spouse of a veteran who died while in service or from a service connected disability, Merchant Marines, Public Health Service, WAC’s and other World War II Services, and Officers of the Coast and Geodetic Survey.

For additional information on eligibility, the veteran should contact their local VA office or the VA Eligibility Center at (888) 244-6711