How to Apply for VA Home Loan Eligibility

By Gilberto Fuentes

Applying for VA home loan eligibility must be done using specific guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that confer veteran status. These guidelines establish periods of military service that may qualify you for veteran's benefits, including VA home loan eligibility. Qualifying periods of service include both war and peacetime service that extend as far back as World War II to the present. In addition to active duty military service, the VA makes allowances to extend home loan benefits to veterans of the Selected Reserve or National Guard, and unmarried spouses of veterans who died while in military service.

Determine your wartime service eligibility. The VA has specific military service requirements you must meet to claim a VA home loan benefit. The first period of wartime military service covers WW II between September 16, 1940, and July 25, 1947. Eligibility for service in the Korean War extends from June 27, 1950, to January 1, 1955. For Vietnam service, the eligible period begins on August 5, 1964, and ends on May 7, 1975. For these periods, you need to have served at least 90 days of active duty and not be dishonorably discharged. Gulf War period eligibility begins on August 2, 1990, and remains open to you if you served at least 24 continuous months on active duty. In addition, active duty personnel, Selected Reserves, National Guard and unmarried surviving spouses may also be eligible for a VA home loan.

Determine your peacetime service eligibility if you did not serve during war years. Peacetime eligibility requires at least 181 days of active duty service and not being dishonorably discharged. Peacetime eligibility extends from July 26, 1947, to June 26, 1950, and from February 1, 1955, to August 4, 1964. In addition, two periods of peacetime eligibility apply to enlisted soldiers and officers respectively: May 8, 1975, to September 7, 1980, and May 8, 1975, to October 16, 1981.

Request your VA Certificate of Eligibility. You can claim your certificate either through the mail, your lender or on the VA website. To request your certificate of eligibility, mail VA Form 26-1880 and proof of military service, active duty dates and type of discharge to the following address:

VA Loan Eligibility Center
P.O. Box 20729
Winston-Salem, NC 27120

You can also apply through the VA website at https://vip.vba.va.gov. You will be prompted to submit information to confirm your identity and veteran status, and to establish log on credentials. The information you submit must match information on your discharge papers or your DD 214. Once you have your log on information, log onto the VA system and request a Certificate of Eligibility.

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