VA.gov is now the single home for every digital VA service. Sign-in, claim filing, claim status, healthcare appointments, prescription refills, benefit letters, military records, and form downloads all live on one site. The system was simplified between 2025 and early 2026, and several older systems veterans used to know (DS Logon, eBenefits, the old My HealtheVet sign-in) have been retired or merged into VA.gov.
This guide is the navigation reference for the new VA.gov: how to sign in, what each VA benefit letter is for, which VA forms you need most often, and what to do when something does not work. The information here is general. Some VA programs (like Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits) have additional separate workflows.
How to Sign In to VA.gov in 2026
The VA accepts only two sign-in account types as of 2026: ID.me and Login.gov. Both are identity-verified accounts that require multifactor authentication. Both work across VA.gov, the VA: Health and Benefits mobile app, and My HealtheVet (which is now part of VA.gov).
Figure 1: The 2026 VA sign-in landscape. Only ID.me and Login.gov work. DS Logon, the old My HealtheVet password, and eBenefits have been retired.
Which sign-in to choose: ID.me vs Login.gov
Both options give you full access to VA.gov. The functional difference is in how identity verification is handled and what other federal services the same account can be used with.
| Sign-in option | When it makes sense |
|---|---|
| ID.me | You already use ID.me for the IRS, SSA, or state agencies. You want to verify identity by video call. You want access to military and veteran discounts ID.me offers through retail partners. |
| Login.gov | You want a federal-government-run sign-in. You already use it for TSA PreCheck, FEMA, USPS, or other federal services. You prefer not to use a third-party identity provider. |
Both are free. Both meet the same federal security standards. Both work the same way once you are signed in to VA.gov. If you do not already have either, Login.gov tends to be slightly faster to set up.
What happened to DS Logon, eBenefits, and the old My HealtheVet sign-in
Three systems veterans previously used are no longer available:
- DS Logon was removed November 18, 2025. It was the Department of Defense’s veteran sign-in service. Anyone still using it must switch to ID.me or Login.gov.
- My HealtheVet user ID and password sign-in was removed March 5, 2025. My HealtheVet itself is not gone. It is now hosted on VA.gov as the health portal, but you sign in through ID.me or Login.gov.
- eBenefits is being phased out. Visit ebenefits.va.gov today and you will see a notice saying “The eBenefits Portal is no longer available.” All features have transitioned to VA.gov, including letter downloads, claim status, and direct deposit management.
Your data was migrated automatically. You do not need to re-enter your VA file number, ratings, or dependent information. Sign in with ID.me or Login.gov on VA.gov and your records are already there.
How to Create an ID.me or Login.gov Account
Setting up either account takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You will need a smartphone, a government-issued photo ID, and a stable internet connection. The verification step is the part that takes longest, but it only happens once.
To create a Login.gov account
- Go to login.gov and click “Create an account.” Enter the email address you want to use.
- Create a password. Login.gov requires a strong password, typically 12+ characters.
- Set up multifactor authentication. Choose from text message, authenticator app, hardware key, or backup codes. Authenticator apps are the most secure option.
- Verify your identity. Upload a photo of your driver’s license or state ID and a self-portrait photo. Login.gov compares them automatically.
- Sign in to VA.gov. Once your Login.gov account is verified, return to VA.gov and click Sign In, then choose Login.gov.
To create an ID.me account
- Go to ID.me and click “Sign Up.” Enter your email and create a password.
- Set up multifactor authentication. Same options as Login.gov: text, authenticator app, or hardware key.
- Verify your identity. ID.me offers two paths: self-service (upload ID + selfie) or video call with a representative. Self-service is faster but the video call option is available if the automated system has trouble matching your documents.
- Confirm military service (optional). If you want military discounts, you can verify your military or veteran status with a DD-214 or other documentation.
- Sign in to VA.gov. Click Sign In on VA.gov and choose ID.me.
If you have trouble with identity verification, both providers offer in-person verification at local VA facilities. Bring a government-issued photo ID and a second form of identification. The VA typically schedules these as workshops at regional facilities, which you can find at the VA’s local events page.
VA Benefit Letters You Can Download
Once signed in to VA.gov, you have access to nine standard benefit letters that prove your veteran status, your service-connected rating, or your eligibility for various benefits. All nine are free, available 24/7, and downloadable as PDFs.
Figure 2: The nine VA benefit letters you can download from VA.gov, each with what it shows and the situations where you would need it.
How to download a benefit letter
- Sign in to VA.gov with ID.me or Login.gov.
