<commit_before>---
layout: page-breadcrumbs.html
title: How to Apply for Disability Benefits
display_title: How to File a Claim
description: Find out how to apply online for VA disability compensation, and what documents you'll need to start your application today.
order: 2
plainlanguage: 11-02-16 certified in compliance with the Plain Writing Act
template: detail-page
collection: disability
children: disabilityApply
spoke: Get Benefits
majorlinks:
  - heading: More information about filing disability claims
    links:
    - url: /disability/how-to-file-claim/when-to-file/
      title: Claim Types and When to File
      description: Learn about standard claims, reopened claims, secondary claims, and more.
    - url: /disability/how-to-file-claim/evidence-needed/
      title: How to Gather Evidence for Your Claim
      description: Find out your options for gathering documents to support your disability claim.
    - url: /disability/eligibility/illnesses-within-one-year-of-discharge/
      title: Disabilities That Appear Within 1 Year After Discharge
      description: Find out if you can get disability benefits if you have signs of an illness within a year after being discharged from service.
    - url: /disability/get-help-filing-claim/
      title: Get Help Filing a Claim
      description: Find out how to work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to file your claim.
relatedlinks:
  - heading: Other VA benefits you may want to explore
    links:
    - url: /careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/
      title: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
      description: If your service-connected disability limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, find out if you can get VR&E benefits and services—like help exploring employment options and getting more training if required.
aliases:
  - /disability-benefits/apply/
---
<div itemscope itemtype ="http://schema.org/HowTo">
<div class="va-introtext" itemprop="description">

Find out how to file for VA disability benefits.

</div>

### How do I prepare before starting my application?

- [Find out if you're eligible for VA disability benefits](/disability/eligibility/).
- Gather the supporting documents listed below that you’ll need to file a disability claim.
- Be sure your claim is filled out completely and you have all the supporting documents ready to send in along with your claim. This will help us process your claim quickly. <br>
[Learn more about fully developed claims](/disability/how-to-file-claim/evidence-needed/).

[Find out if you’ll need to turn in any additional (supplemental) forms with your claim](/disability/how-to-file-claim/supplemental-forms/).


<div class="feature" markdown="1" itemprop="steps" itemscope itemtype ="http://schema.org/HowToSection">

<h4 itemprop="name">What documents will VA review to decide my claim?</h4>
<div itemprop="itemListElement">

For your first disability claim, we'll review your:

- Discharge papers (DD214 or other separation documents)
- Service treatment records [(Order service records through the National Archives)](https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records)

For all disability claims, we'll review your:

- VA medical records and hospital records that relate to your claimed illnesses or injuries
- Private medical records and hospital reports that relate to your claimed illnesses or injuries

Depending on the type of claim you file, you may gather supporting documents yourself, or you can ask for VA's help to gather evidence. <br>
[Find out how to gather evidence for your claim](https://www.vets.gov/disability-benefits/apply/evidence/).

**Note**: If you start your application and need time to gather more supporting documents, you can save your application and come back later to finish it. We'll recognize the date you started your application as your date of claim as long as you complete it within 365 days.
</div>
</div>


<div itemprop="steps" itemscope itemtype ="http://schema.org/HowToSection">

<h3 itemprop="name">How do I file?</h3>
<div itemprop="itemListElement">

You can file your claim right now.

<a class="usa-button-primary va-button-primary" href="https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/about/feature?feature=disability-compensation">Go to eBenefits to Apply</a>

</div>
</div>

<div id="react-applicationStatus"></div>

<div itemprop="steps" itemscope itemtype ="http://schema.org/HowToSection">

<h4 itemprop="name">You can also file your claim:</h4>
<div itemprop="itemListElement">

##### By mail

File by mail using an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ). <br>[Download VA Form 21-526EZ](https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-526EZ-ARE.pdf).

Print the form, fill it out, and send it to this address:

<p class="va-address-block">
Department of Veterans Affairs<br>
Claims Intake Center<br>
PO Box 4444<br>
Janesville, WI 53547-4444<br>
</p>

##### In person

Bring your application to a regional benefit office near you. <br>
[Find a regional benefit office](/facilities/).

