Benefit Fact Sheet
Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife) provides guaranteed acceptance whole life coverage of up to $40,000 to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Lesser amounts are available in increments of $10,000. Under this plan, the elected coverage takes effect two years after enrollment as long as premiums are paid during the two-year period.
Impact on Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI)
The S-DVI program stopped taking new applications on December 31, 2022.
What to know about changing to VALife
If you apply for VALife by December 31, 2025, you can keep your S-DVI during the two year waiting period for VALife benefits. Your S-DVI (including policies with premium waivers) will end when your full VALife coverage starts. You must pay premiums for both policies during the two year waiting period.
If you apply for VALife on or after January 1, 2026, your S-DVI (including policies with premium waivers) will end the day we approve your VALife application. You will need to pay only VALife premiums during the two year waiting period, but you will not have full coverage during this time.
| Requirement | Application Deadline |
| Veteran age 80 or under and have a VA disability rating of 0 to 100% | No time limit to apply |
| Applied for VA disability rating before age 81 and received an initial rating after turning 81 | Must apply within two years of receiving a rating for a new service-connected condition applied for prior to age 81 |
Type of Coverage
The VALife program offers whole life guaranteed acceptance coverage. Under this type of coverage, the face amount of coverage takes effect two years after the date of enrollment as long as premiums are paid during the two-year period. This two-year waiting period replaces the need for medical underwriting. If the insured dies within this two year period, the beneficiary will receive all premiums paid plus interest.
Cost
The premium rate (the amount you will pay each month or annually for your coverage) depends on your age and the amount of coverage you elect. The premiums for VALife are fixed and based on your age when you enroll. Once locked in, your premiums will not increase. For more information on premium costs, please visit https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/valife/.
Can premiums be waived?
There are no premium waivers for the VALife program.
How to Apply?
You will need to submit your first premium payment when you apply.
You can also check your eligibility in the online application: https://insurance.va.gov/VALIFE/Fiduciary
For more information, please visit the VALife webpage maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs:
https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/valife/
Important Dates for VALife and S-DVI:
https://www.benefits.va.gov/INSURANCE/docs/Important_VALife_Milestones.pdf