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VA Benefits for Women Veterans: PACT Act and Beyond

Joe Wallace

The presence of women in the U.S. military is steadily growing, with over 2 million women veterans estimated to be serving in 2025 and beyond.

About 11% of all veterans today are women, and this number is expected to rise to 18% by 2040. In 2023, over 500,000 women veterans utilized VA healthcare services. The VA exists in part to help meet the needs of this growing demographic.

The PACT Act: Important Changes for Veterans

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, passed in 2022, is legislation that expands healthcare and benefits for veterans, including women.

This law recognizes that veterans may experience health problems as a result of exposure to harmful substances during their service, such as burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxins.

The PACT Act makes it easier for veterans to get care for a wide range of conditions that may be connected to these exposures. This includes certain cancers, respiratory illnesses, and some reproductive health conditions. The PACT Act also aims to improve the VA’s ability to provide timely care by increasing funding for research, hiring more staff, and making the claims process more efficient.

VA Benefits: What Women Veterans Should Know

The VA offers many different benefits for veterans. Here are some of the most important ones for women:

Healthcare: The VA provides comprehensive healthcare services. This includes primary care, like regular checkups and screenings, as well as specialty care for specific health needs.

Many VA medical centers have Women’s Health Clinics with providers who focus on the health of women veterans. These clinics offer services like gynecology, maternity care, and cancer screenings. The VA also provides mental health services, including therapy and specialized programs for conditions like PTSD and military sexual trauma (MST).

Furthermore, the VA offers reproductive health services, including contraception, fertility treatments, and pregnancy care. Importantly, confidential counseling and medical care are available to veterans who have experienced MST, regardless of whether they reported the assault during their service.

Disability Compensation: If you have a health condition caused by your military service, you may be eligible for disability compensation. You can find more information and file a claim on the VA website.

Education and Jobs: The GI Bill can help you pay for college, vocational training, or apprenticeships. You can learn more about the GI Bill on the VA website. If you have a service-connected disability, the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program can help you find and keep a job.

Home Loan Guaranty: The VA can help you get a home loan with favorable terms with a zero downpayment option.

Other Benefits: Women veterans may also be eligible for other benefits, such as life insurance, help with burial costs, help with childcare, and assistance if they are homeless.

Read next: Disabled Veteran Benefits Guide

VA Benefits for Women Veterans

• Primary and Preventive Care: This is the foundation, including regular checkups, screenings (like mammograms and Pap smears), and management of chronic conditions.
• Gynecological and Maternity Care: Comprehensive services for women’s reproductive health, from routine exams to pregnancy and postpartum care.
• Mental Health Services: Addressing the unique mental health needs of women veterans, with specialized programs for PTSD, military sexual trauma (MST), depression, and anxiety.
• Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Care: Confidential counseling, therapy, and medical care for survivors of MST, regardless of when or if the incident was reported.
• Reproductive Health: Includes access to birth control, fertility treatments, and abortion services (within the limitations of federal law).
• Cancer Screening and Treatment: Specialized care for women’s cancers, including breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers.
• Gender-Specific Care: The VA is increasing its focus on providing care that considers the biological and social differences between women and men.

Financial Benefits

• Disability Compensation: Monthly payments for service-connected disabilities, including conditions unique to women or exacerbated by military service.
• Pension: Financial assistance for wartime veterans with limited income and disabilities that are not service-connected.
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): Benefits for surviving spouses and dependents of veterans who died in the line of duty or from service-connected conditions.

Education and Employment

• GI Bill Benefits: Financial assistance for education and training programs, including college, vocational schools, and apprenticeships.
• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E): Support for veterans with service-connected disabilities to find and maintain meaningful employment. This includes career counseling, job training, and assistive technology.

Housing

• Home Loan Guaranty: Helps veterans obtain affordable home loans with favorable terms, including no down payment options.
• Housing Grants: Grants for adapted housing or special home adaptations for veterans with service-connected disabilities.
• Homeless Assistance: Programs and services to prevent and address homelessness among women veterans.

Read next: Disabled Veteran Benefits Guide

Other Benefits

• Life Insurance: Various life insurance options for veterans and their families.
• Burial Benefits: Assistance with burial costs and access to national cemeteries.
• Dependent Care: Support for childcare and elder care needs.
• Transition Assistance: Programs to help women veterans transition back to civilian life, including employment resources and mental health support.

Important Considerations

• Eligibility: Eligibility criteria vary for each benefit, and it’s crucial to check with the VA or a veteran service organization to determine your specific eligibility.
• Claims Process: Navigating the VA claims process can be complex. Seeking assistance from a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) or an accredited representative can be beneficial.
• Ongoing Improvements: The VA is continually working to improve its services and address the unique needs of women veterans. Stay informed about new programs and initiatives.

Where to Find More Information:

• Center for Women Veterans
• VA Women’s Health
• Veteran Service Organizations: Organizations like the American Legion, VFW, and DAV provide support and assistance to veterans.

Read next: Disabled Veteran Benefits Guide