##### With the help of a trained professional
<commit_msg>Remove ebenefits button (#8879)<commit_after>---
layout: page-breadcrumbs.html
title: How to Apply for Disability Benefits
display_title: How to File a Claim
description: Find out how to apply online for VA disability compensation, and what documents you'll need to start your application today.
order: 2
plainlanguage: 11-02-16 certified in compliance with the Plain Writing Act
template: detail-page
collection: disability
children: disabilityApply
spoke: Get Benefits
majorlinks:
  - heading: More information about filing disability claims
    links:
    - url: /disability/how-to-file-claim/when-to-file/
      title: Claim Types and When to File
      description: Learn about standard claims, reopened claims, secondary claims, and more.
    - url: /disability/how-to-file-claim/evidence-needed/
      title: How to Gather Evidence for Your Claim
      description: Find out your options for gathering documents to support your disability claim.
    - url: /disability/eligibility/illnesses-within-one-year-of-discharge/
      title: Disabilities That Appear Within 1 Year After Discharge
      description: Find out if you can get disability benefits if you have signs of an illness within a year after being discharged from service.
    - url: /disability/get-help-filing-claim/
      title: Get Help Filing a Claim
      description: Find out how to work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to file your claim.
relatedlinks:
  - heading: Other VA benefits you may want to explore
    links:
    - url: /careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/
      title: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
      description: If your service-connected disability limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, find out if you can get VR&E benefits and services—like help exploring employment options and getting more training if required.
aliases:
  - /disability-benefits/apply/
---
<div itemscope itemtype ="http://schema.org/HowTo">
<div class="va-introtext" itemprop="description">

Find out how to file for VA disability benefits.

</div>

### How do I prepare before starting my application?

- [Find out if you're eligible for VA disability benefits](/disability/eligibility/).
- Gather the supporting documents listed below that you’ll need to file a disability claim.
- Be sure your claim is filled out completely and you have all the supporting documents ready to send in along with your claim. This will help us process your claim quickly. <br>
[Learn more about fully developed claims](/disability/how-to-file-claim/evidence-needed/).

[Find out if you’ll need to turn in any additional (supplemental) forms with your claim](/disability/how-to-file-claim/supplemental-forms/).


<div class="feature" markdown="1" itemprop="steps" itemscope itemtype ="http://schema.org/HowToSection">

<h4 itemprop="name">What documents will VA review to decide my claim?</h4>
<div itemprop="itemListElement">

For your first disability claim, we'll review your:

- Discharge papers (DD214 or other separation documents)
- Service treatment records [(Order service records through the National Archives)](https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records)

For all disability claims, we'll review your:

- VA medical records and hospital records that relate to your claimed illnesses or injuries
- Private medical records and hospital reports that relate to your claimed illnesses or injuries

Depending on the type of claim you file, you may gather supporting documents yourself, or you can ask for VA's help to gather evidence. <br>
[Find out how to gather evidence for your claim](https://www.vets.gov/disability-benefits/apply/evidence/).

**Note**: If you start your application and need time to gather more supporting documents, you can save your application and come back later to finish it. We'll recognize the date you started your application as your date of claim as long as you complete it within 365 days.
</div>
</div>


<div id="react-applicationStatus"></div>

<div itemprop="steps" itemscope itemtype ="http://schema.org/HowToSection">

<h4 itemprop="name">You can also file your claim:</h4>
<div itemprop="itemListElement">

##### By mail

File by mail using an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ). <br>[Download VA Form 21-526EZ](https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-526EZ-ARE.pdf).

Print the form, fill it out, and send it to this address:

<p class="va-address-block">
Department of Veterans Affairs<br>
Claims Intake Center<br>
PO Box 4444<br>
Janesville, WI 53547-4444<br>
</p>

##### In person

Bring your application to a regional benefit office near you. <br>
[Find a regional benefit office](/facilities/).

##### With the help of a trained professional

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