Benefits Delivery at Discharge program redesigned for faster benefits

  • Published
  • By Richard Salomon
  • Air Force’s Personnel Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  The Benefits Delivery at Discharge program was recently redesigned to allow most service members to receive disability benefit decisions the day after their discharge.

These changes will allow Veterans Affairs to conduct exams, review medical evidence and process ratings before Airmen are released from active duty. In most cases, VA benefit decisions will be provided the day after discharge instead of weeks later under the previous program. 

Airmen using the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program can submit their claim for a service-connected disability 90 to 180 days before being discharged from active duty. Before Oct. 1, it was 60 to 180 days before discharge.

“This extra time is needed to ensure medical exams can be conducted and evaluated and that the claims are rated prior to the separation,” said Wendy Link, Transition Assistance Program manager at the Air Force’s Personnel Center.

“This change will allow Airmen to get the benefits they have earned and deserve as quickly and accurately as possible.” 

To participate in the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program, Airmen must attend a VA examination 45 days after the claim is submitted.

To more effectively focus resources on the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program, the Quick Start program will be eliminated. Quick Start allowed Airmen who did not meet the Benefits Delivery at Discharge window to submit their claim and evidence up until one day before discharge from active duty. While Airmen can still submit their claim with 89 days or less prior to their discharge, the claims will not be processed until after their separation.

For more information, visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/predischarge or call the Veterans Affairs Call Center at 1-800-827-1000.