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Federal Benefits

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (federal VA), Louisiana is home to more than 261,000 veterans and their families. While the roles of the federal VA and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA) are different, the mission to serve those who served remains the same.

All benefits, federal and state, can be accessed through one of LDVA’s federal VA-accredited veterans assistance counselors (VACs). Our VACs provide all services, including filing claims on behalf of veterans to the federal VA, free of charge.

Veterans can find more information about additional federal VA benefits by locating one of our VACs or by visiting va.gov.

Veterans Benefits

The 2025 Federal Benefits Guide provides information on benefits and services currently available by law and regulation, including a complete listing of phone numbers and websites of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ services.

The federal VA’s education benefits help veterans and their family members pursue their educational and training goals through benefits such as the GI Bill® and Veteran Readiness and Employment. LDVA’s veterans assistance counselors can help a veteran or family member apply, and more information can be obtained by calling the GI Bill® Hotline at 888.GIBILL.1, or 888.442.4551.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs burial benefits can help veterans, and their family members, plan and pay for burial in a VA cemetery. Family members can also order memorial items to honor the service of a veteran to be placed in a private cemetery. Find a VAC near you to receive assistance with this process to ensure the veteran, or veteran spouse or dependent, has a dignified final resting place of honor.

The federal VA offers health care to veterans in Louisiana through its medical centers, community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC) and vet centers. LDVA does not administer health care; however, our staff refer veterans to one of Louisiana’s three VA medical centers:

Alexandria VA Medical Center

Southeast Louisiana Healthcare System (New Orleans VA Medical Center)

Overton Brooks VA Medical Center

 

To locate a CBOC or Vet Center, visit the federal VA’s directory.

Veterans Benefits

The 2025 Federal Benefits Guide provides information on benefits and services currently available by law and regulation, including a complete listing of phone numbers and websites of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ services.

Education and Training Benefits

The federal VA’s education benefits help veterans and their family members pursue their educational and training goals through benefits such as the GI Bill® and Veteran Readiness and Employment. LDVA’s veterans assistance counselors can help a veteran or family member apply, and more information can be obtained by calling the GI Bill® Hotline at 888.GIBILL.1, or 888.442.4551.

Burial and Memorial Benefits

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs burial benefits can help veterans, and their family members, plan and pay for burial in a VA cemetery. Family members can also order memorial items to honor the service of a veteran to be placed in a private cemetery. Find a VAC near you to receive assistance with this process to ensure the veteran, or veteran spouse or dependent, has a dignified final resting place of honor.

Health Care

The federal VA offers health care to veterans in Louisiana through its medical centers, community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC) and vet centers. LDVA does not administer health care; however, our staff refer veterans to one of Louisiana’s three VA medical centers:

Alexandria VA Medical Center

2495 Shreveport Highway, Pineville, LA 71360
318.473.0010

Southeast Louisiana Healthcare System (New Orleans VA Medical Center)

2400 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70119
800.935.8387

Overton Brooks VA Medical Center

510 E. Stoner Ave., Shreveport, LA 71101
318.221.8411

Here to help. Day or night.

If you are a veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with our caring, qualified responders for confidential help. Many of them are veterans themselves. 24 hours a day. 7 days a week. 365 days a year.

Get more resources at VeteransCrisisLine.net. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.