How we write our guides
What you can expect from every guide on VA.org, and what we do not claim.
Every guide in the Benefits Library follows the same rules. This page says what they are, so you can decide how much to trust what you read here.
Where the facts come from
Every dollar amount, percentage, deadline, form number and eligibility rule in a guide is taken from a primary government source: VA.gov and its benefits pages, the Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR, mostly Title 38), Congress.gov and GovInfo for statutes, and agencies such as DFAS, the Social Security Administration and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force where a topic calls for them. Each guide lists its sources at the bottom, and we link the first mention of a program or regulation to the official page.
If we could not confirm a figure from a primary source, we do not state it. You will sometimes see "check the current amount on VA.gov" with a link instead of a number. That is on purpose.
What "Updated" means
The date under a guide's title is the last time we re-checked its figures and rules against the sources listed. Rates change on a schedule: most compensation, pension and DIC rates change every December 1 with the cost-of-living adjustment; GI Bill amounts change for each academic year; loan limits and copays change on January 1. We re-check the affected guides on that schedule and whenever VA publishes a rule change.
Who writes the guides
Guides are written by Veterans Alliance with the help of AI tools, and every figure is checked by a person against the source before publishing. We do not put a "reviewed by" line on our guides, because no accredited representative, attorney or clinician has reviewed them, and we will not imply otherwise. If a guide is ever reviewed by a credentialed professional, that person's name and credential will appear on that page and nowhere else.
What a guide is not
A guide is not legal, medical or financial advice, and reading it does not create any relationship with Veterans Alliance. Decisions about your benefits are made by VA. For help with a claim, VA-accredited representatives can assist you at no charge; VA's accreditation search lists them.
Veterans Alliance is privately owned and operated to serve veterans. We are not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Some partners in money and home topics compensate Veterans Alliance; those placements are marked "Compare" and are explained in our advertising disclosure. They never affect what a guide says.
Found an error?
Tell us. Email info@va.org with the page address and what is wrong, and we will check the source and fix it. Corrections that change a figure or a rule are noted on the page with the new "Updated" date.