- Navigate to Records. Click “Records” in the main navigation, then “Download VA Benefit Letters.”
- Confirm your address. The VA will ask you to verify the mailing address on file. If it is correct, click “View Letters.”
- Select the letter type. Choose from the list. Some letters (especially the Benefits Verification Letter) let you customize what information is included.
- Download the PDF. Save it to your device. The letter is dated the day you generate it, so most agencies that require a recent letter want one dated within the past 6 months.
Which letter you need depends on what you are doing
The most common request is the Benefit Summary Letter (sometimes called an Award Letter), which shows your combined disability rating, your monthly compensation amount, and your effective date. This is the letter most state and local agencies want for property tax exemptions, hunting and fishing license discounts, vehicle registration discounts, and similar state benefits.
If a state form asks for proof of disability without specifying which letter, the Benefit Summary Letter is almost always the right choice. If you want to omit your monthly compensation amount from a letter (for privacy reasons), use the Benefits Verification Letter instead, which lets you customize what is included.
VA Forms You Will Use Most Often
VA forms are organized by program. Disability claims forms are in the 21- series. Appeals forms are in the 20- series. Healthcare forms are in the 10- series. Education forms are in the 22- series. The list below covers the forms used in 90% of VA disability and healthcare interactions.
Figure 3: The VA forms used most often in disability claims, appeals, evidence submission, and healthcare enrollment.
Where to find current versions
VA.gov/find-forms is the official source. Search by form number (e.g., 21-526EZ) or by topic. Always download from VA.gov rather than third-party sites, because form versions are updated periodically and outdated versions may be rejected. The form number stays the same; the revision date in the bottom corner changes.
Most forms can be filled out online through VA.gov rather than printed and mailed. The online versions auto-fill your basic information from your VA record, save your progress as you go, and submit electronically. Online filing also automatically creates an Intent to File when applicable, which protects your effective date for back pay.
What You Can Do Inside Your VA.gov Account
The VA.gov dashboard shows everything available to you in one place. The most-used features:
| Section | What You Can Do |
|---|---|
| Disability | File a new disability claim, check claim status, view your disability rating, request a higher-level review or supplemental claim, upload evidence to a pending claim. |
| Healthcare | Schedule appointments, refill prescriptions, send secure messages to your care team, view test results, request travel reimbursement (My HealtheVet on VA.gov). |
| Records | Download benefit letters, request military records (DD-214 and others), view your file number, access your decision letters. |
| Payments and Debts | View payment history, check the status of upcoming payments, manage direct deposit, review and resolve VA debt. |
| Profile | Update your address, phone number, email, and contact preferences. Change your direct deposit account. |
| Education | Apply for GI Bill benefits, transfer benefits to dependents, view Statement of Benefits showing how much you have used. |
The mobile app (VA: Health and Benefits) duplicates most of these features in a phone-friendly format. The same ID.me or Login.gov account works for both. Push notifications on the mobile app are useful for claim status changes and prescription refill reminders.
What to Do If You Cannot Sign In
Most VA.gov sign-in problems trace back to identity verification, browser issues, or a forgotten password. The VA contact center cannot reset your ID.me or Login.gov password directly, but the steps below resolve most issues.
If your password is not working
Reset it through your account provider, not through the VA. Go to login.gov or id.me directly and use the password reset link. The VA cannot reset these for you because the accounts are managed by separate providers (ID.me is a private company, Login.gov is run by the General Services Administration).
If your identity verification fails
Both providers offer alternative verification paths. ID.me has a video call option where a representative can verify your identity manually. Login.gov can verify in person at a USPS post office. If you have moved recently or your name has changed, the verification may fail because the system cannot match your current ID to its records. Updating your address with the issuing state agency before retrying often resolves this.
If the website logs you out repeatedly
Browser extensions, ad blockers, and privacy-focused browsers sometimes interfere with VA.gov authentication. Try signing in using a private or incognito window, or with extensions temporarily disabled. Clearing your browser cache and cookies for VA.gov also helps in many cases.
If your VA file number is wrong or missing
Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 to verify your file number. If your account does not show recent claims or rating decisions, the VA may have your records under a different file number than the one currently linked to your sign-in account. The call center can correct linking issues.
If you cannot remember which email you used
Both ID.me and Login.gov can search by name and last four of your Social Security number. ID.me’s help center is at help.id.me. Login.gov’s help center is at login.gov/help. The VA cannot tell you which email you used to set up either account.
