New Life Insurance Program For Disabled Vets Launches
Disabled veterans will be guaranteed access to life insurance policies under a new Veterans Affairs program that launched Jan. 1.
The move opens up basic coverage for a population of roughly 4 million individuals who in the past have struggled to qualify for life insurance plans because of their injuries and illnesses. VA officials said the new program is open to any disabled veterans age 80 and under with no disqualifications for medical reasons.
“This is going to create more access to life insurance than ever before,” said Dan Keenaghan, executive director of the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Insurance Service. “And we are really, really excited about getting our veterans all the benefits that they’ve earned.”
VA currently operates the Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance program for individuals whose military injuries make eligibility for other life insurance offers difficult. But veterans must apply for that program within two years of receiving a disability rating and cannot enroll later on.
This new Veterans Affairs Life Insurance program will eliminate that timeline and sunset the S-DVI program. Officials closed enrollment into the S-DVI program on Jan. 1.
The changes were mandated by Congress in legislation passed in 2021. Veterans will be able to buy up to $40,000 in coverage at “competitive” rates, according to Keenaghan. The program will not earn a profit, but the costs are designed to ensure the program doesn’t create new deficits for the department.
Officials do not have a target goal for enrollment in the first year, or an estimate as to how many veterans may be unable to obtain life insurance currently.
However, veterans advocates for years have pushed for the change in programs because of concerns about limited availability for individuals with service-connected injuries.
Enrollment is available by clicking this link.