Requesting Records the VA Does Not Have
Some records you may need are not in the VA system. Three common gaps:
Military service records (DD-214 and others)
If your DD-214 is not in your VA.gov account or you need additional service records (performance reports, awards, deployment orders, security clearance), submit a request through the VA’s Records section, which routes the request to the National Archives. You can also submit directly at archives.gov/veterans. Standard processing time is 4 to 6 weeks; expedited service is available for urgent needs (medical emergencies, funeral arrangements).
Private medical records
VA records do not include treatment from civilian providers. To get records from a private doctor, hospital, or specialist, contact the provider’s medical records department directly. Most providers can release records within 30 days under HIPAA. If you need help with the process or are not sure where to start, the local guide for Tucson residents requesting medical records walks through the process step by step.
Records from before VA digitization
Many older records (especially from before the early 2000s) are stored on paper or microfiche at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. Some Army records were destroyed in a 1973 fire at NPRC. If your records were affected, the VA and National Archives have alternate-source procedures using morning reports, pay records, and other documents to reconstruct service history.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign in to VA.gov?
Go to VA.gov and click Sign In. Choose either ID.me or Login.gov. Enter your credentials and complete multifactor authentication. If you do not have either account, you can create one for free during the sign-in process.
Why does VA.gov no longer accept my My HealtheVet password?
The VA removed the My HealtheVet user ID and password sign-in option on March 5, 2025, as part of the consolidation to ID.me and Login.gov. My HealtheVet itself is not gone; it has been moved to VA.gov as the health portal. Sign in to VA.gov with ID.me or Login.gov to access the same My HealtheVet features you used before.
Why does eBenefits no longer work?
The eBenefits Portal has been retired and its features transitioned to VA.gov. If you visit ebenefits.va.gov, you will see a notice directing you to VA.gov. All letter downloads, claim status, dependent management, and other eBenefits features now happen on VA.gov.
How do I download my VA award letter?
Sign in to VA.gov, click Records, then Download VA Benefit Letters. Confirm your mailing address and select the Benefit Summary Letter (also called Award Letter). The PDF downloads immediately. There is no fee, and you can generate as many copies as you need.
Where do I find VA Form 21-526EZ?
Go to VA.gov/find-forms and search for 21-526EZ. The current version downloads as a PDF. You can also file the form online through VA.gov by clicking File a disability claim, which fills in your information automatically and saves your progress.
Can I file a VA claim without an online account?
Yes. You can file by mail (print VA Form 21-526EZ from any computer), in person at a VA regional office, or through a VSO representative who submits on your behalf. An online account speeds up the process and protects your effective date through automatic Intent to File creation, but it is not required.
What is multifactor authentication?
Multifactor authentication (MFA) requires a second verification step in addition to your password, usually a code sent to your phone or generated by an app. The VA requires MFA on both ID.me and Login.gov. Common MFA options include text message codes, authenticator apps (Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator), hardware security keys (YubiKey), and backup recovery codes.
Why is my VA file showing the wrong dependents?
Sign in to VA.gov, go to Profile, click Personal Information, and scroll to Dependents. To add or remove dependents, file VA Form 21-686c. Marriage certificates, birth certificates, and similar documentation must be uploaded with the form. Changes typically process within 30 to 60 days. Note: dependent benefits only add to your monthly compensation at a 30% rating or higher.
Can someone else manage my VA account on my behalf?
Yes, with a properly executed power of attorney or VA Form 21-22 (appointing a Veterans Service Organization as your representative). VA-accredited claims agents and attorneys can also be designated as representatives. The representative does not gain access to your sign-in account; they get separate access to your file through the VA’s representative portal.
The Bottom Line
VA.gov is the only place you need to bookmark for VA-related digital tasks. Sign in with either ID.me or Login.gov (both work, both are free). From there, you can file claims, check status, download all nine standard benefit letters, request military records, manage healthcare appointments, refill prescriptions, and update your direct deposit. The mobile app (VA: Health and Benefits) duplicates these features for phone use, with push notifications for claim status changes.
If you used DS Logon, eBenefits, or an older My HealtheVet password, those systems are gone. Switch to ID.me or Login.gov. Your data migrates automatically. The system is more secure, more consolidated, and (once your account is set up) easier to use than the multi-portal version it replaced.
If your account access issues are part of a larger claim or appeal problem, particularly if a deadline is approaching and you cannot get into your file, veterans disability attorneys can step in as your representative to access your file directly through the VA’s representative portal. These cases work on contingency. The consultation costs nothing, and any legal fees only come out of past-due benefits when the case wins.
